Gifts and Calling of God

ACE of HEARTS

According to Paul (Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32), "the gifts and the calling of God are:

1. Temporary
2. A figment of Israel's imagination
3. Irrevocable
4. Now only offered to Christians

The answer is #3. Paul spends a good part of his letter to the Romans trying to offer an understanding of how Israel can continue to be God's chosen people despite the fact that most of Israel rejected Jesus. Paul says that Israel's gifts and calling of God will never be denied them. As Christians, we have a similar sense of the irrevocability of our call and gifts. Baptism is considered to leave an indelible mark on us. That means we will always be seen by God as his beloved even when we refuse to accept or live into that love.

WHAT IS A CREDENCE TABLE?

Here is a photo of the Christ Church sanctuary. Do you see the credence table?

ACE of HEARTS

We are working with our young acoylytes and teaching them the names of different items used in the Eucharistic celebrations. Here is a question from that teaching.

What is a credence table?

A. A small table or shelf on the epistle side of the altar that holds the bread, wine and water before consecration.
B. Another name for the Altar.
C. A special table on which the creeds of the church are placed during an ordination service.
D. A table for candles.

THE CORRECT ANSWER IS A. Look at the photo above. See the small table on the right side of the photo? That is the credence table. Look below for a close up of the credence table.