Gathering for Communion
September 19, 2009
A word of explanation before we begin: The following post has been provided so that you can join with others around the world in an online communion scheduled anytime on Sunday, September 20, 2009. All you need to participate is a bit of bread, a cup of juice or wine, and a desire to come to the table. We invite you to meet us there! As you move down through the post click on the white arrow located in red on each audio slider bar. This will begin an audio clip that will have accompanying text printed below. If you are unable to see the red and green audio slider bars please download a free copy of Adobe Flash Player onto your computer. For those viewing this post via an email subscription it will be necessary for you to access the blog through your web browser.
And now, let our worship begin!
We Gather Together
.
Anita: …………..God be with you.
Community:…..And also with you.
As I write these words there sits before me a loaf of braided Challah bread and a portion of wine held in a ceramic chalice. I am here and God is here.
And now, a few hours or even days later, you’re reading these words and within your reach rests the bread and cup you’ve prepared. You are there and God is there.
And we are here together for we’ve entered into God’s time as we stand before Christ’s table. Right now we are together, you and I, and all those who have come to the table before us and all those who will one day follow us. What a mystery of our faith, that time and space lose their boundaries for we are brought together as one by the Spirit. Let this be a reality for you as you move through this time. You are not alone. You are at a table with your sisters and brothers in faith, from the first disciples who gathered around the table with Jesus to those who have yet to be born but will like you and I, find their life and meaning before the same bread and the same cup we share now.
Gathered around this table are gay and straight, young and old, male and female. We speak many languages. We have lived different lives. Some of us come to the table in brokenness and despair. Some of us come in confident rejoicing. We come believing and we come doubting. We come with expectations and we come expecting nothing. God’s grace calls to us wherever we are, assuring us that it doesn’t matter how we come to the table, only that we come. No one will be turned away. No one will be unwelcome. There is no one standing in your way at this table. No matter what your experience at other tables has been in the past, no matter what you’ve been told that’s made you stop and turn away from coming to the table, there is room for you at this table. There is a place at this table for you. I don’t invite you to the table. Christ invites you because this table belongs to Him. He provides the meal. He decides who may come. No one else but Christ alone. All that I am doing is inviting you to receive with an open heart the invitation Christ has sent to you this day so that you would say “Yes, I’ll come to Your table. I’ll eat of Your bread and drink of Your cup and receive of Your love.”
Come to the table. All are welcome.
Responsive Prayer
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The following prayer, “A People With Many Secrets” is found in Walter Brueggemann’s book, “Awed to Heaven, Rooted in Earth.” Please join me in reading this prayer responsively by opening the audio clip below and reading along.
A: You are the God from whom no secret can be hid,
……and we are a people with many secrets,
C: that we want to tell for the sake of our lives,
…..that we dare not tell because they are deep and painful.
A: But they are our secrets…and they count for much;
C: they are our truth…rooted deep in our lives.
A: You are the God of all truth
…..and now we bid you heed our truth,
…..about which we will not bear false witness…
C: The truth of grief unresolved,
A: the truth of pain unacknowledged,
C: the truth of fear too child-like,
A: the truth of hate, as powerful as it is deep,
C: the truth of being taken advantage of,
…..and being used,
…..and being oppressed,
…..and slandered.
A: We trust the great truth of your wondrous love,
…..but we will not sit still for it,
…..until you hear us.
C: Our truth – heard by you – will make us free.
E: So be the God of all truth, even ours,
…..we pray in the name of Jesus,
…..who is your best kept secret of hurt. Amen.
Scripture Reading
.
This translation of Psalm 139 comes from “Psalms for Praying: An Invitation to Wholeness” by Nan C. Merrill. As you meditate on the words of the Psalmist I encourage you to read the passage out loud.
Oh my Beloved, You have searched me
….…..and known me!
You know when I sit down and
……..when I rise up;
….You discern my innermost thoughts.
You find me on the journey and
….….guide my steps:
….You know my strengths and
….….my weaknesses.
Even before words rise up in prayer,
….Lo, You have already heard
….….my heart call.
You encompass me with love where’er
….….I go,
….and your strength is my shield.
