Thanksgiving and three free Advent gifts

Levi and his little brother Isaac

It's nearing the end of November, so our grandson Levi celebrates his 3rd birthday tomorrow. Waldemar has come back from 2 weeks of teaching in New Zealand.

Thunder is rattling the windows of the house and the Christmas lights are blinking on the little tree in our room. So many random thoughts go through my mind. Mostly, I'm grateful for God's goodness and generosity. We have purpose and friendships, even this far away from our previous life.

Tuesday, November 22, 2016
Five women gather in the morning to study the book of Ruth. We meet in Karen's beautiful home. It's a new study and we decide to meet every two weeks. Lovely how God meets us and teaches us what we need for the coming week.

It's also time to write the monthly newsletter to our faithful partners. What a blessing you are!

Thursday
On Thanksgiving Day, five of us (two Indonesians, a German, an Australian, and I) walk down and up the valleys to an organic farm. The village paths, slippery and mossy from rainy season, take us between fields and through the jungle. How can this be within walking distance of our house? Mind you, it's three miles of trails and steps. As the weather heats up, our faces drip with sweat and our clothing gets wet and dries (evaporation) as we go.

Scientist to organic farmer: our guide on a walk through the valleys

We tour rows of corn, peppers, and other organic vegetables. Each of us comes away with 3 Napa cabbages and a bag of singkong (cassava root). We keep some and pass the rest to our helpers. We knock the mud off our shoes as best we can: it's pure clay and sticks to our footwear like glue. We take the shoes off to catch a ride home. Everyone is happily back to our houses before noon.

A rather rickety bamboo bridge across a stream

W is away so I eat lunch alone: soup, rice, and a salad. How very strange to spend my first USA Thanksgiving as a citizen by myself. I cooked the feast most years until our friends took over a few years before we moved to Indonesia. I think of the dinners we've hosted - family, friends, and strangers have gathered around the table to enjoy turkey dinner with us ... and that brings a smile. Life is rich indeed.

The afternoon study moves to our house. Everyone's away but Dr Hanna and me - and she lives in my neighborhood. Meanwhile, Josue has arrived from Singapore. He is a professional business /personal coach with errands to run this weekend: Josue's family is moving our way. We can't wait to have them join us in the New Year.

4 nationalities at supper: Canada, Can-USA, Brazil, Indonesia

Friday
I'm always open to new friendships and experiences. But (yawn). At 7am, DrW and I walk down the hill to an exercise class with about 40 women. It's held at the local branch of a good hospital. Apparently, we can get our blood pressure checked for $1.50 and ask the nurses about other treatments. What a deal.

The ladies urge me to the front of the crowd. No way! I have no idea how the routines go and I'm fairly hapless at the best of times. I find a spot in the very back. Someone starts to take pictures: I duck behind others as best I can.

It's comical as I try to keep up with the body movements. My feet go this way and that in the general direction - but the clinic courtyard is cobbled and the surfaces between pavers are slick with moss. As we step step step to the right, to the left, forward and back, I'm glad for the wide-soled Salomons I'm wearing. My feet always seem to land on the edge of the tiles. Tip and tilt from the ground up.

The music booms against the concrete building and six-foot-high walls. Most of the women wear a kerudong (headscarf), long sleeves, and trousers. Some have on sweatshirts or hoodies. I'm happy to be wearing the lightest cotton blouse I own. It's 77oF (25C) and humid.

Sheesh - shoulders shrug shrug and knees lift lift. Ankles turn turn and hands curve curve. Only I have no idea, except that it's not pretty in my square. I can move hands or feet, not both. I almost laugh aloud with pleasure: the women are so gifted and their movements fluid - they bring me joy, just watching.

By the time the hour is over, my hips and shoulders are resisting. This is not the easy rhythms of EEk (Exercise for the Elderly) that we do in our neighborhood, that's for sure. But it's great fun. We have a drink of water, chatter with the others, and then walk back up the hill toward home. DrW and I agree to give it another try next week. (Listening is great for language acquisition, too.)

