Sunday at Central

This Sunday my grandfather is being honored at Central for his many years of service as a church deacon, and specifically, as the church treasurer. I think he's been handling the money for some some 30 years. Now, in his 80s, he's ready to pass the checkbook to someone else. I don't think my grandpa reads this blog, but if he does, I would want him to see in print that I am proud of him, and appreciate his example of long-term service.

I figured that the best way I could honor my grandpa was to come to church with him this week. But I have to confess, my stomach is already doing backflips. I haven't worshipped with this part of my spiritual family since we left back in April. At the encouragement of one of the elders, we just left, without any formal announcement or letter of goodbye. We responded to a few personal inquiries shortly after we left, but have not had any contact with most of the church since that time.

I have a lot of mixed feelings ... some of a spiritual nature, most just personal (emotional) junk. Will we be welcomed? Will people point and whisper (or wait until the car ride home to do that)? Will people even notice we're there? Will it feel like we're stepping back into the 19th century church style of worship?

Mostly, I hope the only events of the morning are the ones we're there to celebrate -- the honoring of Jesus, and the honoring of my grandpa. I pray God gives us the grace to let everything else fade into the background.