ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHING
August 12, 2021
Guest Writer: Rev Paula Gembala
I was in my mid 30’s when I attended a Wednesday night service while my kids were involved with the children’s groups. I was sitting in the pew, alone, when they started talking about taking communion. I started to panic, I had never taken communion before. As they shared the words about the bread being Christ’s body broken for me, and the cup being his blood shed for me, I began to weep, which soon turned into sobs. The tears wouldn’t quit flowing for the longest time. I had never even heard those words before, let alone thought they were meant for “me.”
I believe this was the beginning of a major shift in my faith journey. Those precious words were powerful and eye opening. This was the only time I took part in communion until I came to Cypress Creek Christian Church.
I sat in my seat week after week, hearing about the unconditional love of God and cherishing each week being able to take communion with my church family. For the first five years of my being at CCCC, I would sit, listening attentively, and let it all soak in. I just couldn’t get enough.
I felt called to learn more about Stephen Ministry, and soon signed up to become a Stephen Minister, followed by becoming a Stephen Leader. A few years later I signed up to become a Commissioned Minister. My faith journey had taken flight in about a 10 year span of time, and has grown ever since.