In late afternoon, Canadian Rob and Indonesian Mery arrive. They're helping herald the start of Advent by leading the service on Sunday at the international church.

Saturday
Waldemar's plane lands just as Josue's takes off. It's great to see my husband again. Thanks for prayers for safety for us both. He had a great class of leaders in Auckland and I was safe at home.

The church is having a Christmas sale after service tomorrow. Proceeds go toward scholarships for their women's retreat. I finally get the urge to bake about 7pm. I bake dozens of peanut butter, chocolate crinkle, and Palmiers. Mery helps - and it's fun to have someone to talk to in the kitchen as well. Once the baking is packed away and the kitchen is clean, the day is over.

Ready for the bake sale

Last-minute baking flurry

W is fast asleep by the time I get to our room at 10.

Read more: First, three free resources for Advent: 

1. For the contemplative soul- a free Advent devotional

2. Music and prayers for a personal meditative retreat

3. For the artist or writer - enlarge this template. Then sketch, draw, or write words for each day leading up to Christmas, starting with the first Sunday of Advent, November 27. (The sample below in the photo shows what it looks like when it's done. I completed a similar one during Lent.)

All done, with lovely memories of scriptures

*The righteous are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither. Psalm 1:3 ESV

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Galatians 5:22-23 ESV

Moravian Prayer: God of love, joy, and peace, abide with us this day in all that we do and say. Take from us the things that worry us most and let us delight in you through all of what this day may bring. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Home sweet home

At a friend's house

What does "home" mean to you? Is yours a base from which you launch? Is it your sanctuary when you come home? Your joy or a chore? A place to energize or relax? It may be all of these things.

I found a quote in Rue Magazine that resonated with me immediately. Those of you who live abroad or are travelers will understand:

"When you are traveling your whole life you are in situations where you are constantly taking it all in - new customs, new languages, new food, architecture, and style. It's really about being influenced, but your home is the only place where you can really exteriorize your personality, your inner world. For me, home is a place that feels representative of me and where I can be close to the people I care about." (Victoria de la Camara)

Friends at our house

We have people at our house most days of the week. And we enjoy it. Last week, we put up our Christmas decorations in anticipation of the season with friends. This week, I hope to finish the baking and other preparations - while we have guests from Canada and Singapore with us.

Sundays after church, we eat lunch with an ever-evolving group at a community center not far from our place. Then we come home to rest before the week begins again.

I confess that I often sigh in anticipation at the thought of being in heaven with God some day. Oh, how wonderful it will be to be in his Presence with the family of faith. Then we'll truly be home sweet home.

Read more:
*Great are the works of the Lord; they are pondered by all who delight in them. Psalm 111:2 (NIV)

*Uphold me according to your promise, that I may live, and let me not be put to shame in my hope. Psalm 119:116

*Be still, and know that I am God! I am exalted among the nations, I am exalted in the earth. Psalm 46:10

*Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. Luke 12:27

*May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 5:23

Moravian Prayer: Heavenly King of kings, help us to be still and know that you are the reigning King of our lives. Bless us this day, O Lord, we pray and forever keep us in your love.

Father, your works are great! You constantly show us that you are with us in all that we do. Help us to stop worrying and to put our hopes and fears in your hands, O God. Amen.

Rainy season

Rain washes away concrete borders

It is definitely rainy season. We've had 4 flashfloods in Bandung in the last 2 weeks. Cars have been submerged. The entire first floor of a private school washed downhill: new laptops, desks, chairs disappeared. Their Coke machine was found at the airport, miles downstream (well, miles away still in the city.) The roads become causeways for the water that falls in the hills so we try to run errands in the morning before rain falls.

It's actually harder to write less often: so much is forgotten as I pick through recent memories. Election Day comes and goes. Trump is the President-Elect while Americans are parading the streets. I find myself shedding parts of culture that no longer fit. American Thanksgiving is next week but we celebrated in October with Canadians so that's probably that.

Wednesday, November 9
In the evening, we meet Paul, who asks for help recruiting teachers for an international school. They have great facilities and it would be a super opportunity for a junior high / high school teacher. Interested? (Various subjects, but you have to be 25 to teach here.)

