A Worship Matters message from Rev. Donna Dinsmore for May 5's Sunday Service:
What are we doing at the communion table? What is going on inside of us? Around us?
I love to hear communion stories, such as:
The young Scottish Presbyterian girl who visited with her father the church families for which he was responsible as their Elder. Each quarter they would visit and give the family a “green card” that indicated they were in good standing with the church and could partake of communion.
The woman who heard a message of grace for the first time at the table after 39 years of her communities of faith missing the point. And what is the point? How would you answer the question?
This week we will be answering the question slant. We’ll sing and pray and hear about Presence. If we’re open, we might even experience incarnation, authenticity, vulnerability, invitation, reality.
Hope to see you Sunday morning.
Please read this familiar Jesus story below in preparation.
Put yourself in the story as you read.
I wonder what it would have been like to be there.
The disciples left, came to the city, found everything just as he had told them, and prepared the Passover meal.
After sunset he came with the Twelve. As they were at the supper table eating, Jesus said, “I have something hard but important to say to you: One of you is going to hand me over to the conspirators, one who at this moment is eating with me.”
Stunned, they started asking, one after another, “It isn’t me, is it?”
He said, “It’s one of the Twelve, one who eats with me out of the same bowl. In one sense, it turns out that the Son of Man is entering into a way of treachery well-marked by the Scriptures—no surprises here. In another sense, the man who turns him in, turns traitor to the Son of Man—better never to have been born than do this!”
In the course of their meal, having taken and blessed the bread, he broke it and gave it to them. Then he said, Take, this is my body.
Taking the chalice, he gave it to them, thanking God, and they all drank from it. He said, This is my blood, God’s new covenant, Poured out for many people. “I’ll not be drinking wine again until the new day when I drink it in the kingdom of God.”
They sang a hymn and then went directly to Mount Olives.
Our Sunday Services
Join us for Sunday service at Lynn Valley United Church! Every Sunday at 10:30am, LVUC opens its doors to welcome the entire community for the shared experience of worship. Young, old, single, families, gay, straight, bisexual, transgender, queer, two-spirit; there's a place for you here and all are truly welcome! At our church, all means all, regardless of society's labels or where you've journeyed previously.
We Gather
We're a community filled with friendly people. During each service, we take a few moments to greet one another and acknowledge their presence, a cherished practice referred to as 'passing the peace'.
We Sing
Music is a huge part of our Sunday service! You can join in and sing along (lyrics are featured on large screens throughout the space) or just sit back and enjoy.
We Listen
Every Sunday, there is a themed sermon (usually about 20 minutes long) which is designed to inspire and encourage you for your week ahead.
Live Stream on YouTube/Previously Recorded Services
Unable to make it in person? Each Sunday, you can watch our services live streamed on our YouTube channel or check out previously recorded sermons.