I Am Awed By God. Again.

September 20, 2009

There’s less than an hour remaining before Sunday is over, the Sunday we gathered online to take communion together, and I can’t end this day without saying how extraordinary it was and how good God has been to me and to us.

I went to church this morning and ran a few errands in the afternoon but the rest of the day was spent here, praying that those who needed assurance or comfort or hope would join us, and then I spent time reading and responding to the messages some of you left about what you encountered at the table. I heard from you here in the comments section of the communion post, on the SisterFriends forum, in email, and over on Facebook and with every story you told I wept a little more. I’m so glad you came to the table. I’m overjoyed this meant something to so many of you. This is one of those times so full of God that my heart wants to cry out in thankfulness, “Okay God. This was one of the most wonderful things you’ve ever done and so I’m never going to ask you for anything ever again because what you did today was more than enough.” But of course I don’t say that out loud to God because I always want more and even if I said it, I’m pretty sure God wouldn’t believe me anyway.

So I’ve moved through the day with tears in my eyes and a heart full of gratitude that so many of you came to the table and when you did Grace was there waiting for you. Do yourself a favor if you haven’t already and take a few minutes to read the communion stories that are found at the end of the communion post and here is something written by one of the women over at the SisterFriends Forum that I share here with her generous permission. I just want you to know the awesome company you were in when you went to the table.

As an altar server in my church, my duties include assisting in the preparation of the sanctuary and the altar for the Holy Eucharist. So, this morning for our SisterFriends Community Communion, I prepared my dining table with the same love and reverence as I do at church. I lit the candles, placed a few special items on the table (Bible/Book of Common Prayer, Anglican prayer beads, desk labyrinth, incense, laptop), and set the loaf of bread and cup of wine in the centre. And, after saying a brief opening prayer, I started the service.

The order of service was simple and very moving. Eyes closed, prayer beads in hand, I was surprised to feel tears rolling down my face as I lifted up my own voice – holy, holy, holy – during the song ‘Beautiful’. (My singing voice is so awful that I usually make my dear poodle cry – but not this morning. God was in this place. And even my pooch knew it!) I mimicked Anita’s actions during the breaking of the bread and, in remembrance of our Lord, I partook of the loaf and drank the wine. The Holy Eucharist has become very special to me over the past few years particularly and knowing that we were all sharing in this sacred sacrament together made it even more so.

After the service was complete, I sat there and peacefully transitioned into a time of Centering Prayer, a contemplative practice that I am drawn to. In this form of prayer, a sacred word is gently invoked when the mind starts to wander. Now, I almost always use the same word, but this morning the sacred word that came to me was ‘holy’. (Sound familiar?) I ended with the Lord’s Prayer and a period of reflective silence. Then, as I do at church, I cleared away the table, drank the remaining consecrated wine, reserved the remaining consecrated bread, blew out the candles and put away all of my special items.

Then, I went to Mass at my church. I wasn’t serving on the altar this morning because I was playing in the band, but we sit upstairs in the organ loft which gives me the best view of the altar. When I wasn’t playing, I found myself drawn to the altar table and my heart was filled with such love for our Lord, for Anita for putting together our Community Communion, and all of you, my sisters and brother, in Christ. I don’t know if this will sound weird or not, but as I walked up to the communion rail, I felt all of you there with me. And, as we played the last hymn, ‘Guide Me O Thou Great Redeemer’, I blew my saxophone so loudly (apologies to the trumpeter in front of me) in honour of all of you at the part that goes -Bread of heaven, bread of heaven, feed me now and evermore, evermore. Feed me now and evermore! Did you all hear it?

Having never done anything like this before, I didn’t know what to expect. Now, after having participated in the service, all I can say is what an amazingly powerful experience this was, and I feel so blessed to have been able to share in the Community Communion with all of you. This couldn’t have been more perfect. Except next time I think I’ll use a dinner roll instead of the huge multigrain loaf – it was tough trying to break that thing. Anita made it look so easy!

Sorry that this was so long, but I just wanted to share everything! I can’t wait to hear about your experiences too. By the way, here’s a picture of my SisterFriends Community Communion table.

I’ve said this several times already but I want to say it again for the one of you who may have missed it. The Gathering for Communion post will always remain in here in the SisterFriends archive and so anytime you want to go to the table in your home, the post will be there and if you don’t want to go to the table alone, email me. Tell me you’re planning to read the post and take communion in your home and in my own home I will take communion with you. Though we might not be going to the table at the very same moment in time, we’ll still meet there in God’s spirit. You’ll be there, I’ll be there, those who came before us will be there, those who will come after us will be there, God will most certainly be there, and together we’ll all gather around the table and receive the bread and cup of Christ. Anytime. You just let me know.

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