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Source: (consider it)
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Thread: Did the earth move for you?
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Zappa
Ship's Wake
# 8433
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Posted
bummer ... well that all went off to the ether ![[Frown]](frown.gif)
... St Peter's Eastern Hill, to which I sneak whenever I am in Melbourne. My experience was far more plesant that the linked-to reviewer's, however. The music (even though I only knew one hymn) was sublime, especially the postlude Widor Toccata, to which one lapsed Shippie (and parish warden no less) was bopping shamelesly in the organ loft!
The sermon was a magificent interweaving of faith and literature, exactly my cup of tea, delivered with a warmth and feeling and a laconic California twang. All good, as was the aftermatch in the hall, at which my brother and I were warmly welcomed.
[ 14. October 2009, 11:49: Message edited by: Zappa ]
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shameless self promotion - because I think it's worth it
and mayhap this too: http://broken-moments.blogspot.co.nz/
Posts: 18917 | From: "Central" is all they call it | Registered: Sep 2004
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Zappa
Ship's Wake
# 8433
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Posted
I'm not sure whether the earth moved for me or not at Laguna Hills, C.A. on Sunday. Creative family liturgy - it was I think a "family eucharist", but whether every Sunday follows that pattern I can't tell. It was all very warm, very polished ... yet in the end too polished?
And did anyone speak to me? Ooh,no! Which somehow left a sour note. The music, though, was delightful - unsurprising, I guess, since the parish priest is a maestro and has clearly made musical emphasis a hallmark of his faith and school communities.
A week earlier I was at a pentecostalish church in New Hampshire. The msuic was ghastly - no that's not fair. The music was very performed, and it was fascinating to notice that only about 10% of the congregation actually sang. We didn't need to: th band was tweaked up so loud that no-one else need make any sound at all - and the sound engineer really needed to go back to mixing school: the "hi hat" (percussionally speaking) drowned out the vocalist and all others. On the other hand, while I was ready to (to my shame) be alienated by the sermon, it was instead an extremely good 45 minute applied exegesis. Sure, culturally I don't relate to being yelled at, and I come from a tradition in which the sermon is 30% rather than than 85% of the worship experience, but given those differences it was very good content. Twenty minutes too long for my taste, but in a culture where the "message" is the key focus of gathering, yup, it was good. And there people did greet me and show interest in me as a human being.
So hats off (ha ha - especially hi hats!) to Bethany at Breakfast Hill, Greenland, N.H.
And week one of my US sojourn? Probably not a fair test of a faith community, (Wausau), as I went to the 7.30 a.m. chapel service, not the main worship, and as the regional missions director was speaking as visiting preacher. I was impressed that a service could be over in 40 minutes, though! A sort of sermon with intercessions and (ponderously slow) hymns format, inoffensive but uninspiring - but the people were extremely welcoming and friendly.
So: the pentecostals and the methodists strangely warmed the heart of this curmudgeonly anglican, while the episcopalians somehow chilled me. Go figure. ![[Confused]](confused.gif)
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shameless self promotion - because I think it's worth it
and mayhap this too: http://broken-moments.blogspot.co.nz/
Posts: 18917 | From: "Central" is all they call it | Registered: Sep 2004
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Welease Woderwick
Sister Incubus Nightmare
# 10424
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Posted
Despite the trauma later of being told off for taking photos without permission I was intensely moved last week when we visited the Hindu temple at Thirukadaiyur in Tamil Nadu, the other side of the country from here.
This temple specialises in celebrations of long-standing marriages with the couple re-dedicating themselves to one another often in the presence of family and friends. On our morning visit there were several such ceremonies going on at once in different parts of the temple and amidst the noise of the musicians and the smoke of the fires and the incense and the camphor there was much laughter and a palpable joy in it all as well. After the re-marriage the parents then individually gave blessings to their children and grandchildren and, I suspect in one case, great-grandchildren. It was intensely moving.
I doubt we'll ever go back but I am so glad we went once.
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I give thanks for unknown blessings already on their way.
Fancy a break in South India?
Accessible Homestay Guesthouse in Central Kerala, contact me for details
What part of Matt. 7:1 don't you understand?
Posts: 48139 | From: 1st on the right, straight on 'til morning | Registered: Sep 2005
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To The Pain
Shipmate
# 12235
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Posted
Major earth movements here this weekend.
We had baptisms. I love baptisms. Hearing the stories of four people who have decided to make a public declaration of their faith was so moving. God has really turned some lives around - of the four people baptised yesterday, three had done time in prison and are now experiencing God's freedom.
