Some congregations are not celebrating the Festival of Reformation until next weekend but our area congregations did. My day began with Bible study at GS and then worship, with Sterling on the MIDI. He did a 'sterling' job of it, too! (Ha,ha...) It was Fellowship Sunday but Justin and I went to Panera Bread for a quick lunch instead.
I ordered the small mac 'n cheese while Justin had a sandwich and soup. Originally I was going to get gas at the station across the street but they seemed to be out of gas! Only diesel fuel available. I was heading to Stephanie's house first to watch the Packer/Jaguar game so my new plan was to get gas on Baymeadows Road, either going or coming back.
Stephanie was still busy in her kitchen when I arrived but she was able to converse through her pass-through. Victory was hosting the dinner after the Festival service and there was concern about having enough food since GS was sending a large contingent. Stephanie was making additional food to feed us all! At first the network showing 'our' game had a game from London on, freaked us out!! I sent Justin a text message to see which network we needed and we were right. I guess CBS just wanted to give us a fit.
Stephanie and I are both WI people and Packer fans, as well as Jaguar fans, so it was a win-win either way for us. Mostly we were rooting for the Packers but I cheered for the Jags as well when they did something cheer-worthy. The best part was just being at Stephanie's and that's it!
Right after halftime, I had to leave to go rehearse our choir anthems. Only a couple people were there, GS choir members, ready to go. Some of the ladies were in the kitchen making things ready but they were not choir members. We had a small choir but sounded like more in number. Rachel was able to bring out the best in us with the church acoustics helping greatly.
As the people began to arrive, it was interesting to see how many more GS folks came than did Victory members. I tallied 33 of us from GS, and had reserved for 39. We had the privilege of hearing interesting sermonettes based upon the stanzas of Luther's hymn, The Battle Hymn of the Reformation: "A Mighty Fortress". Pastor Schleicher, serving Christ, Keystone Heights, was the guest preacher.
When I arrived at Victory, the eating area was set up outside on the patio. As we readied to rehearse, tables and chairs were being carried in and set up in the back of the church as the temps were already dropping. I am so glad they did that for us leakers who cannot bear the cold! Plus the food was inside! Such wonderful German recipes were prepared...oh my! I even got to bring home some spaetzel which appeared to be home-made. Much much was leftover but I did my share to the dishes.
It felt so good to be there for worship and fellowship, and so good to get home to relax. I was away from home for nearly 12 hours and was ready to get my feet up and revel in the Packer victory!!
