Hello Hopefuls!

I believe we have turned a corner into actual fall weather. I believe. But don’t quote me on that. As I mentioned a few weeks ago, with fall comes changes in schedules, new opportunities and also some important moments in the life of the global Church.

One of the moments we observe each year is World Communion Sunday. World Communion Sunday is observed each year on the first Sunday of October. It is an opportunity to draw attention to the global Church and celebrate that churches, congregations and believers all over the world participate in the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper that day.

We will celebrate World Communion Sunday this Sunday, October 2 at Hope. It is a reminder for us that we are part of the larger body of Christ throughout the world. And as such, we are reminded of our unity and our call to peace and reconciliation. This was the ministry and mission of Christ and so it is with the Church in the world.

Peace and reconciliation… how do we do with that? Who are the people in your life to which you need to be reconciled? What are the situations or systems in our world that need reconciliation? I encourage you to think about that this week and this weekend as we celebrate communion together on Sunday. 

Below is a wonderful prayer prepared by Rev. Katie Aumann, pastor at Morningside Presbyterian Church in Atlanta, GA. that invites our hearts toward peace. I look forward to worshiping with you this Sunday! Bless you!

God of all nations, you have poured out your blessings upon all the peoples of the earth. Grant us eyes to see your gifts of faith and love. Appoint us as heralds of your mercies that are new every morning. Empower us to write the vision of your peaceable kingdom, where destruction and violence are no more, where suffering and wars shall cease. Through our worship empower us to be sent out with joy as bearers of your hope in a hurting world; through Christ. Amen.