I scribble a list: this is what I'd want to know before sending an invitation to teachers, education departments, or alumni directors. Paul takes it with him and talks to officials in the morning.

Typical "walking paths" between buildings

Thursday
Yay, the group is walking again. An Australian military contingent is completing their year in Bandung so personnel is moving out. Some of the walkers are army or airforce spouses. Today we're saying goodbye with a walk and potluck. W and I walk down the hill with our dog to drop off the avocado salad I made.

Avocados are in season. A tree in the neighboring yard is dripping fruit. Their gardener brings us a bag of not-yet-ripe avocados that will have to sit on the counter for a few more days. I eat one every morning. Ibu Sumi cuts and freezes the rest. Freezing is a lazier version of canning: I pull food out of the freezer nearly every day. (Thanks to our Canadian team for their gift of a freezer!)

What goes down must come up

We cross the swollen river on a footbridge. We pass through tiny lanes and paths between the houses that have sprung up on the hillside. Oh this neighborhood is steep! We walk up and down twice. I can't imagine the families who live here: it's too steep and narrow even for motorcycles. Whoever lives on this hill must hike up and hike down. To think that all the concrete, wood, tin for roofs was carried in by builders? Mind-boggling.

House crammed upon house, with tiny alleys between

We come down again and land in a field. Some construction workers nearby point back up the hill but by now several are too tired to climb again. So we trot through the swamp (wet feet!) and end up beside the river with no exit plan.

Swampy grass. Not a snake in sight today

Someone points out a hole in a concrete fence. We clamber through it, landing in a muddy garden before coming out in a secluded neighborhood. One irate fellow is not pleased to see us near his private property.

Oh well, we trudge up the hill past him and say, "Maaf, maaf, Bapak (sorry, sir!)" and keep going until we hit a thoroughfare.

See those young boys in the river?

We wind our way down again and cross the river again. From this bridge, local boys are jumping into the swift, polluted and rain-surged river. It's like body-surfing or white-water rafting as they let the current lift them to a concrete landing platform.

"I can't look!" says one of the Australians. "What if they get swept away?"

Ready to climb back up to the bridge for another jump ...

The ever-patient Ibu Elis tacks a plastic spider
from our "Spider Catcher" gadget on her bulletin board.

Friday
We drive into Jakarta after language school. My head is buzzing with new words and review. I only do 2 hours a week but the conversation and practice between is helping consolidate things - unlike when I was in class all the time (and words shed like water off a duck's back).

I'm thinking about Christmas already. When we were in the States, friends in Canada posted Christmas decorations after Remembrance Day, November 11. But I'd wait until the day after American Thanksgiving. Not anymore.

IKEA today (left); Christmas 2012 (right)

W agrees to a trip to the 2-year-old IKEA store in Jakarta. The orderliness is balm to my spirit. But when I see the same 5'X6' poster that hangs in our Seattle apartment, I feel a sudden, unexpected pang of homesickness. I better put my Christmas tree up soon - then maybe the season can begin, even with family so far away.

Supper and the evening with David and Paul S is another treat. We know what to expect, the social conventions, and can relax completely together. We enjoy a comfy bed at their place, too.

Saturday
Jakarta is far more sophisticated and global than Bandung. Juliana and Nikolas come for us about 10am. One of their friends is a professional chef, cooking in a display of food creativity at the Grand Indonesia Mall. She comes over to say hello and make recommendations.

Oh the food! It is splendid (Beef Cheeks in Curry for me) - with experimental organic rices from Japan.

And dessert is a worthy followup.

Beautiful presentation: the chocolate ball with lemon mousse

Pouring hot chocolate sauce over opens it up. YUM

Mine is equally beautiful and tasty

But it's the company that's so much fun. We sit and chat - and I run my fingers over the keys of the grand piano behind us to see if it's in tune. In this air-conditioned mall, anything is possible. (It is tuned!)