The whole place was filled with joy and a sense of how amazing a thing this was. The church leader, among others, was briefly in tears.
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Now occasionally blogging.
Hire Bell Tents and camping equipment in Scotland
Posts: 1183 | From: The Granite City | Registered: Jan 2007
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Campbellite
Ut unum sint
# 1202
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Posted
Had a moving moment yesterday. I was invited to preach at a church I had served back in the mid-eighties. Got to see lots of old friends. But there were far more people I did not know, which was wonderful, as that means the church is not only thriving but growing. There were oodles of kids (which were rather scarce there 25 years ago) and young families.
The worship service went well. Lots of involvement by the members (special music - very talented, too!). After worship we had a huge supper provided by one member who is a professional caterer. One of the congregation's mission efforts is to provide leftovers (of which there was a great deal) to a local homeless shelter.
I offer prayers of thanksgiving for Park Street Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Charlottesville. "The Happy Church on the Hill".
[tiny typo fixed]
[ 23. November 2009, 12:58: Message edited by: Campbellite ]
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I upped mine. Up yours.
Suffering for Jesus since 1966.
WTFWED?
Posts: 12001 | From: between keyboard and chair | Registered: Aug 2001
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Eleanorjane
Apprentice
# 15308
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Posted
Oh how the earth stood still this last Sunday! It maybe even receeded a bit!
I normally attend a fairly traditional 8 am but due to being Vicar's Warden I felt I had to attend the combined Thanksgiving service. (A once a year, let's say thanks for the year type event).
Ooh... Firstly it's in a school hall. Secondly, there were tacky bits and pieces like fake flowers, tinsel etc. scattered randomly about. Thirdly, it was largely about the new Church building which just doesn't excite me... Fourthly, there were icky personal issues with folk floating around.. and...no liturgy and...
It left me feeling slightly grubby and like I really don't belong at the Church. I'm stepping down from my position as Vicar's warden due to this mismatch of values and the fact that I might well be travelling next year.
I hope this post isn't too 'Hellish'. ![[Smile]](smile.gif)
On the plus side, my husband and I went to Evensong at the Cathedral that night and had a lovely peaceful experience.
EJ
Posts: 11 | From: NZ | Registered: Nov 2009
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Uncle Pete
Loyaute me lie
# 10422
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Posted
I confess that I felt unmoved during Sunday's mass too... it is so hard to be in a parish where both priests seem to just go through the motions and the Deacon does most of the sermons.
More and more people are transferring their memberships to another parish. I would too, if I could bring myself to move and get to know people all over again.
I am going to grit my teeth, however, and stay . God is still there, and it should be all about Him, not anyone else or lousy politics.
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Even more so than I was before
Posts: 20466 | From: No longer where I was | Registered: Sep 2005
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Welease Woderwick
Sister Incubus Nightmare
# 10424
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Posted
Last Saturday night we were invited to a neighbour's house for a sort of Hindu pooja of dedication before a group headed off on pilgrimage to Sabarimala, it was intensely moving with the chanting and the preparation of bundles for the pilgrims to take to the shrine. This group have since returned tired but moved by their experience.
We have been invited to another such celebration in a couple of weeks for a group that will be walking from a drop off point 2 days away from the shrine.
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I give thanks for unknown blessings already on their way.
Fancy a break in South India?
Accessible Homestay Guesthouse in Central Kerala, contact me for details
What part of Matt. 7:1 don't you understand?
Posts: 48139 | From: 1st on the right, straight on 'til morning | Registered: Sep 2005
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Huia
Shipmate
# 3473
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Posted
Wow!!!
Did it ever! An Advent service full of hope, a new Shirley Murray* hymn and 'Panis Angelicus' played on the organ and trumpet ![[Yipee]](graemlins/spin.gif) I was totally overwhelmed, and still am really. I have never experiences being surrounded by music in that way before.
*Shirley Murray is a contemporary NZ hymnwriter.
Huia
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Charity gives food from the table, Justice gives a place at the table.
Posts: 10382 | From: Te Wai Pounamu | Registered: Oct 2002
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JoannaP
Shipmate
# 4493
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Posted
The earth did not move - it was far too stable for that.
I have known throughout my illness that All Saints would still be there when I felt ready to go back, and it was. Not unchanged, some familiar faces were missing and there were several new ones, also the choir has grown - and they were in fine voice. The worship felt the same as before with an interesting and thought-provoking sermon. All in all a good return. Now to keep it up.
