Come & Dine

My church has a theme song that speaks to me.  My pastor, whom we affectionately refer to as simply Preacher, leads the song every Sunday.  Sometimes he humorously rewrites the words to reflect a holiday or situation, but every Sunday the chorus remains the same as the congregation chimes in.

"Come & dine, the Master calleth, come and dine.
You may feast at Jesus table all the time.
He who fed the multitude, turned the water into wine,
To the hungry calleth now, Come and Dine.”

One Sunday, a 40ish year old man slipped out of the choir to just stand beside Preacher during this song time.  His name is Billy, and he has Downs Syndrome.  Preacher handled this unexpected turn of events with his usual grace.  From that Sunday forward, we were treated to the Preacher and Billy show. 

As the music for Come and Dine begins, Billy steps forward to take his place beside Preacher.  Between verses, the music quiets, and Preacher asks Billy about some aspect of his week, his opinion of the service that day, or comments on Billy’s suit. He is always dressed in his Sunday best.  We never know just how Billy is going to respond, but the results are often hysterical. 

On really special Sundays, we are treated with the addition of another sweet young man named Bo.  He is Preachers 18 y. o. grandson, and he, too, has Downs Syndrome. 

When Bo was born, his condition was a shock to the family.  But out of their grief and healing, the Lord has given them a special heart for the developmentally challenged.   We have witnessed these young men as believers in Christ with an ever present child-like faith.  It is precious to behold.

Since Bo loves pasta, I am posting my Spaghetti sauce recipe on my blog today.  I never make it without remembering the time that Bo ate 3 helpings at one sitting.  When we sing Come and Dine, we mean it!!!

QUICK SPAGHETTI SAUCE

1 lb. ground beef

1 env. McCormick spaghetti sauce mix

 

1/2 c. onions, chopped

1 (16-oz.) can tomatoes, diced

 

1 large jar, Prego-Traditional flavor

water, if needed, to thin sauce

 

Brown ground beef and onions, Add remaining ingredients and simmer for 20 minutes. This is my all purpose pasta sauce for spaghetti, lasagna, stuffed pasta shells, etc. Substitute tomato sauce for the canned tomatoes if you don't like a chunky sauce.