Thursday, March 24
Our
Last Communion
Acts
2:42-44 and I Corinthians 11:23-24
It happened on World Wide
Communion Sunday, October 7, 1980. Earlier
that year, she had heart surgery. We had
been in San Diego due to the recommendation of her Cardiologist. “She needs a lower elevation than Evergreen,”
where I was Pastor. She had experienced two cardiac arrests prior to his
recommendation.
All went well, until the
last week of September. Again, she had a cardiac arrest and was hospitalized. Upon release from the hospital, her physician
thought she could travel by air, to Evergreen.
We arrived at the time of all the brilliant colors.
We had returned the day
before World-Wide Communion Sunday. I
had urged her to stay at home and miss Worship that morning. However, as we began Worship at 10:30, she
and our three children came. When I
caught her eyes, she made it clear, she had to be there. At Communion, the people gathered in a Circle
around the Altar. Our Sanctuary was hexagon shaped with the Altar in the
Center. As Pastor, I served both the
Bread and the Cup. Communion there was
always intimate. You were able to greet
each person and give the Sacrament. As
my eyes met with hers and our three children, it was unforgettable.
Later that afternoon, she
had insisted, we tour the Colors nearby.
I tried to talk her out of it, but she was determined. So, to Echo Hills
we went, west of Evergreen, and we ended in Upper Bear Valley where our two
oldest had stayed with friends. She was
excited to see our friends.
That’s when it
happened! She had a cardiac arrest! The
EMT’s arrived quickly. They were able to
get her to respond. A Flight-For-Life
Chopper was now on the ground nearby.
She promptly made the flight to Denver. Two days later she took her last breath.
To this day, as I serve or
receive the Sacrament, I remember that Sunday and the blessings of a Community
of Faith. Yes, it was only one
Sunday. Oh, were we to know, all the
stories that gather on any given Sunday.
Thanks
for the memory and intimacy of the Sacrament. Amen
Don G. Sperber,
Retired Clergy
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