“A Time to Remember” Part 2 (Holy Communion Sunday) – 9/15/24 Service
September 15, 2024
Stephen Streett
A Time to Remember Part 2 (Holy Communion Sunday)
Mark 14:22-25; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26
In my sermon this Sunday, "A Time to Remember," I will prompt the congregation to acknowledge and appreciate the individuals who have significantly shaped their lives. I will emphasize the importance of remembering and honoring them as a form of care. I will move on to discuss grace's crucial role — an unmerited, unconditional love from God — present at every stage of life, even before birth. The sermon recognizes four forms of grace: "Prevenient Grace," which represents God's continuous pursuit of establishing a relationship with us; "Convicting Grace," the realization of our faults and the need for repentance; "Justifying Grace," which sees us forgiven and in a right relationship with God; and "Sanctifying Grace," our response to God's love through deepening our relationship and living according to His will. Finally, "Perfecting Grace," evolves us into the form of Christ as we grow stronger in our faith and spirituality.
I will then discuss the sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion as pathways for receiving such divine grace. The sermon clarifies that these sacraments are not about gaining salvation or God's favor, but rather as means to enrich our connection with God. The sermon emphasizes the role of Baptism in establishing our Christian identity and mission, while Holy Communion nourishes us spiritually. As a concrete physical representation of God’s grace, Holy Communion uses bread and wine as symbols of God's love making it visible and tangible. The act becomes a "sign-act," where words, actions, and physical elements transmit God's love. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we encounter Christ at the Communion table, receiving the spiritual benefits available to us. Participating in Holy Communion over time reshapes us into Christ's image, healing our relationship with God and strengthening us to continue his work in the world.
The sermon concludes with the reminder that participating in Holy Communion is a way of experiencing eternal life and uniting with Christ both in the present and the afterlife. I will reiterate the necessity of being grateful for God's love. The essence of this message is centered around remembrance, gratitude, and divine grace in the form of sacraments. We will then partake of Holy Communion.
Grace and Peace,
Stephen