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"Freedom for the pike is death for the minnow." R. H. Tawney (quoted by Isaiah Berlin)
"Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety." Benjamin Franklin
Posts: 1877 | From: England | Registered: May 2003
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Dennis the Menace
Shipmate
# 11833
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Zappa:
It rocked. Even if the organist screwed up "There’s a light upon the mountain". There were lots of little hiccups along the way, but it was one of those liturgies that pulsed Godness from go to whoa. Thanks be to God.
Zappa, must be something with that hymn. Our organist stuffed it up today too. She decided it should be in a lower key ( "waaay too high for the 'oldies'" etc) and only told the pianist so as she was playing the intro. Pianist couldn't transpose at sight so went off in a huff, with both complaining to me after the service about the other!!! They are both very talented musos but with very different intrepretations of tempo and rhythm.
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"Till we cast our crowns before Him; Lost in wonder, love, and praise."
Posts: 853 | From: Newcastle NSW Australia | Registered: Sep 2006
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Uncle Pete
Loyaute me lie
# 10422
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Posted
I recently switched parishes, as at my former parish, changes and politics and my increasing irritation were getting in the way of my worship of God. I went off to the next parish in the eastend (some twenty minutes further than my former parish), attended a weekday mass and signed up. Today will be my first Sunday. I am sure it will be fine. Because God is back in view.
![[Votive]](graemlins/votive.gif)
[ 20. December 2009, 09:27: Message edited by: PeteC ]
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Even more so than I was before
Posts: 20466 | From: No longer where I was | Registered: Sep 2005
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Penny Lane
Shipmate
# 3086
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Posted
Today the choir sang one of my favorite anthems - it always brings both tears and chillbumps - Robert Leaf's "Rise up, you heirs of glory". I want it sung at my funeral.
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~Penny
Posts: 1130 | From: North Carolina, USA | Registered: Jul 2002
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To The Pain
Shipmate
# 12235
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Posted
I'm finding all the carol singing curiously earth-moving at the moment.
For some reason, the atrium/cafeteria of the fairly modern (can't be ten years old yet) lab and office building next door to us has fabulous acoustics for singing so they have carols on the last day of term each year. The lines in In The Bleak Midwinter about 'heaven cannot hold Him, nor Earth sustain' had me welling up on Friday.
I skipped half of the family service on Sunday (overslept then had last minute Christmas presents to prepare) but the very end of their 'Light of the World' service and a few carols was lovely. Following that with great fellowship and celebrating a marriage that was solemnised on another continent made for a wonderful Sunday.
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Now occasionally blogging.
Hire Bell Tents and camping equipment in Scotland
Posts: 1183 | From: The Granite City | Registered: Jan 2007
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Campbellite
Ut unum sint
# 1202
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Posted
Zappa, I sympathize. We all have days like that now and then.
Oddly, I have been surprised by worshipers coming up to me afterward, telling me that something I had said in the sermon had spoken directly to what was going on in their life, and was helpful to them. Funny how God can make silk purses of blessings out of our homiletical sow's ears.
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I upped mine. Up yours.
Suffering for Jesus since 1966.
WTFWED?
Posts: 12001 | From: between keyboard and chair | Registered: Aug 2001
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Dennis the Menace
Shipmate
# 11833
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Posted
Alas it was a flat experience for me today. We had a lay person as Revdrfather was on holidays. Whilst the preacher had some good points, his delivery tends to put me to sleep along with his off beat sense of humour.
I am ashamed to say my mind wandered a tad during the sermon.
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"Till we cast our crowns before Him; Lost in wonder, love, and praise."
Posts: 853 | From: Newcastle NSW Australia | Registered: Sep 2006
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JoannaP
Shipmate
# 4493
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Posted
I am not sure that the earth moved - perhaps it swayed gently. But it was a good service: the congo and choir, tho' both smaller than usual, were in good voice (partially due to a good choice of hymns); the sermon was intelligent and thought-provoking and I was distracted by this poor man who was trying to worship God while keeping an eye on 2 junior school aged boys.
