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A Christmas Story

Last night's service was like no other I've ever been to. One of the things that I like about the Episcopal Church is that it is consistent. One service to the next and one church to the next I can count on what will happen in a service.
Last night before the service started I noticed a great number of people I did not recognize. That's OK great to have more in the church. And lots of talking, OK there are a bunch of old folks that like to talk. Then the service started and I tried to find the song...it was different from what was printed. OK last minute change I can go with that. Then we get to the Gospel. I'm waiting for the procession of the cross, candles and bible. I'm looking at the Gospel in the program and I notice Father Suhar wandering toward the middle of the church. He begins to give the sermon. I'm flipping through my program thinking I missed something. Nope, He just skipped over the Gospel. Okay? Go right to the sermon. Jan says he included the Gospel in the sermon but it was his version of it. Ya know they write these things down for a reason.
So we get through that and move on to the offertory. With all the new people in this was a challenge. Many held the plate wondering what to do. During the offertory the bell ringers were attempting to play. The first song restarted 3 times and I heard some of the bell players starting to snicker.
We move on to communion. Uh? did anyone bring the offertory plates to the altar? Nope. The "ushers" move into position and the choirs moves to the rail and I hear what sounds like a horse and Jan is giggling. Somehow she managed to bust her sandal and it was flopping around as she walked. I check outside to see if there are any storm clouds gathering. I'm sure lightning will strike us all.
The people in the first few rows were new to the church and were unsure what they should do for communion. The good father had offered no instructions to the new comers and the "ushers" also offered no help. So we just waited. Finally the "ushers" moves to the next row and we started to go the the rail. The guy next to me was going to dip his host in the wine. He was going for a good dip and dropped the host into the chalice and began fishing it out with his fingers. I have never seen that happen.
After that the service was rather uneventful. Changed a few songs, Jan accusing me of moving an angel and a guy wandering around during the service talking to people and videoing parts of the service. Then we get to the part at the end where we all light candles and sing Silent Night. I'm sure we will burn the place down. But we made it through that and were not struck by lightning. So Merry Christmas and a Happy Krampus to all!


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