"Thanks, I need him. . ."

There are moments in worship that one tries to never, ever forget because they are so Spirit-filled, so profound even when they are so very simple.  The truth is, I've forgotten many of them.  Comments that children have made during Children's Time that I thought I would never forget and now years later I can only remember that they said something important but I cannot for the life of me remember exactly how it went!  So I'm writing this one down so I can look back it some time later.  Even if it doesn't touch you in anyway, at least it's here when I want to be reminded of my need for Christ.

As I bowed to the cross and turned on my heel to leave the sanctuary I made a quick stop along the path to give her a hug.  She was holding her hymnal so it was a bit awkward but what she said made every hair on the back of my neck and arms stand up.  It was a Holy Spirit moment and it just slipped out of her mouth as she came forward for Jesus.  "The body of Christ given for you, Melissa" I uttered.  Breathless she responded in a barely audible whisper, "Thank you, I need him. . ."

Thank you.  I need him.

I need him too.

Other than that exchange, I don't want to say too much. . . often I simply say too much.  Put way too many words next to something holy. . . so for now this is all. . .

God bless you this day and always!
Amy

Love for the Eucharist

Do you see this man?  

He is one of the three 90 year old saints of our congregation.  His name is Kenny.  (He is holding Andrew who is three and who was just baptized today in worship!)  Kenny is married to the love of his life, Maxine, for 65 years.  In the past couple of years they have not been able to be in worship with the rest of the community of saints at TLC.  They miss us.  WE MISS THEM!  It's not the same without them.  It's not the same when anyone is missing from the fold!  So each week we are always incomplete in some way because each week someone is missing.  Some are sick, some can't drive anymore, some are busy, some may have forgotten that we are there.  But we are there and we continue to be there.  We come together to worship Christ and to receive God's bountiful gifts of love, grace and sacrament.

Today we went on a field trip.  Mobile Church!!  We went to him!  And to her!  And we brought the Eucharist.  The bread and the wine; the body and the blood of Christ, "Do this in remembrance of me."  Jesus was there. . . in the flesh and in the blood and in the mobile Church.

As I prepared the meal for Kenny and Maxine I told the 10+ kids who came along to look at them; really look at them.  "You see boys and girls, what we take for granted each week-- Holy Communion and coming to the Lord's table-- they yearn and hunger for!"  Look at them.  These two never missed church, not even when the fields had to be harvested!  (Well maybe once or twice  :))  Now they cannot make it to worship except very rarely when they are having a really good day.  Watch how they receive the gifts of God:  "This is my body given for you."  A tear runs down his cheek.  "This is my blood shed for you."  She bows her head in reverence and whispers, "Thank you."  Look at them; see how they respond to the Eucharist. See how they need Christ.  See how they hunger and thirst for Him.  See how they appreciate what He offers!

Learn from them to never take Christ for granted.  Learn from them what this Eucharist means.  Don't be cold to it.  Don't be indifferent to it.  It is a precious treasure, it is a gift from Christ. It will strengthen you.  It pronounces you FORGIVEN.  It binds you to the One who sacrificed himself for you.  It is Christ!  It is for YOU!  Amen.