Such sensitivity is too wonderful
….….for me;
….it is high; boundless gratitude
….….is my soul’s response.
Where could I go from your Spirit?
….Or how could I flee from
….….your Presence?
If I ascend into heave, You are there!
….If I make my bed in darkness,
….….You are there!
If I soar on the wings of hte morning
…. or dwell in the deepest parts
….….of the sea,
Even there your hand will lead me,
….and your Love will embrace me.
If I say, “Let only darkness cover me,
….and the light about me is night,”
Even the darkness is not dark to You,
….the night dazzles as with the sun;
….the darkness is light to You.
For You formed my inward being,
….You knit me together in my
….….mother’s womb.
I praise You, for You are to be
….….reverenced and adored.
….Your mysteries fill me with wonder!
More than I know myself You know me;
….my essence was not hidden from You,
When I was being formed in secret,
….intricately fashioned from the
….….….elements of the earth,
Your eyes beheld my unformed substance,
….in your records were written
….….every one of them,
The days that were numbered for me,
….when as yet there were none of them.
How precious to me are your creations,
….….….O Blessed One!
….How vast is the sum of them!
Who could count your innumerable
….….….gifts and blessings?
….At all times, You are with me.
O that You would vanquish my fears,
….….….Beloved;
….O that ignorance and suffering
….….would depart from me -
All that separates me from true
….….abandonment,
is surrendering myself into
….….….Your hands!
Yet are these not the very thorns that
….….focus my thoughts upon You?
….Will I always need reminders to
….….turn my face to You?
I yearn to come to You in love,
….….to learn of your mercy and wisdom!
Search me, O my Beloved, and know
….….….my heart!
….Try me and discern my thought!
Help me to face the darkness within me;
….enlighten me, that I might
….….radiate your love and light!
Preparing Our Hearts
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The two songs that follow in video are offered as a conversation, a conversation God initiates and that we follow up with in response.
There are those who’ve come to us in our lives saying, “God is saying this to you…” or “The Lord would want you to know…” and the words that followed, spoken in God’s name have crushed our spirits and battered our souls. The message they came bringing in God or Jesus’ name made us wonder where we stood with God. But hear this my friend; when God speaks to his beloved, God’s words uplift and bless, restore and heal, comfort and bring peace. When the Spirit of God speaks the words are ones of love, grace, and mercy. Any words that fall short of that, that stand in opposition to the very nature of a God who loves with unconditional love, who gives without measure and takes endless delight in his beloved, are not words from God.
So what I invite you to do in these next few minutes is put every word aside that has wounded your soul, lay down every message given in God’s name that has caused you to doubt your Creator’s great and abiding love for you. And now in the stillness of this moment receive the words of this song as though they express the very heart of God for you….because they do. God is singing over you and the song God sings is love.
The words you just heard express the heart of God for you. For you. And while our faith depends on more than emotion, I pray even now you’re able to feel God’s love for you, to receive every word as a whisper of God to the center of your soul. Believe. Believe. You are God’s beloved.
There are times in our lives when the love of God is made so real we have no choice, no other desire but to come to God in worship and give thanks. Since no one is watching you right now other than God, I invite you to enter into a posture of worship as the next song begins. Over the past days as I’ve listened to this song over and over again, I’ve found my hands spontaneously going to my heart, as if to hold my heart before God as a way of letting God know that the words of this song reflect my deepest praise for all God is to me. So whether you hold your hands to your heart or lift them up into the air, whether you stand or sit or kneel, it doesn’t matter. I just want to encourage you as we begin our journey to the table to come not only in heart and mind but with all that you are, including the body that holds your spirit and the Spirit of God within you. One more thing. About half way through the song, the chorus will change and begin repeating “Holy, Holy, Holy, Holy, Holy, You are. You are.” The melody is easy enough so even if you think your voice is enough to make flowers wilt, sing along. God hungers for your worship and every voice lifted in praise is beautiful to Him.
Gathering at the Table
A:…..The Lord be with you.
C: …..And also with you.
A: …..Lift up your hearts.
C: …..We lift them up to the Lord.
A: …..Let us give thanks to the Lord, our God.
