The Lord’s Day
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| More than forty years of fighting within Colombia disrupt the lives of thousands of people who have been forced from their homes and now try to stay alive in camps for displaced persons. Compassionate people, including members of the Presbyterian Church of Colombia (PCC), respond to the needs of people who have lost everything. When these helpers are targeted by the government and paramilitary groups as “guerrillas” and “terrorists” and then are harassed, threatened, thrown into prison, and even murdered, the executive secretary of the PCC, the Rev. Milton Mejia, calls for Presbyterians around the world to come be with them in these anxious times and, by their presence and by keeping the world church community informed, be a deterrent to the violence.
The PC(USA) heeds this call and sets up the Colombia accompaniment program. Dick Junkin from Muscle Shoals, Alabama, is moved by what he hears and volunteers to go for a month as an accompanier, as do other Presbyterians. While in Colombia he visits the camps for displaced persons, listens to their stories, and spends time with Presbyterians and others who work with displaced persons. He participates in a memorial service in a village where massacres have taken place. His presence at these events is believed to make a difference. Churches also hear of what is happening, and people who can’t go themselves pray for peace in Colombia and give money to support this peacemaking effort. In this way Presbyterians act out our unity with other Christians and our desire to follow the Prince of Peace by being peacemakers in whatever ways we are able. Today we celebrate World Communion Sunday, and in doing so we lift up the unity we share with other Christians through our connection with Christ. As we take of the bread and the cup offered us by Christ, we act out of that union. World Communion Sunday is the day most churches receive the Peacemaking Offering. When we give our money to the Peacemaking Offering, sending it to work for peace in many places like Colombia and in ways like the accompaniment program, we are also acting out of our bond with other Christians through Christ. Let us lift up our unity and give generously. —Nancy Goodhue, associate for Mission Education and Promotion, Congregational Ministries Publishing |
 Esth. 7:1–6, 9–10, 9:20–22 Deck Yourself, My Soul, with Gladness PH 506 Ask Ye What Great Thing I Know HB 371 Ps. 124 Now Israel May Say PH 236, HB 357 James 5:13–20 What a Friend We Have in Jesus PH 403, HB 385 Mark 9:38–50 Where Cross the Crowded Ways of Life PH 408, HB 507 Communion Hymns Sheaves of Summer PH 518 Let Us Talents and Tongues Employ PH 514 Let All the World in Every Corner Sing PH 468, HB 22 |
 Gracious God, for the unity beyond all discord, for the peace deeper than all strife, we give thanks to you. We pray for the displaced persons in Colombia and for all whose lives are in danger because of their loving work with these victims of war. We ask for the desire and will to live as people of true peace, of your peace. In Christ’s name. Amen. |
