2018: here it comes/ there it went! Time has been speeding up ever since 1962 when I made it through the driver’s test, much to the surprise of the test administrator, and drove away with a real-deal driver’s license.

Of course, I knew by that time it was wise to carefully avoid parallel parking, 3-point turnarounds, parking on steep hills (not a problem in northwest Oklahoma), and a few pesky things like that, but after a stop at the gas station I was on my way. Now, it’s suddenly 2019, and I must have driven straight into a time warp instead of out to celebrate!

Christmas decorations might as well stay up I’ve learned, because by the time I get the last ornament put away it will be time to haul them all out again. And have you noticed how many jobs and professional positions are held by kids now? I’m not even sure that they have their driver’s licenses yet! However, they do seem to know what they are doing so they and their teachers must be doing some things right.

There has been time to go to church, though, and this Sunday the entire worship service was planned around taking Communion.

Alex Arnold read from Exodus 12:1-14, which tells how the Passover dinner was established.

James Hammonds and Ted Deaton then sang “If Jesus Comes Tomorrow.”

Jack Hunter read from Luke 22:14-20, which tells us that Jesus, while partaking of the Passover feast, established what we call “The Lord’s Supper” or “Taking Communion.” The wine or grape juice taken at a Communion service is for the blood Jesus shed for us, and the unleavened bread represents the body He sacrificed for us. Jack pointed out that Jesus had to make a choice when He was praying in the Garden of Gethsemane, and His choice was to be obedient so that He could accomplish what was needed. He chose to suffer all He suffered, even sacrificing His life to redeem us. No wonder we are told to approach taking the Lord’s Supper with great reverence, seeking forgiveness for our sin and guidance so that we can do better.

David and Linda Cranfield sang “Guide my Steps, Hold my Hand.”

Before our taking the Lord’s Supper, Rev. Brown spoke. He said that we have an invitation to the Father’s table. The Children of Israel were invited to the Passover supper so that each of their families would be protected from losing their first-born son. The father of each family was responsible for being the spiritual leader of his home—for killing the perfect lamb, smearing its blood on the door post, and being faithful to carry out the instructions that the lamb be completely eaten, and being sure that what could not be eaten was then burned.

After the Lord’s Supper, Ron Hunter closed the service with a song, and then a prayer

Jesus invites us to join Him at the Father’s Table. What an honor it is to accept that invitation!