As a soldier at one particular post I worshipped with a wonderful military   congregation.  We had a group of three chaplains who served as worship leader and preacher alternatively.  As each fifth Sunday approached when we would celebrate the coming together of our appetites, the chaplain who served as worship leader that week would remind us of the coming event with a full deliberation on the proper preparation procedure for a perfect cheesecake.

None of these chaplains could agree on the proper preparation procedure for a perfect cheesecake.

One fifth Sunday our congregation gathered around the tables and peered at the juicy morsels of which we were about to partake.  Right at the head of the table, two big pans from KFC tempted us to anticipate God's blessings before the official prayer.  Next to them, mounds of tater salad and fixin's graced the table. But placed prominently in the center were three cheesecakes with little flags admonishing  three chaplains to "please share."

As soon as our designated prayer leader finished with his resounding and hungry "AMEN" we captured our mealtime equipment and laid into the arrangement on the table.  Each of the three cheesecake savvy chaplains hurried to their special dessert and snickered at the joke, then promptly cut a piece before the rest was kidnapped by hungry disciples.

By the time the tagalongs at the end of the line approached the three pans, they found nary a morsel with which to enrich their cholesterol level.

Again, this morning I snickered as my current Pastor announced tonight's special Missions Potluck Dinner.  He reminded us that chicken was provided, and that our last names determined  what we were to bring.  He kept mentioning the word "dessert."

I can't help but wonder if he wants a cheesecake.

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