World Communion Sunday

World Communion Sunday is celebrated annually on the first Sunday of October.

Philippians 2:2 (NKJV)

Fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord of one mind.

World Communion Sunday is a beautiful shared Christian observance that celebrates unity in Christ, purposed to affirm that no matter the diversity, we are one in the Spirit and Body of Jesus Christ in taking part of the Holy Communion.

During communion, we break and eat bread or crackers in representation of His physical body, broken on the cross for our sins. and drink juice or wine for His blood that was shed to forgive our sins and establish a new covenant between God and humanity. It is not the buildings we stand in or are seated in, but it is us, we the people, are the Church. Churches from many traditions celebrate alongside us.

Let us start our reading at Matthew Chapter 26 Verse 6 through 12.

Matthew 26:6-12 (NKJV)

a woman came to Him having an alabaster flask of very costly fragrant oil, and she poured it on His head as He sat at the table. 8But when His disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste? 9For this fragrant oil might have been sold for much and given to the poor.”10But when Jesus was aware of it, He said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a good work for Me. 11For you have the poor with you always, but Me you do not have always. 12For in pouring this fragrant oil on My body, she did it for My burial.

Onto Verses 19 to 22, we start setting the scene around our Lord's table.

Matthew 26:20-22 (NKJV)

So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them; and they prepared the Passover.

20When evening had come, He sat down with the twelve. 21Now as they were eating, He said, “Assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me.”

22And they were exceedingly sorrowful, and each of them began to say to Him, “Lord, is it I?”

We can ask ourselves what it must have felt like to hear those words. I know that I never want to wonder, is it me Lord who betrays you? Not one of us have the grace and mercy, or the patience of Jesus. Even with betrayal, Jesus washed their feet and offered them bread.

As Jesus said:

John 15:13 (NKJV)

Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.

I believe this is sacred ground, a Holy process, as we go forward into these next moments, I believe we should come to this moment in prayer first. That we should set our hearts and our minds upon the Lord, in one accord.

Let us pray.

“Father, in these quiet moments, search us!

Cleanse us, remove every turmoil and anxiety, baptize us in Your Holy Spirit. Please forgive our hearts and our minds for being weary or distracted. Please forgive us for our sins. May we not turn from You, but toward You. Help us follow Jesus and honor His sacrifice given in love, for us, Your people.

Father, make us whole, with Jesus in our hearts and on our minds, as the Holy spirit is our advocate, our guide and our comfort. Father, every good and perfect gift comes down from You. You sent us Christ Jesus, our Redeemer, our Savior. Through Him, we are welcomed into Your presence. We thank You for this wonderful and perfect gift. In Jesus’s Name, we pray. Amen.”

As our broken piece of bread or cracker is prepared before us. And as our cup is being filled, let us meditate on these scriptures.

During communion— or the Lord’s Supper, the Eucharist, whatever you are comfortable saying, we read this.

Matthew 26:26 (NKJV)

And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.”

Let us now take and eat.

Thank you, Jesus.

We continue reeding:

Matthew 26:27&28 (NKJV)

Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. 28For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

Let us now take and Drink.

Thank you, Jesus.

Communion is symbolic, but also a sacred act of worship, a moment of reflection and meditation, a time for repentance, and renewal.

It reminds us that Jesus gave All, so that we could be reconciled to our Heavenly Father.

Together, we partake in communion affirming our unity in Christ across cultures, denominations, and even generations.

Thank you for joining us, either in learning or in participation and prayer.

Thank you, Father, for sending Your one and only begotten Son, thank You, Jesus, for Your sacrifice, for none of us were ever found worthy.

-AB-