Back In the Pulpit Again

Today was my first opportunity to preach following sick leave and surgery. The congregation was gracious in welcoming me back. Martin, Christine, Ron, Jeni Allie and Nicole all came up from the Seattle area to provide family support. They sat in the balcony where I could see them very well from the pulpit. I must say that it felt very good to be involved in leading worship once again. Through my illness, I think I only missed one Sunday in attending worship. Against my family's protests I was determined to be present three days after being released from the hospital. Somehow, the need to give thanks and praise to God became of primary importance to me. It is hard to express the value of such a loving community of support through an illness. My sermon addressed the text for the day which was the story of Jesus healing ten people with leprosy. I sought to tie the experience of healing into my recent journey. The sermon is posted on the web site of the First Congregational United Church of Christ. In the afternoon we had a leisurely lunch celebrating the birthdays of son-in-law Ron and granddaughter Allie. It was a full and very pleasant day. Marilyn and I took a mile walk around the neighborhood in the late afternoon and snacked on leftovers for supper. Posted by Donel at October 10, 2004 01:18 PM