OK; we are still working out the kinks in our still new “Online Church”.  Sunday’s worship, if you missed it live, is now available on both our website and the Tammany Oaks Church of Christ Facebook page.  I hope you will take advantage of the opportunity to “join” your faith family in this way.  

Have you ever given much thought to the preparation of, and the serving of Communion?  And right now, I’m talking about how it was done in the “Olden Days” – you know, the days before Corona Quarantine – you know, like three weeks ago?  I know that you don’t think that the crackers and juice somehow just appeared in the serving trays each Sunday, or that the servers were just the unlucky four who couldn’t get away when Bethany came “hunting” through the auditorium before the worship began.  But, even if you knew that someone actually put the crackers and juice into the trays every Sunday morning, and even if you knew that the servers were actually informed of the need for their service weeks before the actual Sunday arrived, did you ever give it much thought beyond that?

Like you, I had not thought much about the logistics of Communion, except on those special occasions like Easter when we would do Communion differently, and we would need someone to bake bread, and gather large cups and pitchers or carafes for the juice, and set up tables from which we would then serve each other.  On those special times, it became clear, for a moment, that preparing Communion is a task that involves thought and consideration, and yes, even conversation with God as details are worked through so that each family member would be able to experience a moment of true spiritual connection between the saints - both here and throughout the world - and The Father, Son and Spirit.  

But, as I thought about what it means to “Come To The Table” while studying for Sunday’s online worship service, it finally occurred to me that each Sunday – whether before or during the Quarantine - the preparation and serving of Communion has always been a holy work.  It was a holy work for the ones who prepared and served “The Last Supper”, and it still is today.  Maybe Daphne and Andrew and Francine didn’t consciously think of it this way each week as they, with care and love, prepared the trays and then cleaned up afterwards; and maybe some of the servers didn’t consciously think of it this way each week as they passed the trays through the congregation.  Yet all of that was holy work.  All of that was service given, in love, to The Lord and to this faith family.  And all of that holy work brought spiritual blessings to those who served.  

And now, Bethany is carrying on the holy work of Communion for the “On Site Team” at the church building during this Corona Quarantine as she prepares and serves Communion to us.  I hope you saw her carrying the trays on camera this Sunday.  I hope that, like me, you look forward to the day when we can all gather together again and gratefully accept the holy work of our brothers and sisters as they serve us at The Table of Christ.

I know that some of you are now, in this time of quarantine, baking Communion bread for your family and making sure that all are served.  I am thankful for your holy work, and pray that you receive the blessing that comes with your service.

 God’s blessings continue to be showered on us.  Let us be grateful.  And let us be willing to openly express our gratitude and joy.     

Shepherd Ambrose K. Ramsey III