Instead of taking advantage of that extra hour to check LJ/e-mail i skimed/took notes on yet another book. I think i'm finally actually ready to start writing the paper now. (It is, of course, due tomorrow.)
I also had breakfast at Chase-Duckett (yay food) and went to church for the first time save Family Weekend in the past, oh, month and a half. (I've slept in a lot; so sue me.)
PRELUDE MEDITATIONA number of the children (in Halloween costume, no less) read the Call to Worship (each kid reading a different line) and kimono!girl (who was more like ninja!girl come coffee hour) who was the smallest of the children up there had such a strong, sure voice when she read her line.
You are accepted. You are accepted, accepted by that which is greater than you, and the name of which you do not know. Do not ask for the name now; perhaps you will find it later. Do not try to do anything now; perhaps later you will do much. Simply accept the fact that you are accepted!
-Paul Tillich
There was also a baptism. Both parents were women and i wondered if i've ever been to a hetero-parented baptism at First Churches. (Once, i think.)
The sacrament of baptism is an outward and visible sign of the grace of God. Inasmuch as the promise of the Gospel is not only to us, but also to these children, baptism with water and the Holy Spirit is the mark of their acceptance into the care of Christ's Church, the sign and seal of their participation in God's forgiveness, and the beginning of their growth into full Christian faith and discipleship.I really like how they say "This morning's offering will now be given and received" instead "The morning's offering will now be taken."
The Scripture reading was Luke 19:1-10 and i was distracted during the whole sermon trying to remember all the words to "Zacch(a)eus Was a Wee Little Man." [And yes, i did find the words online. The pages that have the version i knew as a kid have lots of other stuff on the page as well, hence my not linking.]
