Today’s sermon is captured in an ancient ritual of the Church known as the Passing of the Peace. You know it because we still use it from time-to-time. The peace of Christ be with you. And also with you. May the peace of Christ fill this place.

The year was 1935. The world was feeling the desperation of the Great Depression. A group of ministers got together to see what they could do about it. Out of that gathering came the concept of World Wide Communion Sunday. It was the conviction of that little group of ministers that at least one Sunday a year, Christians of all cultures, all countries, all denominations, all associations, ought to spread a table of hope for all humanity. So today, from Russia to Tennessee, from Africa to Mexico, Christians gather in the sure and certain hope that C…