Meeting Pastor Paul ... one on one...
Yep... today was the day I had my meeting with Pastor Paul. I learned a LOT about my new church. And I learned some stuff about my OLD religion too. But as far as the faith goes, mine is good and no changes needed! As far as the liturgy goes, it's practically one and the same! (I already knew that!) All of my "issues" with the Catholic church are "political" and not a matter of faith. So this is all good! The baptisms are the same, so I'm good on that. Communion is ALMOST identical and I'm very good with that! I haven't taken communion as of yet when I went to church because I really had questions about the confession thing, and being free of sin before accepting communion. So he got me all squared away on that, and I really do believe that the Lutheran way of handling it is better. Basically it's just part of the regular service UNLESS you have something that is really grating on you, in which case you CAN have a private confession. So, this was very good! Good information. We talked about my family and where each of us are "spiritually" -- or since I was the only one there - where I BELIEVE the rest of my clan is at! We talked about tithing (of course!), and we talked about being a "member" vs. just attending. If I want to "join" there are classes that I need to take -- but I'm allowed to take them even if I'm not ready to actually join!So then he asked me...
PP: "Melli, if you were standing before Jesus right now, and He said to you 'why should I bring you into Heaven?', how would you answer?"
oh help!
Me: "Wellllllll... I would tell him because I LOVE him."
PP: Mmmm hmmm... well that's nice. But WHY should He take you into Heaven?
oh double help!
Me: Ummmm.... uhhhh... cuz I've been a fairly good person and I've tried to do what He wants me to...
PP: Mmmm hm...
Me: Uhhhhhhyyyyyyyea... IIIIIIIIIIII dunno... I think I'm goin' to Hell. (help!) What are you lookin' for here?
PP: Well, WHO do you TRUST to get you into Heaven?
*Light Dawns!*
Me: JESUS! HIM! I trust HIM to get me into Heaven! HE should take me into Heaven cuz he PROMISED he would if I accepted HIM as my Savior! And I did! So HE should keep His promise!
Pastor Paul SMILED! Unh-hunh! He did! I got it!
So then we talked about Bible studies - and there are multitudinous Bible studies ... I just have to decide on one, and wait for them to start a new topic. NONE of them are closed, EVER! I can join any one I want! (this was an issue because I have wanted to join the one held at Curves on Thursday afternoons -- but it's a "Small" and they say they can only have 10 members and they're full! The Christian in ME doesn't think that's a very Christian attitude!) LOL! But since I've never done a Bible study in my life before, I'm really not up on the ins and outs of how these things work! But Pastor Paul assured me that none of the church's Bible studies ever close! Then he told me about a lot of the activities they have and some of the missions we support, and various things that I may or may not want to get involved in at some point! All very helpful - great information!
And then... when we were done ... this was sO cool! ... he showed me their library! This was amazing! I really thought I might be in Heaven! This church has it's own library. FULL of nothing but Christian books! It's a whole BIG room - FULL! It's got a children's section. It's got a video section. And it's got books upon books upon books that I can go in and take off the shelf and be guaranteed that every one of them is a Christian read! It's all set up to the Dewey Decimal system.... it is awesome! I've been BUYING all my Christian books because our county library has such a pitiful supply of them! And here the Lutherans' have their own little stash! Well, needless to say, I know where I'll be donating my most recent buys now!
Labels: Churchy Stuff
posted by Melli at
2:25 PM
10 comment(s):
This is a GREAT post about an exciting meeting. I think it's so neat how quickly you've connected with this church.
And the library sounds wonderful.
Now, the only thing I know about some Bible Studies is that they double as accountability groups, so people think they need to be smaller than 12 in order to encourage each member to be willing to share with one another.
I can't wait to hear which study you choose. This is quite a journey you're on!!
Hugs!!
:-) Susan
By
Susan, at
2/22/2007 4:26 PM
HeY Melli I think you sound like you are finally on the right track!! Susan is correct about the Curves small bible study. The reason they do not want it to get too big is because of the accountablitity part not that they are mean or something and just want it "closed"!! You are just beginning on a journey and one day will look back on some of these blog entries and realize that you have learned so much from this point on. I am anxious to remain one of your friends and see how you grow in the Lord. Sandy
By
Ramblins of a middle-aged goddess, at
2/22/2007 4:40 PM
Sounds like you found what you have been looking for Melli..I congratulate you on your instincts about it, too! I remember what you said when you went there the first time...! I hope it all works out for you, my dear.
By
OldLady Of The Hills, at
2/22/2007 4:45 PM
Melli:
Hate to use your comments to communicate about MY RSS feed...but can you try it now and see if it's working?? I've done all I know to do...otherwise, I have to ask Susie to play with it when she re-designs my blog in a few weeks.
:-) Susan
By
Susan, at
2/22/2007 6:47 PM
You and this church are match made in heaven!
By
Unknown, at
2/23/2007 12:19 AM
Wow, a lot of neat things in this post! I enjoyed reading it.
By
Anonymous, at
2/23/2007 9:33 AM
Woo Hoo....doing a happy dance for ya darling. Sounds like you had a wonderful orientation into "your church" I like this pastor paul! So glad they have a great church library and are active in Missions. You go girl!
By
Lazy Daisy, at
2/23/2007 12:34 PM
Melli - this is great. I see God's hand in all of this. I wonder what else he has planned for you?
By
Anonymous, at
2/23/2007 3:15 PM
Sounds great! We had a library at our church but our librarian passed away last year and I haven't heard if someone has taken it over or not yet.
All the best with your new church and good answers...he he.
By
Irish Church Lady :), at
2/24/2007 7:10 PM
I've been wondering about the Lutherans. J'mon's Mom was one. His Dad is a Presbyterian. We've been church hunting... so far with J's Dad's church and a Methodist one. Still looking and hoping to check out a Lutheran one esp. now after reading your very positive post. :D
By
Anonymous, at
2/24/2007 8:14 PM
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