Pastor Paul's PostsA United Methodist minister for the last 25 years, this page contains journal posts beginning in 2017.
I hope to post pastoral comments here in the future as opportunities arise. |
![]() Come Build Community With Us! A powerful moment in the gathered community is shown in this photo. Our Communion Servers at the 8:30 am worship service receive of the Lord's Table, then serve others who come to receive in God's grace in Jesus Christ. As pastor I am set-apart to preside in the "administration" of the sacrament by leading the Great Thanksgiving, by praying and consecrating the bread and juice, and then by serving the servers. It is my role to facilitate Communion and to equip the laity to serve in the mission and ministry of Jesus. What happens when the community shares in the Lord's Supper is an outcome of the communion they share. The grace of Christ transforms Communion into Community. The group becomes one with Christ and one with the world redeemed by Christ. We want you to come and share at the table of the Lord with us. We want you to be a part of this communion and this community! The table is open for all who seek to love Jesus and who choose to live in peace with one another. This week Sep 17, we will be reading from the gospel story found in Matthew 18: 21-35. It is a story about forgiveness. We hear Jesus teaching that forgiveness works much like what I have described above with communion and community. In receiving forgiveness in Christ, we are empowered to forgive others and ourselves in the grace and mercy of God. Christ creates community from communion when we choose to live in peace with one another. Christ provides forgiveness to us when we choose to forgive others. Just as we are called to serve from the grace we receive at the table of the Lord, we are also given the opportunity to receive forgiveness in the process of forgiving others. I believe our community is made stronger in the communion we share. I am confident that we also will be made more like Christ when we practice forgiveness. Come and Build Community With Us! Much love and many blessings! Along the Way with Pastor Paul
1 Comment
Ken Couger
9/12/2017 09:58:24 am
And Matthew 6:14-15 underscores what Jesus says in Matthew 18: 35
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Author: Paul E HarrisJournal posts from a pastor and spiritual friend Archives
October 2023
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