First Lutheran Church
January 22, 2023
Worship and Annual Meeting
Matthew 26:26-29 26 While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, and after blessing ithe broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take, eat; this is my body.” 27 Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of thecovenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you, I will never again drink of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”
Sermon
“Holy Communion”
Pastor Greg Ronning
Our theme for this morning, on the day that we gather for worship and our annual meeting, is “Holy Communion.” For my homily this morning I would like to highlight and unpack the meaning of a few of the “words” that belong to the sacrament of Holy Communion.
I want to begin with a phrase from today’s gospel reading, Matthew’s account of The Last Supper. He begins, “While they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread, …”I am reminded of the words we sing as part of the “Now The Feast and Celebration”communion liturgy; “As the grains of wheat once scattered on the hill were gathered into one to become our bread; So may all Your people from all the ends of earth be gathered into one in You.”
Holy Communion is a gathering up of the Holy Community! So it is, appropriate that on this day, on this day when we gather to make important decisions for our church, on a day that we affirm our mission here in this place by electing leaders and approving our budget, that we are reminded that we do so as a Holy Community, the church of Jesus Christ.
The next phrases I would like to highlight come from our communion liturgy, from “The Words of Institution,” which more closely follow Mark’s account of The Last Supper.
“Jesus took bread and gave thanks”, -“he took the cup, gave thanks, …” Holy Communion is also known by the Greek word “Eucharist,” which is translated as Thanksgiving. When we gather for Holy Communion, we gather to give thanks for what God has done for us in Christ Jesus. As we gather this day to make plans for this coming year, we will also pause to give thanks for all the good things that God has done amongst us this past year.
The next phrase you hear each week in “The Words of Institution,” and that you hear again when you are served the bread and the wine; contain two very important words, - “for you.” These powerful words are a reminder that you are loved, they echo the promises of baptism, the promise that you are nothing less than a beloved child of God. In the vastness of the cosmos, sometimes we forget who we are, sometimes we get lost in it all, sometimes we feel so small and insignificant; so it is that the God of the universe invites you to Christ’s Table to say – “for you,”–to say “I love you.”
And those very personal words, “for you,” are then followed by another word of community, “Do this in remembrance of me,”or do this to remember me.You’ve all heard me say it time and time again, to remember is to re-member, it’s the opposite of “dis-member!” As we gather together to celebrate Holy Communion, we are “re-membering” the Body of Christ, we are becoming the church, God’s very presence in the world! Communion is a powerful personal moment, “for you,”that leads to an even more powerful moment, the creation and empowerment of the faith community, “re-member me.” Today we will do this, and the sacrament will lead us not just into an annual meeting, but into a commitment, a renewal, an affirmation of our mission - to be the presence of Christ in our community. “Do this to re-member me.”
And finally, a few words that sometimes get lost, “he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink …” “For All.” The precious gift “for you,” is also a precious gift “for all.” We are once again reminded of God’s amazing grace. Christ suffered and died “for all,” not just the ones who are like us, not just the ones who get up on Sunday mornings, not just the people who are easy to like; but for all. In these words, “for all,” we find comfort, and we find a challenge, and ultimately, we find our mission to go out into the world with the good news of the Gospel.
During our last Messy Church session, our children learned about Holy Communion. They baked the bread that we used on Christmas Eve; and today from that place of child-like faith they will proclaim to each of you, as they help serve communion, that the gift is indeed - “for you.” And coming up next in our service they will remind us that “Everybody’s Welcome.” In these words; may you know that you are welcome, and may you be inspired to go out into the world, even to run out into the world with the joy of a beloved child, and tell everyone that they are welcome too!
“Everybody’s Welcome”
Everybody’s welcome, yes, yes, welcome!
Everybody’s welcome, come along and go!
Oh Glory, God is with us!
Oh Glory, Come along and go!
Amen.