Nervous
I am going to church tomorrow. This, in itself, is not big news. Tomorrow is my first shot at being a lector (the person who goes up and does one of the two readings from the Bible at the beginning of the service). I'm scheduled to be the second one, meaning I'm doing the reading from the New Testament (a.k.a. The Epistle). Tomorrow, it's this:
2 Corinthians 13:11-13
Finally, brothers and sisters, farewell. Put things in order, listen to my appeal, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints greet you.
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.
Five sentences. That's it. No big deal, right? Well, in re-reading the instructions I got from the lector coordinator, there are times when they switch around the people and I might be reading the first lesson instead. Which is Genesis 1:1-2:4 tomorrow. In English, ALL OF CREATION. Big difference. I have a feeling that I'm still going to be doing the second reading, and I have a feeling Glenn gave that one to me since it IS so short. However, I will still be standing up in the pulpit looking down at at least 100 people, reading the Word of the Lord. Just in practicing tonight, I've tripped over my tongue like crazy. Also, how do you properly read the sentence, "All the saints greet you"? It's such a clunky bit.
I have to process in with the choir and priests, then sit through the service in the chancel (the raised area around the altar) until the Peace is said about halfway through. Then I get to go back down and be with the congregation. This wouldn't be such a big deal, if it weren't for the fact that, in our church, the chancel sits about 10 feet above the floor of the nave. So I'm in an ultra-conspicuous spot for the first half of the service.
Oh! And, NATURALLY, my period HAD to start tonight. I'm having those horrible doubled-over-in-pain, my-uterus-is-trying-to-escape cramps. I'm planning to take a bath in a little while. That way I can soothe my muscles, wash my hair, and shave my legs which haven't been shaved in... well, a hell of a long time. I can't go to church wearing a skirt with nasty hairy legs sticking out. At least I was able to find my toenail polish so my feet will look ok tomorrow.
I'm starting to shake with nerves. Not good. Thank God (literally) for my sleep meds, and for creating coffee as one of the trees that produces fruit, so that I will be awake and useful tomorrow.
2 Corinthians 13:11-13
Finally, brothers and sisters, farewell. Put things in order, listen to my appeal, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints greet you.
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.
Five sentences. That's it. No big deal, right? Well, in re-reading the instructions I got from the lector coordinator, there are times when they switch around the people and I might be reading the first lesson instead. Which is Genesis 1:1-2:4 tomorrow. In English, ALL OF CREATION. Big difference. I have a feeling that I'm still going to be doing the second reading, and I have a feeling Glenn gave that one to me since it IS so short. However, I will still be standing up in the pulpit looking down at at least 100 people, reading the Word of the Lord. Just in practicing tonight, I've tripped over my tongue like crazy. Also, how do you properly read the sentence, "All the saints greet you"? It's such a clunky bit.
I have to process in with the choir and priests, then sit through the service in the chancel (the raised area around the altar) until the Peace is said about halfway through. Then I get to go back down and be with the congregation. This wouldn't be such a big deal, if it weren't for the fact that, in our church, the chancel sits about 10 feet above the floor of the nave. So I'm in an ultra-conspicuous spot for the first half of the service.
Oh! And, NATURALLY, my period HAD to start tonight. I'm having those horrible doubled-over-in-pain, my-uterus-is-trying-to-escape cramps. I'm planning to take a bath in a little while. That way I can soothe my muscles, wash my hair, and shave my legs which haven't been shaved in... well, a hell of a long time. I can't go to church wearing a skirt with nasty hairy legs sticking out. At least I was able to find my toenail polish so my feet will look ok tomorrow.
I'm starting to shake with nerves. Not good. Thank God (literally) for my sleep meds, and for creating coffee as one of the trees that produces fruit, so that I will be awake and useful tomorrow.