AS WE GATHER When it comes to biblical foods, bread is prominent throughout the pages of Scripture. The first mention of bread is found in Genesis, the first book of the Bible, where it is an indicator of fellowship. When Abram (later called Abraham) returns from a successful military campaign, local tribal rulers in his home region who were known as kings came out to meet him in the Kings Valley. Among these rulers was Melchizedek, the king of Salem, who brought out bread and wine as part of the welcome for Abram (Genesis 14:18). Although a common dietary component in biblical times, bread that was given and shared had great symbolic value. Since the earliest form of the Lord’s Supper included a ceremonial breaking of the bread, Christian worship in New Testament times came to be known by that name. Luke records in Acts that the first Christians “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers” (2:42). As we gather for worship with the breaking of the bread, we also remember those ties of fellowship shared by Melchizedek and Abram, by the first Christians, and by the faithful of every generation!