04/10/2026
October 4, 2026 | Indigenous Peoples’ Month, 7th Sunday in Kingdomtide, & Communion Sunday
One Table, One Christ, One People
UCCP Lamut Local Church gathered in worship on the 7th Sunday in Kingdomtide as the church continues its observance of indigenous Peoples’ Month and celebrates Holy Communion, remembering Christ's sacrificial love and the unity of the people of God.
The worship service centered on Luke 22, where Jesus instituted the Holy Communion on the night before His crucifixion. As Jesus shared the bread and the cup with His disciples, He gave the church a lasting sign of His body given and His blood poured out for the sake of humanity.
The message was delivered by Rev. Adel Cornesta , who reflected on Holy Communion as a channel of God's blessing, grace, and unity.
Rev. Cornesta emphasized that the Lord's Table should not become a source of division. Communion reminds Christians that, despite differences in traditions, practices, and denominational identities, we gather around one Lord and one Christ. The bread is broken and shared, yet it is offered to all at the table—an image of how Christ's love is given freely and shared among God's people.
The UCCP's practice of welcoming even children to Holy Communion, including the church's decision in 1982 to open Communion more broadly, reflects an understanding that God's grace and blessing are not reserved only for those considered mature or worthy by human standards. Children, too, are members of the community of faith and are in need of God's grace and blessing.
At the same time, the message challenged the church to recognize that the Communion table should unite rather than divide. While Christian churches may differ in their understanding and practice of Holy Communion, the sacrament points beyond our differences to the One whose body and blood it proclaims.
The history of Christianity reminds us that religious divisions can arise when people place greater emphasis on who belongs to their group than on the reconciling love of Christ. Rev. Cornesta therefore encouraged the congregation not to dwell primarily on differences, but to recognize and nurture the things that unite us.
This echoes the well-known Augustinian principle of seeking unity in essential things, liberty in things that are uncertain, and charity in all things. The call is not to erase every difference, but to allow love, humility, and charity to guide Christians in living with those differences.
The Communion table also reminds us that change within the church can be difficult. Yet the church is continually called to examine whether its practices reflect the inclusive love, justice, and peace of Christ. Rev. Cornesta expressed hope that churches would not seek to “steal” members from one another, but would instead work together in building God's kingdom and strengthening Christian witness.
In a world already burdened by grief, conflict, violence, and war, the church's witness to peace and reconciliation is more important than ever. The bread that is broken and shared calls us to become people who share, reconcile, welcome, and care for one another.
As we came to the Lord's Table, we were reminded that Communion is not merely a symbol of what Christ has done; it is a sacred participation in the mystery of Christ's body and a proclamation of His saving work. It calls us to embody in our own lives the love, forgiveness, justice, and peace that Christ has shown us.
The worship service concluded with the closing hymn “Christian Unity,” leaving the congregation with a renewed call to live out the unity and peace proclaimed at the Lord's Table.
Worship Ministry
Acolytes/Offertory Ushers: Mary Subagan and Rosalinda Maddul
Worship Leader: Atty. Marion Cojpag
Bible Reader: Rosalinda Maddul
Communion Servers: Fe Eraña Salim, Lo**ta Timmy Panit, Felyn B Ranches, and Resurrection Rex Dula Belingon
Pianist: Jenifer B. Marigza
Messenger: Rev. Adela Cornesta
PowerPoint Presentation Manager: Joven Polonio
Guitarist: Rene Vicente
Altar and Flowers: Edna Pajarillo-Taboy Oasan-Valido Ramirez
Text and đź“·: Eva Felipe Dimog
