“Moving Forward with Hope: Faith and Discipleship” – October 2, 2022

Rev. Dr. Faith J. Conklin

Sunday, October 2, 2022 at 9:30 am
Livestream Worship

World Communion Sunday_10-2-22
How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity! Psalm 133:1

Dear SDUMC Family,

I send you greetings from Kansas City, Kansas, on a cool fall morning (yes, fall has come to the Midwest, and I’m sure it’s not far off for all of us). Over the last few days, a gathering of United Methodist clergy and laity from around the world have been attending the Leadership Institute at the Church of the Resurrection (the largest United Methodist congregation in the country) in Leawood, Kansas.

About 1,300 United Methodists from hundreds of churches around the globe have joined together for an inspirational week of prayer, learning, singing, renewing friendships, Communion, and messages of leading with Hope for the years to come (also, as all good Methodists, we have gathered around the table and shared a little Kansas City BBQ). I’ll share more in the weeks and months to come but reconnecting with others who are visioning for the future has been an incredible blessing (pictured above is my ordination mentor from a few years ago  and his daughter, now the director of youth ministries at the Church of the Resurrection).

I look forward to worshiping with you all this Sunday! It is one of my favorite Sundays as we join with millions of Christians around the globe for World Communion Sunday! We will continue our SDUMC tradition as we worship with music from one of the corners of the world. This year, we will virtually travel to the Philippines (come and be joyfully surprised). We will have special music and a ministry moment from Stefanie Quintin (she just arrived to be back with our choir after being with her family in the Philippines this summer), a hope-filled message from Rev. Dr. Faith J. Conklin, and some Filipino treats with our coffee and donuts, and other unique elements throughout worship. The Chancel Choir will also provide inspiring music, and we'll share in Communion with people worldwide.

I pray you'll start the week with us on World Communion Sunday at 8 a.m. for our shortened Communion service in the Chapel. We'll then move to a vibrant worship hour at 9:30 a.m. in the Sanctuary. If you're traveling or stuck at home, we'll Livestream the service at 9:30 a.m., which will be on our YouTube page later in the day.

Grace, Peace, and Weekend Blessings,
John

PS Christ's outstretched hands in the window at the Church of the Resurrection are a symbol to all gathered for worship to go into the world and share hope, peace, love, and joy. May we all worship and go forward in that spirit.

PPS Don’t forget we have two ways to serve this Sunday. We will take a special offering for UMCOR on this World Communion Sunday. UMCOR is our United Methodist Committee on Relief. You can read more about it at this link https://advance.umcor.org/. It is also Share The Table Sunday to help our North County neighbors (bring a nonperishable good to leave in one of the bins).

Leave a Comment