Today we join with Christians around the world who celebrate World Communion Sunday, a day intended to remind us of our unity with all people who claim, “Christ is Lord.” Unlike in years past, this year we all re-imagine our communion tables as they have necessarily become coffee tables, dining room tables, and kitchen islands (among other things). What we are learning, though, is that our unity is one that transcends time and space. Whenever we gather – virtually or in person – to celebrate the Lord’s Supper and to eat our holy meal, we are renewed by God’s grace.

Welcome to worship. Today our scripture reading is from the Pauline Epistle to the church at Philippi. The Philippian church is believed to be one of the healthier churches in the ancient world, at least if Paul’s affection for them is any indication. Even still, they struggle with disputes and division among themselves. In the verses read today, we will see that Paul encourages them to be of one mind, and for that to be the mind of Christ.

Our world today is full of so many opportunities for division and disunity. Seeing as our church is in this world, I suspect at times, we let those divisions permeate our fellowship. Therefore, I wonder if we might find any encouragement in the reading for today? Might Paul’s words help us remember why we exist? Might this reading help us remain focused and unified in our mission? I hope!

Welcome to worship on this cool Sunday morning. This time of year as warm, humid air turns crisp and cool, we are reminded of God’s presence with us in the changing season of life. Today we read a story from the book of Jonah. You may know the part about the whale, but do you remember the rest of the story? Do you remember the bush God grew to provide shade over the prophet and then the worm God sent to eat it up? This book is full of so many important life lessons, this week we’re going to see what we might learn about change. As we read and listen for the Spirit of God to speak to us, I wonder if we might ask God to open us to places where a change of mind or heart is needed.

Part 5 of a discussion of the book “Trouble I’ve Seen: Changing the Way the Church Views Racism” by Drew G. I. Hart between Pastor Chrissy Tatum Williamson and Greystone member Bill Baxley

Welcome to worship on this Heritage Sunday. Today we celebrate 36 years of life and ministry together.

As in years past, we’ve invited some of our founding and charter members to participate as worship leaders today. Seeing their faces, hearing their voices, and remembering some of the unconventional and creative ways we have gathered for worship and fellowship together give us hope that though we are in a season of “unconventional” right now, God is alive and at work among us, around us, and within us.

Even as we celebrate our past this morning, we look to our future with great excitement as we welcome a new member of our ministerial staff team, Dr. Christian McIvor. Today is Christian’s first official Sunday as Minister of Worship, Music, and the Arts. He’s written a song for Heritage Sunday that you’ll hear during the service. We hope you’ll sing along with us as the convergence of our dispersed voices makes its way from our lips to God’s ears.

Part 4 of a discussion of the book “Trouble I’ve Seen: Changing the Way the Church Views Racism” by Drew G. I. Hart between Pastor Chrissy Tatum Williamson and Greystone member Bill Baxley

This is our 26th Sunday of online services. Each week I count that number, then I count it again because it seems that it cannot be true. This week I checked three times to be sure. 26 weeks! Through that time, there have been ups and downs, moments of creativity and moments of tired despair. Will we ever get back to our sanctuary?

This week, reading from Exodus I realized the Israelites were in their wilderness for 40 years (and then another 40 more). I wonder if they knew from the outset it would take so long?

In the middle of waiting, without knowing when the journey will end, it can be hard to keep the faith. It can be hard to keep going through the ritual motions of personal devotional and prayer time, participating in corporate worship, and even taking communion. I wonder if we stick to it though, if we set our tables and go through the liturgy again this morning, will God meet us at the table with a bit of hope?

Today our scripture reading contains one of the earliest professions of faith in Jesus as the Messiah, the son of the Living God. With this bold proclamation, Peter becomes one of the first disciples to share a testimony, to bear witness to the work of God unfolding in the world through Jesus of Nazareth. That bold statement of faith becomes the rock upon which the church can be built. Peter is a living stone and his testimony a building block for all that is to come.

At Greystone, we often say that we are a church of living stones. That each of us has a story of faith and a testimony to share about how God is working in our lives. This morning, we will hear one of those stories from our sister in Christ, Susan Gardner. Susan has a miraculous story to tell about how God has been made known to her in a very real way.

As you listen to Susan’s words and hear her response to that same question that Peter answered, I wonder how each one of us might respond as well: Who do you say that I am?

Part 3 of a discussion of the book “Trouble I’ve Seen: Changing the Way the Church Views Racism” by Drew G. I. Hart between Pastor Chrissy Tatum Williamson and Greystone member Bill Baxley