"Shabbat Shalom..."

We had a very special Friday night dinner yesterday.  The chaplaincy aboard the ship has been preparing for this weekend for about a month.  A respite...a time of spiritual renewal/retreat for the crew of the ship.

Last night at dinner, we gathered together in the dining room to begin our "Shabbat Shalom"

We read through the liturgy of the candle lighting and the Shema (taken out of Deuteronomy) and the Lord's prayer.  We sang the doxology and said the priestly blessing from Numbers.  Just before dinner, we had communion....

The bread-Christ's body given for you...

The cup-Christ's blood given for the forgiveness of sins...

We read the Kiddush (the blessing over the wine) and the HaMostzi (the blessing over the bread)

Then as friends and family, we enjoyed a wonderful dinner with great fellowship....

The evening concluded with a journey throughout the ship to read and experience the different elements of entering into the Tabernacle.  All in all it was a very enlightening evening-getting our focus back on Jesus and what His sacrifice for us truly means.