July 7: Communion on the Moon

Did you know that the first foods consumed on the moon were the communion elements from a church service?

Before his Apollo 11 mission, astronaut Buzz Aldrin wondered whether it might be possible to take communion on the moon.  His pastor enthusiastically supported the idea, and arrangements were made.

In 1969, when Neil Armstrong and Aldrin descended to the lunar surface, Aldrin was carrying a special container.  It held a bit of bread and tiny chalice of wine that he had brought from his Presbyterian church.  Aldrin then read a prayer illustrating his trust that in exploring space, humankind was acting in God’s name.  Afterward, he consumed the bread and wine.

The incident was kept quiet at the time because a prominent atheist was involved in a legal battle objecting to the reading of Scripture by the crew of Apollo 8.  Twenty years later, the truth was finally revealed, showing that God was not forgotten during one of the great scientific accomplishments of the 20th century.

Consider the wondrous works of God.  (Job 37:14)

Guide me in exploring the mysteries of life and the world,

Creator.