Do This in Remembrance of Me

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Sunday - 9:15 AM Sunday School, 10:30 AM Worship Service

by: Denise Robinson

03/28/2024

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Lent is drawing to a close. Today is Maundy Thursday (in case you were wondering, "maundy" comes from the Latin word "mandatum," which refers to a mandate or commandment). This evening, we will gather to remember and celebrate that evening when Jesus gathered with his disciples for a last meal and, at the end of the meal, offered them bread and wine. He told (commanded) them to continue the practice in remembrance of him until the day of his return. We continue this practice. 
Communion does more than remind us of Christ's sacrifice. It is a sacred time and experience where we open ourselves to the Holy Spirit. It is also a time when we are reminded, as followers of Christ, that while we may have differences of opinion we are called to Christian unity in how we act, speak, think, and, most of all, love. 
In John 17, just before their last supper together, Jesus prays for his disciples and those who would be his church. This is part of his prayer: "I’m praying not only for them but also for those who will believe in me because of them and their witness about me. The goal is for all of them to become one heart and mind—just as you, Father, are in me and I in you, so they might be one heart and mind with us. Then the world might believe that you, in fact, sent me.
The same glory you gave me, I gave them, so they’ll be as unified and together as we are—I in them and you in me. Then they’ll be mature in this oneness, and give the godless world evidence that you’ve sent me and loved them in the same way you’ve loved me."
When you read these words of Jesus' prayer, do you see a glimpse of what the church is called to be? What would it be like to be of one heart and mind, not only with one another but with Christ? If that ever minds, the world might actually come to believe! This Maundy Thursday, I invite you to pray for unity within the church ... and perhaps think of something you might do to contribute to that unity. 
And, if you want to join us in our Maundy Thursday celebration at IUMC, our service is at 6 pm in our parlor. It will be an informal gathering including a meal, some music, and some reflection. This we do in remembrance of him.
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Lent is drawing to a close. Today is Maundy Thursday (in case you were wondering, "maundy" comes from the Latin word "mandatum," which refers to a mandate or commandment). This evening, we will gather to remember and celebrate that evening when Jesus gathered with his disciples for a last meal and, at the end of the meal, offered them bread and wine. He told (commanded) them to continue the practice in remembrance of him until the day of his return. We continue this practice. 
Communion does more than remind us of Christ's sacrifice. It is a sacred time and experience where we open ourselves to the Holy Spirit. It is also a time when we are reminded, as followers of Christ, that while we may have differences of opinion we are called to Christian unity in how we act, speak, think, and, most of all, love. 
In John 17, just before their last supper together, Jesus prays for his disciples and those who would be his church. This is part of his prayer: "I’m praying not only for them but also for those who will believe in me because of them and their witness about me. The goal is for all of them to become one heart and mind—just as you, Father, are in me and I in you, so they might be one heart and mind with us. Then the world might believe that you, in fact, sent me.
The same glory you gave me, I gave them, so they’ll be as unified and together as we are—I in them and you in me. Then they’ll be mature in this oneness, and give the godless world evidence that you’ve sent me and loved them in the same way you’ve loved me."
When you read these words of Jesus' prayer, do you see a glimpse of what the church is called to be? What would it be like to be of one heart and mind, not only with one another but with Christ? If that ever minds, the world might actually come to believe! This Maundy Thursday, I invite you to pray for unity within the church ... and perhaps think of something you might do to contribute to that unity. 
And, if you want to join us in our Maundy Thursday celebration at IUMC, our service is at 6 pm in our parlor. It will be an informal gathering including a meal, some music, and some reflection. This we do in remembrance of him.
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