Tuesday, March 22, 2016

Easter surprise

This week was all planned out tying up (some) loose ends before we fly back to England on March 28th.  Because it is Holy Week we aimed to share in worship services along the way culminating in a glorious Easter Day.   However, last Sunday, at First Baptist Church Wheaton (where I was interim preacher 2000-2002) we learned that the pastor's sister had just suffered a cerebral hemorrhage which meant he needed to fly to be with her.  As Carol was talking with him and his wife she said they seemed so anguished she felt moved to offer me as a substitute preacher should he not be able to return in time!   She says she knows my heart so well that she was sure I wouldn't mind!  I dare not pause too long to analyze just what this means for our relationship!


Yesterday he called me and asked me to stand in for him.  I am utterly surprised! Suddenly from sitting in the pews in the same church these last two Sundays I have been catapulted to lead the people on the best Sunday of the year.  Surprise and great privilege. I grieve over the reason but now(so completely out of the blue) am entering the preaching preparation process.  Of course, I only have myself to blame.  If I keep banging on about the importance of preaching and have even launched a facebook community page.....I should be prepared to step up, especially on Resurrection Day.   

2 comments:

Brian said...

Michael, I pray for you in this unexpected situation -but what a great opportunity. Tempted to say that with your great talent you should never be sitting in the pew - but I know, like organists, there are times when we MUST be able to worship and not lead. We need to be filled in order to give out, whether in preaching or leading in music.Every blessing.
Still chuckling over the chair incident.Had vision of you,with tablecloth tucked in to shirt top, slowly bringing all the table contents with you as you descended slowly into the abyss. Brian

Andrew Martin said...

Hope you get "blown away" by the Holy Spirit on Sunday, Michael! Looking forward to receiving you back home next week. Andrew