Being new to a city, our family has been trying out new churches. Earlier today, we tried out our third church.  Everything was going well and the service was following the Lutheran script that we have memorized.  Little changes here and there, but nothing major.

When Communion time came along, the directions were very clear, in the bulletin, as well as announced. This church uses intinction, where you get a wafer and dip it into some wine, then eat.  Bing, bang, boom, one stop shop.  I got this.  Plus, I really like Communion.  A chance to be with the other congregants, a time to feel closer to God, a time to reflect on all the saints before us.  It’s all good.

Walking through the Communion line, I was the last one in my family up to the front. My 8-year-old son Sam received his blessing, then came my turn.  In the moment, I turned my eyes from my son to the Pastor and then the newly placed wafer in my hands.  Then, as if by automatic reflex, I popped the wafer into my mouth.  Ain’t the taste of salvation divine?  Next, looking at the wine, I realized that I had forgotten something.  This was an intinction service!  Not eating the bread first is a crucial step!  In fact, it is the only step!  Luckily, the wafer was still on my tongue.  Reaching in and looking at it in quick succession, I realized that no options remained.  Even though the wafer was still part bread and part body, I was in the midst of a holy and potentially unhealthy fail.  Seeing the sadness and confusion on my face (and without missing a beat), the pastor calmly said, “You can have another.”  Whew!  Saved by a man of the cloth (plus, he never mentioned doofus, while throwing me a lifeline).  Ain’t forgiveness and second chances divine?  I’ll drink (and then dip) to that!