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“Every meal a celebration”
“Every meal a celebration”
Saturday, 12 August 2017
Acts 2:41 So those who accepted what he said were immersed, and there were added to the group that day about three thousand people.
42 They continued faithfully in the teaching of the emissaries, in fellowship, in breaking bread and in the prayers. 43 Everyone was filled with awe, and many miracles and signs took place through the emissaries. 44 All those trusting in Yeshua stayed together and had everything in common; 45 in fact, they sold their property and possessions and distributed the proceeds to all who were in need. 46 Continuing faithfully and with singleness of purpose to meet in the Temple courts daily, and breaking bread in their several homes, they shared their food in joy and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having the respect of all the people. And day after day the Lord kept adding to them those who were being saved.
42 They continued faithfully in the teaching of the emissaries, in fellowship, in breaking bread and in the prayers. 43 Everyone was filled with awe, and many miracles and signs took place through the emissaries. 44 All those trusting in Yeshua stayed together and had everything in common; 45 in fact, they sold their property and possessions and distributed the proceeds to all who were in need. 46 Continuing faithfully and with singleness of purpose to meet in the Temple courts daily, and breaking bread in their several homes, they shared their food in joy and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having the respect of all the people. And day after day the Lord kept adding to them those who were being saved.
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In one day, the Christian church in Jerusalem went from about 120 members (cf. Acts 1:15) to roughly 3,120 members! How did they nurture those new believers? We tend to focus on the apostles’ teaching, on prayer, on generous giving—all key. But we often skip over one facet of their spiritual growth so telling Luke named it twice. They “shared meals” (verse 42) and “shared food with gladness and simplicity” (verse 46). This was so vital that writing in Acts 27 about Paul urging shipwreck survivors to eat, Luke used Lord’s Supper language: “he took bread, gave thanks to God in front of them all, then broke it” (cf. Acts 27:33-36). The Message rendered Acts 2:46 as, “They followed a daily discipline of worship in the Temple followed by meals at home, every meal a celebration, exuberant and joyful, as they praised God.”
• The word “Eucharist” is an English version of the Greek eucharisteo, which meant “to be grateful, feel thankful, give thanks.” We don’t have to wait for a church service to experience that kind of joy and gratitude. Preacher and writer Brennan Manning said, “The ordinary meal-sharing of Jesus at home and on the road was Eucharist, and so should be the thousand meals that a family shares each year.” * How can you bring the joy of Christ’s forgiving grace into every meal you share with others? Conversely, how can you bring the joy and warmth of shared meals into every time you experience the communion service (the Lord’s Supper, the Eucharist) at church?
Prayer: Lord God, I hunger, not just to feed my body, but my soul and the souls of others. Help me learn to combine the two, to bless and be blessed by others as we share meals. Amen.
* Brennan Manning, A Glimpse of Jesus: The Stranger to Self-Hatred. San Francisco: HarperSanFrancisco, 2003, p. 56.
Family Activity: During communion, we share a simple meal together and remember and give thanks for the life of Jesus. How can your family give of yourselves by sharing a meal with someone, in honor of Jesus and His love? Think of a person or a family who might be sad, lonely or outcast. Invite them to your home for a simple meal or suggest you meet at a park for a picnic. Take it a step further and visit a homeless shelter where meals are served. Volunteer to help serve meals and sit with the people who are present. By listening and caring, you will be honoring the presence of Christ for all people.
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Lori Trupp
Lori Trupp is the Director of Children’s Ministries at Resurrection Leawood.
I have always enjoyed this Scripture passage from Acts. I love the picture it paints of the church! When I was growing up I had the opportunity to attend a Methodist camp during my summer breaks. One summer while at this camp, I was introduced to this passage and a new Greek word, koinonia. There is something about the way that word rolls off your tongue, right? Ever since camp, I’ve just always thought that was such a cool word to know.
If you google “koinonia”, you find the following definition: Christian fellowship or communion, with God or, more commonly, with fellow Christians. This fellowship, this koinonia, has always been my favorite part of the church. Whether we are having communion together in our sanctuary, experiencing learning by participating in a Passover Seder, having cookies and coffee at Coffee with the Pastor, sharing awesome snack creations at Building Better Moms, or enjoying pancakes outside between services, the feeling is the same. Koinonia. I BELONG. I AM ACCEPTED., I AM LOVED. I AM NOT ALONE.
Koinonia is something special that happens when we gather together in God’s name. Have you ever noticed though that somehow, when food is involved, it is like koinonia on steroids! There is something about food that brings people together no matter where you are--home, church, school, work, out with friends, and no matter who you are.
If it’s been a while since you have experienced koinonia, what are you waiting for? Commit to being in worship each weekend. That’s a for sure way to experience koinonia. I would also encourage you to join one of the many studies and groups kicking off this fall, or to find a way to connect by serving. You can find tons of opportunities to get connected on the church web site, www.cor.org. Then after that, why don’t you order a pizza, gather your family, friends, coworkers, or neighbors, and enjoy the fellowship. Because, you know, food!
Lori TruppLori Trupp is the Director of Children’s Ministries at Resurrection Leawood.
I have always enjoyed this Scripture passage from Acts. I love the picture it paints of the church! When I was growing up I had the opportunity to attend a Methodist camp during my summer breaks. One summer while at this camp, I was introduced to this passage and a new Greek word, koinonia. There is something about the way that word rolls off your tongue, right? Ever since camp, I’ve just always thought that was such a cool word to know.
If you google “koinonia”, you find the following definition: Christian fellowship or communion, with God or, more commonly, with fellow Christians. This fellowship, this koinonia, has always been my favorite part of the church. Whether we are having communion together in our sanctuary, experiencing learning by participating in a Passover Seder, having cookies and coffee at Coffee with the Pastor, sharing awesome snack creations at Building Better Moms, or enjoying pancakes outside between services, the feeling is the same. Koinonia. I BELONG. I AM ACCEPTED., I AM LOVED. I AM NOT ALONE.
Koinonia is something special that happens when we gather together in God’s name. Have you ever noticed though that somehow, when food is involved, it is like koinonia on steroids! There is something about food that brings people together no matter where you are--home, church, school, work, out with friends, and no matter who you are.
If it’s been a while since you have experienced koinonia, what are you waiting for? Commit to being in worship each weekend. That’s a for sure way to experience koinonia. I would also encourage you to join one of the many studies and groups kicking off this fall, or to find a way to connect by serving. You can find tons of opportunities to get connected on the church web site, www.cor.org. Then after that, why don’t you order a pizza, gather your family, friends, coworkers, or neighbors, and enjoy the fellowship. Because, you know, food!
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Prayer Requests – cor.org/prayer Prayers for Peace & Comfort for:
•Amy Bible and family on the death of her father John Childs, 7/29
• Lisa Petree and family on the death of her father William “Bill” Chadd, 7/25
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Or download this week's printable GPS.
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©2017 Church of the Resurrection. All Rights Reserved.
The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection
13720 Roe Avenue
Leawood, Kansas 66224, United States
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Or download this week's printable GPS.
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©2017 Church of the Resurrection. All Rights Reserved.
The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection
13720 Roe Avenue
Leawood, Kansas 66224, United States
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