C: …..It is right to give God thanks and praise.
A: …..[Prayer] For all this and more we pray…
C: ….through Christ, with Christ, in Christ; in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
………all glory and honor is yours Almighty God, now and forever. Amen.
Remembering and Receiving
.
.
Closing Thoughts from Anita
.
I pray now as I already have been praying, that this would have been a special time for you and that through it you would have felt a little more loved and a little less alone. I pray that the Spirit of Christ we remember and celebrate at the table was made real to you in a new and living way. Brother or Sister, you are God’s beloved. Let no one and nothing ever tell you otherwise. Give no one the power to stand in your way to God or to the table God has provided for you through Jesus.
This post will always be here and so you can return to it again and again whenever you want. If you decide to come to the table here again in another week or month or year, let me know and I’ll come back here too and take communion with you again.
I’d love to invite any of you who participated in this communion, to share any reflections you have in terms of what the experience meant to you, where it challenged you or where it blessed you. And if not about this particular time at the table, it would be amazing if you would relate another communion that was meaningful to you in your life.
Thank you for joining me at Christ’s table, and thank you for all the times you stop by SisterFriends Together.
Christ has died. Christ has risen. Christ will come again.
Anita
Posted in Grace Meditations, Online Community Events
September 19th, 2009 at 9:31 pm
Anita,
This was an especially meaningful blog entry for me. I don’t have a lot of time to indulge at the moment, but really quickly- I loved your mention of Psalm 139- its one of my absolute favorites. It was a chapter to hold onto during a rough time in my life a year ago. My husband & I found out our first baby was ill- in the womb & the Lord shared w/ us to read Psalm 139 to him daily.. & it would speak to his spirit which was alive & well.. even though his flesh was not. Anyways, long story short.. he lived 33 wks in me & then was born & lived for an hour outside of me- an hour the doctors said he would never experience. Then he went home to be w/ the Lord & 4 short months later we found out we were having twins! The Lord is so faithful & He does know our every thought & need.
Also, during that time I learned about how powerful communion can be as well.. how His body was broken so that ours can be restored & that salvation that comes by His finished work on the cross isn’t JUST to save our souls (not to belittle that either) but its ALL encompassing.. it brings health & wholeness & restoration on a divine level. Its pretty awesome! Anyways, I gotta go- the hubby is eyeing me cos we gotta feed the babies.
Thanks again for posting.
Love you.
Em
September 20th, 2009 at 12:56 am
Thank you Anita for providing this.
I cried, I cried, I cried, and I still cry, but I feel so blessed, I feel so blessed, I feel so blessed.
Thank You God.
It was more then 20 years ago that I went to the table due to various reasons.
This was the first time but it won’t be the last time, since I can return over and over again and not feel rejected, but only feel love, love, love.
I never thought that I would ever go to the table again.
There is so much more to say, but I will at first let it sit in me and give it water and feel somewhat more about that what I experienced this morning.
Blessings,
TJ
September 20th, 2009 at 4:48 am
Beautiful.
September 20th, 2009 at 6:20 am
Anita,
My mother died on Feb 26 2009 because of a mistake made during surgery. It wasn’t supposed to happen. We (my church family, my family, friends) prayed diligently for Holy Spirit protection before, during, and after the surgery. I did a Daniel Fast for 40 days before her surgery. I bought and wore a ring and bracelet that had a mustard seed in them so I could remeber that all I needed was true faith the size of a mustard seed. I truely felt I had that much faith. I believed she would be ok. I believed He heard our prayers. I beleived he was going to answer our prayers. She knew many people were praying for her. She believed.
But she died anyway.
There was nothing I could do to save her.
It’s been six months and 25 days.
I’ve been lost since then. Lost in grieve, lost in pain, lost in doubt, lost in complacency, lost in anger.
I havn’t prayed since then. I haven’t opened my bible. I go to church but it has been meaningless. I haven’t turned to Him. Why should I – He didn’t answer me when I prayed before?
Being at Table with you this morning has put a crack in my anger and pain. I hear the still small voice calling to me. I know He waits for me. I will turn back to Him. Only He, the Maker of the Universe, can heal my broken heart.
