The Lord's Supper

Our little Baptist church on McClarity Fork, Four Mile, West Virginia, had The Lord's Supper several times a year. I can't remember how often,but I know it wasn't as often as the more modern churches do now. It was also much more formal. The men would set two pews facing each other on the left side of the church for the women, and two on the right side for the men. Everyone that had been baptized sat down on the pews facing each other. We had a washpan of water for each side and long cotton towels. One of the women would wrap the towel around her waist and kneel on the floor in front of the woman across from her with the washpan. She would remove the woman's shoes, then wash and dry her feet. The men did the same on their side of the church. After everyone's feet were done, the pews were returned to the normal places. A long table was set up in front of the church. A white table cloth was spread over it. Little plates and tiny glasses were set around. As many as could sit around the table were seated. The preacher told what Jesus said and did at the Last Supper. Everyone bowed their heads and the preacher prayed over the unleavened bread and grape juice. We ate the bread that represented Christ's body broken for us. Then we drank the juice representing the blood Christ shed for us. A lot of times they had to set the table several times for everyone to partake. Service was closed with song and prayer. This is one of my favorite memories of the church of my childhood. Most churches do not have a foot washing service these days.I suppose people think it's unsanitary or too embarrassing. I think if it was good enough for our Lord it should be good enough for us. Churches cater too much to people and not enough to the Word.