In the evening, we soak in the worship and Word at IESJakarta. Afterward, the staff gathers for a meal. We've missed these gatherings, that's for sure.

There's abundant food, laughter, and sharing life on life as always. Then it's time to drive to Bandung. Luckily traffic is good: we're in the door at home before 11pm.

Sunday
After an extra-long sermon, the study group votes to meet for lunch right away. At Bumi, there's a big family celebrating a birthday. We wait 2 hours for our food, which comes in spurts. We suspect some has made its way to the big table and been replaced. Oh well - we love these friends and are glad for time together.
The rain comes down in torrents. The thunder and lightning are spectacular. We make it home damp but sated.

Monday
A few conference calls. Some writing. Bible study, which is always refreshing. We hear stories of God's surprises and His goodness.

Then it's down the hill to language school ... except that my guru is stuck up north. We cancel the lesson among many apologies and drive back up the hill. I'm happy. I really needed to review on my own anyway. W's much more tied to meal routines, which tends to disrupt my flow of learning.

I've given a Christmas tree away this morning - and I admit I sighed a bit as it went. However, when I go up for ornaments for the LR tree, I discover a small fluffy tree (much nicer even) tucked away behind some boxes. I set it up in the bedroom and the lights begin to sparkle. What a nice feeling. And it's all God's stuff, right?

Tuesday
The exercise class is canceled. Apparently, the man who turns on the music for the women is feeling under the weather. So is Ibu A, but she cooks my supper (plus some to take home to her family) and tidies up before heading home. Again, the storm is fierce, the rain and wind strong, and the thunder loud. She bundles up in a raincoat and takes a motorcycle taxi home.

Oh the side dishes at a Korean restaurant!

The lunch appointment with Ibu Ingrid and Ibu Jenny is at a Korean restaurant (Wonjo) on Jl. Setiabudi. I show the driver on the map and he nods. Apparently, he thinks it's elsewhere - so we drive for a half hour. I know we're going in circles so I show him the same map and turn on Waze. We were already there, 15 minutes into our 1-hour trip. It's worth the drive as the food is excellent. The proprietor comes over (Jenny's friend) to make sure we're happy. Yes. Happy!

We look at the first chapter of Ruth - which turns out to be God's timing for us. We talk about letting our children follow God even when it takes them away from us - or us away from them. As always, the scriptures come alive to inform and encourage us. Thanks be to God.

Read more:
*Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the LORD your God. On that day no one in your household may do any work. This includes you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, your livestock, and any foreigners living among you. 

For in six days the LORD made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything in them; but on the seventh day he rested. That is why the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy." Exodus 20:8-11

*Ezra opened the book. All the people could see him because he was standing above them; and as he opened it, the people all stood up. Ezra praised the Lord, the great God; and all the people lifted their hands and responded, "Amen! Yes! Amen!" Then they bowed down and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.

The Levites ... instructed the people in the Law while the people were standing there. They read from the Book of the Law of God, making it clear and giving the meaning so that the people understood what was being read.

Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and teacher of the Law, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to them all, "This day is holy to the Lord your God. Do not mourn or weep." For all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law.

Nehemiah said, "Go and enjoy choice food and sweet wine and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength." Nehemiah 8:5-10

*Brothers and sisters, do not be weary in doing what is right. 2 Thessalonians 3:13

*God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his.” 2 Timothy 2:19

Moravian Prayer: Dearest Chief Elder, all praise, honor, and glory are yours. Lord, you are our master as well as our friend. Thank you for guiding us through all that has been and all that is yet to come. In your name we pray. Amen.

Before and after: LR edition

I love spaces. That's not a secret: We've lived in strange and wonderful apartments and houses for almost 40 years and our spaces are always in flux.

Before: it's hard to pack up and say goodbye

I love the "before and after"s that others post, so I'm guessing that maybe you do, too.

Before: Move-in day - front room

Our main room is constantly changing, depending on who is in it and what's happening.

Before: side view

We don't have a lot of money for decor. That's a given. But what we need seems to appear at the right time. The trick is to recognize it and not just walk by. (Then we'll have to find it later, usually for more expense.)

