I had a great day in church today

[Maru Kitteh]

Once there was a pastor driving down the road and he sees this really nice camper so he decides to stop. He gets out and says to the man there, "That's a really nice camper - how big is it?".
The man tells him "It sleeps about six people".
The man and the pastor talk for a while and the man asks which church the pastor is from.
"I'm from St. Luke's down the road" the pastor tells him.
"Oh really?" the man says, "How big is your church?"
"Well" replies the pastor, "It sleeps about two hundred".

That's the joke our pastor started with today. He's so cool, I really love him. Todays sermon was about how you can tell people who have been truly touched by the holy spirit because they are trying always to do a better job of being more like Christ. They are the ones trying to increase the love, the compassion, kindness and forgiveness in their lives by giving more of these qualities to honor Christ - to live by his compassionate example.

I had a great day in church today, and I just wanted to share.



:grouphug:

[polmaven]

1. Isn't it nice to just enjoy your church service?

I had a great day too. Today is Pentecost, so we had a full sheet cake, white icing, with red trim and red lettering "Happy Birthday to Us".

It truly is a great birhtday, too. We thought our pastor was going to be transferred as of July 1, but circumstances have arisen so that it looks as if she will be staying at least 1 more year.

I am ecstatic! We have only had 4 years with her, and she has, in my opinion, been wonderful for our church. She is very excited as well. She did not want to leave yet. She will celebrate 25 years of ordination next year, and she can think of no place she would rather share the celebration it than with this church.

When she made the announcement, the congregation broke out in applause. I nearly cried, it was so touching. I am the lay leader, so I have known for a couple of weeks......The hardest secret I have ever had to keep. (She needed to get the Bishop's permission to announce it) WOOHOO :woohoo:

[RevCheesehead]

2. Hooray!

I celebrate with you. This time of year is nerve-wracking for Methodist Clergy, for we all fear the dreaded phone call, telling us "I have a great opportunity for you...."

Longer pastorates are the key to a vital church. I am beginning my third year in June, and hope to stay for many more years!

[RevCheesehead]

3. Isn't it a joy to actually love going to worship?

I've been in so many churches where I dreaded going to worship, because the people were so critical of everything I said or did. But when you can simply be there, loving God and one another, true worship happens.

Thanks for sharing your experience! :)

[UrbScotty]

4. It's all about love and compassion

"Love one another as I have loved you." - John 13:34

[Lydia Leftcoast]

5. We had a processional with banners, and the teens who

act as acolytes streaked their hair cherry red. Episcopalians have a custom of wearing red on Pentecost, so I had on a red dress under my choir robe.

The processional hymn was the Pentecost version of "Hail Thee, Festival Day."

Twenty-one new members were received. There was plenty of laughter and music.

The only thing that marred the day was that I was getting over a cold and had my grand finale choking spell just before the recessional. I had to slip out of the choir loft (which, of course, is right up in front) and duck into a side chapel to choke as inconspicuously as possible.