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"Freedom for the pike is death for the minnow." R. H. Tawney (quoted by Isaiah Berlin)
"Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety." Benjamin Franklin
Posts: 1877 | From: England | Registered: May 2003
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Mamacita
Lakefront liberal
# 3659
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Posted
I've been hesitating to post this, afraid it might sound arrogant or self-serving. But I think perhaps those of you who have more preaching experience than I might understand. While giving the homily at the Family Service on Christmas Eve (my third time in the pulpit) there was a moment. I was sort of leaning in to my most important sentence, trying to say something comprehensible about "the Word was made flesh" and then something happened where my voice almost broke and tears almost came. It passed, but for a second I felt like I wasn't alone up there.
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Do not be daunted by the enormity of the world’s grief. Do justly, now. Love mercy, now. Walk humbly, now. You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to abandon it.
Posts: 20761 | From: where the purple line ends | Registered: Dec 2002
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Foaming Draught
The Low in Low Church
# 9134
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Posted
Clarence & I are on hol in New Zealand in Zappa's & kuruman's lovely little town. We recommend it highly as a recuperative resort. This morning's service at St Triangle's exceeded even Fr Zappa's & Rev kuru's customary co-operation with the Holy Spirit. It included O for a thousand tongues to sing to Lyngham, sung, I could have sworn, by many thousands. Talk about a "Wow" moment.
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Australians all let us ring Joyce
For she is young and free
Posts: 8661 | From: Et in Australia Ego | Registered: Feb 2005
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Huia
Shipmate
# 3473
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Posted
A bit flat cos the audiologist used a slightly different setting on my replacement hearing aid and I couldn't hear the spoken bits very well, although the music was Ok.
Off to the audiologist so I don't have a repeat experience.
Huia
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Charity gives food from the table, Justice gives a place at the table.
Posts: 10382 | From: Te Wai Pounamu | Registered: Oct 2002
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JoannaP
Shipmate
# 4493
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Posted
I am on a course this week and have to travel this afternoon, so went to the 8 o'clock communion. It was a beautiful service - the only distraction being my inability to place our curate's accent. Even the cooing of the wood pigeons on the roof added to the atmosphere. Despite being a congo of 3, we had an interesting sermon-ette, linking both readings, and very thoughtful, comprehensive intercessions (which is not always the case at the main service, as one of the rota seems to have stopped praying for the world). Definitely worth getting up for
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"Freedom for the pike is death for the minnow." R. H. Tawney (quoted by Isaiah Berlin)
"Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety." Benjamin Franklin
Posts: 1877 | From: England | Registered: May 2003
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Tree Bee
Ship's tiller girl
# 4033
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Posted
After meeting, about 20 of us sang from the Quaker song book - who knew?
It was most uplifting.
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"Any fool can make something complicated. It takes a genius to make it simple."
— Woody Guthrie
http://saysaysay54.wordpress.com
Posts: 5257 | From: me to you. | Registered: Feb 2003
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To The Pain
Shipmate
# 12235
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Posted
This Sunday was the Annual Review, which could easily have been a bit dry but turned out to be a wonderful ennumeration of the ways in which God has been moving us over the past year.
Ably assisted by a rendition of In Christ Alone that had me on my own little God high and followed by an afternoon with a dear friend who is coming into her own as a new Street Pastor. Good Stuff.
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Now occasionally blogging.
Hire Bell Tents and camping equipment in Scotland
Posts: 1183 | From: The Granite City | Registered: Jan 2007
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Lothlorien
Ship's Grandma
# 4927
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Posted
The earth moved quietly but definitely and most unexpectedly for me this morning.
As the sign of the cross was being made during the benediction, i suddenly found myself on the point of tears. Quite out of the blue and no reason that I could see. The almost tears were as quickly replaced by a feeling of a deep and pervading peace and calmness.
Part of the sermon had been about allowing the Spirit to do what God wanted to do in us. I don't really know but wonder if that was the trigger. However, I've decided not to be analytical but to enjoy what was given
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Buy a bale. Help our Aussie rural communities and farmers. Another great cause needing support The High Country Patrol.
Posts: 9745 | From: girt by sea | Registered: Aug 2003
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Clarence
Shipmate
# 9491
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Posted
The music was average (though the Fijian choir were great), communion was not the way I feel comfortable, there was only one reading and no formal liturgy except around communion, but I was in tears for at least half the service.
But there was such heartfelt sincerity in the worship and such a strong focus on the Gospel that there was no doubt that the Spirit was in that place this morning.
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I scraped my knees while I was praying - Paramore
Posts: 793 | From: Over the rainbow | Registered: May 2005
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Zappa
Ship's Wake
# 8433
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Posted
You betcha! well, the later liturgy did. Great hymns, kuru playing organ and piano, our resident singer songwriter playing beautiful, (recorded!) input from Billy Joel, and just a powerful, penitential yet joy-filled feeling to it all. Two possible heart attacks just added to the solemnity of it, I'm sure (both recovering)!
