World Communion Sunday offers us an opportunity to experience Holy Communion in the context of the global community of faith.
The first Sunday of October has become a time when Christians in every culture break bread and pour the cup to remember and affirm Christ as the Head of the Church.
On that day, we remember that we are part of the whole body of believers.
Christians celebrate the communion liturgy in as many ways as there are congregations. World Communion Sunday can be both a profound worship experience and a time for learning more about our wider community of faith.
Come, celebrate at Pender today at our One Table service at 10:00 AM
From sea to shining sea, United Methodists are finding special ways to observe Memorial Day in the United States. Here is a sampling of ideas.
Pray for all who have given their lives for our freedom. “The major emphasis of the Memorial Day worship time,” said the Rev. Alan Brown, Hayes Memorial United Methodist Church, Fremont, Ohio, “is not on a secular observance; rather, it is the message of the gospels and the sacraments of the church.”
Read the names of fallen veterans, and toll a bell after each name is read. The Rev. Walter L. Graves encourages people to read the names when they see a war memorial. “Remember,” said the pastor of Reelsboro United Methodist Church, New Bern, N.C., “that was a person who had… dreams and desires.”
Provide special worship music with a PowerPoint presentation. “My church has a slide show of friends and family, living and dead, who have served in the military,” reported Leslie Haggs, lay leader at Angelica United Methodist Church in New York.
Offer a candlelight service. Bishop James Swanson of the Holston Annual (regional) Conference will preach at joint services of three congregations — Mount Wesley and New Victory, Telford, Tenn., and Mayberry, Jonesborough, Tenn. A candlelight service for those interred in the church cemetery will be part of worship.
Wave a flag. Youth of First United Methodist Church, Koppel, Pa., raised money to buy an American flag for all 225 residences in the little town. “I’m a flag-waver,” admitted the Rev. Donald A. Anderson. Quoted in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, he expressed hope that the flags would “bring Koppel a sense of pride in participating in this great holiday honoring those who fought to protect our freedoms.”
At Arlington (Va.) National Cemetary, flags decorate the tombs of those who died in the service of their country. Photo courtesy of Arlington National Cemetery.
Lay a wreath. In Illinois, Malta United Methodist Church will have a special worship service. The congregation invites veterans of the community to pay tribute to fellow soldiers by marching as a unit from the church to the township library, where a wreath will be dedicated.
Decorate veterans’ graves. “After Sunday service,” said the Rev. Charlie Johnson Jr., a local pastor serving three congregations in the Lynchburg, Va., area, “we go into the church cemetery, remove the old flags placed on the graves of veterans last Memorial Day and replace them with new ones…We remember our active-duty military every Sunday during prayer.”
Do a project for active troops. In Maine, the North Searsport United Methodist Church is recruiting the community to join parishioners in a mission project to benefit soldiers going overseas. Participants will sew small pillows for military personnel. The project is in response to recent articles about soldiers having to pay for pillows on their flights.
Make military care packages. The congregation of First United Methodist Church, Alice, Texas, brought items for military care packages to mail to troops serving overseas. “Many of us have loved ones who are serving in the military,” member Stefany Simmons explained. “Each of us signed cards to include for the troops.”
Be part of a community-service day. Manatee United Methodist Church is one of two Bradenton, Fla., locations for the Journey of Remembrance, an annual community-service day honoring U.S. military veterans and their families for their care and sacrifice.
Parades are one way to honor those who sacrifice daily for our freedom. A web-only photo by Dee Dee Cobb.
Learn about issues affecting veterans. At Christ United Methodist Church, Troy, N.Y., a guest speaker will focus on the history and social justice issues related to military mental illness. “At Christ Church,” said the Rev. Nina Nichols in the Bennington Banner, “we honor those who serve their country, who served with the hope of bringing justice on behalf of our nation. But as a people of faith, we must not fail to call for a better way to peace than war. This Memorial Day we pray for peace for the war-weary.”
Glorify Jesus as the Prince of Peace and reach out to those whom others may forget. On Memorial Day – as he does throughout the year – John Alexander, a member of East Lake United Methodist Church, Birmingham, Ala., will be involved with Kairos Prison Ministries. A Christian, lay-led, ecumenical, volunteer, international prison ministry, Kairos brings Christ’s love and forgiveness to incarcerated individuals and their families.
*Dunlap-Berg is internal content editor for United Methodist Communications.
