Tale of Two Pieties (continued)

It was the best of worship services, it was the worst of worship services.

Sam Rood and his wife and two young sons got to church right on time—or close to it anyway. They dropped the boys off for Sunday School, then went to the Adult Seminar. Sam was grateful that people were laid back here and didn’t mind if he wore his jeans to church, or came in a few minutes late. It was really like a second family here. Sam and his wife felt comfortably close to God here because of that—not like at their last church.

Sam and family partook of the snacks before heading in to the sanctuary. Then came the weekly decision of where to sit. Sometimes it was up front so the kids could see all that was going on, and sometimes (when they were less than cooperative) it was in the back. Today was a back row day. But not to worry—folks here accepted kids for who they were, and no doubt someone would help them keep the two boys relatively quiet.

Things went pretty well for them that day. The sermon was interesting and inspiring and the music – just the right mixture of good old hymns and contemporary praise songs. One of the boys needed to go to the rest room during the prayers. And it was at that point when Sam noticed Mrs. Klopher frowning at him. He suddenly felt like a child with his hand in the cookie jar. He rushed the boy out of the sanctuary, and snuck back in during the passing of the peace.

It was the best of worship services, it was the worst of worship services.

TO BE CONTINUED…