Our neighbors help move things around

And the space breathes a little before settling back in

Whenever I walk into a room, it starts to move and reconfigure in my head. When the picture locks in, I have the beginnings of the home I'd want to live in.

Day 1: as we arrive, we add our two chairs and a rug from another house, which begins to define the space

A few weeks later: add an IKEA sofa (a gift, thanks J!) 

Art is inexpensive: a man comes by the porch with huge painted canvases ($7.50) and offers to frame one for us for the same amount. A coffee/art shop goes out of business: original drawings are $2-10; paintings are $10-100.

After a few months: I find a bigger rug at IKEA As-Is (70% off) and
pack an old purple slipcover along in my suitcase from Seattle

We buy less meat for a week or two and put a $5 crayon landscape in a $10 frame. I know! Priorities. The finished 24"X30" art is the price of 3-4 Starbucks coffees - and luckily I don't drink coffee, which disappears in 5 minutes. I'd argue for the ongoing pleasure of local art. haha

A few months ago: a comfortable space

The big round dining table is a must: we move the old rectangle to the office and it becomes my desk.

I find a 72" folding office table and cover it with tablecloths at unbelievable prices ($12 vs. +$80 here). If you set a holiday table, check out Tablecloths For Less.

Worth the wait: narrow dining chairs at half price

Without an American Thanksgiving, Christmas feels just around the corner. W hauls the big box from storage and set up the pre-lit tree.

Yesterday: the Christmas tree goes up

Immediately, the room feels cozy. Bit by bit, we'll decorate up to the big day.

Here's where we're at

Mind you, when we host gatherings, everything shifts. Friends and strangers sit, sprawl, and stand everywhere. What a blessing to have a space in which to enjoy God's presence and people!

Let's face it, every space is about the people in it

Read more:
*For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. 2 Chronicles 16:9A NIV

*In the midst of the congregation I will praise you. Psalm 22:22 ESV

*I delight in the way of your decrees as much as in all riches. Psalm 119:14 ESV

*The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it. Matthew 13:45–46 ESV

*May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus, so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 15:5–6 ESV

Moravian Prayer: Father, we will praise you, O Lord among the nations; we will sing unto you among the heavens. Glorious, everlasting are you, our God!

Lord, help us to know that your kingdom is worth more than all the riches of the earth. Let the material world around us not dissuade us from the ultimate treasure of your glory. Amen.

Selamat pagi - a few times over

Sunday, October 30, 2016
Waldemar got back safely from the states. He will wait some weeks to hear from American immigration - but I vote. It's been a hard year to become a citizen.

The church is sponsoring a Harvest Festival for kids. As I lead service, I feel again how much I love to speak. Strange: it's not a gift I've sought, but it's found me. The pleasure of standing at the front of a group makes my heart sing and relaxes me.

The star of the morning is Nicole. The cake Sanny orders as a festive centerpiece comes with artistic cupcakes. The gals arrange a display for everyone to enjoy before the kids disappear for class.

Beautiful bonus

During our small group study of Proverbs, a group of volunteers plays with the kids and does a program.

It's Pieter's last day before he returns to the Netherlands: we eat together at Bumi and he catches a ride from our house to Jakarta in the evening. He's been here a week. He signs the guest book before our farewell selfie.

Monday
Mondays start with Bible study. I love how the scriptures open to us in delightful discussions.

I go straight to language school. It's a priority. I've asked for a review week: so many words from the past 6 weeks need consolidation. I'm always exhausted by the time we're done.

Teachers and students from language school

Tuesday

It's prep day for tomorrow's movie night. After a morning conference call, I'm thinking about menus, set-up, but I have an appointment as well.

I meet two new friends at a Korean restaurant (wow, great food!) Jenny and Karen have been praying about restarting their women's group. They take me for lunch and offer to become friends and partner together. "It's a conversation," they say about their exploration of scripture. Cool! I'm in.

Back home, I prep a few dishes and put them in the fridge for tomorrow.

