On October 4, we will once again celebrate World Communion Sunday. Like everything else in this strange, disorienting and disconcerting year 2020, it will look very different from years past. We will not be physically together as the body of Christ. We will not be enticed by the smell of bread as we enter the church building. And we will not be able to partake of the delicious breads from around the world our members usually bake for display and tasting that day.

However, in order to appreciate World Communion Sunday perhaps even more this time around, a quick trip back in time might be of interest. After all, this day was a Presbyterian “invention.” The Rev. Dr. Hugh T. Kerr, then pastor at Shadyside Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh and Moderator of the General Assembly of 1930, devised this day as a symbol of Christian unity and ecumenical outreach. Shadyside church celebrated it for the first time in 1933 and the denomination adopted it as an annual denominational practice in 1936. Today, many denominations the world over celebrate WCS together and we are happy to join with them in the feast which Christ has prepared for all people.

As we are apart one from another this year, and as our nation appears to be more and more divided by the day, Dr. Kerr’s words ring as true today as they did when he penned them: “The concept [of WCS] 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.”

Since our building is still closed for worship, we will bring communion to you on WCS. Our deacons, aided by your staff (wearing masks and gloves!), will meet you in the church’s parking lot on Friday, October 2 from 4:30-6:00pm, and on Saturday, October 3, from 10:30-noon. They will distribute individually sealed communion kits containing the communion elements. These will be the same kits our deacons will then deliver to our homebound members, so we can all “partake of the same loaf and the same cup.” Our deacons and your staff truly long to see you and we hope you will take the opportunity to swing by and pick up as many kits as you need for your household.

on Oct. 29^th at 7pm.

During the evening’s program, Rev. Dr. Dieter Heinzl will be recognized as the recipient of the 2020 Interfaith Lifetime Achievement Award for his years of service to Interfaith Partnership and his commitment to furthering interreligious dialogue and understanding in St. Louis and beyond.

Contact Anne Peacock with questions

As we await the arrival of our new Pastor, the Rev. Doug King, our hope and anticipation are growing. Let us all be generous in honoring our LEGACY - and committing our gifts to fulfill God's PROMISE for the years ahead.

Miss Courtney and Mr. David are thrilled to announce that Monday Madness has returned! Monday Madness is our afternoon fellowship and music activity time for students in Kindergarten through grade 5. Don't forget to register each week!

Fall Email Schedule: Beginning next week, our email schedule will be updated for the fall. Below is an updated schedule of when you can expect to hear from us throughout the week. There may be additional emails if need be. We hope this is an easy way to stay connected.

Sunday Morning Worship - 10:30 a.m., on Facebook (no need to have a Facebook account - just go to www.laduechapel.org, click on Worship on the top and then find the link). Worship will also be available on our YouTube channel. Share our services with your friends on social media! We love meeting new people and growing our online community.

Sunday Morning Zoom Coffee Half Hour - Join us after worship, at 11:15 a.m., for a Zoom Coffee Half Hour. Click here to join the Zoom Coffee hour (the link to join will also be provided in the Facebook worship post and the worship information email on Friday.)