Every year, Christians all over the world celebrate communion on the first Sunday of October to intentionally remind ourselves that we are one in Christ. You may be surprised to learn that World Communion Sunday began at a PC(USA) Church in 1933.
I am excited that we will join others from around the world and continue this celebration. And, because this is a chance to intentionally remember those to whom we are bound despite geography, I invite you to celebrate communion on Sunday in a way that reminds you of meaningful connections to Christians beyond our congregation. Maybe you want to have images of people who have impacted your faith alongside your bread and juice so you can give thanks for them and your unity in Christ as you take communion. Maybe you want to use pita or a rice cake instead of bread to remind yourself of cultures where those elements are more common than bread. Whatever you do, I hope you will remember what a gift it is to be one with brothers and sisters across the globe.
I love the story behind this Sunday (compiled by the Presbyterian Mission Agency). If you're interested in learning more then I encourage you to keep reading:
World Communion Sunday (originally called World Wide Communion Sunday) is a gift of the Presbyterian Church to the larger ecumenical church. The first celebration occurred at Shadyside Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh, PA, in 1933 where Dr. Hugh Thompson Kerr served as pastor.
John A. Dalles, a PC(USA) pastor who has researched the history of World Communion Sunday notes:
Davitt S. Bell (the late Clerk of Session and church historian at Shadyside) recalled that Dr. Kerr first conceived the notion of World Communion Sunday during his year as moderator of the General Assembly (1930). Dr. Kerr’s younger son, the Rev. Dr. Donald Craig Kerr, who is pastor emeritus of the Roland Park Presbyterian Church in Baltimore, was sixteen in 1933. He has related that World Communion Sunday grew out of the Division of Stewardship at Shadyside. It was their attempt to bring churches together in a service of Christian unity—in which everyone might receive both inspiration and information, and above all, to know how important the Church of Jesus Christ is, and how each congregation is interconnected one with another. When I asked Donald Kerr how the idea of World Communion Sunday spread from that first service to the world wide practice of today, this is what he replied,
“The concept spread very slowly at the start. People did not give it a whole lot of thought. It was during the Second World War that the spirit caught hold, because we were trying to hold the world together. World Wide Communion symbolized the effort to hold things together, in a spiritual sense. It emphasized that we are one in the Spirit and the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”
Celebration of World Wide Communion Sunday was adopted as a denominational practice in the Presbyterian Church (US) in 1936. Churches in other denominations were invited to celebrate with us from the beginning, but it wasn’t until 1940 when the Department of Evangelism of the Federal Council of Churches (a predecessor body of the National Council of Churches) promoted extending the celebration to a number of churches around the world that the practice became widespread. Today, World Communion Sunday is celebrated around the world, demonstrating that the church founded on Jesus Christ peacefully shares God-given goods in a world increasingly destabilized by globalization and global market economies based on greed.
I look forward to sharing in this celebration with you on Sunday,
Betsy
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This week, we'll begin a new sermon series titled:
What's Your Why?
Over the next six weeks, we'll consider why we do the things we do as Christians. We'll think about why we worship, serve, learn, care, and give, all of which are important to a vibrant life a faith. To consider any of these actions though, we must first ask ourselves "Why Christ?" That's the question we'll consider this Sunday.
I encourage you to read Mark 5:1-20 in preparation for Sunday.
We will also celebrate World Communion Sunday so have your elements ready so you can participate.
(More information related to World Communion Sunday in my message above.)
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MARK YOUR CALENDAR - YOU'RE INVITED! |
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VIRTUAL COFFEE HOUR
Sunday, October 4, at 11:00 AM
We’ve had such fun at our September Coffee Hours that we decided to host gatherings in October, too!
So grab a cup of coffee if you’d like, and join the Fellowship Committee for a chat with your church friends via the miracle of Zoom this coming Sunday, October 4, at 11:00, right after the morning worship service! Just drop in to our virtual coffee hour for a moment to say hello or linger a while for a longer conversation. We’d love to see you!
Meeting ID: 880 9724 8799
Passcode: 993074
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NONAGENARIAN CELEBRATION
OCTOBER 18, 2020 at 11 A.M.
Our very own Bobbie Barnes and Don Lob are turning 90 years old this year and we think that’s worth celebrating! To ensure the safety of those we are honoring and all who love them, we will gather online and offer our thanks together for their lives, which have been gifts to us all.
On Sunday, October 18 at 11:00 am, all of Northridge is invited to a 15-minute Zoom party during which Bobbie and Don will be honored.
Mark your calendar and look for more details in the next issue of the Northridge News.
