Most of the people at Chicago’s Children’s Hospital did not know her name. They just knew her as the sweet elderly lady in the vivid red suit who wanted to make sure that every sick child had a teddy bear to hug and caress. She kept bringing the stuffed animals, purchased with her own money, to give to ailing children. That is why she was simply called The Teddy Bear Lady.

Her name was Gladys Holm, a retired secretary for an insurance company, who lived alone in a tiny apartment in Evanston. It wasn’t that she couldn’t afford better, although… no one except her attorney and stockbroker knew she was quite wealthy.

When she died at age 86, she had a portfolio worth over $18 million. She had never married and had no heirs. Her will simply directed that the bulk of her estate be given to The Children’s Memorial Hospital. Her gift was to go to medical research so that new methods of treating sick or disabled children might be developed.

The hospital authorities were absolutely shocked by the news. No one had the slightest idea that the tall happy woman delivering teddy bears to ailing children had such wealth. As they began to piece together more of her life’s story, they discovered something else. They learned the gifts of teddy bears were really a ruse. She gave away teddy bears to learn more about the financial resources of the families of the children. When she learned that parents did not have hospitalization or enough to cover medical expenses, she very quietly had taken care of their bills.

One wonders if Gladys Holm was simply putting into practice what the One known as the Great Physician had recommended: "When you give… sound no trumpet before you… When you give… do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your gift may be in secret…"

It was such a treat to see a gaggle of our very people bringing freshly baked bread up the aisle at the 10:30 service this past Sunday morning. They had spent their church school time in the kitchen working hard to offer this gift that it might become the Body of Christ. [Kudos to Carol and Doug Adams who hosted Coffee Hours — preparing this event as little ones dashed and darted between legs and out doors.]

Five loaves started down the aisle and four made it to the altar! One found a new "incarnation" as a stand in for a soccer ball. And, looking up as our little ones scurried back to their seats, there were more than a few damp eyes in the house.

I don’t have to tell you, but an offering like this is a beautiful thing. It resonates deeply with the life of the early church when the offertory was a chance for people to give sacrificially and sacramentally by offering whatever they had — a chicken, some bread, wine, fruit, eggs, money, etc. In fact, what we now call the communion rail or altar rail began as a fence to keep the chickens, etc., out of the sanctuary and off of the altar. I invite anyone so inclined so talk with me about making "real" bread for any service.

The use of real bread gave me the chance to teach our young people about intinction (dipping the bread in the wine). It is a teaching moment I would like to share with the rest of you.

One may choose to intinct for a variety of reasons. (This article is not about the reasons!) If this is your choice there are several things to consider.

It was, and is, a very big deal that Jesus used a common cup at the Last Supper. Everyone, no matter what their station in life or seat at the table got to drink from the host’s cup. This raised everyone to the level and honor of the host — a very big deal. It also meant that the community was a community of equals bound to their Lord in this sharing. Simply put, it made those who were many one! So, I encourage intinction from the common (large) chalice.

How does one intinct? It is not quite as simplistic as one might think. First, intinction is not dunking. The best and most proper way to intinct is to leave the bread plainly visible on the palm of your hand; all the chalice bearer to pick it up, rest it on the inside of the chalice and with a tipping motion let the wine come to the bread. Almost without exception, this prevents crumb "floaties" (not nice for the person who next drinks from the chalice) no matter what type of bread is being used. It also keeps wayward fingers from plunging into the wine. Then the chalice bearer places the bread on the communicants tongue (preferred), or hands it back to them.

    Scott       

Please hold these people, events and circumstances in your daily prayers. Also, we encourage you to always say a prayer for those unknown persons who have no one to pray for them. By-the-way, please remember to renew prayer requests weekly.

He loved us so much that we are called children of God. I John 3:1

God Loves You.
Dear God,
Is the Bible Your great big valentine to me?
Thanks for loving me

Even when I’m not very lovable.
Thanks for loving me
Even if I don’t love You.
Thanks for loving me
Every minute of every day.
Please help me love You
the way You love me.

As printed in God’s Little Devotional Book for Kids, by V. Gilbert Beers

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