Eucharistic liturgy plants seed of communion in Steubenville

STEUBENVILLE -- The Steubenville Citywide Eucharistic Liturgy on Saturday stressed interpersonal communion and embraced various local churches, inviting Christians of all denominations to join in a day of songs, praise and communion.

The liturgy was hosted by the One Body Covenant Fellowship, an international and multi-denominational ecumenical movement based in Steubenville, in conjunction with its third-annual International Holy Convocation, the Congress 2023. Leading the liturgy was Bishop Jermaine V. Moore Sr., OBCF's founder and presiding prelate.

Moore, senior pastor of Mount Zion Baptist Church in Steubenville, said during his sermon, "My brothers and sister, this is why we are here today: To set an alarm to every enemy of unity that although I might be Baptist, although I may be Presbyterian, although I may be Catholic, although I may be independent and non-denominational, I am still a part of the body of Christ."

Moore said this liturgy was meant to "plant the seed" in the community for future interdenominational worship efforts. Plans are underway for having a special service, similar to this liturgy, that would occur every fifth Sunday of each month and unite different Christian churches for worship together, Moore said.

"We are planning to continue these gatherings on every fifth Sunday of the month," Moore said. "We'll come together and worship together ... (and) come together as clergy here in the city to talk about certain initiatives and things we can do to further our investment in our community."

One of those initiatives, Moore said, is directing proceeds from the fifth Sunday gatherings to be a "financial blessing" to the Ohio Valley Health Clinic in Steubenville, which provides health care for those who are without medical insurance or underinsured.

The gatherings, which are being planned by Moore and four other local pastors, are expected to begin in January, he said.

Proceedings for the liturgy itself opened with a processional, during which deacons, ministry leaders and clergy made their way down the aisle. Following them were members of the OBCF's college of bishops.

A hymn of adoration, "Great is Thy Faithfulness," preceded eucharistic prayers and the communion rite, led by Moore with assistance from the OBCF bishops. Liturgy attendees were later invited to partake in the eucharist.

Elder Jonathan Vickers, OBCF praise and worship director, led songs of praise following the distribution of communion. Later, and throughout the liturgy, the Gospel Ensemble of Cleveland performed enthusiastic choir selections.

Holy greetings were offered by Rose Slaughter, a member of Mount Zion Baptist Church. Afterward, attendees were invited to read together OBCF's seal statement, which states, "We are one body of believers united by the 1 Corinthians 12:12 message delivered from God, through our founder, and ministry leaders to the world, for building for the kingdom of God, by the message of the cross."

Tikisha Moore, OBCF first lady and Bishop Moore's wife, introduced her husband, who would later preach the word and give a sermon. Tikisha Moore said she and the bishop have been married for almost 16 years and have two sons together.

Moore said of her husband: "The bishop that you see out front is the bishop that he is at home ... (and) I'm a living testimony. And I just thank God for his leadership."

As attendees settled down after spirited and exuberant praise and worship, which saw people dancing through the aisles, Moore took to the podium. Moore's sermon placed heavy emphasis on oneness, building upon John 17:20-21's message -- "Thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us" -- which Moore said, "constitutes the framework" of the liturgy's motivation.

Moore exhorted attendees to "build bridges and tear down walls," working toward communion with one's neighbor. On several occasions, Moore told attendees to take the hand of the person next to them, at one point telling them to say to each other "I love you so much."

"We must initiate and lead through (the) resistance of engagement in excessive toxicity that has trampled over humility, trampled over humanitarianism and an earnest desire to seek and experience truth and the idea of us actually being one," Moore said.

Moore listed problems facing society, adding that it appears Jesus' prayer that all may be one in him is heading toward inevitable failure. However, Moore said that this can be overcome if prayer is people's "foundation," and they recognize the saving power of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross at Calvary.

Speaking on the necessity to overcome denominational division and bickering, Moore said, "It doesn't matter if you come from (Pentecostal Assemblies of the Word), Church of God in Christ, Baptist (or) Methodist. All that matters is (if) you've got the spirit of God on the inside."

Later, the Rev. Jason Elliott, pastor of First Westminster Presbyterian Church, prayed over the convocation and Moore and his mission, asking that Moore be anointed in his leadership.

After the liturgy, Moore confirmed that the holy convocation, which offered classes on ministry over Thursday and Friday, will be returning next year, for which planning will begin soon. Also, Moore said, the eucharistic liturgy will return next year, and he would love to see increased community participation.

The Rev. Rebecca Wharton, from Anderson, S.C., said this is her second year attending the convocation, which she called "amazing, powerful." A member of the OBCF, Wharton said, "It's awesome to be connected with a body of believers who truly love God and celebrate the body of Christ."

Ruth Pendergrast, a member of Mount Zion since 1963 and a member of its culinary ministry, said she supports Moore and his vision of Christian unity, saying, "That's the only way. We need each other's spiritual help."