Sunday Scaries

Church is a huge part of my life. Prior to applying for this position,  I found two potential churches online and last Sunday and this I visited one from my list. It was a way different experience from my first church Sunday in Boston. Then I had an anxiety attack in my car for 10 minutes, hid in the downstairs bathroom another 10 minutes, before finding a seat in the farthest corner of the auditorium. This time, I planned my bus route well, showed up about 15 minutes early just in time to catch the end of the worship team rehearsal, and choose a seat half way down the one aisle. I stopped by the welcome table after and introduced myself to a few people. This week I went back, and sat on the other side. 

As the intro music began, the worship director sang "There is a Redeemer" in some language I couldn't identify (perhaps Luxembourgish?). As the worship service progressed (in English), I was surprised to see a few extra choruses to "How Great is Our God", in both French and German. My Duolingo is certainly paying off, as I understood every word in German and could read the words correctly. The singing followed with prayers and readings in various accents, before wrapping up with a good ole' American accent for the sermon. The church name is All Nations and it truly felt like that this morning. An accurate representation of Christianity, from multiple nations and languages, united in a common faith. 

No matter the church though, some things don't change: namely, sound guys frantically running between the stage and their equipment.

The theme today was Jesus as the Shepherd who knows His sheep. He knows me. On the dark and lonely days, on the bright and cheerful ones; He knows my pain and He knows the triumphs. And He will hold me fast.