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ADULT EDUCATION
Keep the conversation going. Learn, grow, and connect with others through our Adult Education Program this Fall. Programs begin the week of September 13. All classes held via Zoom.
The Wired Word: Wednesdays at 7 PM
Current Events & Christianity
Meeting ID: 837 1620 1906
Passcode: 681172
Love An Other: A 4 week series on the Bible’s Call to Unity, Justice, and Equality— Sundays at 4 PM - Please note this class registration is full.
Bible Study: Tuesdays at 7:30 AM
Engage in Dialogue on the Book of Acts
Meeting ID: 954 9571 6184
Passcode: 027540
Presbyterian Women In Northridge
Into the Light: Finding Hope Through Prayers of Lament
Day Circle: Second Tuesday of the month at 10am;
Night Owl Women: First Tuesday of the month at 6:15 pm.
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YOUTH VESPERS ON THE FIELD
8:30-9 PM every other Wednesday
Beginning Sept. 2nd
*Masks required
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PACK THE PEWS THIS OCTOBER
Sunday afternoon
October's Mission Partner will be announced on Friday.
Items for donation will be included with the announcement.
*Masks required when dropping off or volunteering.
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DEACONS OFFER VOTING ASSISTANCE |
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DEACONS OFFER VOTER ASSISTANCE FOR SENIORS
Are you one of our Northridge valued seniors, age 60 or higher? Do you have questions about voting? Do you need assistance on how and where to vote, how to register or how to verify that you are registered? Are you interested in early voting or need assistance with voting in person on November 3rd?
The Deacons can help! If you have questions about voting in the 2020 general election, contact Tony Cummins and Allan Tepera via email at Deacons@northridgepc.org or call us: to reach Tony (214) 343-9838 or to reach Allan (972) 841-4235.
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NORTHRIDGE GAVE ME CAMPAIGN |
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I'm grateful for the many ways in which Northridge has had an impact on my life during the past ten years. A few of the impacts that spring to mind include always being a community that provides a safe, welcoming and comfortable place to worship with friends; a faith community that has encouraged personal and spiritual growth and provided numerous opportunities to share skills and talents; and, most importantly, a community that demonstrates and encourages each of us to live out the "Northridge Charge" on a regular basis.
-Ray Chavez
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What impact has Northridge
made in your life?
Did this community surround you with prayers and love after loss? Did you go on a mission trip and learn something new about what it means to serve God’s world? Has this community supported you through transition?
We want to hear your story!
Send a photo, drawing, brief written answer, audio or video recording, or whatever media allows you to answer this question!
We will compile these stories with gratitude for all that this community means.
*Need help with a submission? Email and let us know. We'll be happy to guide you.
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SUPPORT THE MINISTRY AND MISSION OF NPC |
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Thanks to your generosity, Northridge has been able to maintain our commitments to mission partners both locally and globally, adapt to virtual worship, and find innovative ways to be the church in these unprecedented times.
Our ministries only continue because of your financial contributions.
To make a contribution to our ministries, you may click the button to the right or mail a check to the church.
6920 Bob-O-Link Drive
Dallas, TX 75214
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SHOP AMAZON SMILE AND SUPPORT NPC!
Did you know that you can support Northridge by shopping on Amazon? It’s easy.
- Login to your Amazon account.
- In the top right corner of the screen, choose “Accounts and Lists.”
- In the “Your Lists” column, choose “AmazonSmile Charity Lists.”
- In the search field, enter “Northridge Presbyterian Church.”
- Click “Select” next to the first option that shows up in the Results list. (You’ll see Northridge Presbyterian Church Dallas, TX.)
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Shop Amazon as usual using the URL smile.amazon.com
- It’s that easy! When you make a qualifying purchase, NPC will receive funds.
Thanks for supporting the many ministries of NPC!
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SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL |
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YouTube is where you’ll find news and videos from our Northridge community. To stay up-to-date, visit this link and click “Subscribe.” You’ll be notified when new videos from Northridge are posted. At the top of the page, under "Created Playlists" you'll see a folder titled "Worship Services" and another folder titled "Wednesday Word." These are quick links where you can easily access all videos in each of those categories. On Sunday morning, when the live stream is finished, we will post worship to the "Worship Services" folder.
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LADIES, MARK THOSE CALENDARS NOW FOR THE OCTOBER MEETING OF NIGHT OWL WOMEN -- TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 7 PM If you are seeking connection, fellowship and Bible study in this alternate universe, Night Owl Women can't be beat! Northridgers and friends and family welcome!
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