I lift you and D up to Him. Thank you for all you do.
September 20th, 2009 at 8:13 am
Dear Em–>It just so happened that last night I was reading from “Mourning into Dancing” by Henri Nouwen. In it he tells a story of a time a young man called him in great grief because his infant daughter had died after only a couple days following his birth. Henri didn’t know what to say to the man to ease his sorrow but all he could think to say was to tell the man that their little girl, though her life had been short, would always be their daughter, they would always be her parents, and she would never cease being a part of her family. Though her life was short, her life mattered because in such a short amount of time relationships were formed that would last forever. I was so moved in reading that and then, only minutes later I came to find your comment waiting here. I know of your beautiful twins Em and relish all the photos of them I’ve seen but I never knew of your first little guy and so while I wept in reading of your loss they were tears tempered with what I had just read and in knowing the joy you’re now experiencing in your gorgeous son and daughter. Psalm 139 has always been a favorite of mine and held me in the most difficult of moments, and yes, what happened on the cross reaches into every corner of life in ways that go far beyond the salvation message. I absolutely believe that at the cross the entire world was changed in ways we will never fully know.
Much love to you, Anita
September 20th, 2009 at 8:16 am
TJ—> As I read of your emotion and joy in coming to the table, I can’t begin to imagine the joy of God in meeting you there. How great must have been God’s delight in seeing you come and receive the gift of grace again. And yes, the post will always be here, the table will always be ready, and Christ will be waiting for you to join him as often or as little as you can find your way to the bread and cup. Blessings to you my friend, Anita
September 20th, 2009 at 8:16 am
John–> Thank you John. The beauty of the table speaks for itself
September 20th, 2009 at 8:29 am
Sandy–> I take great comfort in knowing that I can come to the table just as I am, and with whatever emotions are gripping my heart. God doesn’t ask that you leave your anger or grief behind to come to the table. All that you’re feeling following the death of your mom is so understandable and honest. I don’t believe God would want you to push away or deny any of what is so deeply going on in you, the questions that linger, the sense of the unfairness of it all, or the wondering why it seemed God didn’t show up in that time to protect your mom from injury or harm. I can never explain why we pray and believe and trust for things and then all that we hoped for is lost to us. I only know that there are times in our life when our only hope at moving past those things and finding any peace in what is keeping us bound upside ourselves is to bring it all to the table in hopes that we can leave at least a part of it there. Sandy, sometimes we pray and God answers. Sometimes we pray and God is silent. While I don’t know why it is that way, my faith tells me with great assurance that either way God is listening; listening with compassion and love. And when we grieve and our hearts are broken God grieves with us. And when we’re lost there is a hand beginning held in our direction and if we can risk trusting again and taking hold of that hand, we’ll be led from the place where we’re lost to a new place where joy, hope, and grace can be found again. Thank you Sandy for sharing such an honest moment with us this morning. I will carry your story and you in my heart as I go to church this morning to stand at the table. Blessings, Anita
September 20th, 2009 at 9:19 am
“Our truth – heard by you – will make us free…we pray in the name of Jesus,
…..who is your best kept secret of hurt.”
I love that. It is profound to to be reminded today God knows me, considers me beloved and identifies with my suffering. I don’t know how many times in the last few days I’ve prayed, ‘God, this feels like more than I can handle. More than I can handle.’ Thank you, Anita, for putting this together. I feel a little more ‘free’ from worry and anxiety and will surely come back to this for more.
September 20th, 2009 at 10:41 am
What a Blessed day. I have been praying over the last few days trying to prepare myself for participation in this communion with so many people across the world. What a privilege it was to know that I was sharing in this most holy of sacraments with everyone. I have always been taught in my upbringing about having everything at peace within myself before coming to the communion table, and as I have prayed the last few days to ask for his Grace and Mercy to do just that. I don’t think I am really angry at God for the losses in my life over the last several months, from friendships, my uncle, and most recently, my Dad, but I sure have questioned the reasoning behind them. From the very moment I logged on and took my place, I felt a holy blanket of peace and comfort. I cannot find words to express the feelings I had while losing myself in worship with my God right here this morning. I waited until after church to respond, because I had hoped to find words to describe it, but am still found searching. The Blessed teaching in the service this morning was: God Loves Me Best! How awesome is that? He loves everyone the best, no matter who we are or what we do, he can love us no more than he does this very minute.
