Yesterday, we decided to try out yet another church here in Seattle. We had heard a lot of good things about Vineyard Community so we thought we would give it a try. We enjoyed the service, but walked away with a great story to share.
Samuel started the service in the play room. He made it about 20 minutes before he realized mom and dad were not there and got a bit upset. Mike went to get him and spent the rest of the time in with him. Following the message, they invite the children back in for a worship time. This Sunday they also offered communion as part of the worship. Samuel was with us when we went up for communion and watch pretty eagerly as we both participated. In this setting, you go up freely and take a piece of bread or cracker and dip it into either wine or juice.
We then went back to our seats. Samuel joined a few other kids at a back table to color and play with trucks until the worship time was over. Mike was standing back there with him when he darted up the side of the room toward the front. From where Mike was at, he had to go around a bunch of chairs to reach him. By the time he had gotten there, Samuel had picked up a piece of bread and was dipping it in the juice. Mike grabbed him as Samuel smiled and put the bread into his mouth. He was pretty proud of himself.
Luckily the gathering was smaller so he didn't cause a huge scene in front of hundreds. He also was so precise with his movements he never knocked over the full glass of wine, juice or the candles that were surrounding it. He was just doing what everyone else was and was pretty pleased with himself when it was all said and done.
Mike and I laugh at it now, but are still amazed at the power of observation. Since this is our first week at this church and he is not usually with us during communion times, he has never really seen anyone participate in communion this way. It was amazing to see him intention and purpose in an act that I assumed flew over his radar. Little did I know...
Samuel started the service in the play room. He made it about 20 minutes before he realized mom and dad were not there and got a bit upset. Mike went to get him and spent the rest of the time in with him. Following the message, they invite the children back in for a worship time. This Sunday they also offered communion as part of the worship. Samuel was with us when we went up for communion and watch pretty eagerly as we both participated. In this setting, you go up freely and take a piece of bread or cracker and dip it into either wine or juice.
We then went back to our seats. Samuel joined a few other kids at a back table to color and play with trucks until the worship time was over. Mike was standing back there with him when he darted up the side of the room toward the front. From where Mike was at, he had to go around a bunch of chairs to reach him. By the time he had gotten there, Samuel had picked up a piece of bread and was dipping it in the juice. Mike grabbed him as Samuel smiled and put the bread into his mouth. He was pretty proud of himself.
Luckily the gathering was smaller so he didn't cause a huge scene in front of hundreds. He also was so precise with his movements he never knocked over the full glass of wine, juice or the candles that were surrounding it. He was just doing what everyone else was and was pretty pleased with himself when it was all said and done.
Mike and I laugh at it now, but are still amazed at the power of observation. Since this is our first week at this church and he is not usually with us during communion times, he has never really seen anyone participate in communion this way. It was amazing to see him intention and purpose in an act that I assumed flew over his radar. Little did I know...
