Whenever we serve food for meals around JCPC, Nancy Siegman seems to be involved. We sometimes wonder in advance if we will have enough food. But usually it all works out and Nancy comments, "Loaves and fishes" -of course she is making reference to the Bible story of the feeding of the 5,000. A little boy brings his loaves and fishes to Jesus who blesses them and shares them. Miraculously, there is enough to feed 5,000 people -- with food left over!
Sunday a week ago, we had our first church-wide luncheon to celebrate the new building. Bill McLeish prepared an amazing meal and a wonderful group of volunteers helped to serve it. If you were here, you know what a great time of food and fellowship it was.
However, there was plenty of food leftover. Not wanting any of it to go to waste, we contacted the good folks downtown at the Atlanta Union Mission who said they would be glad to take the food. One night last week, our leftover food provided a lot of meals for those who are homeless and in need of food. Thanks be to God! I love "loaves and fishes" stories - especially ones in which both the fortunate and less-fortunate are fed.
This Sunday we have another "loaves and fishes" opportunity. It is World Communion Sunday. It is a day when Christians all around the globe will be celebrating communion as symbol of our oneness in Christ that transcends cultures. Here at JCPC, we gather with our brothers and sisters from the New Vision Presbyterian Church for worship at 11:00 a.m. We will then move to our new Great Hall and share a meal. Everyone is invited to bring their own food for the celebration. Each year our Korean friends bring some amazing, catered Korean food. The rest of us also bring something to share. Check out "Connections" or the fliers around the church to find out what you need to bring. Make plans to come this Sunday to share, eat, and fellowship as together we live out our own version of "loaves and fishes."
Prayer for Today
Gracious God, you take what we have to offer, as meager or as bountiful as it may be, and you use it to do something miraculous! Thank you for giving us something to share, and for letting us be a part of your amazing grace at work in our world. We pray this in strong name of Jesus the Christ. Amen.
