A Litany for World Communion Sunday

World Communion Sunday

First Baptist Church

 Anderson, South Carolina

Simon Peter saw heaven opened and something coming down that looked like a large sheet being lowered by its four corners to the earth.  In it were all kinds of animals, reptiles, and wild birds. 
A voice said to him, “Get up, Peter; kill and eat!” But Peter said, “Certainly not, Lord! I have never eaten anything ritually unclean or defiled.” The voice spoke to him again, “Do not consider anything unclean that God has declared clean.”   Peter began to speak: 

I now realize that it is true that God treats everyone on the same basis.  Those who fear him and do what is right are acceptable to him, no matter what race they belong to.

A Samaritan woman came to draw some water, and Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink of water.” The woman answered, “You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan—so how can you ask me for a drink?” (Jews will not use the same cups and bowls that Samaritans use.)  Jesus answered, “If you only knew what God gives and who it is that is asking you for a drink, you would ask him, and he would give you life-giving water.”

I now realize it is true that God treats everyone on the same basis.

It is through faith that all of you are God's children in union with Christ Jesus.  You were baptized into union with Christ, and now you are clothed, so to speak, with the life of Christ himself.  So there is no difference between Jews and Gentiles, between slaves and free people, between men and women; you are all one in union with Christ Jesus.

I now realize it is true that God treats everyone on the same basis.

For it is by God's grace that you have been saved through faith. It is not the result of your own efforts, but God's gift, so that no one can boast about it . .  .  by means of the cross he united both races into one body and brought them back to God.

I now realize it is true that God treats everyone on the same basis.

In Christ there is no East or West, In Him no South or North;
But one great fellowship of love Throughout the whole wide earth.

Join hands, then, members of the faith, Whate’er your race may be!
Who serves my Father as His child Is surely kin to me.
I now realize it is true that God treats everyone on the same basis.

Bible passages from Today’s English Version: Acts 10:11-15; 34-35; John 4:7-10; Galatians 3:26-28; Ephesians 2:8-9, 16.  Hymn text by William A. Dunkerley.

October 6, 2013