Wine not?
While browsing through the latest edition of the EURC's Share and Care newsletter this afternoon, I stumbled upon some interesting news: the Consistory has re-introduced wine into the Lord's Supper.
Now for as long as I can remember, the EURC/ECRC has always used the same delicious, non-alcoholic red grape juice in communion. I don't know the reasons for the previous absence of wine, but I can't help but make a few guesses as to why.
1. The Dutch generation of immigrants who started the church were in rebellion against the loose attitude toward alcohol use in their homeland. They decided to take the opposite extreme.
2. Wine, even the cheapest stuff, is more expensive than watered-down grape juice.
3. Grape juice goes better with dry Wonder Bread crusts than does wine.
4. Wine makes you sleepy, and the elders didn't want anyone in the congregation to "pull a Eutychus."
I always think it's interesting how almost every church has their own unique way of administering the Lord's Supper. We partook of the sacrament a few weeks ago at the church here in Zwolle, and it was quite an ordeal. The half-hour process involves most of the congregation filing to the front of the sanctuary to "take, eat, drink, etc." in three different shifts. Somehow, upon filing up to the front, I got separated from my host family. I ended up next to some stranger front and center, seated next to the pastor. And instead of simply passing around individual cups for the wine, everyone drinks out of one big goblet. Thankfully, the lady next to me explained that I should take a sip and pass it down. So I did. And, in hindsight, I'm glad I was first. After drinking and passing, a chorus of coughs, throat clears, sneezes, and lip-licks filled the quiet air. But I guess the joke was on them - I had the cold.
Now for as long as I can remember, the EURC/ECRC has always used the same delicious, non-alcoholic red grape juice in communion. I don't know the reasons for the previous absence of wine, but I can't help but make a few guesses as to why.
1. The Dutch generation of immigrants who started the church were in rebellion against the loose attitude toward alcohol use in their homeland. They decided to take the opposite extreme.
2. Wine, even the cheapest stuff, is more expensive than watered-down grape juice.
3. Grape juice goes better with dry Wonder Bread crusts than does wine.
4. Wine makes you sleepy, and the elders didn't want anyone in the congregation to "pull a Eutychus."
I always think it's interesting how almost every church has their own unique way of administering the Lord's Supper. We partook of the sacrament a few weeks ago at the church here in Zwolle, and it was quite an ordeal. The half-hour process involves most of the congregation filing to the front of the sanctuary to "take, eat, drink, etc." in three different shifts. Somehow, upon filing up to the front, I got separated from my host family. I ended up next to some stranger front and center, seated next to the pastor. And instead of simply passing around individual cups for the wine, everyone drinks out of one big goblet. Thankfully, the lady next to me explained that I should take a sip and pass it down. So I did. And, in hindsight, I'm glad I was first. After drinking and passing, a chorus of coughs, throat clears, sneezes, and lip-licks filled the quiet air. But I guess the joke was on them - I had the cold.
posted by Aaron at 4:19 PM
6 Comments:
At 1st (where we attend church while at Dordt) they have both wine and the delicious grape juice. I always have the toughest time remembering which beverage is which--outside or inside? Either way, I aim for the blessed grape juice and it seems to shock me each time I swallow that wine.
Man it's fruity.
P.S. They use Casey's Bakery bread.
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Keep this little cheat sheet on hand and you'll never be left in that awkward predicament again.
I need to print that off and put it in my wallet. That way everytime I pull out a Ulysses for the offering, there it is - the diagram for life.
I just stumbled across this delightful blog, I dont know how in the world I missed it before. I almost crapped my pants.
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