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The Herald says he has more to show me. We are now in another church. I watch as several of the deaconesses go
to the coffee cart in the foyer. They are collecting many of the Danish pastries. Then they grab a large plastic jug of
imitation grape juice from the cart. They walk to a side room and, while in casual conversation, cut the pastries into
small pieces. They now pour the grape drink into small paper cups. Deacons come in and take the pastries and drink
to the front of the church. They place these on the communion table and cover them with a white tablecloth. The
pastor now walks out and tells the congregation how Jesus cleaned each of the disciples’ feet and that we should do
the same. He calls for the deacons to walk up and down the aisles to pass out Wet Ones so everyone can clean their
own shoes. The pastor now says that Jesus, in love and grace, had His body broken for us. He takes the Danish
pastries and these are handed out. Several take a large handful. I overhear someone complain that the women are
cutting them into pieces that are too small. The pastor then says that the grape drink represents the blood that Jesus
gave for us. He then has the grape drink passed out. Just before dismissing the congregation, the pastor says that
the deacons will stand by the back doors with offering plates. He tells everyone to make sure they show how much
they love Jesus by putting a large amount of money into the offering plates. The Herald says, “Come. I have more
to show you.”
I am now standing in a kitchen. A woman kneels in front of the sink and asks for God’s guidance as she prepares to
make communion bread. She gets up, washes her hands and gathers the ingredients. After mixing these together,
she places it onto a baking pan and then into the oven. She sets a timer, and then begins washing the small
communion glasses. When the timer goes off, she removes the bread from the oven and cuts it into small pieces.
After putting these onto a silver platter, she covers it with a pure white cloth and kneels in front of it. She prays aloud
that God will bless what she has just prepared. The cloth now glows a bright white.
The Herald now takes me to a church service where the pastor says it is time to separate for the foot washing. He
explains how there is one room for women, one for men, and another for married couples to use in private. He says
for all to take their time and to assemble when all are finished. They separate and I first observe the men. Before
they wash each other’s feet, they pray and ask the brother to forgive them for anything they may have done. They
ask for God’s guidance on the brotherly love they have.
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