It was left over Chicken Carbonara for us, same story as last night. But it is a different night...it's Maundy-Thursday. I'd like to say a little bit about the food my soul received this evening.
I played the piano for our church service tonight. I probably would not have gone if there hadn't been a need for someone to fill in. I'm so glad I went. During the service, we shared the sacrament of communion and the practice of feet and hand washing. We took turns pouring water over each other's feet or hands and drying them with towels. Each of us who wanted to participate had an opportunity to pour the water and dry the feet as well as have our feet washed. Each of us was served. Each of us served.
As the water was poured from a pitcher into a basin, these are the words that were said:
Leader: Bless this water, that it may be a sign of your cleansing forgiveness.
ALL: Bless me with this water, O God, that I may be immersed in a grace deeper than my sin.
It is quite a scene to imagine....Jesus during the last days of his life, taking the time to be a servant to those who followed him; his friends; his disciples. Washing dirty feet...what a lowly chore. But he did so to set the example for us to serve others as he did.
Here is the Prayer of Thanksgiving we read together:
O God, we give you thanks for the gift of Christ Jesus, light of your own light, Word of your very own Word. We thank you for the splendor of his life of service. We thank you for symbols of love and humility that remind us of him and his gift to us. Strengthen us as we pray for the service to which you call us. May we find in serving others, in acts of mercy, the fullness of life that we have in Christ Jesus who, with you and the Holy Spirit, lives in holy light forever, Amen.
Birthday trip to the Oregon Coast
11 years ago
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