As I sat listening in song, I felt the spirit of my dad sitting with me, so strong, and as I began kneeling, before the end I found myself actively rocking in my chair. As if to be sitting there with my Dad. (he loved to rock, I grew up in that rocker and his lap). I walked away with that comfort and peace that only God can give.
Thank you so much for making this happen for all of us. What a Blessed Honor!
September 20th, 2009 at 11:03 am
This was such a blessing. Beautiful.
It once again reminded me that the love God has for us is bigger than anything else that may come against us.
Thank you.
September 20th, 2009 at 11:22 am
Woke up this morning not wanting to get up, not able to sleep, and dragged my laptop into bed with me. Not a normal move and I had no idea what I was looking for. The first link I saw was to the table. After slipping quietly to the kitchen to get things together I came to the table. Much to my surprise, tears started flowing. In some deep ways I have been very isolated this month. What a blessing to be part of such a family, all together, safe at God’s table.
September 20th, 2009 at 2:34 pm
Anita,
I loved participating in this cyber-communion with you and the many saints out there, wherever you may be. This was simple, beautiful, and simply beautiful. What a pleasure to hear your voice… in reality and not just through your writing!
Some small delights, for me, is that the “bread” I chose to bring back here in the office with the laptop was the gluten-free challah that I baked for my sweetie so she could enjoy her Rosh Hashanah without a stomach ache! So I was tickled to know that you were using challah as well. L’shana Tovah and Shabbat shalom!
I’ll be posting a link to this service on my blog in case any of my visitors decide that they want to partake.
Thanks for the thoughtfulness, and open invitation to join you at God’s table.
And the peace of God that passes all understanding keep our hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God and of God’s son, Jesus Christ.
Amen!
Susan
September 20th, 2009 at 3:14 pm
Dear Anita: With tears that seem to wash from within my very soul, I thank you for providing The Lord’s Table to those of us who so often hunger without knowing what it is we are truly hungry for, and who thirst but find our thirst goes un-quenched. I pray that every person, everywhere, that participates in this wonderful time of sharing with find healing and rest for their soul. I am sending the link to a dear friend who buried her father on Friday, to a child who is discouraged, and to friends who love the Lord and will visit this site time and time again to share this beautiful experience of worshipping and coming into God’s Holy Presence at His Most Holy Table. I am awed and blessed. Thank you for your faithfulness in hearing His voice and obeying.
In Jesus Love, His_own_01
September 20th, 2009 at 3:46 pm
Anita,
I waited ’til I could do some errands that couldn’t wait. I know God understands and as I sat listening, reading and hearing the beauty and peace in your voice and the beauty of the worship songs and scriptures, I was overwhelmed. It’s been a difficult journey, in this beautiful place we live, to find a welcoming church, where we can worship and not be judged, and just feel at home. The “feeling at home” is a big part of what I’m looking for in a church family. It was so good to join with my worldwide family and eat and worship and feel truly loved by God.
Thank you for leaving this open so we can return. I know I will return often.
Now I can begin my week, knowing that I truly worshipped my beautiful God today.
May God’s richest blessings be on you and D as you do God’s work.
You’ve really made me feel a part of a worldwide church, where we have one God and one Savior and no matter what others say, I know that God loves me and I know that in God’s time, He will bring me to the church, where He intends for me to worship and be fed.
Thank you for all your work and especially your obedience in caring for this flock.
Blessings and peace,
Bev (SC)
September 20th, 2009 at 4:09 pm
Amy–> The oddest thing happened today at church that your words remind me of. The bread, prepared lovingly and faithfully by one of the women of the congregation left an odd, if not unpleasant taste in my mouth. It might have been the oil she used or a spice I’m not familiar with. Whatever it was, I couldn’t get the taste out of my mouth and then I began to think that the “off-taste” was a reminder for me that part of what the table holds is suffering, Christ’s and ours. Yes, there’s grace and joy and love and forgiveness but also Christ’s connection with us in our suffering and sorrow. The gift of that for me Amy is that when I think no one understands, that no one knows what I’m going through, or how hard the thing is that I’m facing, I’m reminded at the table that in fact Someone REALLY does know. Thank you for being here at the table!
