Baptists Celebrate World Communion Sunday
October 5, 2008

When God’s people celebrate Holy Communion, Christ is present in a profound and formative way. This sacred meal is an invitation for the collective church to participate in Christ’s story of redemption and sacrificial love. Whether Holy Communion is celebrated monthly or quarterly, through intinction, the common cup, or as a passed meal, it represents a significant act of re-membering the body of Christ.

As World Communion Sunday approaches, churches from all nations will consider, yet again, the global and political implications of this sacred practice. According to the National Council of Churches’ (USA) website, “World Communion Sunday … is one of the most venerable of ‘special Sundays.’ The day has taken on new relevancy and depth of meaning in a world where globalization has often undermined peace and justice… On this day we celebrate our oneness in Christ, the Prince of Peace, in the midst of the world we are called to serve – a world ever more in need of peacemaking.”<!–[if !supportFootnotes]–>[1]<!–[endif]–>

The following resources may help convey the thematic significance of World Communion Sunday in a creative and tangible way:

1) Use a Communion litany from another faith tradition, especially those that include ecumenical terminology.<!–[if !supportFootnotes]–>[2]<!–[endif]–>

2) Invite members of your congregation that represent other cultures and know languages other than English to contribute a prayer or a litany within the worship service. This will help the congregation see and hear a sample of the diversity found within the Body of Christ.

3) Sing hymns that direct the congregation’s focus toward unity, peacemaking, and global solidarity.

This year at First Baptist Church in Greenwood, SC, the congregation will be singing a hymn that was written specifically for World Communion Sunday. I conclude this entry by including the words of this hymn (which is arranged to the tune of Beach Spring, found on page 377, 604, and 613 in the 1991 edition of the Baptist Hymnal). Along with the words of this hymn, I include an open invitation for any church to use this hymn on World Communion Sunday. As we share the common element of celebrating Holy Communion and, perhaps, the singing of this hymn in our worship, may we also celebrate the unity that we share as the Body of Christ on World Communion Sunday.

World Communion Sunday Hymn (Tune: Beach Spring)

Words by Rev. M. Blake Kendrick

I. Unite, Lord, all Your people

With a passion for true peace

Enflame our hearts and minds with

Your divine love, which will ease

Our sorrow, our suffering, our greed and our hate

May we abide with patience

For your peace, Christ, we will wait

 

II. Let peace and justice roll down

Let them flow as mighty streams

May Your people from all nations

Inspire our world to dream

Of an end to all violence

Of an end to all wars

Lead us to love our neighbors

Teach us to fight no more

 

III. Do justice, love mercy

Walk humbly with the Lord

Sow seeds of compassion

And feed our hungry world

As sisters and brothers

As the Body of Christ

We share in one journey

Toward hope and toward life

 

IV. In the strong name of the Father

Of the Spirit and the Son

We share Holy Communion

With this meal we’re made as one

As we break one bread together

As we share one holy cup

May all that separates us

Be defeated by God’s love

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