Playing Hooky From First Congregational UCC

This morning Marilyn and I attended the Custer United Methodist Church where Bobbi Virta is pastor. I was eager to see Bobbi in her new setting and this seemed a good Sunday to visit.We arrived a bit early and Bobbi's husband Pasi was there to greet us and suggest a good place to sit (in the third pew). When the service started he joined us.

The church just celebrated its centennial although the building is newer. It is clear that the congregation loves this building. It is beautifully kept up, clean and inviting. The sanctuary has spectacular stained glass windows in different styles. It is clear that at Custer everybody knows your name. The warmth and sense of family is palpable.

The service was comfortable and informal with a number of laity taking part, leading favorite hymns at the beginning of worship, sharing announcements, providing a time with children, and reading scripture.

Bobbi provided the context of the theme of Jesus welcoming followers into the sheepfold and made the metaphor both inclusive and intensely personal. The sermon balanced the text with our lives as faithful people. Several times during the preaching she did what I always look for in fine preaching. She surprised me by drawing something out of the scripture that I didn't expect, like "If Jesus is your shepherd, no others need apply."

Following the sermon, Bobbi invited people to share joys and concerns. Following each one Bobbi shared a brief extemporaneous prayer ending with "God hear our prayer" to which we answered "And in your love, answer."

Marilyn and I returned home feeling that we had found a lovely congregation where the worship of God was authentic and artful. And we all felt grateful for Bobbi Virta's gift for ministry.