The Coming

This week everything was back to normal at the church. Linda and I had a great meeting last week about the next few weeks--the last few of this semester! Already! I can't believe that this semester is wrapping up.

My mom and Chris were here this week, and it was interesting to notice how different things are for me when someone I know is watching. Of course, I know most of the people every Sunday when I get up there and lead the prayers, read the readings, or sing the Psalm, etc. Yet knowing Mom and Chris were there changed things ever so slightly. As much as I want Mom to be able to see me storytell and preach next week, I am also kind of glad that there is not that added pressure. I also managed to pick a Sunday to preach when Josiah won't be here yet, so hopefully that will lessen my fears as I go up to preach next Sunday.

We also had three baptisms this morning at the early service. There was a baby, and then a 5 and 7 year old set of siblings. I haven't seen many multiple-baptism services before, so this was especially powerful. Although the baby cried a little (most do, unless they're asleep), the two older kids were absolutely wonderful to watch. Linda didn't hold back on the water, and they were both dripping by the time they were done. It was a really moving experience to see how older children react to the beautiful miracle that is baptism, and I hope I get to see more of these.

I really enjoyed Linda's sermon this week, as well. She spoke about what Advent is, rather than what it is not (i.e. Christmas). She did a good job of explaining the church year, what the purpose of Advent is, and how we can truly celebrate Advent. I'm excited, because I'm preaching next week and I think our sermons mesh pretty well. I think we're trying to get a pretty similar message across, but in a very different way and extremely different texts. I spent a lot of this week enjoying the beginning of Advent, but also thinking about what next week is going to hold. I'm pretty nervous, but we'll see!