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Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors
Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors
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Pastor’s Message: October 22nd, 2019

A few weeks ago, our youth minister Adam Lubbers made a valuable observation: there are multiple youth and children that currently live in joint custody situations. This means if the parent who brings them to CHUMC does not have custody on the first Sunday of the month, that young person may go months without receiving Holy Communion and the prevenient, converting, and sanctifying grace it offers through the experience of the Christ at the Lord’s table. Adam asked some of our youth how often they received communion and discovered a few of them went long stretches without experiencing this holy sacrament.

As we seek to be a local church fulfilling our covenant to nurture all of the youth and children in the faith, we have decided to make a change to accommodate this need. Starting on October 27, we will begin receiving Holy Communion on the first and last Sunday of each month. This will occur on the first and fourth Sunday during most months, with Holy Communion occurring on the first and fifth Sunday during months with a fifth Sunday. This will result in CHUMC receiving Holy Communion during worship on back-to-back weeks allowing young people who rotate weekends between their parents to receive the elements of the sacrament at least once a month. This does also mean we will have children’s time in worship one less Sunday, but the children will join us for Holy Communion every time it is received.

With this change taking place, I want to thank Carol Rose who has so graciously accepted the responsibility of preparing the elements on the last Sunday of each month. Even what seems to be a minor change takes a team effort and Carol stood ready to be part of the team. I also want to extend my thanks to Donna Hoisington who continues to faithfully prepare the elements of the sacrament on the first Sunday of each month.  Carol and Donna, our commitment is of great value as we seek to receive the grace of the sacrament in worship.

On another note, I want to make sure everyone is aware I will be out of town parts of the next two weeks. On October 23 to 25, Idalia and I will be joining other pastors and church planters in Houston for training and dialogue regarding effective church planting. On October 28 to 30, I will be traveling to Pottsboro for clergy retreat.

Grace and peace to you this week.

-J.D.

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EPHESIANS 3:18

I wish above all things that you may know how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ for you.