World Communion Sunday

Today is World Communion Sunday. It's always celebrated on the first Sunday in October. However, I had totally forgotten about it. I was a little embarrassed that I didn't remember. Not that anyone at the church I'm attending would know that I had forgotten or would really care. It was just another realization how different life is for me since I left local parish ministry. Even my sense of the church calendar is off.
I was grateful the opportunity to share in this holy meal. It was just last month in South Bend at my friend Vickie's church that I celebrated Communion, but it seems like it was a lot longer ago.
The church I am attending is very traditional in their worship style. They normally do the full Great Thanksgiving liturgy during the Communion celebration with all of the responsive readings. A particular treat was that today we sang the responses using one of the musical settings in the United Methodist Hymnal. The pastor sang the leader's part. He did a good job. I was never quite confident enough in my singing voice to do this when I was serving in the local church.
It was a time of grace for me this morning. It especially helped me in the midst of my restlessness. God seemed to calm my anxiety and give me assurance of Christ's presence in my life. I'm grateful for this encounter with the God of my creation.
I ask for your prayers for tomorrow night. We are having our first in what I hope will be a series of public meetings for those families interested in applying to TriState Habitat for Humanity's home ownership program. We have sent out flyers to school children in the city of Hamilton, Ohio. We have sent out press releases and distributed flyers at a food pantry in Hamilton. I am hoping for a good turnout. We really need to reach more families who are in need of safe, decent, and affordable housing. I know they are out there. I hope that they will step out in faith to attend the meeting tomorrow night.
Thanks for your prayers and for being a part of my journey!