In Common - Acts 2:42-47 - Fourth Sunday of Easter - 5-3-20

Sermon podcast from our 5-3-20 livestream only worship service - St. Paul's UCC in Downers Grove, IL. Acts 2:42-47

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"In Common" podcast

The whole worship service livestream recording

Thanks - 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 - Maundy Thursday - 4-9-20

Sermon podcast from our Maundy Thursday livestream only worship service - St. Paul's UCC in Downers Grove, IL. 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

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"Thanks" podcast

The whole worship service livestream recording

Crowds - Matthew 21:1-11 - Palm Sunday - 4-5-20

Sermon podcast from our Palm Sunday livestream only worship service - St. Paul's UCC in Downers Grove, IL. Matthew 21:1-11.

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"Crowds" podcast

The whole worship service livestream recording

Children

Sermon podcast from today, World Communion Sunday, at St. Paul's UCC in Downers Grove, IL. Mark 10:2-17

video sermon preview
"Children" podcast

Communion

I'm an advocate for open communion. No age limits and no entitlements based on what church (if any at all) a person is a part of. I think that anyone who wants to come to the table, whether it is out of genuine devotion or even just a little curiousity, should be welcome. Last year I put together a UCC-inspired commercial based on that idea. Yesterday I expanded that idea during the invitation to communion.

Re-crossing the line

This Sunday is World Communion Sunday. In anticipation of the celebration, I've re-posted a blog entry from January 11 as this week's "Opening the Bible" blog entry at i.ucc. I hope it sparks some good discussion. It's called "Crossing the Line"

This Sunday as World Communion Sunday. Though this post doesn't have a reference to any of the Bible passages for this week, it does have to do with Jesus' unconditional invitation to the table . . .

I've done it now.

OK -- I've done it before too.I've welcomed everyone present to receive communion.

• I've purposefully avoided the phrase "all who profess Jesus as Savior and Lord" in the invitation.
• I've purposefully added "If you don't understand, you're welcome."
• I've purposefully added "If you don't believe, you're welcome."

And a few people have been bothered by that.I've had conversations about how letting everyone take communion, regardless of what they believe, somehow cheapens the sacrament.
I've responded with, "When something is precious because it has requirements that only let certain people in, it isn't really precious -- it's exclusive."

I don't think that Jesus calls for us to be exclusive -- Jesus calls for us to love one another.

I've had conversations about the call for us to examine ourselves before receiving communion so that we do not receive it in an unworthy manner.
And I respond, "Believers should examine themselves before receiving communion. If they find themselves worthy to receive, they aren't. Yet Jesus welcomes all. The call for believers to examine themselves doesn't say anything about unbelievers. They are simply welcome. You don't have to know the host to be at the party -- you know?"

I believe everyone -- without reservation or requirement -- is welcome.

Crossing the line

I've done it now.

OK -- I've done it before too.

I've welcomed everyone present to receive communion.

I've purposefully avoided the phrase "all who profess Jesus as Savior and Lord" in the invitation.

I've purposefully added "If you don't understand, you're welcome."

I've purposefully added "If you don't believe, you're welcome."

And a few people have been bothered by that.

I've had conversations about how letting everyone take communion, regardless of what they believe, somehow cheapens the sacrament.

I've responded with, "When something is precious because it has requirements that only let certain people in, it isn't really precious -- it's exclusive."

I don't think that Jesus calls for us to be exclusive -- Jesus calls for us to love one another.

I've had conversations about the call for us to examine ourselves before receiving communion so that we do not receive it in an unworthy manner.

And I respond, "Believers should examine themselves before receiving communion. If they find themselves worthy to receive, they aren't. Yet Jesus welcomes all. The call for believers to examine themselves doesn't say anything about unbelievers. They are simply welcome. You don't have to know the host to be at the party -- you know?"

I believe everyone -- without reservation or requirement -- is welcome.