As defined by The Presbyterian Mission Agency, World Communion Sunday, the first Sunday in October, celebrates our oneness in Christ with all our brothers and sisters around the world. Paul tells us that we are to “discern the body” when we partake of Holy Communion, mindful that we note our relationship to all our brothers and sisters in Christ in the celebration. One is not to go hungry while another is drunk! (I Cor. 11:21). This is scandalous behavior opposed to the Way of Christ. Thus it is appropriate that World Communion Sunday is also a time when we receive the annual Peace and Global Witness Offering as a way of continuing the ancient Christian practice of sharing what we have with brothers and sisters in need.
Join us on October 29, 2016 for our annual Trunk or Treat! We get all decked out, decorating our cars and suiting up in costume for some spooky Halloween fun. We can’t wait to see how you’re dressed up for trick or treating this year; see you then!
Yes, they are growing, not only in size but also in number. We were blessed to have eleven today to enjoy Reverend Ed’s young disciple’s sermon, starting from age 2 on up! They are in the front row every week, soaking in the wisdom of the Word to take with them every day. Reverend Ed is wonderful with them, engaging even the youngest little one in praise with “we did it!” and clapping at the end.
Young Disciples’ Sermon September 11, 2016
Today we learned that Jesus searches for even one little lost sheep, one coin, and one sinner no matter how the establishment mocks Him.
1Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him. 2 And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, “This Man receives sinners and eats with them.” 3 So He spoke this parable to them, saying:
4 “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it?5 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing.6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’7 I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.
8 “Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it?9 And when she has found it, she calls her friends and neighbors together, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I lost!’10 Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
10 Now He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. 11 And behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bent over and could in no way raise herself up. 12 But when Jesus saw her, He called her to Him and said to her, “Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity.”13 And He laid His hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.
14 But the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath; and he said to the crowd, “There are six days on which men ought to work; therefore come and be healed on them, and not on the Sabbath day.”
15 The Lord then answered him and said, “Hypocrite![a]Does not each one of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or donkey from the stall, and lead it away to water it?16 So ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound—think of it—for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath?”17 And when He said these things, all His adversaries were put to shame; and all the multitude rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by Him.
