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For some, it just looks like a tiny slice of bread. But as Christians, we know the bread we receive for communion represents the body of Christ, broken for us. Together with His blood—shed for us—it represents His sacrifice on the cross and the immeasurable love He has for each one of us. At Community of Hope, our communion bread also reflects the love of two of Jesus’ faithful followers, Tania and Henry Phillips.
Communion bread is not just ordinary bread. This unique recipe comes straight from the Orthodox church and creates a bread that has no crumbs when it is cut. This is a symbol of reverence and respect for this holy sacrament; none of it—not a single crumb—is wasted nor used for anything other than the purpose it is intended for.
Preparing this special bread requires a full day’s work, something Tania lovingly does each month. The first step; prayer. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for Your amazing gift of grace through suffering and sacrifice on the cross for us. Tania and Henry pray repeatedly during the process, prayers of thanks and prayers for all who will receive the bread when it is finished.
The dough is made first thing in the morning, then left to rise for two to 2½ hours. After the dough has risen, Tania and Henry pray again. Bless this bread to be consumed for the healing of our bodies and souls, in the name of Jesus Christ.
Tania rolls the dough about a quarter of an inch thick, then carefully cuts it into half-inch strips using a straight edge to guide her hand. The cut strips are set aside to rise for an additional half hour before being placed in the oven to bake for 20 minutes. Lord, help us remember the sacrifice that this bread represents for each one of us.
The baked bread must be cooled slowly using a damp towel for another two to 2½ hours. Lord Jesus, fill us with Your love as we meditate on Your mercy and grace. When it has fully cooled, the narrow sticks of bread are cut into small slices and placed in sealed plastic bags to keep them fresh until they’re placed in small plastic cups where you find them during Sunday communion services.
This special ministry has been Tania’s labor of love since 2013. Even after her heart attack in May 2021 and another in December 2022, she managed to return home from the hospital in time to bake bread and replenish the supply for the next communion celebration. There were no gaps in her dedicated service; that is, until last July. On July 1, 2024, Tania suffered a severe stroke that left her entire left side paralyzed, head to toe. Recovery from serious strokes like hers is seldom promising. Tania spent several days in Intensive Care, two weeks in the hospital’s Stroke Recovery Unit and three months in a rehabilitation facility where she had to re-learn to speak, eat and eventually, walk with a walker. In mid-October, Tania was admitted to the Rehabilitation Institute of Oregon for two weeks of intensive physical therapy before being released to return home on October 30th, four full months after her stroke.
Tania deeply missed being able to attend church services in person and see her church family. Would she ever be able to resume providing homemade communion bread for Community of Hope? Even after returning home, Tania’s left arm and left hand lacked the function and dexterity to cook everyday meals for herself and Henry, let alone knead and roll communion bread.
With continued physical therapy, the faithful prayers of many and the healing power of Jesus, Tania began to regain some use of her left hand. In late January, Tania decided to try baking communion bread again for the first time in six months. She recruited help for the rolling and cutting processes, expecting that these would be the most difficult. And yet, when it came time to complete each of these steps, Tania was able to do so herself!
Tania’s ministry is supported by her dear and loyal husband Henry, who kept vigil by Tania every day during her hospital and rehab stays and continues to take care of many things at home. Henry hand washes all the bowls, trays and utensils needed to prepare the bread, handles the trays that go in and out of the oven, and delivers the packaged slices of bread to Community of Hope on the Saturday evening before communion, ready for servers to dispense into individual containers on Sunday morning.
Our celebration of communion is a remembrance of Jesus’ sacrifice for us and His gifts of grace and spiritual healing; something only He can give us. Ultimately, it’s a representation of His incredible love for each of us. It is this love that inspires and flows through His faithful servants, Tania and Henry, to bring you this special bread. As you celebrate communion with us at Community of Hope, take a few extra moments to remember the miracle of healing—physical and spiritual—and the enormous love that is behind every tiny slice of this prayerfully prepared holy sacrament.
At Community of Hope Church we celebrate communion every 2nd and 4th Sunday of the month. All who trust and believe in Jesus as their Lord and Savior are welcome to come and celebrate this holy meal, a gift from God to us.
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