Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20

Philippians 3:4-14

NUCC

October 2, 2005

World Communion Sunday

            On this World Communion Sunday we gather as a covenant community.  We gather around the Table as “Christ’s Own.” ----- remembering that others also gather as “Christ’s Own” in places like Iraq, Louisiana, Uganda, Ghana, Brazil and Germany.  Today as we gather around Christ’s own table as Christ’s own people we remember these truths:

1. We come to Christ’s own table as people on a journey.

            During the past several weeks we have joined a group of people on a journey.  The are the Hebrews, the children of Israel, escaped slaves ----- people who marched through the Red Sea Waters, have been in the wilderness of Sinai, have complained and rejoiced.  People who today received what we call the “Ten Commandments.”

            During the past several weeks we have also been reading along with a fellow named Paul as he gives advice and encouragement to his fellow followers of Christ.  People living in Rome and people living in a “little Rome,” Philippi.  Today Paul admits to them and to us that he does not have it made, that he is on a journey of faith and discovery, that, like a runner, he has set his sights on the finish line, but he is not there yet.  All he knows is that he wants to “run with Jesus.”

            Today this is also our challenge: 

• to march through floods and deserts like the Israelites.
• to run a race of faith like Paul.

We do this in various ways and places.  Some of us have gathered in church for study as confirmands, study group participants, and worshipers.  Some of us are attempting to understand what it means to be a Christian in this 21^st century ----- with questions about science, sexuality, and security ---- all sorts of other things.

But then we take time to gather for strength and renewal at Christ’s own table.  We lay aside our troubles and our doubts and we simply eat and drink, just as those Hebrews who ate the meal of Passover just before they crossed the Red Sea waters.  Today we gather around Christ’s own table as a people on a journey.

2.  We come to Christ’s own table as people in relationship.

As we gather around the table in a figurative sense today, we remember that we are in relationship to people in diverse parts of the world:  children in Egypt whom some of us have adopted by sending money to Sister Agapie, a pastor and his wife in Uganda looking for education, school children in Swaziland in need of a decent latrine, women in a shanty town in Brazil looking for basic medical care under our friend Barbara de Souza, American Indian pastors seeking to support their flocks and who we help through our Neighbors in Need offering.

With Paul, who sought to share with Christ in his sufferings and resurrection, we now come to the table also remembering that Christ died on a cross and was raised from a tomb.  We gather in this meal of remembrance and celebration, knowing that we are in relationship to our risen Lord and those here in Neillsville and throughout the world who also claim to be “Christ’s own.”

3.  We come to Christ’s own table as people with commitment.

Finally we come to this table as people who are willing to abide by certain principles and wish to put our faith into action.  The Hebrew people gathered at the foot of Mt. Sinai to receive the Ten Commandments and were afraid.  We gather at the Communion Table and are filled with joy because we know ours is a loving God.  We also know that we need to keep in covenant commitment with God and with one another.

The Ten Commandments are often divided into rules for our relationship with God and with one another.  If we follow them we will live in peace and justice with God and with one another.

Back in Old Testament times people regularly gathered to renew their covenant commitment to God and to one another.  They promised to follow the Ten Commandments.  They promised to stay in relationship with God and one another.

This is our opportunity to day as we gather at Christ’s own table ---- to renew our commitment and to be strengthened in that commitment by God’s holy presence.

This is what I invite you to do:

Come to Christ’s own table as Christ’s own people.

Come as people on a journey.

Come as people in relationship.

Come as people in commitment.

Come as “Christ’s own.”