Janet was headed to the...
Illustration
Object:
Janet was headed to the local church as she did almost every Thursday to attend an
Alcoholics Anonymous meeting. She found strength to overcome her addiction by
sharing and listening to other people with similar problems. For the first time in her life,
she experienced a supportive community.
On that particular Thursday, she noticed the lights on in the sanctuary. She peered through the doors seeing two women near the altar. She asked the women what they were doing; they replied that they were preparing communion for the evening service. It was Maundy Thursday, the night Jesus met with his disciples in the upper room before his arrest, one of the women told her. The women's attitude was welcoming and they invited Janet to attend the service.
Janet went to the AA meeting, but left early to attend the worship service. This was the first time in a long time that she attended a church service; she sat in the last pew. She listened as the congregation sang hymns and the pastor read the scripture lesson and preached his sermon. She tried her best to follow along as the pastor led the congregation through the communion ritual in the hymnal.
When the invitation was given that everyone was welcomed at the Lord's table, Janet went forward to receive the bread and cup. The hymns, scripture readings, message, and communion touched her in a way she had never been moved. She realized that she could take all of her struggles to Jesus. Jesus offers new life to all who believe. Before leaving that night she found the two women she had spoken to earlier and thanked them for the invitation. The women said she was welcome anytime.
On that particular Thursday, she noticed the lights on in the sanctuary. She peered through the doors seeing two women near the altar. She asked the women what they were doing; they replied that they were preparing communion for the evening service. It was Maundy Thursday, the night Jesus met with his disciples in the upper room before his arrest, one of the women told her. The women's attitude was welcoming and they invited Janet to attend the service.
Janet went to the AA meeting, but left early to attend the worship service. This was the first time in a long time that she attended a church service; she sat in the last pew. She listened as the congregation sang hymns and the pastor read the scripture lesson and preached his sermon. She tried her best to follow along as the pastor led the congregation through the communion ritual in the hymnal.
When the invitation was given that everyone was welcomed at the Lord's table, Janet went forward to receive the bread and cup. The hymns, scripture readings, message, and communion touched her in a way she had never been moved. She realized that she could take all of her struggles to Jesus. Jesus offers new life to all who believe. Before leaving that night she found the two women she had spoken to earlier and thanked them for the invitation. The women said she was welcome anytime.
