Lovely weekend began with celebration of Katherine’s birthday
foursome brunch in Pittsboro
traveled next to artists gallery in Creedmoor
she selected glass pumpkin (which she collects) as gift
then home to play lively mahjong.
Saturday funeral in Roxboro with pretty backroads drive
good to see colleagues and former church members.
Neighbor invited me to Pittsboro UMC
may I ride with you?
of course but we go to Sunday school first is that okay
I’m not sure I can keep my mouth shut in bible study I worried to Keith
you can do it he said.
Sunday school was a dozen older people around a table
lesson was in Luke’s Gospel but we began in Genesis
under the oaks of mamre
the teacher asked who were Abraham’s three visitors?
someone actually – actually! – answered the Trinity
the teacher said she had never heard this
they probably were God and two angels
I said nothing.
Late service in the old sanctuary
lovely space not as large as I guessed
big brass cross up front
stained glass windows potted plants
short curved Communion rail I guess they don’t kneel
organ piano choir
young pastor wears headset mic does not robe
bowtie reminds me of Bruce Stanley (smile)
he preached the last of three-part series on Prodigal Son.
The choir was superb excellent music
we sang Love Divine All Loves Excelling one of my favs.
I sat third row from front
between mahjong friend I recognized
and neighbors who brought me.
Church is hard for me friend said softly before service began
why is that I wondered
I was married to United Methodist pastor
who cheated on me with someone he was counseling
this was in Virginia
I’m so sorry I said
church is difficult for many people
you know I’m a retired pastor
we can talk about it sometime I offered
she said the one thing I want to leave with from worship
is a sense of hope
if I can just feel hope
it helps me get through the week.
Yes that is true for all of us I said.
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