Meals that Mirror The One Great Meal

Meals that Mirror the one Great Meal In church, we frequently gather with our brothers and sisters in Christ to share in the Heavenly Feast. To the naked eye, it might not seem like much is going on at all. But for those with the eyes of faith, there is more going on than we can possibly imagine. And so, we let our souls be still, and we listen. We hear the pastor speaking the words of institution that bring about God’s work. The bread and wine — Christ’s body and blood. The pastor invites us to the table, saying, “Come, for everything is ready.” And in faith, we respond to Christ’s call to receive — to take and eat. We gather as true guests at Christ’s table. As we eat physical food —we eat spiritual food. As we join in fellowship with our congregation in this meal — we join in fellowship with Christ and the whole Christian church, not just here and now, but in every time and place. This is a great mystery.   In Episode #36, Meg Pearce reminds us that Christian hospitality “mirrors that one great meal that is Christ’s body and blood in the meal and how He shows His love to us in that.” The spiritual food that we receive from Christ at His table gives our spirit sustenance so that we can open our hearts and our hands to love and serve our neighbour with the daily bread that they need. As we share our homes and resources with others, through us, Jesus extends His care and comfort to them as well. Christians are called to not only partake of the body of Christ in the meal “but also to be in the body, that is the family of God.” Meg says, “that is the model. This is the inspiration, and this is why we show hospitality. We are mirroring the meal and the unity and friendship that we have through Jesus and His love and His sacrifice.” The Word of God is not only full of encouragement to practise hospitality (Romans 12:13, Hebrews 13:2, 1 Peter 4:9, 3 John 1:8); it also teaches us that we should be able to recognise Christians by their hospitable acts of love (Acts 28:7, Romans 12:13, 1 Timothy 5:10). When you next prepare to sit down to eat, think about who you could welcome to your table in the future. Pray before you eat, and ask your Lord Jesus to “come”. Ask for Jesus to be present with you so that His love can radiate among you. Meditate on God’s goodness in His provision for your daily bread and how He welcomes you to His table. Let Jesus inspire you as you welcome others to your table. Thank God for the gift of fellowship, of family and friendship, and for your church community. Trust that Jesus will help and sustain you as you extend His love to others, remembering that his body and blood was broken for the sake of all humanity. By Kimberley Pfeiffer About the Author Kimberley Pfeiffer Kimberley Pfeiffer is Lutheran writer who has not stopped reading, asking questions and thinking about what it means to live like a Lutheran ever since she joined the Lutheran church over twenty years ago. Read more…

Hymn Writing

Hymn Writing and Creativity  Recent guest to our podcast, Kelly Klages, wrote this beautiful hymn several years ago in celebration of the 500th anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation. Kelly had written some poetry before this, but never a hymn. When an opportunity came to write a hymn, she did not immediately know how to do it, but that didn’t stop her. She adapted her poetry writing skills and set her mind to the task at hand: a task that involved teaching herself how to write a hymn and wrestling in a creative wordplay so that a new hymn could be brought into existence. Kelly certainly is a creative and talented individual, but her success has only come through dedicating time and practice. Some of her projects probably didn’t work out, but some of them have. No doubt she has had to work through the failures to enjoy the successes. Kelly has also made room in her life–both space, time and resources–to exercise her creativity muscles, to pursue her ideas and engage in her projects, which is no small thing when we think of all the things that keep us busy and stop us from taking time to be fully present and just play. With a busy family, I know I find it hard to make the time for creative projects! Taking time to be creative, whether it is doodling, knitting, needlework, writing or cooking or whatever it is you enjoy, is a divine gift, and so we should receive it as such. And so, we should thank God for the time that we have and just begin. Even if it is a quiet five minutes in a waiting room with a notepad and pen. As Christians, we have the help of the Holy Spirit who inspires our hearts and minds. When we engage our creativity, through it, we enjoy the gift that unites our spirit with our body and soul. As we do this, we can be reminded that we are created in our Creative God’s image. Thanks be to God!  Creativity is simply putting your mind and hand to a task or project and forming an idea into a reality. The benefits of practising creativity go far beyond the object created. Creating keeps us connected to God, but it also connects us to the colours, textures, sounds, scents, and intricate detail of God’s creation, of which we are a part, which God made for us to notice and to enjoy.   Christian artists, writers, poets and hymn writers allow their creativity to be inspired by the gift of faith that depends on God’s Holy and precious Word. When they do this they encourage their own spirit, and when they share it with others, they bring a joy that can bolster other Christians through their own trials. Don’t we need more of that! Read the hymn below; can you see how Kelly’s faith in Jesus is shared with you through it? When hymns, such as this one, meditate on who God is and His gifts to His people, the church, together we can all grow in our knowledge of God and His redemptive love given to us in His Son, Jesus. This hymn is a gift to the church. Anyone can sing it – anywhere!  So, since hymns are meant for singing, follow this link if you would like access to the music: Jesus came a babe among us. This hymn is a gift to the church. Anyone can sing it, anywhere! Gifts given by God are to be shared. How can you share the gifts God has given you with others?  by Kimberley Pfeiffer and Lexi Bourne Jesus came a babe among us Verse 1 Jesus came a babe among us, Born to heed the Father’s call. God’s own Word, who spoke creation, Cried for mercy for us all. Jesus served us by the Gospel In His life and in His death, And proclaimed His full forgiveness With His final dying breath. Verse 2 With our first breath, we as infants Greet a strange and wondrous place, Crying out against the darkness, Helpless children needing grace. God, in mercy ever living, Formed our bodies in the womb; At the font He has reformed us By the cross and empty tomb Verse 3 You have called us, blessed Father By Your name so strong and true You give ev’ry generation Tongues to speak Your Word anew. Give us boldness to confess You In our life and in our death, That, by grace, we trust Your promise With our final dying breath. Verse 4 Glory be to God the Father, Son, and Spirit: Three in One. We, with saints who came before us, Sing the vict’ry You have won. In Your Word our hope is founded, And a people yet to be Shall sing praises to Your glory With Your Church eternally. Text: Kelly Klages Music: Stephen R. Johnson Text and music: © 2015 Concordia Publishing House Learn more about Kelly Klage at KellyKlages.com Listen to an interview with Kelly on the Here She Stands Podcast entitled “Using Creativity to Elevate God’s Word.” (Episode #33).     Spotify Apple  About the Author Kimberley Pfeiffer Kimberley Pfeiffer is Lutheran writer who has not stopped reading, asking questions and thinking about what it means to live like a Lutheran ever since she joined the Lutheran church over twenty years ago. Read more…