We began our day and our first full day here as we should, with worship. It was a joyful, glorious day and time to gather as the one body of Christ. Worship is my favorite part of the trip. It says so much about who we are and what our collective goal is. We gather to give thanks and praise to God and to seek how we can serve Christ, not as different people from different places, but as brothers and sisters.
We opened with the hymn, Angels We have Heard On High, in creole. But, when we got to the chorus, it was the most beautiful sound as all voices lifted strongly in unison, praising God in this holy season. It is much fun to sing Christmas songs in bright sunshine, with warm breezes drifting through the open-air auditorium where we gather for worship! The words may be in a different language, but they are the same words and we serve the same Lord.
Communion is particularly powerful for me: The Table unites us all. We prayed the Lord’s Prayer together, creole, Baptists, and Presbyterians (so at one point, there was trespasses, debtors, and creole going on), but it is not our prayer, it is Christ’s. I love the ritual of the Episcopalian service and was humbled when Father Bruno asked me to preside with him. It is a privilege to stand at the Table with him, who has served Christ in such amazing ways. It is a privilege to minister to all who gathered to worship, through serving communion.
Father Bruno preached a magnificent sermon, which was translated by his daughter for us. I haven’t told him this, but I thought it was a wonderful “Baptist” sermon which challenged us all to shine the light of Christ into the world. It is a sermon that the congregation I serve and I think all congregations should hear. Maybe I can talk him into visiting us and preaching it!
Life here is at a different pace and it is a challenge for me, who is usually so busy, to be comfortable with it. I know more what to expect this trip, but it is still challenging! Yet, how can we not pause and admire God’s handiwork in the midst of beautiful land, beautiful people, and the faith that unites us all?
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