GEORGE HENRY, STAR Writer

Officer Steve Collins serves members of the congregation with wine at the communion service. - george henry

spaldings, clarendon

It was a Lord's Supper and feet washing service with a difference at the Sanguinetti New Testament Church of God in Clarendon on July 6.

Instead of waiting in their seats to be served with the communion bread and wine, Reverend Barrington DaCosta asked the congregation to leave their seats and kneel on the platform and be served.

This was most sacred, as all knelt as if they were praying, while the officers headed by Steve Collins and Paul Cohen, served the members with a portion of the body of Christ, after all prayed in preparation to receive.

Service of celebration

But prior to all the activities on the platform, Reverend DaCosta told the membership of the church that the occasion was not a mourning service, but that it was one of celebration, as they were going to partake in the Saviour's body and blood.

He told them that the breaking of Jesus' body was to save the world, and that His blood was to cleanse man from sin and impurities.

"As we draw close to the table for the Lord Supper I do not want to see any sad faces. You should not look droopy, because we are going to partake of the body and blood of Jesus. When Christians partake in the Lord Supper it makes a difference," said the pastor.

Righting the wrongs

He told them that if there was any wrong done in their heart, they could have made it right, there and then, and that they did not have to fast and pray for a week before taking it. The pastor told the group that if there was anything preventing them from taking the Lord's Supper, that same thing could also prevent them from going to Heaven.

After the bread and wine were consumed, Reverend DaCosta told the congregation that feet washing was an example set by Jesus among His disciples as a form of fellowship and love, and so Christians should continue the tradition.

However, feet washing, was not done the traditional way, where brothers washed the feet of brothers and sisters washed those of their sisters in the church. It was done in some cases with the opposite sex.

There was no evidence of discomfort among the sexes while the exercise was being done. It was clear that members of the Sanguinetti church were in one accord as they went about doing the spiritual activity.

After the Lord Supper and feet washing activities were over, all members of the church had fellowship, by embracing and hand shakes. The event was real touching and it showed how Christians can make each other feel loved while they worship the Lord.

Left: Verdel Patrick washes the feet of Nickel Mayne. Right: Jocelyn DaCosta washes the feet of Hyacinth Sinclair. - george henry photos