Pastor’s Message – AUGUST 2001

„But we have this treasure in earthen vessels,
to show that the transcendent power belongs to God and not to us.”

II Corinthians 4:7 (RSV)

“Wir haben aber diesen Schatz in irdenen Gefäßen,
damit die überschwengliche Kraft von Gott sei und nicht von uns.“

2. Korinther 4,7

From time to time I find catalogs from church supply firms in my mail, offering anything from greeting cards to elaborate vestments and church furnishings.
Last week, I received one of these catalogs, advertising on the front page: “Disposable Communion Cups as low as $9.99 per 1000”.

My reaction to this was somewhere between disbelief and anger. I mean, who would want to use disposable plastic cups for the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper? But apparently there is a market out there for this product. It is probably a mixture of hygienic concerns and the wish for “efficiency”.

And then my thoughts turned to Zion’s communion vessels.

We have the silver communion set, our treasure, which is used on festivals and during Easter time. It was handmade in 1799 by Lewis Buichle, an immigrant silversmith, who had his shop at 4 Baltimore Street. We can only guess and admire the exertion of the young and relatively poor immigrant congregation to commission such finest silverware. This festive set is a witness to the continuity of Zion Church, a witness to the Gospel being preached and the sacraments being administered according to the Gospel (cf Augsburg Confession, Art. 7) for almost 250 years. These vessels have been used by all of Zion’s Pastors since Dr. John Daniel Kurtz. In using them, we reverently remember the many generations who received Holy Communion from these vessels. Indeed, we not only remember them, but also know that they are with us as we celebrate communion, uniting “with Angels and Archangels, and with all the company of heaven” (Preface of the Great Thanksgiving).

In 1954, a new chalice was commissioned to accommodate the new practice of offering individual cups as an alternative to the common cup. This was also entirely hand wrought by one of Baltimore’s finest silversmiths of that time, Henry Powell Hopkins, Jr., who fashioned the cup after the pattern of the old chalices. It is a pouring chalice so that even the people, who prefer the individual cups, are receiving the blood of Christ out of a common cup: “the cup of blessing which we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ?”(I Cor. 10:16). And even the individual cups are carefully made to resemble the larger common cup, making clear that they derive their value, so to speak, from that one common cup we share.

When security concerns grew in the 1980’s and 90’s, Susan and Robert Leaverton gave a new communion set to Zion. Again, the vessels are hand made to hold, honor and celebrate, “which earth has given and human hands have made” (ancient prayer for the preparation of gifts), and which Christ himself has promised to fill with His presence. The set is made out of clay – “earthen vessels” in the literal sense. They are wonderful examples of simple beauty and purity.

And we have a beautiful, little known traveling communion set, which was given to Zion “to the glory of God in loving memory of Hans Koenig 1876-1921 dedicated by his wife Matilda B Koenig, a member of Zion Sewing Circle” (inscription in the lid). This set of silver vessels and a wooden and silver cross was made in Germany, featuring the Art Deco style. It has witnessed many moving house communions, bringing Christ to the sick and dying, proclaiming His death and resurrection in the face of illness, pain, and tears.

All these sets have been vessels for God’s “transcending power” for innumerable people. They are sacred, not because of themselves, but because of Christ’s promise, and they are hallowed by the prayers and by the faith of the people who touched them. Even if made of silver, they are “earthen vessels”, our inadequate instruments to grasp the mystery of Christ’s presence and power among us.

But they are not disposable – and that’s good. They are here to stay as long as God will think fit, to remind us and to help us celebrating and receiving the Sacrament.

Have a blessed Communion! / Ein gesegnetes Abendmahl wünscht Ihnen

Pastor Dr Holger Roggelin

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Zion’s Communion silver Vessels (picture taken in 1954)

Flagons, chalices, patens, host box (1799), Louis Buichle;
Spoon (c. 1790), Johnson & Ball;
Pouring Chalice (1954), Henry Powell Hopkins, Jr.,

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