Not to mention a plethora (well small, but more than none!) of children, as new people test the waters, and many seem to be staying or returning, the impact largely of the input of our newly commissioned children and families co-ordinator.
God is goos, methinks.
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shameless self promotion - because I think it's worth it
and mayhap this too: http://broken-moments.blogspot.co.nz/
Posts: 18917 | From: "Central" is all they call it | Registered: Sep 2004
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Dennis the Menace
Shipmate
# 11833
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Posted
Yes it did for me too. However, the feeling was shortlived as our resident 'misery' complained at great lengths to both the pianist and myself as to the choice of the tune for the last hymn. He wouldn't listen when I pointed out the set tune was unknown. Even when the pianist pointed out that his son, who is pastor of a happy clappy church in Perth and a very capable musician, would have used the tune we did, he would not listen. During coffee hour he badgered all his cronies with his opinion on the hymn as well. This same 'misery' has walked out of sermons when he didn't agree with what the preacher had to say.
On a brighter note, we were highly complimented on the music selections by others. But I find it disheartening when just one unwarranted comment ruins the feeling for the day..
Haing said all that, I now feel a whole lot better.
GOG
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"Till we cast our crowns before Him; Lost in wonder, love, and praise."
Posts: 853 | From: Newcastle NSW Australia | Registered: Sep 2006
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To The Pain
Shipmate
# 12235
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Posted
Yes, an earth-moving this week for us. God used that to keep working on a few things with me. I need to let them go, I know I do so I'll keep bringing them to the cross and hoping that the casual things people say without thinking about them (sometimes from the front of church) won't keep bringing them up in my mind.
God is so good and continues to be good to us.
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Now occasionally blogging.
Hire Bell Tents and camping equipment in Scotland
Posts: 1183 | From: The Granite City | Registered: Jan 2007
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JoannaP
Shipmate
# 4493
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Posted
The earth certainly rocked at the Women's World Day of Prayer service I attended yesterday afternoon. The local junior school was there and they led some of the singing, accompanied by shakers they had made. They also did a dramatic version of the reading from Acts. It added an extra dimension to what was an excellent and moving service.
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"Freedom for the pike is death for the minnow." R. H. Tawney (quoted by Isaiah Berlin)
"Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety." Benjamin Franklin
Posts: 1877 | From: England | Registered: May 2003
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Snags
Utterly socially unrealistic
# 15351
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Posted
Woohoo! Don't often get to say it about Sundays at the moment, but have just come back from a mid-week thing that I really wasn't sure would work and it chuffin' rocked! Well, I think it did, at any rate, so I'm taking that moment
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Vain witterings :-: Vain pretentions :-: The Dog's Blog(locks)
Posts: 1399 | From: just north of That London | Registered: Dec 2009
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Zappa
Ship's Wake
# 8433
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Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Gay Organ Grinder:
Yes it did for me too. However, the feeling was shortlived as our resident 'misery' complained at great lengths to both the pianist and myself as to the choice of the tune for the last hymn. He wouldn't listen when I pointed out the set tune was unknown. Even when the pianist pointed out that his son, who is pastor of a happy clappy church in Perth and a very capable musician, would have used the tune we did, he would not listen. During coffee hour he badgered all his cronies with his opinion on the hymn as well. This same 'misery' has walked out of sermons when he didn't agree with what the preacher had to say.
...sometimes I think a punch to the jaw (in pacific and Christian lurve) is a fine lenten discipline. His, no yours.
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shameless self promotion - because I think it's worth it
and mayhap this too: http://broken-moments.blogspot.co.nz/
Posts: 18917 | From: "Central" is all they call it | Registered: Sep 2004
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Huia
Shipmate
# 3473
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Posted
The service was great, very thought-provoking, with some lovely new NZ music. Afterwards a group of us went for a reflective wander in the small suburban remnant of bush that was preserved by some of the early settlers here and now provides a creche for handraised kiwi, so that they can later be freed back into the bush.
Huia
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Charity gives food from the table, Justice gives a place at the table.
Posts: 10382 | From: Te Wai Pounamu | Registered: Oct 2002
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geroff
Shipmate
# 3882
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Posted
Alleluia Alleluia Christ Has Risen
..... and yet the preacher decides that it is time to speak about .. well I'm not sure what. We had ringing of hands about how terrible life is and what will happen to humanity with a long dramatic reading of a parable according to Max Locado and on and on....
most strange!
