Something that I have always admired about my mom is her ability to make magic in the kitchen. She learned it from her mom, who is an incredible cook & baker as well, and I learned from her in return. But one of the best things about my mom’s cooking & baking ability is her choice to glorify God and his church with this talent. Sometime during my years at home with her, I remember watching her make communion bread for our church on Sunday mornings. She always had an apron around her waist as she used her yellow Pyrex mixing bowl while cutting in crisco into the flour using two knives- somehow always emitting that matronly glow of hers as she baked. This is an image of my mom that I always wanted to become- using my talents to glorify God and his people no matter the task.
So today I am bringing you my mom’s Communion Bread recipe. I have been able to follow in her footsteps (vintage yellow pyrex bowl included) to provide the bread for my church on Sunday mornings– and this is something that not only helps me to honor my mother, but also to connect with the Lord every time I get to make it. There’s something spiritual about making the bread that Jesus calls us to remember him by:
For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying,“This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
-1 Corintians 11:23-26
Jesus calls us to remember him for our own benefit. So often the world and our lives, the ups and the downs, and the dreams and disappointments distract our hearts from where it truly belongs- in Him. And when we decide to eat the bread and the juice, we are proclaiming Him. Proclaiming him means that we are announcing, declaring, and demonstrating publicly that we belong to Him. Taking this bread and juice isn’t something that we should take lightly because it means that anyone should be able to look at our lives and see the evidence and the fruit of Jesus reigning. It’s a serious proclaimation! But this is one I am so grateful to be able to participate in.
Homemade Communion Bread:
Ingredients:
- 2 cups flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2/3 cup shortening
- 8-9 tablespoons cold water
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350°
2. Combine the flour & salt in a large mixing bowl.
3. Add shortening and cut into flour mix until well combined.
4. Add water into the mixture and stir until it becomes dough. If it seems too dry, add a tablespoon of water. If its too watery, add a little more flour.
5. Split dough in half and roll out on a clean & lightly floured surface. Roll dough out with a rolling pin until it is ¼ of an inch thick.
6. Use a small circle cutter to cut dough into small circles. (you can also use a glass cup!)
7. Lay circles on a cookie sheet & use a fork to spear the entire surface. (this keeps the dough from bubbling up)
8. Bake for 13-15 minutes.
Having the incredible honor of making this bread so that believers of Jesus are able to proclaim him to the rest of the world is something that provides such an authentic experience between him & I. I hope you are able to find that same connection with Him while you bake!
Newly Wed & Well Fed 