I am linking up for the Five Minute Friday. The FMF is hosted by Kate Motaung on her blog Heading Home. Today’s prompt is “Gather.” Write for five minutes; unedited.
“And he took the bread, blessed, and broke it. And said “This is my body given for you.” Then he took the wine and blessed it saying, “This is my blood shed for you.”
Each week we gather at the altar where together we share in bread and wine. At that holy table, our joys and pains are shared. At that holy table, we are forgiven of our sins. Together we gather around this holy meal.
In this community of faith, people of all generations gather around this table. There is the 5th grader who took wine for the first time and was completely shocked by its taste. Now she asks for grape juice every time. There is the little one whose parents have let her partake since she was little. And there is the 90 year old woman who continually gathers at this holy table and meal. The wafer is placed in her well-loved well-aged tender hand.
That 5th grader continually gathers with her parents and sister each week in worship. During the meet and greet time, she runs up the aisle to find me and embraces me in the most tender love-filled hug. I miss the weeks she is not there.
And then there is the community of families who gather with their kids and learn and grow together. This Family Sunday School group has blessed me in more ways than I can even begin to count or imagine. I get the opportunity some weeks to gather with the youngest of the kids and teach them about faith.*
And then there are the 7th graders who I get to gather and teach Confirmation. I hope and pray that they are learning something from me. And in addition, there are the youth that I get to spend every 1st and 3rd Wednesday with as I we gather for food, fun, and fellowship. Last night there was a small but mighty crowd. We simply spent time together which included a little of the board game Taboo.
I am blessed to gather in community with the most awesome and amazing friends and family. We have broke bread together and gathered around each other’s tables sharing in life’s joys and sorrows.
And who knew that my life would be blessed by social media as well.—God knew, didn’t he?
For the last several years, during Lent, at the end of the day, I have gathered around my phone to pray through my FB friends list. I cannot even begin to tell you how gathering around these people has been such a holy experience for me! And I gather knowing that those same friends are praying for me…and the deepest desires of my heart too.
And I gather around Twitter for the #fmfparty Twitter party almost every Thursday as well. This community has blessed me too. I never thought that I would feel the way I do about these awesome blog friends. And I am excited that the first ever #fmfretreat is going to be during the time my sister and are in Nashville. I hopefully will get to gather and meet many of these new friends #inrl (in real life) as we gather again around food and around a table that is forever bonded by God’s love for each of us.
At the holy table, we gather and are fed by the relationships and love of a God who calls us to be who God created us to be. “And he took the bread, broke, and blessed it and said “This is my body given for you.” And then he took the wine, blessed it and said, “This is my blood shed for you.” Amen!
*This is where my Five Minutes stopped but I had to finish out my thought. This word prompted so much in me tonight!”
Tara, I love this post. I'm currently attending a church that doesn't offer communion as often as I am used to…and I miss it. This post reminded me of why and how much I miss it. And has prompted me to visit somewhere else this Sunday. Thanks for your words!
Holly, I am so glad that you loved this post. I hope you were able to have a nice visit at a different church today.
I love the idea of a family Sunday school class. How neat! And I loved all the other things you highlighted of the different aspects of community. But communion – that really is gathering isn't it?
Amanda, the Family SS is awesome…great group of parents/grandparents and kids. Yes, communion really is gathering! 🙂
What a great way to practice Lent–by praying over your FB friend list. How many blessings right there. Love it!
Thanks Asheritah! I can't even begin to tell you how it has blessed my friends…but also how much it has blessed me too!
"Fed by the relationship and love of God" what a beautiful line and I love your commitment to pray over your FB friend list – WOW. I share your thought "I hope they're learning something from me" I lead a high-school youth group every week! Visiting from FMF- Blessings
Jamie, I love that line too. Thanks. Praying over my FB friend list the last several of Lenten seasons has been such a joy. Thanks for stopping by.
Love this. Yes I love how the table nourishes and brings us all together — every generation. Lovely.
Ashley, thank you! I too love how the table nourishes and brings us all together…every single generation.
Tara, love your post on "Gather"! We headed in the same direction with the communion; but you wrote so eloquently about it…and shared so much about those who gather around the communion table!
Thank you for praying over your blogging community; I felt it for sure!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us today!
Barbara, thanks so much. We did indeed head in the same direction. Thank you for saying I wrote so eloquently. I don't always feel that way when I write so it is nice to hear that others feel that way about it. I am so glad you felt my prayers.
What a blessing to be able to gather with so many people in so many ways. Thank you for sharing and reminding me to gather around others and not just wait for them to gather around me.
Amy, yes, it is a blessing to gather with so many people in so many ways. You are welcome for the reminder to gather around others and not wait for them to gather around you.
Oh girl… I love this so and I LOVE love love that Nashville is lining up! Who knew? (Well – God! God obviously knew!) I am almost done with computer work and I will Vox you soon! (For reals!)
Karrilee, I am so glad you loved this. And I too LOVE, love, love that Nashville is working out too. God obviously knew didnt he? Thanks for the Vox friend. It was such a joy to hear your voice!
Thank you so much for gathering me in your heart and praying for me during Lent. I appreciate it so much!
You are so welcome!
So much truth in these beautiful words! One of my favourite things is to be gathered around the altar for communion with my parish family. 🙂 Thank you for gathering me and your other FB friends into your heart this Lent and praying for all of us. Love you!!
Thanks so much friend! I too love gathering around the altar too. And am looking forward to the day that I hopefully will get to gather around that altar wth my own family. Love you too friend!