“For we, though many, are one bread and one body.”
– thanks to Brittany Cherry for the photograph
The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? For we, though many, are one bread and one body; for we all partake of that one bread… 1 Corinthians 10:16-17
In a sense, Thanksgiving is the most holy of our celebrations
– Thanksgiving Day 2024
Our first Thanksgiving here in Tarboro turned out to be one more example of why we love this community so much. The hospitality has remained warm, generous and welcoming and it doesn’t look to be letting up any time soon.
Rebekah and I enjoyed two distinct yet equally memorable celebrations with two of the beautiful families who make Howard Memorial such a great church.
First we drove out to the sprawling Cherry property for Thanksgiving lunch at their idyllic lakeside cabin north of town. Then the evening out at Lake Valley with various and sundry of Chauncey and Tammie’s family folk, sitting in front of a perfect outdoor fire and enjoying the company of more good people we love.
Lunch with the Cherry clan included Lance and June’s nine-month old twin grandchildren. We have several sets of twins at our church but seeing them in action (constant action) at this age is always an eye-opener!
After lunch we toured the property – which also includes a good length of river frontage – in a very cool off-road recreational vehicle.
What struck me most about the day was the authentic and genuine spirit of all the interactions. The spirit of God was in evidence both as a backdrop to fellowship and subtext between the lines of our conversations.
In a sense Thanksgiving is the most holy of our celebrations; because rather than marking a specific event on the Christian calendar it points to the heart of the teachings of our faith.
– Rebekah with one of the twins (parents Lance and Brittany in background)
Grace, generosity, peace, humility, gratitude, inclusion, healing, food for the hungry, rest for the weary, welcome at the table; in a single word, life.
I may not have taken any photographs out at Lake Valley in the evening but the image is equally clear and the message just as compelling: Come, take, eat. “For we, though many, are one bread and one body; for we all partake of that one bread.”
