One in Ministry – We continue our walk through the New Testament and, currently, through the writings of the apostle Paul, with a reading from 1 Corinthians 13.  Today is also another celebration of Communion as we’ve been considering the theme of gathering around the table as Paul wrote about this. The Rev. Stacey Harwell-Dye, our Pastor of Mercy and Justice Ministries, is delivering the Communion Meditation today and she cited some writings and actions by Clara Ester, who was with Rev. Martin Luther King when he was assassinated.  She also cites an action by a couple in our church who acted out of love some years ago to help Stacey.  The Greek word, agapé, that is translated “love” in this Corinthians passage, points out that our own love is based on and fulfilled by God’s love.  Love is an equalizer, putting us together as one in ministry, whether we’re ordained as ministers or not.   Stacey says that her own work means nothing unless it’s done through God’s love.  And God’s love is not something we have to earn through our own actions because it is God’s gift to all. 

Today, rather than the normal communion service, we are sharing a “Love Feast,” which was an alternative to the communion service in periods of history when clergy were not present.  Today we not only share the Love Feast, but we model it, hoping families and other groups will do the same in the future.  The ritual pieces for this Love Feast are printed on the back page of today’s bulletin.

(NOTE:  Emphasizing the importance of the Word, the video begins with the scripture reading, but if you want, you can scroll back to the beginning of the service in the video – the entire service is available.  NOTE: There were multiple microphone issues through today’s service, most notably as Stacey began her Children’s Moment and Communion Meditation.)