Let Us Break Bread Together on Sunday
Having a meal with a friend or colleague can be an enjoyable, uplifting, heartwarming, and even spiritual experience. With that in mind, Oak Chapel will resume its longstanding tradition of monthly Fellowship Dinners this Sunday (Oct. 24), ending an 18-month hiatus caused by the coronavirus.
Why is it important for us to break bread together? Scripture addresses this question in a number of passages, including Acts 2:42-47, which states, “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”
There’s just something about a hearty meal that reduces stress and produces an atmosphere of goodwill. Such a setting gives us an opportunity to relax, open up, and share our joys and concerns with one another. This creates a bond that strengthens our fellowship with one another and our covenant with the Lord. It engenders empathy and drives our desire to reach out, lift up, and serve others, especially those in need.
Oak Chapel is greatly blessed to have such a kind, caring, and compassionate congregation. It is such an honor and a blessing to serve with fellow disciples who are so sincere and genuine. But, let’s face it, we’ve been out of touch for a while. This Sunday will give us an opportunity to regather and reacquaint ourselves with one another.
If you are unfamiliar with Fellowship Dinners, here’s how they work. Just bring your favorite dish to share (casserole, salad, pasta, dessert, etc.) on Sunday. You can bring it to Fellowship Hall before the service and keep it warm by plugging in your crockpot or placing it in the oven, or keep it cool by placing it in our refrigerator. After the worship service, we will all gather, ask God’s blessing on the food, and partake of a delicious variety of mouth-watering options (United Methodists are such great cooks)! Please bring your own tableware. Beverages will be provided.
Sit wherever you like and with whomever you wish, but please be on the lookout for others who may not have someone to sit with and invite them to your table. This is an all-inclusive, all-welcoming event, and who knows, you just might get to know someone you didn’t know well beforehand.
The Bible reminds us of the importance of physical and spiritual nourishment. Ecclesiastes 3:12-13 addresses our physical sustenance with this passage: “I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil — this is the gift of God.” John 6:51 talks about our spiritual needs with this passage: “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”
May we all break bread (and a number of other tantalizing dishes) together as we gather for our Fellowship Dinner on Sunday. Please join us!
Until We Meet Again, Be Blessed! – Pastor John