When one says good-bye, there is often a swirl of emotion: sadness, anticipation, trepidation, appreciation. This Sunday in worship we honor our high school seniors, who will soon be graduating, and I preach my last sermon here at Johns Creek. The class of 2016 is a unique bunch, the largest class we've had, one filled with a vast variety of mostly wide-eyed rambunctious teenagers. It's also Pentecost Sunday, as we celebrate the birth of the church and the fact that God is not dead, but alive in the world and in us through the Holy Spirit.
For my sermon, though we won't be actually celebrating communion, I will be talking about the meaning of this sacrament as we look at Jesus' words of institution. We will explore two Greek words, anamnesis and eucharistia, which mean to remember and give thanks.
When one says good-bye in a positive way, it's almost inevitable that one remembers and gives thanks. What do you remember fondly about your family, your life, your work, your church, and where do you see God at work in your everyday life? Sit with those thoughts for a few moments. As you remember, what is your response? Hopefully, it is one of gratitude. I know mine is, especially as I think about my last five plus years here at Johns Creek. I imagine those seniors, as they reflect on their times at church, also smile and give thanks. How about you? Join us for worship this Sunday, bring your friends, and remember to wear red, the color of Pentecost!
For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me. In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me. For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.
-1 Corinthians 11:23-26 NIV
Prayer for Today
O God, we remember, and we give thanks. Amen.
The class of 2016....back in 2011 at the Great Escape!