News media contact: Barbara Dunlap-Berg, Nashville, Tenn., 615-742-5470 ornewsdesk@umcom.org.
The days leading up to Easter often have an understandably somber feel to them, particularly as we contemplate Jesus’ arrest, trial, and execution. It’s easy to forget that the week begins with a joyful event: the Triumphal Entry!
Sunday, March 14, 2019, is Palm Sunday, the first day of Holy Week. On Palm Sunday, we commemorate Jesus’ celebrated entry into Jerusalem just a few days before his arrest, trial, and crucifixion.
The “palm” in Palm Sunday refers to the palm branches waved by the adoring Jerusalem crowds who welcomed Jesus and proclaimed him King. The event is commonly referred to as the Triumphal Entry. Here’s the account from Matthew 21:1-11:
As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, say that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.”
This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet:
“Say to Daughter Zion,
‘See, your king comes to you,
gentle and riding on a donkey,
and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’”
The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. They brought the donkey and the colt and placed their cloaks on them for Jesus to sit on. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,
“Hosanna to the Son of David!”
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?”
The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”
From Chuck Knows Church — Palm Sunday. Have you ever waved a palm branch in a worship service? If so, do you know why? Chuckle along and learn about Palm Sunday with Chuck
Sunday, December 2, 2018 is the First Sunday in Advent.
The first Candle of the Advent Wreath is lit on the first Sunday of Advent, on December 2 this year. It is called the Prophecy Candle and reminds us that Jesus’ coming was prophesied hundreds of years before He was born. The candle’s purple color represents Christ’s royalty as the King of Kings.
Chuck Knows Church — ADVENT WREATH. Four candles in a circle with a big one in the middle? Yep, take a moment and learn the basics about the advent wreath. And why is the pink candle…pink?
On December 21 at 1:30PM, the Pender UMC Choir traditionally sings for the Pan Am Flight 103 (Lockerbie) Memorial Service at Arlington National Cemetery.
One of the songs we traditionally sing at this service – “Under His Wings” – was composed in memory of the victims. It can be heard in the videos below.
A few years ago was the 25th anniversary of the Pan Am Flight 103 bombing. A C-Span video of the anniversary event
Have you seen the 12 Disciples in our Fellowship Hall? Thanks to our Jesus Loves You (JLU) Youth Group for 4th-6th… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…1 day ago
At our 8:15, 9:30 and 11:00 am services on October 13, Thom Jones preached on " Destined in Love" based on scriptur… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…3 days ago
Now accepting used coats (in good condition) of all sizes infant to adult to give to the local homeless shelters of… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…4 days ago
At our 8:15, 9:30 and 11:00 am services on October 13, Thom Jones preached on " Destined in Love" based on scriptures Ephesians 1:3-10 and Ephesians 1:11-14.
At our 8:15, 9:30 and 11:00 am services on October 13, Thom Jones preached on " Destined in Love" based on scriptures Ephesians 1:3-10 and Ephesians 1:11-14.
At our 10 am One Table service on October 6, Pastor Catharine preached on " Remembering Who and Whose We Are" based on scriptures Genesis 1:26-27, Isaiah 42:1-4 and 1 Peter 2:4-5, 9-10.
At our 10 am One Table service on October 6, Pastor Catharine preached on " Remembering Who and Whose We Are" based on scriptures Genesis 1:26-27, Isaiah 42:1-4 and 1 Peter 2:4-5, 9-10.
At our 8:15, 9:30 and 11 am services on September 29, Pastor Catharine preached on Seeing the Glory of God in Others based on scriptures John 1:1-5; John 3:16-21 and Matthew 5:14-16. This is a continuation of the series The Face and the Glory.
At our 8:15, 9:30 and 11 am services on September 29, Pastor Catharine preached on Seeing the Glory of God in Others based on scriptures John 1:1-5; John 3:16-21 and Matthew 5:14-16. This is a continuation of the series The Face and the Glory.
At our 8:15, 9:30 and 11 am services on September 22, Pastor Catharine preached on Seeing the glory of God in nature based on scriptures Genesis 1:1-24 and Psalm 19:1-6. This is the second message in the new series The Face and the Glory.
At our 8:15, 9:30 and 11 am services on September 22, Pastor Catharine preached on Seeing the glory of God in nature based on scriptures Genesis 1:1-24 and Psalm 19:1-6. This is the second message in the new series The Face and the Glory.
Seen any symbols of fire around your sanctuary?
