Aug 9, 2009 10:15 PM
by binsar
Today is a really exceptional day. I served my first communion at Caux local protestant church here in Switzerland. It was a wonderful, exceptional, and inspirational experience because that was my first serving the communion ever.
I am now at Caux for a conference ‘Tools of Change’ which will be starting tonight. It is a conference initated by Initiatives of Change. Eventhough this is my third time here, this conference is unique because it is in between my euro trip, and this time I have the priviledge to come here just as a participant.
However, yesterday someone came up to me and asked if I am willing to help with the Sunday service, because they are looking for ministers who happened to be on the site. There are 3 ministers, one is an Anglican pastors from US, a Methodist Pastor from Ghana, and me. I said I would be happy to help but I had my doubt because I don’t have decent clothing with me – at least for leading or helping with the service. Because of the trip, I only carry light and casual clothing. Nevertheless I agreed to help.
Then last night the request was modified, they asked me if I could help serving the Communion. I was delightfully surprised and doubtful at the same time. I felt that I was not ready. Why? Let me share a bit about my doubts.
I never served communion before. I was ordained last year, and directly went back to Amsterdam where I have been living for the past 2 years. Ofcourse I also preach in Indonesian congregations here in the Netherlands, but they always have their own pastors for the communion. Because I preach in different churches, the opportunity to take the communion is not always present, and whenever they are there I usually have to preach at some other church. Thus, I never partake in a communion service, both in serving or taking. Fortunately I also play the drums at Crossroads Int Church, where I had some opportunities in taking the communion. But it is a different feeling because the Communion there are served in a different way. I will not go further into the theological foundation here about why I feel that way, but the point I want to make is that I missed communion a lot.
However this Euro Trip is truly a blessing. Last week I had the chance to taste the bread and wine again at a service in Berlin. Today I had the priviledge to serve it in Caux.
As soon as I entered the church, I was asked to help with giving the wine. I was hesitant because I was wearing a button-up shirt, jeans, and red sneakers – which happen to be my best formal clothing during this trip. But Bill, the American pastor, convinced me and I agreed. I prayed about it during the service and was trembled with joy. My first communion, for a small congregation in a small town in Caux. There were about 20 people attending the service lead by local pastor in French. The communion was celebrated in English and French by three ministers (The pastor from Ghana only participate). What a wonderful experience.
Now that I think of it, God always arranged something wonderful for me for my ministry. When I was still a seminary student I always wondered when I would get the chance to preach from the pulpit because most of my friends have already done it in our 4th year of study. I did preach in some occassions, but never from the pulpit. I secretly envy my friends that had the experience. Then the opportunity came, God arranged that I would have my first sermon from the pulpit in HKBP Pakpahan Sitindjak, the church of the village where all Pakpahan came from in Samosir island. I still remember the experience, it was my first time to deliver a sermon from the pulpit in Batak language.
Today I have a different experience. Since the ordination I was always wondering when would I get the chance to serve the Communion, the remembrance of our Lord Jesus Christ. I even brought my minister robe to the Netherlands just to be sure that I will be ready for such occassion. Today God arranged me to do it here during my trip in Caux without the robe. It was truly unexpected yet meaningful. It is God who decides whether I am ready or not. I silently wiped my watery eyes during the intercession prayer. Thank you Lord for such an experience!
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