September 20th, 2009 at 4:13 pm
Ripley —> There’s nothing I could say in response to what you shared that would express even in part how grateful I am for the experience you had at the table. Yes, God loves you (and me and everyone ) BEST and loves us as much right now as God ever has or ever will. Full throttle no holds barred love. Tears came to my eyes as well when you spoke of feeling your dad close to you as you rocked through the song. I’m so grateful God gave you that experience, bringing father and daughter back together in the Spirit. Blessings, Anita
September 20th, 2009 at 4:15 pm
Turtle —> What a delightful story about coming to the table! I loved reading how it was for you and that in this time of isolation you had the chance to feel surrounded by a family where you are loved and safe. You are both you know. You are loved and safely held in the arms of God, at the table, in your bed, in the middle of your day, at the darkest moment of night. It is a blessing to call you Sister and Friend. Anita
September 20th, 2009 at 4:19 pm
Susan–> Ahh….the Challah bread. What a wonderful “extra” connection. I’d like to say I chose Challah bread for spiritual reasons but really, it was just because I think it’s a beautiful bread and I LOVE to eat it! Dare I say that the loaf of bread in the video was enjoyed long after the final blessing was given
Ah, and I’ve heard your voice and now you’re heard mine. I guess we’re both real, eh? 
And just so you know, I have a post upcoming in the next couple days that will send a few folks in your direction. I LOVE your blog and your reflections on Scripture always wow me. Blessings, Anita
September 20th, 2009 at 4:22 pm
Ah Katie—> You’re so welcome. It sounds like going to the table was a tender time for you and I’m so glad that your heart was open to meeting God there. Thank you for sending the link to the communion to others and as this day continues I will be praying for each of them, the one who grieves the death of her father, the little one who is discouraged and to your friends who love the Lord and may be carrying burdens unknown to anyone but them. May all of them come and partake of the greatest gift of love we will ever know. Blessings, Anita
September 20th, 2009 at 4:31 pm
Bev–> I’m sure God was a-okay with you running a few errands and I continue to pray and believe for the day when you will find yourself within the walls of a church where you can serve and worship from the fullness of who God has created you to be; a place where you will be received as the gift that you are and for all that you are. Until that day, take comfort in knowing that in every corner of this world there are men and woman, both gay and straight, pastors and parishioners who wouldn’t hesitate to call you their Sister in Christ and to warmly embrace and receive you. Today you met them here in Spirit
September 20th, 2009 at 5:33 pm
Anita,
Thanks for this wonderful blog. It reminded me of how much, I am loved. I was told today that my type wasnt welcomed at the church I grew up in. After hearing that, I thought that maybe God didnt love me. But after this blog, I realize how much I was wrong. He does love me, nomatter what humans have to say about us being different.
September 20th, 2009 at 5:34 pm
Isn’t God just the Greatest! How amazing is the technology that He has allowed us to incorporate into our lives…….we just had communion over the Internet! Thank you Lord, and thank you Anita. That was a loving, unselfish and beautiful thing you did. It was especially encouraging for my heart because I left my home church in Atlanta, Georgia the first of July and moved to Alaska. Oh how I miss the beautiful fellowship, communion and corporate worship with my GLBT family. And I was “fine” throughout communion time until just now and the dam has broken and I’m crying ……..crying out for myself…….for my family back home……for you and Dana…..for the GLBT community….for every person that comes and partakes…..that they will no longer feel alone……praying that God will destroy oppression and depression that comes against the mind of the believer; that he will bring joy where there has been sorrow and acceptance where there has been rejection.
Thank you, Anita…..Praying that you will be refreshed as you have refreshed others.
