Well, it happened. One of this pastor’s worst nightmares came true. It took place Sunday, August 15. It had nothing to do with the special Church Conference that morning.

It happened in church, in the second service: I led worship and preached sitting on my stool in the center of the chancel with (are you ready?) my fly unzipped.

 

August 15, 10 – 11 AM, with one of my biggest summer congregations, my District Superintendent in attendance and I left the barn door open!

The Liturgist was all buttoned and zipped. Jacob Boca, our special music for the day was all put – together. In addition, Jim Ross, maybe he forgot to zip his fly too, but who could tell behind the screen and sitting at the organ?

But the pastor: Fly’s open!!!

 

I do not know how many present noticed. My wife and at least one other person noticed. But as far as my ego is concerned, everybody noticed and those who saw thought one of two things:

 

1. “Hello, where’s my cell phone camera?”

Or

2. How old is he anyway? Is this going to be a problem? How soon will he start wearing a robe again?

O for air conditioning and the comfort and protection of wearing a robe year around.

Instead, I opted for my own form of personal air conditioning. (Do not worry, it was not intentional and it did not work anyway.)

OK, ‘nuf said. I thought I would get that out there, so you would know, I knew, you knew – when I saw you snickering!

 

What a great VBS with Grace UMC we had this summer. We had 59 different kids and at least 24 of those kids had no church affiliation. Raised some $70.00 for “Nothing but Nets.” We had a carnival. We ate hot dogs, snow cones and cotton candy. We bobbed for apples and played games.

 

And at the end, Pastors Bob and John were paddled.

 

As I said, we had 59 kids and 24 of those kids have no church affiliation. For lack of a better way to say this, Grace and Stone churches divided the names of those children and now we each have the potential of 12 new faces in Sunday School this fall. Twelve souls we can help begin the journey as disciples of Jesus Christ.

 

It all starts here: “Come and see.”

 

Those are the words of Philip to Nathanial when, after telling Nathanial to come and meet Jesus of Nazareth, Nathanial answers, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” And Philip says, “Come and See.” (John 1: 44 – 45)

 

That is all we are asking.

 

That is all we are asking of children, youth and adults

·        Those already on our Sunday School roles,

·        Those who will give us a “look see” having come to our joint Grace/Stone Vacation Bible School and who accept our invitation to come to SS,

·        Those who are your friends and family, people you know, who do not have a church home and who need a friend like Jesus.

 

Just invite them, September 12. Pick them up and bring them to Rally Day. Have breakfast with them then help them find their classroom and join in a class of your own.

 

If they have doubts, just tell them “Come and See.”