Communion the Ultimate in Sharing & Fellowship. Maybelle Crabtree here. Back in the day when the kids were young – I think Holly was still a baby – our church would hold its summer worship services outside. There was a grassy area on the campus which maybe about a half of acre where folding chairs would be set under the shade of a small grove of trees. If you wanted something a little more comfortable, you could bring your own chair which we often did.
Communion Sunday
I remember one Sunday which happened to be Communion Sunday, we arrived a little bit later than usual. Tom went to find some space for our folding camp chairs and I scurried around the education building to deposit each child in the proper classroom. Then I saw where Tom was with our chairs, sat in mine, closed my eyes, and took a deep breath trying to center Jesus in my mind.
When the sermon concluded, it was time for the sacrament of communion. On these summer days, communion was presented differently. Instead of all of us approaching the altar to receive the bread, wine which was actually grape juice, and the blessing, everyone was given a small packet which a piece of wafer about the size of a quarter and a cup about an inch or so tall with the juice inside and partook of them in our seats.
I watched as those around me gathered their packet from their pocket or purse. I turned toward Tom and held out my hand as he was reaching into his shirt pocket and pulled out one packet.
“Where’s mine?” I whispered. “You said you would get me one.”
A look of shock came over his face. “I forgot. I started talking to Earl and just picked up one. I’m sorry.” However, being the resourceful man that Tom was, he leaned over to me. “We’ll share.”
Sharing the Elements
How in the world is that going to happen? I wondered. The wafer and juice was barely enough for one. But Tom carefully tore the top of the wafer section, took it out, and placed it between his thumbs. Images of the wafer crumbling into a thousand pieces crossed my mind. Instead, Tom gently pressed down on it and miraculously broke it into two pieces. Not evenly but two pieces just the same. He handed me the bigger portion.
“Thank you, Jesus, for this small symbol of Your body broken for me,” I prayed silently to myself.
With the same gentleness as before, he tore open the top of the juice cup. Tom took one small sip and handed the cup to me. I’m not even sure if he drank any because the amount looked the same.
As I finished the juice I prayed. (Thank You, Jesus, for this is the symbol of the blood You shed for me and my sins.”
I turned to Tom and smiled. For the rest of the service, I laid my head, awkwardly, on his shoulder; his arm around my shoulder. When you’re sitting in camping chairs you do the best that you can.
I look back on that day with fondness and a grateful heart. Tom wasn’t one who said “I love you” very often. But on that day, his love spoke more deeply than any other time.
What Communion Is All About
The word “communion” is derived from the Greek word Koinonia and the Latin word Communio. It means “fellowship” or “sharing.” And that’s exactly what Tom did that long ago summer Sunday. He shared the elements of the sacrament with me so we could have fellowship together.
Now there are no more outside services. The new pastor believes it’s too hot for our elderly folks. I don’t think that’s the real reason but who am I to question his decision? But every time I take communion, I not only thank Jesus for His sacrifice but also Tom for his. They may not be on the same scale but they were both done in love. And isn’t that what communion is all about anyway?
So what do you think? What does communion mean to you? Do you have a special story about sharing the elements? Let me know by writing a comment down below and we can discuss it. Maybelle Crabtree signing out.