First, let me say, there are times when a very disruptive child needs to be removed from the Sanctuary.  However, how rich we are at St. John United Church of Christ with cries of an infant, a symbol of new beginnings.  How rich we are with the children of our Children's  Moments, the future of our congregation finding their place among us.  How rich we are when one of those little boys or girls is "acting up" or causing us to momentarily lose our footing as they scramble in front of us.  When you don't have this problem, the church is in trouble.

When we are observing the richness and abundance of God's people, we discover that can include everyone.  Some are rich and other are poor.  Some are old, some are young and some are somewhere in between.  Some have skin that is fair, some dark and still others are somewhere in between.  Some have lots of hair and others have little or almost no hair.  Some are skinny, some are heavy and others are somewhere in between.  Some are boys and girls; some are women and men.

October 1 is World Communion Sunday.  On this Sunday, Christians around the world will be celebrating the Sacrament of Holy Communion.  Sharing Holy Communion on that day will be all of the above mentioned people.

On that day, like so many others, I will be presiding at the table for Holy Communion.  It's not my table but our Lord's Table.  I will be sharing those rich words of this tradition of our Savior and the Christian church.  Our United Church of Christ Book of Worship liturgy states, "This table is open to all who confess Jesus as the Christ and seek to follow Christ's way."  My   calling is to extend hospitality to all who come to this table, offering them the symbols of the body and blood of Jesus Christ.

This kind of hospitality is not so for some.  Some denominations would exclude some people who do not belong to their group or interpretation of this sacred meal.  Some pastors would  exclude some people, acting as "spiritual police" for who can and cannot have Holy Communion.  My beliefs do not allow me to behave this way.

This is your invitation to come to the table.  Jesus said, "Do this in remembrance of me."  Once again, we will be sharing Holy Communion extended to all who choose to come.
                             

                             Your partner in ministry,

Bill