My fifth suggestion is slightly off-topic, but I’ll make it any way: lose the Welch’s. Oh, dear! Now I’ve gone too far. But the more I think about, the more that I don’t care for what’s in our cup.

In case you don’t know the story, ordained Methodist minister Thomas Welch (dentist by trade) was disturbed because the congregation he attended used fermented wine. In 1869, he developed a process of pasteurization which kept grape juice from fermenting. Although the elders at his church said this was “an unacceptable innovation,” the idea eventually caught on across the nation. Though Thomas never accepted money for his invention, his son developed Welch’s into a formidable company. (Read the story here)

From the time of Martin Luther forward, men fought about almost every aspect of the Lord’s Supper. Except whether or not to use wine. Wine was an accepted part of life and an accepted part of worship. Until the 19th century, in the United States.

How can we insist on unleavened bread, yet allow the use of something that didn’t even exist until 1869? Yes, there was grape juice. Yes, there were ways of preserving unfermented wine. But nothing similar to what Mr. Welch came up with was around before that time.

If you can’t get past the cultural hang-ups (and that’s what they are) against alcoholic beverages, use non-alcoholic wine.

Before I finish this series, I’ll get back to some more meaningful suggestions. Still, this one deserves some thought at least. If the thought of Wonder Bread on the Lord’s Table is upsetting to you, ask yourself why you put up with Thomas Welch’s “unacceptable innovation.”