Wednesday
It's the most fun - and hardest-working - day of the month for me. It's our monthly movie night. I have a conference call, then putter to stir up energy. Mid-morning, I finally start cooking.

We've have about 30 replies but over 50 people show up. Yay! we're together - young and old, students and professionals, retirees and friends. Everyone eats a big meal together before watching Eddie the Eagle.

What an inspiration. The crowd cheers and yells along with the scenes. At intermission, we enjoy desserts but we're all eager to get back to the show. The questions tonight: "What did you want to be when you grew up?" and "What parts of that dream are you still following today?"

W welcomes everyone and explains the movie

In small groups, we talk about our childhood dreams. The room buzzes with conversation. Some of the beautiful faces:

Thursday

Just 3 of us walk: the weather report says rain, so the regular walk is canceled. But it turns out to be a blue-skied morning. We're glad we went!

1/3 of the way to go! can you see the top
of the non-standard stairway?

A very steep hike up the stairs from the valley.
Here we're halfway.

After our study of Philippians in the afternoon, I hit the books to absorb more language. We have to make a decision: shall we drive to Jakarta in the morning? We have 4 appointments that we are excited about keeping - and would hate to miss even one.

Friday

I've got a bad feeling about going into Jakarta and have a restless night behind me.

Language school. Hurrah! I really enjoy this way of learning. I'm utterly dizzy and have a raging headache on the way home. We decide against going. We'll reschedule what we can.

There's a big demonstration going on in Jakarta. The streets fill with political-religious protests and we are glad we stay home. Our driver is relieved: we find out later that he got caught up in the protests 20 years ago and was traumatized. He was scared to go in.

Saturday

DrW and I walk downhill about a mile to the spa for a facial. They're not ready for us yet, but after a while the gals take us upstairs - how relaxing! Girl time on a Saturday - it's the best.

We walk across the street - While W takes DrW home, Nirmala picks me up for a meeting led by Andrea and Karen. It's the first session of a "Back to Eden" health group for women. What fun! We learn to make kefir and other healthy dishes.

Sunday

W and I preach about prejudice and Christ's response to people who are other in gender, status, and ethnicity.

We always enjoy the Q&A after. Today we are assisted by Mark, who offers excellent comments on the questions.

It's also Communion Sunday. (1 Corinthians 11:23-38 tells what that's about, below.) After reading the scriptures, we seek out a Communion steward standing in the aisles - and take the elements of bread and wine. Then we find someone we don't know to share "His body broken for us" and "His blood shed for the forgiveness of our sins." People linger to pray for each other, talk, and hang out.

A young mom and I discuss God's calling, equipping (she's educated), and the culture of church permissions - why are they open or closed to women in ministry?

W and I like to speak together. "Do you have any pushback when you speak with your husband?" she asks. No, we don't. The congregation is welcoming and responsive.

W leads the Proverbs study - which has turned into a question session about marriage by the time I get upstairs. Western expectations are very different than here. It's interesting to see how Scripture is applied in the lives of people around the world.

Over lunch at Bumi S, we are getting to know our friends on a different level, personally and deeply. God is good. And so is the food.

Read more: (ESV)

*For I know that my Redeemer lives, and that at the last he will stand upon the earth. Job 19:25

*You who seek God, let your hearts revive. Psalm 69:32

*God says, “O that my people would listen to me.” Psalm 81:13

*For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil. Ecclesiastes 12:14 ESV

*When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth? Luke 18:8

*Continue securely established and steadfast in the faith, without shifting from the hope promised by the gospel that you heard. Colossians 1:23

Let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. Hebrews 12:1–2

Moravian Prayer: Most holy God, keep us vigilant in seeking you. Give us the strength and faith to trust wholly in you and to keep our eyes fixed upon you as we run the race that is perfect in your will. All glory is yours, O Father.

Gracious Lord, in all of our transgressions you show mercy; you know each of us as we are. We prepare for you until you return. As we go about this day we pray that you will be with us and help us to tell your story of glory in all that we do and say. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

----

COMMUNION TEXT: For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 

In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenantin my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. 1 Corinthians 11:23-28 NIV