At least the Easter Vigil in the Cathedral was jolly and dramtic!
Happy Easter!
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"The first principle in science is to invent something nice to look at and then decide what it can do." Rowland Emett 1906-1990
Posts: 1172 | From: Montgomeryshire, Wales | Registered: Jan 2003
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cattyish
Wuss in Boots
# 7829
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Posted
Yes, in the prayer thread. God's confirming presence.
Cattyish.
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...to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived, this is to have succeeded.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Posts: 1794 | From: Scotland | Registered: Jul 2004
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Lothlorien
Ship's Grandma
# 4927
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Posted
Really great service this morning. A good sermon from the woman from the Australian Board of Mission which tied the gospel reading in very well with ABM and the congregation without stretching the text and without being heavy on the promotion.
Good tunes and hymns. A great looking back and yet forward in the Eucharist. Everything just fitted and flowed together really well, although there are generally no problems there. I felt transported.
I think that this was partly due to my new hearing aids which have made the music so much easier for me to hear and to sing to. No fiddling with volume etc as with the old aids.
I think I floated down the hill to home afterwards.
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Buy a bale. Help our Aussie rural communities and farmers. Another great cause needing support The High Country Patrol.
Posts: 9745 | From: girt by sea | Registered: Aug 2003
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To The Pain
Shipmate
# 12235
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Posted
The earth has been moving a lot in the last three Sundays - two at an island church we were visiting and one back home this weekend that all would have had me in tears. I am now tired and stressed out but upheld by someone I can really trust to hold me up.
God is good. And he gave me an evening on the middle of those three Sundays that included a walk with a friend who was trying to fathom how to take onboard the sermon. We talked a lot of things through and enjoyed a beautiful sunset (He sure knows how to show off) and danced like baby dinosaurs. She walked back into our caravan and said to the other friend we were holidaying with, 'Man it's tough being a theologically challenged baby dinosaur'. Made my night.
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Now occasionally blogging.
Hire Bell Tents and camping equipment in Scotland
Posts: 1183 | From: The Granite City | Registered: Jan 2007
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Zappa
Ship's Wake
# 8433
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Posted
Bloody awful. The organist played one of my favourite hymns to some bloody boppy tune ("and when human hearts are breaking under sorrow's iron rod" does not sound great sung to somethin resembling "I wish I were a friggin' flutterby") and another hymn that no-one knew, and the vicar (me) buggered up his sermon. ![[Help]](graemlins/help.gif)
Maybe at the 9.30?
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shameless self promotion - because I think it's worth it
and mayhap this too: http://broken-moments.blogspot.co.nz/
Posts: 18917 | From: "Central" is all they call it | Registered: Sep 2004
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Uncle Pete
Loyaute me lie
# 10422
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Posted
Well, when I come to your church when I am visiting you, I will ask to read the text, and otherwise sit there with a beatific look on my face while you are expostulating.
I don't do music, and so long as I don't hear the strains of Shine ![[Devil]](graemlins/devil.gif) , Jesus, ![[Angel]](graemlins/angel.gif) , shine it will be fine by me.
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Even more so than I was before
Posts: 20466 | From: No longer where I was | Registered: Sep 2005
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Belle Ringer
Shipmate
# 13379
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Posted
Fist time in church this summer, got lots of hugs from friends, the music was blah, sermon seemed pretty good until he made a comment that I guess was a joke? about of course no one likes mothers-in-law, how could anyone? Given that half the congregation are mothers-in-law, I thought that joke inappropriate.
But then, I dislike belittling statements (humor or not) about anyone, especially from the pulpit! But maybe he tells anti-mother-in-law jokes to his own mother-in-law in private as well as in public?
He also said single people have more time for God, which made me wonder why his target demographic for recruiting new members is young couples with children instead of singles who (by his own argument quoting Paul) would bring more God-awareness into the church community.
So, I guess the earth moved for me, in two ways, bad and good: the small destructive earthquake of the preacher's comments and inconsistencies, the love of friends.
Posts: 5830 | From: Texas | Registered: Jan 2008
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![[Waterworks]](graemlins/bawling.gif)
(maybe 9.30 will be better)![[Eek!]](eek.gif)
![[Hot and Hormonal]](icon_redface.gif){kind=icon}
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