Preacher Man!

This weekend is my grandmother's 80th birthday. Happy Birthday Grandma (she reads this blog).

We are having a bigger celebration this summer, but several of her family members are going to be in town this weekend. Our family is going to "take over" the Sunday morning worship service and fill it with her descendants reading, communion, and singing. Originally, I signed up to play the organ. It's sort of my role when I go back to my small town.

However, I got an invitation from the pastor to preach this Sunday. I was interested in the idea. I don't get to preach very often, since I'm not clergy (hence, the name of this blog). I do it occasionally, and I enjoy it. I also thought that preparing a sermon and giving it would be easier than trying to find time to practice the organ during this hectic week.

Here's the other factor that needs to be taken into consideration. Apparently, I'm the only person who plays the organ in my home church. Everyone else who helps with musical leadership plays the piano. Whenever I come to town, my grandmother (and her friends) all get so excited when I play the organ. It's not that I'm really any good. I took lessons a long time ago, and I plunk it out however I need to. They tell me how much they miss the organ, and they love to hear it.

If I preached, I wouldn't play. That's just too complicated. It's hard to run from leading one portion of the worship to lead a completely different aspect.

I decided that I would preach (sorry, Grandma!). However, my week is still pretty busy. I haven't even had time to read the texts properly. I'm hoping I can set aside a little time tonight to live into the text. I want to make my clergy friends proud!

Do you think that the greatest gift you can give an 80-year old is a sermon?