A picture from our last potluck, when Katie and I were so warmly welcomed by all of you!
This past Sunday, we talked about how the early church shared their presence. Using 1 Corinthians 12, we dove into a conversation around how important it is for the many different and unique parts of the community to be together. Our being together, welcoming our fullest selves, creates the conditions which allow for the work of God to be done. We are returning, this Sunday, to Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, and actually to a passage I referenced in my sermon last week.
1 Corinthians 11 contains Paul’s answer to what must have been questions and concerns around how the people of this church were conducting themselves around the Table. It is important to know that, when the ancient church talks about partaking in “The Lord’s Supper,” they refer to a full meal. There was no small piece of bread, no cup of grape juice. Communion for the ancient church was dinner, together, gathered around the Table.
I find it fascinating how much the ancient church cared about and discussed food and eating. Not only do they care tremendously about food, but it also seems like meals were a way to understand the ever expanding love and work of God. We see it in this passage in 1 Corinthians, wherein Paul reprimands those who are leaving others out of the full meal by arriving early and eating all the food. We also see it in Acts when Peter has a vision that tells him all food is good to eat, and then immediately has the opportunity to welcome a Roman centurion (a Gentile!) into The Way. This phenomenon is not limited to scripture, though. I think we see the expanding love of God present in meals in our modern day. That’s why we United Methodists spend so much time hosting and organizing potlucks! They are an opportunity to bear witness to God’s expansive love!
It is impossible to work at this church and not see the power of food. So much of our ministry centers around feeding our community, from the Community Food Pantry, to regular fifth Sunday potlucks, to our fervent participation in Mission Turkey, to the snacks given for Be A Blessing, Lake Cities UMC is dedicated to feeding our neighbors. I believe that this cornerstone of our ministry is no accident, and is, in fact, one of the ways we share like the early church. We create a table that is big enough for everyone to eat their fill, and, in so doing, we help others connect to God’s expansive love.
As we look toward the next year of ministry together, I am excited to continue to be the church that feeds Lake Cities, in body, mind, and spirit. Moreover, I am excited to see this work expand as we make plans to feed more people, and offer our community the fullness of God’s expansive. I hope you’ll join me this Sunday as we talk about sharing our table like the early church, and next Sunday (11/22) as we turn in our pledges for the coming year and commit to living in common and sharing what we have for the work of God.
See you Sunday!
In Grace,
Rev. Tim
