That picture shows celery, carrots, and onions coated with seasonings cooking on a hot grill shaped like a heart. In the morning, these will be combined with the bread for stuffing. This is only one part of what I did today at our church. Like a good foot soldier, I followed the directions of our chef, orchestrating the food prep for Sunday’s meal we’ll share after service.
We peeled potatoes to be boiled and mashed into a pan of cloud-like heaven. The gravy, the hummus, and the cranberry sauce were made from scratch. Vegetables were chopped and roasted in pans with olive oil and seasonings. A heavenly creamy soup was cooked and ready to be warmed in the morning.
I was prepared for what to expect this time. First Baptist Church of Salt Lake City is blessed to have Keck Hall, which has a commercial kitchen. Our member and resident chef, Ken, is the maestro behind the meal. You must have a maestro; otherwise, it would be pure chaos.
Photo by Nick Fewings on Unsplash
We were on a tight schedule starting at 11:00 am. We had to be done by 2:00 pm. Keck Hall had been rented for a baby shower and was completely decorated for the event. Eight of us scurried around that spacious commercial kitchen as knives were chopped, gas ovens warmed, burners flaming under pots, and the grill sizzling with vegetables.
Our maestro chef was like a plate spinner from an old variety show. He moved from person to person, keeping us on task and issuing course corrections. Everything had to come together and be done by 2:00 pm.
The vegetables aren’t roasting fast enough in the oven. Turn up the oven temperature. The vegetables on the grill aren’t browning fast enough. Turn up the heat. The ceiling fans seemed cool before, but now they were a welcome relief from the heat. Keep stirring the gravy so it doesn’t burn. More vegetables need to be chopped. Put many boxes of bread crumbs in aluminum pans to see if we have enough.
I’ve fantasized about running a restaurant, but this amount of work kills that fantasy every year. It’s hard enough doing it a couple of times during the year. I couldn’t imagine doing it every day. It takes a lot of skill, planning, and execution to make everything come together at the right time.
While standing over the hot grill, flipping vegetables, I thought of Jesus, Mary, and Martha, and I remembered that food is a love language. Today, 64% of adults agree with that. Sharing a meal is one of the primary ways relationships are established, deepened, and enjoyed with God and others.
This Sunday, the story of Mary and Martha becomes real. While a handful of us prepare the meal, the rest will feed their souls in the service and tummies afterward.
Luke 10:38-42
As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”
“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
But unlike Martha, we won’t hold it against everyone else who didn’t help today. This is our love language. The meditative process of preparing food for ourselves and others is a gift. It’s time away from doom-scrolling on social media, although I did keep tabs on Utah’s horrific loss to Arizona in football as the vegetables sizzled. Preparing food together can be holy as we learn more about each other and deepen our friendship.
Acts 2:42
And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
Ultimately, we will all share a meal together, just like Mary, Martha, and Jesus did. That is the gift our ministry gives without reservation. With every sacrifice comes a gift that blesses.
How did we do? By 1:59 pm, the food was prepared and stored, the pots and pans cleaned, the counters and surfaces cleaned, and the trash removed. Sunday after service will seem magical, with all of the delicious food served to hungry mouths freshly fed from the service. Similarly, I’m sure Martha got to experience the joy of feeding Jesus.
I love this hymn and its message that no matter what we go through, we can break bread, share a cup, and praise God. Lord, have mercy on us this Thanksgiving holiday and bless us with good memories.
Let Us Break Bread Together
Lyrics Words: American Folk Hymn Music:
American Folk Melody Arranged by Jay Rouse
Let us break bread together on our knees.
Let us break bread together on our knees.
When I fall on my knees with my face to the rising sun,
O Lord, have mercy on me.Let us drink the cup together on our knees.
Let us drink the cup together on our knees.
When I fall on my knees with my face to the rising sun,
O Lord, have mercy on me.Let us praise God together on our knees.
Let us praise God together on our knees.
When I fall on my knees with my face to the rising sun,
O Lord, have mercy on me.Let us break bread together;
Let us drink the cup together;
Let us praise God together on our knees. O Lord,
have mercy on me.