I’m not going to name names, but some of y’all give people too much bread when you serve communion. 

And though pastors aren’t supposed to have favorites, you overly-generous-bread-givers are mine. Don’t tell the others!

This is partly because our bread is so delicious. It’s partly because of the joy of watching the congregation’s faces in those moments as decisions must be made. Do I scarf this whole piece in one bite and hope the grape juice is enough to cleanse my palate? Do I take a single bite and leave the rest of the bread on the trash tray? Or do I have leftovers for after church? Snacking communion, if you will. 

But I mostly love your leavened generosity because it embodies exactly what communion should be - more than we really need. A lack of concern that we might run out. Generosity in bite-size (or two-bite?) form. 

Of course, it is possible that we could run out of communion elements. At my PA church one Sunday a miscommunication led to a Kool-Aid-like substance in our little cups rather than grape juice. That was fine with the congregation as it gave them the chance to make “drinking the Kool-Aid at church” jokes. But humor aside, there are practical concerns to communion. The United Methodist Church specifically uses grape juice during communion for those in their churches who’re living with alcohol addiction. We make gluten-free wafers available for those of you who need them, though I do wish they tasted a bit better for you. And despite my personal bread preferences, our servers are encouraged to give you a bite-sized amount of bread so you can ingest it in time to take the cup.

And yet if we didn’t have to be practical I hope you’d all be overly-generous-bread-givers. For as I say every week, the good news of the communion table is that there’s always enough food, always enough room, and always enough chairs for all who want to join in the meal. It is a table defined by generosity and by its expansiveness. 

I’ll be honest, I don’t understand traditions that limit who can take communion. I respect the choice as a matter of religious liberty, but it’s never made sense to me to tell some people they aren’t welcome at a table defined by giving. A table defined by the love of the one doing the serving. A table that through all of the years since it was first gathered around is still being gathered around week after week all over the world.

So thank you to those in our congregation who serve communion every Sunday. If you’ve never served, what’s stopping you? Communion is our closest weekly connection with the fellowship of Christ and His community of faith. And I have a feeling Jesus was overly generous with the bread, too. 

Go be salty,

Jillian

Opening Hymn: We Have Come at Christ’s Own Bidding

In his commentary on the text, hymnwriter Carl P. Daw, Jr., describes the “implicit comparison between the attitudes and assumptions of the disciples on the Mount of the Transfiguration

and the expectations of present-day Christians as they gather for

worship.” Set to the tune, HYFRYDOL, by Rowland Prichard, 1844.

Middle Hymn: Holy Ghost, with Light Divine

The hymn was written by Andrew Reed in 1817. The words are based on Luke 11:13. Set to the tune, MERCY, composed by Louis Gottschalk, 1867. This hymn is taken from the African American Heritage Hymnal.

Sermon Response: Jesus, Take Us to the Mountain

Both text and tune were commissioned by St. Luke Lutheran Church, Silver Spring, Maryland, to commemorate its fiftieth anniversary. The hymn writer, Jaroslav Vajda, tells of being “as much at a loss for words contemplating the glory of the transfigured Christ as were the disciples.” The tune, SILVER SPRING, was composed by Carl Schalk, 1991.

Communion Anthem:  Ubi Caritas

The first motet in a set by French composer Maurice Duruflé. The text translates to "Wherever God is, there is Love." 

Closing Hymn: O Wonderous Sight, O Vision Fair

This tune was composed in honor of the defeat of France at Agincourt by England under King Henry V. The text, “Deo gracias….,” were added in honor of the English king’s wish that the glory for the victory is given to God. The tune, DEO GRACIAS, dates from 1415.

Share worship with me this Transfiguration Sunday,

Debi

THIS SUNDAY!

February Mission Trunk Emphasis

Immigrant Detainees

People from Russia to the Mideast, Central and South America fleeing oppressive and abusive governments, gang violence, climate disasters and death squads are coming to our borders seeking asylum and the chance for a better future. The vast majority of these people are in the for-profit prison systems, awaiting hearings, credible fear evaluations (what a terrifying concept), parole, or bond. The previous administration cut the number of courts or made them into video courts where hearings lasted less than 2 minutes. No language translation was available and people had limited access to lawyers. This practice continues. A substantial portion, though not all of those I have met, have family ready to receive them in locations around the country, but this can take several months and the for-profit prisons have no motive to help them through the process.

In 2022 our Northminster (and friends) group helped 61 people get to transportation at the bus station or the airport, helped by transporting them, providing food, a motel room, and sometimes, giving them warm clothing or just a change of clothing from their prison sweat suits. In Louisiana, the organization of which we are a member, Louisiana Aid for Immigrants in Detention, has provided assistance to over 6,000 people, most through the Shreveport facility where a church lets us board persons waiting for transportation. 

If you have frequent flyer miles that are waiting for good use, please consider donating them at Miles4Migrants.org. People are often kept in prison simply because they don't yet have a ticket for transportation.

Trunk Needs: men's jeans size small to medium, (3 small or medium men to 1 large), men's pullover shirts/T-shirts and jackets, new or used backpacks, tennis shoes, socks, personal hygiene kits (razor, toothbrush, toothpaste, comb or brush), cold weather jackets for men and women as well as warm scarves. 

Last Sunday's Floral Offerings

The floral offering was given to the Glory of God

Arrangement by

Ellen Prather

PLEASE NOTE: When flowers are given in honor or in memory of someone, the flowers that day have been paid for by someone and not from the flower fund. 

Please allow the family to have first pick of an arrangement to take home before choosing some for yourself. Thank you!