In Him, Sherry K
September 20th, 2009 at 5:52 pm
Jennifer–> I am so sorry to hear of your painful experience at your home church today, but my friend, YOU are the type God welcomes with open arms and a rejoicing heart. YOU are type who is the apple of God’s eye. YOU are the very type who God loves, cherishes and delights in! You are the type for all of this because YOU are God’s best handiwork and God’s beloved. Just as I pray healing for your heart and spirit, I pray compassion and understanding for those who would have dared to say such a thing to one so loved by God. God’s crazy about you Jennifer. Absolutely head over heels.
September 20th, 2009 at 5:56 pm
Sherry—> I’m standing with you in all that you are feeling, weeping over and praying for. You’ve been through such a major transition in your life and I pray that while an affirming faith community might not be near to where you are, God continues to find other ways to meet the deepest longings of your heart and that God would continue to bring you comfort as you continue to grieve the distance between you and the places and people you love. You’re a dear sister in Christ and cherished as one. Blessings, Me
September 20th, 2009 at 7:26 pm
Tonight Jessica and I shared communion with you. I could not have imagined the stillness that surrounded us. There were tears throughout, lifted prayers, but mostly… stillness. We belonged there, with Him, with all of you, and no one was debating it. How beautiful to feel complete acceptance and unconditional love (And a perfect way to welcome J and I back home as we spent the day traveling). You have such a gentle spirit, Anita and it shines through in your words and your voice. I would like to pass this on, if I may. God bless you, Anita, and all of you here. It feels like home. Much love.
September 20th, 2009 at 7:48 pm
Thank you Anita for this experience. It was an incredibly tender moment. My love and I are separted by several hundred miles. And yet today, for the first time in our dating life, via Skype and your site, we were able to join together in communion. We pray together every day, but to be able to each have our communion laid out, to read the verses and listen to the music — and to know that in that space-time continuum we were meeting at the Table of the Lord. It was moving. And to know that there were other Sisterfriends throughout the world gathering with you. How incredibly pleased our Lord must be that so many of His people are participating right now world wide. As for my love and I, we will be together in two weeks and plan to share communion again as it was so refreshing to our Spirits. Thanks Anita for making this possible! May God richly bless yours and true love’s life and we will be praying for your speedy recovery. God Bless!
September 20th, 2009 at 8:25 pm
Melissa –> Of course you may share this post with anyone you want and as I said at the bottom of the post if there are any who want to know that when they receive communion some one is literally taking it with them, then all they need do is contact me and I’ll “meet” them here at the table. I’d be more than happy to receive communion a dozen times a day and never would it mean less than the time before. I’m so blessed to hear of the experience you and Jessica had during communion. One of my prayers had been that those who came could enjoy the stillness that comes when we know we’re in God’s presence and are being held safely and lovingly. And yes Melissa, you and Jessica absolutely belonged at the table with us, and what a gift that you came. Blessings, Anita
September 20th, 2009 at 8:29 pm
TDK–> I can’t add a thing to what you wrote except I LOVE IT! I love that the two of you met at the table in that way and most of all that you intend to have communion again when you come together in two weeks. I remember the first communions D and I had together and how incredible it was; to go the table with the woman I most loved to worship the God I most adored. When our loves come together it’s about as sweet as it gets!
September 21st, 2009 at 6:05 am
To come to the table with no sideways looks, or worries that OTHERS think I’m unworthy, to be in this sisterfriends community -safe and accepted, by the community and by God – this is Life and this is Love. Thank you.
September 21st, 2009 at 7:22 am
It was beautiful Anita and I thank you for making it possible for all of us to be included. Amazing this technological world we live in now that we can share communion together with our sisters from all over the world and be united in our spirits before God. I felt such a presence of God here in my little office with candles lit and bread and wine before me. So grateful. So peaceful. So loving. God is the healer of the broken and I feel a new sense of wholeness. Thank you.
September 22nd, 2009 at 8:25 am
Thanks Anita.
remembering you while you are in surgery.
God bless.
September 22nd, 2009 at 2:02 pm
In the stillness of time
Somewhere in between the lines
Hidden in Your Name
Kept safe in Your love
Was this moment where I met You
I’d never thought that I would have communion via the internet…surprisingly it moved me.
Thanx for providing the opportunity
September 24th, 2009 at 7:13 am
undone.