Tag: world communion sunday

Holy Communion and Unity in Christ

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We believe in and confess the Unity of the Church given in the one Lord Jesus Christ as God and Savior. He died that He might unite the scattered children of God. As the living Lord and Shepherd, He is leading his flock toward such unity.

By means of His presence in the Holy Communion He makes our unity in Him evident and certain even today. The Ground of the Unity, Doctrinal Statement of the Unitas Fratrum or Moravian Church

world communion sunday

Christianity encompasses a broad range of belief – in understanding of God, interpretation of scripture, and stance on social issues. On some of the most emotionally charged of these issues, one finds Christians on opposing sides. So why does our primary Moravian doctrinal statement, The Ground of the Unity, confess “the Unity of the Church” when there seems to be so much evidence to the contrary?

The Bible teaches that common faith in Christ as Savior, rather than doctrinal agreement or
institutional integration, is the true foundation of Christian Unity. Diversity and unity need not be opposed to each other. As the Apostle Paul realized two millennia ago, persons of different genders, social classes, ethnicities, nationalities, and cultures can find solidarity in Jesus Christ.

Unity is based on believers’ shared relationship with their Savior.

For in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith. As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.Galatians 3: 26-28

World Communion Sunday began in a Presbyterian Church in 1930’s America as tangible expression of the essential unity of the church. It is observed the first Sunday in October every year. On this day of confession and recommitment, followers of Jesus “confess their share in the guilt which is manifest in the severed and divided state of Christendom,” and recommit themselves to “give evidence of and seek unity in Him with zeal and love.” (Ground of the Unity.)

The Unity We Already Have

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The unity of Christ’s Church – that is the essential interrelatedness of all who confess Christ as Lord – is an inescapable reality brought about by God through the Head of that Church, Jesus Christ. Paul, in his letter to Christians in Ephesus, takes it for granted that Christ’s prayer for Christian unity (John 17:20-21) has been answered when he writes: “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.” (Ephesians 4:4-6) It is that unity which followers of Jesus celebrate on World Communion Sunday, the first weekend in October each year.
world communion sunday

Yet it is apparent to even the most casual observer that Christians are not of one mind and practice. The body of Christ is divided on the interpretation of Scripture, on styles of worship, on the essentials of faithful discipleship, social justice, and involvement in politics – to name but a few issues. How then can we profess that we are “all one?” (John 17: 21)

Christian unity is an existential unity, not one based on consent. It does not rest on human opinion; it rests on the work of God’s redemptive work in Christ. Those who are among the redeemed are by definition in relationship with all others whom Christ has redeemed. We are in relationship with other Christians in somewhat the same way our heart is in relationship with our hands, eyes, feet and other organs. Organs cannot simultaneously function autonomously and remain part of an integrated body. Neither do all organs look the same or function in the same manner. Integrated, interdependent diversity is what being an organism is all about!

This scriptural and traditional view of the church as an organic body differs radically from a secularly influenced perspective which holds that the church is merely a collection of autonomous individuals gathered together for a common purpose. From the latter perspective the fact that Christians are “not all on the same page” when it comes to matters of faith and life makes celebrating Christian unity on World Communion Sunday difficult. If you are struggling with this issue, I would encourage you to attempt viewing things from a different perspective. See the church through the eyes of Christ. Trust in the leadership of Christ and join with him in the prayer that we might be one. Pray for the wisdom for the church to see that difference need not imply disunity.

The Moravian Church As A Unity

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moravian church ground of the unity
What does the word “church” mean to you? Does it elicit thoughts and memories of the persons, activities, and building which comprise our congregation or a former congregation to which you belonged? Or does the term embrace all who love and follow our Lord? Is the church merely a human institution, or something more – a transcendent reality not yet fully realized on earth as it is in heaven?

I urge you to reflect on the following words from the Ground of the Unity as we prepare ourselves to celebrate World Communion Sunday on October 4th. This is who we, as Moravian followers of Jesus are, or seek to become. We are a connectional body, bound to each other and to all Christians through a common relationship to our Lord. “Unitas Fratrum” is the official Latin name of the worldwide Moravian Church.

We believe in and confess the Unity of the Church given in the one Lord Jesus Christ as God and Savior. He died that He might unite the scattered children of God. As the living Lord and Shepherd, He is leading His flock toward such unity.

The Unitas Fratrum espoused such unity when it took over the name of the old Bohemian Brethren’s Church, “Unitas Fratrum” (Unity of Brethren). Nor can we ever forget the powerful unifying experience granted by the crucified and risen Lord to our fathers in Herrnhut on the occasion of the Holy Communion of August 13, 1727, in Berthelsdorf.

It is the Lord’s will that Christendom should give evidence of and seek unity in Him with zeal and love. In our own midst we see how such Unity has been promised us and laid upon us as a charge. We recognize that through the grace of Christ the different churches have received many gifts. It is our desire that we may learn from each other and rejoice together in the riches of the love of Christ and the manifold wisdom of God.

We confess our share in the guilt which is manifest in the severed and divided state of Christendom. By means of such divisions we ourselves hinder the message and power of the Gospel. We recognize the danger of self-righteousness and judging others without love.

Since we together with all Christendom are pilgrims on the way to meet our coming Lord, we welcome every step that brings us nearer the goal of unity in Him. He Himself invites us to communion in His supper. Through it He leads the Church toward that union which He has promised. By means of His presence in the Holy Communion, He makes our unity in Him evident and certain even today. Amen!

Dear Congregation, Thank you so much for your thoughtfulness and generosity on the 20th anniversary of my ordination. It is a great joy to serve the Lord as your pastor and to partner with you in carrying out the Savior’s work at East Hills Moravian Church. I shall always think fondly of you whenever I wear my new surplice.

With gratitude and praise,

Pastor Derek