Pastor Smith looked out over his flock during while welcoming them all to worship. He sadly took note that both the crucifer and the acolyte had failed to appear for duty. At least the assisting minister had come in right at the last minute. Attendance looked a little low that morning—Pastor Smith wondered what was occurring “out there” today tat was keeping people away. Maybe it was a whole lot of different things—these people were busy with kids on one end of the scale and aging parents on the other. There were many good excuses for not being at worship each week—but still, he sighed deeply.
At least the “old reliables” were in their usual seats, thought he. Mrs. Klopher had arrived at her usual time and had been seen smiling during the first hymn—Rock of Ages. The Rood clan was sitting in the back today—probably had a sick child to care for.
Each face had a story behind it, each had different issues, cares, concerns, and joys—and each, the pastor knew, had a different way of being worshipful to God. Some were quietly reverent, and some were boisterously reverent, and some fell in between. Could they all just get along, he wondered?
Pastor Smith’s children’s message was a bomber, but he recovered his dignity in the sermon when he spoke on the text “Wherever two or more are gathered in my name, I am there with them.” Jesus said this to reassure the disciples that he would indeed be with them after his death. But Pastor Smith took a new spin on it by noting that no where in the text did it say that the two people had to agree on how they would be “in Jesus’ name.” Green book or Cranberry, intinction or common cup, Old Lord’s Prayer or modern version, Jeans or Suits—didn’t matter. All that was needed was two people calling on the name of Jesus! Oh, and one other thing. Respect. Both had to respect each other’s way of worshiping.
At that point the organist dropped his big hymn book on the piano keys, amking a dissonant bang, waking up the Henrish baby and setting her to caterwauling! She eventually settled down, and Pastor Smith regained some semblance of order through the rest of the service. The candles never did get lit, though.
It was the best of worship services, it was the worst of worship services.
TO BE CONTINUED…
3 comments:
So, is it to early to make a comment on where this seems to be going? If not, my comment would be, "Yes" and "No".
Stick with it, there is an element of yes and no in this thinly veiled story.
Ok', so be it. I await the next episode with baited breath. Eye's glued to the screen whilst awaiting your nest epistle to the masses.
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