This service joined millions of Christians around the world.
Although Saipan’s three Methodist Churches occasionally jointly celebrate other services, World Communion truly focuses on the universality of God. The entire 10 a.m. service held at Immanuel Methodist Church in Koblerville included the different languages and nationalities. From the call to worship, through the closing hymn, Bibles were read, prayers offered and hymns sung in Korean, Filipino, Chamorro, English, Fijian and Chinese. The closing hymn “Amazing Grace” again in the various languages so reflected God’s strength through unity, even when unable to speak each others’ languages.
Pastors Lee Myung Taek and Millie Carroll were joined by many members and choirs of the three congregations in leading the service.
Prayers of peace for the world, for guidance for CNMI government, for all governments, for our churches to be faithful to God’s call, and prayers for all people throughout the world were offered in Korean, Filipino and English.
The first World Communion Celebration was held in 1936 in the United States during its struggle to overcome economic difficulties of the Great Depression and fears and signs World War II would begin. The World Communion concept began with a group of Presbyterian pastors in Pennsylvania, U.S. wanting to do something both real and symbolic to proclaim God is God indeed, regardless of politics, economics and the future.
Wanting to share that the message of world communion and unity were more powerful than world conflict. The main founder of World Wide Communion Dr. Hugh Kerr said, “The concept spread very slowly at the start. It was during the Second World War that the spirit caught hold, because we were trying to hold the world together. World Wide Communion symbolized the effort to hold things together, in a spiritual sense.”
They designed it to be comfortably used by all known denominations, not just Presbyterians. And churches of many nations and denominations began celebrating World Communion, now throughout the world, first Sunday of October. Special offerings are usually taken. When observances began in the 1940s, offerings were for overseas relief efforts, especially war-affected Eastern Europe.
Sunday Saipan Methodists’ joint offering, as has often been, was for Guma Esperansa, Saipan’s shelter for women and children affected by domestic violence. Shelter staff has shared this violence can occur among all religions, non-religions, nationalities and cultures.
Churches usually designate World Communion offerings for ones affected by violence, neglect, natural disasters, poverty or for other works of peace.
