We gathered for worship at our 9:00 a.m. service on a recent Sunday morning. It was a special time–it would conclude with the baptism of a little baby. I welcomed the large contingent of family and friends who had joined us for worship, expressing to them my hope that the Scripture and sermon would speak to them on this special occasion. I would read from 1 Samuel 1, a tender passage about Hannah dedicating her son, Samuel, to the Lord.
However, instead of turning to chapter one of I Samuel, I unknowingly turned to chapter two. I began reading what I thought would be words of encouragement to the congregation and the family of the child to be baptized:
“Now the sons of Eli were scoundrels and had no regard for the Lord …”
Alertly, I noticed I was reading from the wrong verse, so began at the next paragraph:
“These sons lay with the women who served at the tent of worship …”
I kept going, hoping it would get better, but still reading about these awful sons who rejected their parents and blasphemed God. Finally my eyes saw the next verse announcing that the sons would be killed, and I knew it was time to stop.
I looked up at a thoroughly confused congregation trying to read along in their Bibles and at the baptism family and friends, who may have been in shock by then. “Folks,” I announced as I laughed at myself, “I will not fake it. I’m lost. This is not what I’m supposed to be reading … not about bad boys and girls having sex in the church!” The whole church exploded in laughter, laughter fueled by great relief. Just as we were all getting our composure and I was trying to read without laughing, I said with a sly grin, “You never know what is going to happen here when we worship.”
You never know what is going to happen here when we worship. Yes! That is God’s promise and gift to us. There is a power at work in worship, a power that surprises us with tender moments of prayer, searing moments of conviction, thrilling moments of song, piercing moments of insight, healing moments for the heart, the body and our relationships. And, yes, moments when our humanness is exposed and the most appropriate response is laughter. “Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am,” said Jesus. “You will be filled with the Holy Spirit,” promised God. God promises his power when we worship, a power that never fails to surprise.
May we all continue in the holy rhythm of worship. And when we do come to worship, may we come expectantly, trusting that God will be there and will surprise us – in delightful, thrilling, and life-changing ways.
Oh yes, and if you are reading the Scripture lesson, make sure the pages are not sticking together.
John G. Hamilton is pastor of First Church, Rochelle, Ill.
