Ordinary bread made by ordinary people

                                        is holy

                              when we take and eat

                                        and remember.

                              Ordinary grapes taken by ordinary people

                                  made into ordinary wine

                                        is holy

                              when we hold it to our lips and drink

                                        and remember.

                              This bread . . . remember his body was given for us.

                              This wine . . . remember his blood was poured out for us.

                             

                              Bread and wine,

                                   from ordinary to holy . . .

                                        Remember.            

 

          The above was written by one of my favorite religious writers, Ann Weems in her book Searching For Shalom.  The phrase “Ordinary bread made by ordinary people” I find it especially meaningful. at this time of the year because on the October 6th, we join with Christians throughout the world in celebrating Holy Communion, the Eucharist.  

Why? Well growing up, I am not sure when I ate store bread.  My grandmother baked bread 3 times a week of which my which she shared with us.  For me this was ordinary bread, made by an ordinary grandmother, [but was extra ordinary warm with real butter.]

 

This always comes to my mind when I read the above as we celebrate World Communion

Sunday. A Sunday to promote Christian unity and ecumenical cooperation.  The tradition originated in the Shadyside Presbyterian Church in 1933, was adopted throughout the US Presbyterian Church in 1936,and subsequently spread to other denominations.  In 1940, the Federal Council of Churches (now the National Council of Churches), led by Jesse Moren Bader, endorsed World Communion Sunday and began to promote it to Christian churches worldwide.

 

          So, I hope that all of you will want to share in worship with your brothers and sisters in Christ at Salem and across the globe as we gather at the Lord's Table and

                                                           

 REMEMBER!

 

                                                                                          Blessings…

                                                                                          Pastor Kurt +

 

PS-For those worshiped here in the past, but haven’t been here in awhile, I invite you to come.  What better time to rejoin your worship community than around the Lord’s table.  And it will an opportunity for me to meet others who consider Salem to be

their church. Blessings and look forward to meet you.