Different But the Same

for Sunday, October 6, 2013
World Communion Sunday
27th Sunday in Ordinary Time
20th Sunday after Pentecost
Proper 22
Year C
lectionary focus: Luke 17:5-10
inspiration: Gospel Commentary by Jeff Krantz and Michael Hardin
I like the line: “[our] constant status as ‘slaves’ in need of God’s grace…”
note: I love Carolyn Brown’s idea and suggest using the book Bread, Bread, Bread by Ann Morris (1993) during Sunday School.

Good morning!

Have you ever noticed how many churches there are? Why, we have 5 churches just on this street! Churches are everywhere. Some are big; some are small. Some ring church bells; some have fancy stained-glass windows. Some have early services; some have evening services. In some churches, the people kneel; in some, the people stand. Some churches do mission trips far away; and some do service projects in their neighborhoods. There are many different churches because there are many different people. And when we visit another church, they aren’t doing things wrong; they are just doing things differently.

And while each church does church differently, today, churches all along our street, across our city, and around the world, are doing one thing in particular the same. Today is World Communion Sunday. This means that churches around the world are participating in the sacrament of Holy Communion. Each time we take the bread and wine, we remember that God loves us. And today, through World Communion, we are also celebrating that though each church does things differently, we each and all of us need God and His grace. By participating together around the world in Holy Communion, we celebrate our common need for God, and together we celebrate receiving His love and grace.

There are many different people. There are many different churches. There are many different ways of worshipping and serving God. But in the end, we all need God and we all are God’s children. Today we celebrate that we are different, yet we are the same.

Will you pray with me? (This is an echo prayer: the leader says a line and the children repeat it.)

Dear Lord,
We are each different
but we each need You.
We are each different
but we are each Your children.
Thank You
for loving us the same
each and all.
Amen

We are not Christians alone.
My mission is to share, inspire, and encourage.