“RSVP” a Communion Sermon Outline

Sunday, Nov 06 2011

Speakers: Rev. Laura Loving

Scripture: Psalm 78:1-7, Matthew 25:1-8

I.  Introduction

          A.  Library in the Loving household held two essential books

                 1.  Emily Post’s Guide to Etiquette

                 2.  The Holy Bible

                 3.   Equal in status?

                 4.  Linking the Connection between Gospel and Manners

          B.  NOT to see the Bible as a book of rules, but to see manners as a way of living the Gospel Life

          C.   Being Nice is Lots of Fun  was a third book, that, like a Children’s Bible, made manners palatable and accessible to us.  Its characters and case studies included:

                 1.  Polly Politeness

                 2.  Roughneck Ronnie

                 3.  Grabby Gert

                 5.  Why is it that I remember the offenders instead of the do-gooders?

          D.  Another source of learning manners was from Highlights magazine series, “Goofus and Gallant”: Goofus always grabs the larger piece of cake; but Gallant offers the generous portion to his sister…

II.  The Upshot of Etiquette and Gospel Life is to be prepared for any eventuality and to do the right thing. Now we can all go home!

          A.  But first, let me explore two elements of the world of etiquette:

                 1.  preparation

                 2.  response

          B.  In these two activities we see the clues to living the good life/the gospel life

          C.  And they both relate to our scripture and to the celebration of the Lord’s Supper today!

III.  With my assistants this morning, I will explore these ideas.

          A.  Preparation: setting the table (Children and I will interact)

                   1.  why we do what we do when we set the table

                   2.  For what meal should we prepare this a.m.?

                   3.   Why do we call it the Lord’s Supper when we usually observe this memorial meal in the morning?

                   4.  How do we remember while we set the table?

          B.  Setting the table for Communion

                  1.  Children and I will talk about the elements as we put them on the table

                  2.  We will discuss being prepared and refer back to the Gospel lesson

                  3.  We will discuss remembering and refer to the Psalm which rehearse God’s activities in the same way that we rehearse and remember at this table

IV.  Final Lesson: to respond to the Invitation

         A.  How Emily Post says we should do it:

         B.  Miss Laura Loving

         C.  accepts with pleasure

         D.  the kind invitation of

         E.   _________

         F.  for supper

         G.  on Sunday, November 6, 2011.

         H.  How it appears in the Gospel :

                   1.  be prepared

                   2.  say yes

                  3.  not only with our lips but in our lives

         I.  Conclusion: RSVP: It’s the right thing to do!