"The Women's Issue"

Yesterday [Sunday] I got to do something I have longed to do since high school. Serve...serve communion. From start to finish. 

Chelsa and her sister came over in the morning, and the three of us made the bread we served during Hope's communion time. Chelsa commentted that I was physically stronger today that I was a year ago...So it turns out my personal theme verse for the year [Nehemiah 8:10 "...the joy of the LORD is my strength."]  is more true than even I realized.

Then after "What a Fellowship" & Jonathan's comments on the weakness of the disciples' bodies after the Passover meal while Jesus prayed for the Cup of Sacrifice to pass from His lips...and let us not forget the prayer asking for Jesus to be with and in us as we particpate in the continuation of that "Meal"...another young lady at Hope and I served the Body. 

Serve is the operative word here.

I said earlier how I had longed to serve in this way since high school. I guess that is when I first really KNEW that to serve the Lord at His banquet table in heaven, I felt the true need to serve His Body here on earth...This is the Hallowed Father's will on earth.

Inspired by a very sweet friend of the Lord's and of mine who offered a simmilar benediction, I offered a blessing to each row. Not formally...but in a way that I hope was pleasing to the Lord. 

As a Church we are called to mimic the 1st century church as much as possible. The imagery used by the writers of the New Testament is so vivid that I can see the bread and the wine being passed around a table of "Jews and Gentiles, Men and Women, slave and free." That scene continues for generations of the Lord's people, and was continued last night [minus the table.] I can also hear the words of encouragement spreading from one person to the next, to the next...down the rolls of humanity. 

Thank, O my Savior, for this gift, this time of remembrance, this opportunity to serve not just our brothers and sisters in Christ, but our brothers and sisters in the world and throughout history, and finally the gift of serving You. Your Banner flying over us, all of us whether separated by time or by distance or both, is Love. Thank you, Jesus, for seeing my spirit, not my gender. Amen.

Not that there weren't a few goofs on my part, but I promise we will get better, it was only our first experience in this type of service.

Note: If I have used your name but you do not want me to again please send an email.