And here’s the verse I’d like to highlight - verse 26: For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.

In this verse, the Apostle Paul writes about two truths that we’ve been experiencing this morning.

The first is our relationship together in Jesus. Paul writes, “As often as you - plural - eat and drink - you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.”

We’ve experienced this plurality this morning as we’ve received new members in our fellowship - as we’ve shared their testimonies - as we’ve worshipped God together - the experience of being members together of the Body of Christ - this community of faith.

And this is World Communion Sunday - all around the world, believers in Jesus Christ are sharing this table - and it is very significant that our brother Nerses is here from Anjar - to share with us - and that we are beginning a week which will culminate Saturday with the coming together of our Northern California Armenian churches for the HayaZartnoum renewal crusade.

In 1 Corinthians Paul is writing to the Corinthian Church - our brothers and sisters in Christ - about how they are to come together for communion. Jesus gathered His disciples together for the Last Supper. The roots of communion - the Passover Supper was shared by families and groups - plural.

The word “communion" - "haghortouteun" - means “so share” or “to participate.” We are using material things here - bread - grape juice - to symbolize the work of God - through Jesus - in our lives. And there are times when we need to be reminded that we are a community of faith established through the broken body and shed blood of our Savior Jesus.

Not too long ago I read about a pastor who was about to give a sermon on God’s love. The church was fairly typical - well dressed individuals - a mix of ages - but generally a middle age congregation - fairly traditional.

As the pastor came up to the pulpit to give his sermon - a young man - about college age - walked into the church. It was fairly obvious that this young man was not a part of the congregation. For one thing he wasn’t dressed right - too casual. Anyway he came in and started walking down the center isle looking for a seat. But there weren’t any seats. So after what seemed like an eternity he finally made it down to the front row - which was full.

At this point the pastor gave up trying to start his sermon - the distraction was just to great and everyone was watching this young man. And then the young man just sat down - right on the floor - crossed his legs and looked up at the pastor expecting him to go on.

About this time one of the deacons started down the center isle from the back. This particular deacon was about 80 years old - properly dressed - a long time member of the congregation - and a real no nonsense type of man. And now all the eyes of the congregation were watching this deacon because they knew what was coming. This young man sitting on the floor was history - he would be removed.

Slowly the deacon made his way down the center isle. And when he reached the spot where the young man was sitting. The deacon very slowly - because at 80 plus years of age it was hard for him to bend - very slowly sat down next to this young man - right there on the floor - looked up at the pastor expecting him to go on.

And the pastor - who wrote about all this - said that he realized that nothing he was about to say would ever illustrate God’s love so much as what they had all seen in what that deacon had done. <

God - who comes along side us - in wherever we may be in life - and loves us. And that’s the type of love that we should strive for here at Calvary. We here as the church - growing in the depth of our love and commitment to each other.

And that’s the type of love we proclaim as we take communion together. That everyone seeking God is welcome here. That we care about others - Armenian or non-Armenian - wherever people may be in life. To be willing to come alongside others and be with them as they seek God. And to share and proclaim God’s love to them.

The second truth - that Paul writes of - is in the second part of verse 26: “you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.” This morning we’re encouraged to consider again God’s love for us.

There was a medieval monk who announced that next Sunday evening he would be preaching on “The Love of God.” And that next Sunday evening, as the shadows fell and the light ceased to come through the cathedral windows, the congregation gathered. In the darkness of the altar, the monk lit a candle and carried it to the crucifix.

As you know, in the Roman Catholic churches their crosses have an image of Jesus being crucified. In the darkness - with this candle, he first illuminated the crown of thorns, next, the two wounded hands, then the marks of the spear wound. In the hush that fell, he blew out the candle and left the chancel. There was nothing else to say.

Its very easy to say, “God loves us.” - “God loves you.” - “God loves me.” But, its impossible to understand what this means - we simply have never experienced the true depth and purity of God’s love. But we see the greatest example of it in Jesus Christ. His birth, His life with man, His crucifixion, death, and resurrection. And while we cannot fully understand that love - we have the opportunity to respond to it.

This morning we are called to respond - together - to the love of God for us. To consider our relationship together in Jesus Christ and the telling of that relationship to others.