Today I had the privilege of sharing communion with a couple that do not get a chance to go to church, or for that matter, get out much at all.As part of my Kentucky School Of Ministry (KSOM) internship training, I have been meeting with my pastor on Thursday mornings. Our intent today was to go to Pastor Hans and Suzanna Steyn's home and share communion with them at 10:00am. Unfortunately, my pastor has been very ill and asked if I would go it alone.
At first I thought it would not be no problem considering that I had led the sharing of communion with my family and in a small setting before. However, this was a retired pastor with the Assemblies of God. A man who has served God and communion for years. Who was I to go serve him communion!?!?
As I prayed this morning before going, God put my fears at ease letting me know that I was simply going to serve and fellowship. This was not about ordinances and perfunctory prayers, but fellowship and remembrance.
I left my house at 9:30am and arrived at Pastor Steyn's house just before 10:00am. I rang his room and he let me in the building. I boarded the elevator and traveled up to his third floor condominium. Please keep in mind that I had never met this couple before. Regardless of that fact, he greeted me at the door and welcomed me in with a smile.
We moved into the living room area where I met his wife, Suzanna. I sat down and we conversed back and forth just to get to know one another. He told me, with his South African accent, of many of his experiences in South Africa and in the United States. We talked for at least thirty minutes and decided to share in communion.
I picked up the Bible that I had brought with me and opened it up to 1 Corinthians 11. I explained that I felt uncomfortable reading to him, as a pastor, but that it's always good to read from God's word. I read verses 23-26.
Afterwards, I told him that I was going to pray regarding the bread and I asked if he would pray in remembrance of the blood after I finished. He obliged. I peeled back the first plastic layer covering the small wafer and handed it to Suzanna. I sat down and prayed. After I finished praying, I picked up the small plastic cup and peeled back the foil layer and placed it in Suzanna's hand. Pastor Steyn began to pray.
He prayed a wonderful prayer and it truly blessed me. What he did next delighted me even more. He began to sing:
It's the power in the cleansing blood,
It's the power in the cleansing blood,
It avails! It avails!
For me, yes, for me
It's the power in the cleansing blood,
It's the power in the cleansing blood,
It avails! It avails!
For you and for me
We sat there for just a few minutes in the presence of the Lord. I gathered up the plastic and foil and thanked them multiple times for allowing me to share in communion with them.
Pastor Steyn showed me out. As I made my way back downstairs and to my car, I considered what a great privilege it was to share in fellowship and communion with this wonderful couple who have followed and served the Lord since their teenage years!
Listen in on the communion and Pastor singing:
