You would think that after 30 years a pastor would have had all his firsts under his belt.

Our Sunday Bible Study group was busy discussing the distinctions between betrayal and rebellion. We are working our way through the late Rober Jensen’s, Conversations with Poppi. Solveig had remarked to her Poppi that both God and Jesus had been betrayed. We were working through the story of Judas and the cobbled-together references to Satan, the Adversary, Lucifer in the Bible.

Suddenly we heard a boom and the lights went out across our three buildings. Gerald, quickly remarked that a transformer blew. He had worked for an electric power company and now does contract work. Gerald left the room to see what he could find out.

On my way to our Worship area to assess what we would need to do, I met one of our ladies. Her brother had died the week prior. When thinking out loud about whether or not we thought we would be able to worship together amidst the darkness, she said,

We will be alright.

We brought out the candles. Our Worship Team went into acoustic mode. We armed young people with lights to help folks find a seat. We left the Foyer doors open to get as much natural light in the building.

Gerald reported back. 

Two geese had flown into the power lines adjacent to our property and blew the fuse. 

You read the correctly. Two geese. They were lying in the middle of the road. Glenn dispatched them to our dumpster. I had contacted the power company. Gerald expected it would take a couple of hours to get a crew out to correct the problem. 

Amid the candle-lit room, we began our time of worship. It would be an exaggeration to compare it to worship in the catacombs, but oddly enough, in a day where a worship service is measured in decibels and theater, many enjoyed the lack of a sound system and the screens filled with lyrics. Our Worship Team handled the change well. 

We cut out some aspects of worship and kept it simple. Songs and sermon. Not a few minutes into the sermon time the lights began to come on here and there. The sound system came back on. The air conditioners began to whir. I was handed my mic. We carried on without missing a beat.

That Sunday, July 14, marked our 30th anniversary at Snow Hill. We have had many firsts. Most of them are not mentioned in pastoral ministry classes in college or seminary. At one point in our worship time, Rusty introduced a song by remarking that they had planned the morning a bit differently but that given the circumstances we would still sing a song that has meant much to me since I was in the third grade – Redeemed.

Rusty, who has served at Snow Hill for 17 years, conveyed that Snow Hill has been a place of love and joy. Sure, like most congregations we have had our times of grief and loss, of struggle and discouragement. But along the way, we knew and know what it was to be the people of God together. 

The unexpected first? 

Geese.

Our expected response. 

Together in Christ.

We are grateful that Snow Hill has been a place of love, growth, forgiveness, and promise. 

We look forward to more firsts.

* This piece has been percolating. Since July 14 we have experienced the death and funeral services for three folks. On top of that, the laptop on which I work has been in the shop for a week waiting for a new battery. Before heading out to do some yard work, I wanted to get this note finished.