A Beautiful Foretaste of the Kin-dom: World Communion Sunday at Covenant Presbyterian

“and there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne”

- Revelation 7:9

Rev. Bobby Musengwa

Transitional General Presbytery

What a joy it was to worship at Covenant Presbyterian Church this past World Communion Sunday, October 5th! My wife and I were blessed to share in a truly remarkable celebration of unity in Christ as Covenant joined with Epiphany Anglican Church, Divine Redeemer Presbyterian Church, and Presbyterian Church in Cameroon, all here in San Antonio.

What a joy it was to worship at Covenant Presbyterian Church this past World Communion Sunday, October 5th! My wife and I were blessed to share in a truly remarkable celebration of unity in Christ as Covenant joined with Epiphany Anglican Church, Divine Redeemer Presbyterian Church, and Presbyterian Church in Cameroon, all here in San Antonio.

From the moment we arrived, we were surrounded by the beautiful diversity of God's family. The sanctuary was alive with color - vibrant African clothing, elegant suits on excited children, head wraps and scarves that told stories of different continents and cultures. North America, Central America, Africa, Asia, Europe, the Caribbean - all represented, all gathered as one body in Christ.

The service itself was a feast for the senses and the soul. We sang in English, Spanish, French, Pidgin English and Zulu. We heard Scripture and prayers in English and Spanish. Church Women’s Fellowship from Cameroon led the procession with joyful dancing and singing, setting the tone for worship that engaged our whole selves. Covenant's pastor, Rev. Dr. Dan Milford, and the Anglican pastor, Rev. Dr. Cleophas Kukeya, who are both fluent in English and Spanish, helped weave together languages and traditions into a seamless tapestry of praise.

What struck me most powerfully was this: though we come from different backgrounds and may hold varying perspectives on certain issues of the day, we are all Christians, all human beings created in God's image, all longing to be loved, respected, and celebrated. In a world where immigrants are too often scapegoated and linguistic diversity is sometimes viewed with suspicion rather than celebration, this service was a powerful counter-cultural witness of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

I preached a sermon titled “A Holy Calling.” I used the contributions of Constantine the African, an African physician in the 11th century, who came from Africa and taught Europeans how to practice modern medicine. If you have ever been to the doctor and were asked to provide a urine sample, they learned it from Constantine the African. I know you will go and read more about him. We all bring gifts to the table of plenty.

The fellowship continued after worship with a wonderful potluck featuring foods from various countries - boiled peanuts, different types of rice, chicken, greens, and dishes I couldn't even name but were delicious nonetheless. People mingled, children played with boundless energy, and the women sang again. It was pure joy.

This is what the church is called to be: a worshipping community where differences are celebrated, where we learn and grow from one another, where our diversity makes us stronger and more faithful. When congregations come together like this, we discover that we are more powerful in our witness when we work together in love.

May this experience of World Communion, as well as similar experiences you have had of people working together, inspire all our congregations to seek such opportunities for fellowship across cultures, languages, and traditions.

Through Connect and Serve, we at Mission Presbytery joyfully provide congregations with grants to encourage you to work together with your neighbors and communities. I have sat in some of these Presbytery committees. I have seen with my own eyes dedicated disciples of Jesus Christ working hard. They are seeking congregations who will accept the challenge, apply for these grants, and go out to bear witness to God’s love in your communities.

When we work together, we grow stronger together. When we honor one another, we honor our Creator. When we transcend boundaries of cultures and languages, respecting one another’s differences, we catch a glimpse of the great multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language standing before the throne of God. Thus, we participate in bringing God's reign a little closer to the people of God, right here, right now.

Grace and peace,

Rev. Bobby Musengwa

Transitional General Presbytery