A Church of Christer’s Guide To Communion At An Episcopal Church
Recently a Church of Christ friend of mine wrote to me and said that he was considering attending an Episcopal Church Christmas Eve service and that he was a little intimidated by the prospect of having to walk forward and take communion. Could I help out?
Oh yes. Yes I can. Glad you asked.
First off, let me say this: Dude’s got guts. Most Church of Christers I know have never even set foot inside another church except for weddings and funerals. Some may have been taught that “they’re it” and if there’s nobody else out there, why bother? Or even if they don’t believe that, they still feel as if they might be betraying their parents or now deceased relatives by even associating with other “religious people” Christians in an actual spiritual context, as opposed to something more secular and therefore safer like, say, a NASCAR race at Talledega or a football game in Tuscaloosa.
Were you to attend an actual, you know, church service, your Great-Grandma Bessie–who, as your mother has made very plain to you over the years, was baptized by Alexander Campbell’s great-great nephew–might roll over in her grave, rise up, and return to haunt and taunt you in your dreams. Or something like that. She might even ask for the china cabinet back.
Secondly, there’s this whole “issue” among Church of Christers on whether one can take communion on any other day other than Sunday (answer for most Church of Christers: Heck no!). I won’t even go into the hermeneutic (method of interpretation) that led to that conclusion because it’s more complicated than the BCS Bowl formula. Suffice it to say, it’s a bit flawed.
I once heard a preacher, who was upset after he had apparently recently attended a wedding in which the couple received communion, say that “the Lord’s Supper” (that’s the Church of Christ term for Eucharist or communion) at weddings was “the main thing wrong with marriages today.” I remember thinking at the time that that was about the most stupid thing that I had ever heard from a professional pulpiteer. It is now years later and I still stand by that. And that’s saying something because I’ve heard some real doozies in my time.
I beg to differ. I think “the main thing wrong with marriages today” is men spouting off at the mouth about things of which they know little, if anything at all.
I commend my friend’s courage. He came to the right person. Someone who has always had a hard-wired hankering for “smells and bells” and who has dared to seek high adventure at an Episcopal Church many times before (past episodes, here, here, here and here).
So, without further adieu, I present to you this year’s Ocular Fusion Christmas Special: A Church of Christer’s Guide to Communion At An Episcopal Church:
1. First off, pay attention. You can usually figure out what to do by watching the people around you. I know you’re used to sitting there like a knot on a log and fantasizing about that barrel of peanuts in the foyer at Logan’s Roadhouse. Don’t lose your focus. They’re going to ask you to actually engage in the service by doing a little moving around (liturgy = “the work of the people”): standing up, sitting down, kneeling, walking, those sorts of things. It’s not exactly aerobics at the Y, but you’ll still burn some of those extra holiday calories. It’ll be good for you.
2. The acolytes (altar boys and girls) will walk backward toward your pew. When they line up with yours, it’s time to go forward. Yes, I know “going forward” in the Church of Christ is usually associated with publicly confessing some especially egregious sin, as opposed to a smaller one like gluttony, and then being singled out for special attention, prayers and often post-service gossip. But remember: you’re not in a Church of Christ anymore, Toto. Besides, most likely, you’ve already confessed your sin publicly along with everybody else during some prayers which have been previously read aloud. Same effect, only without all the stares and rubbernecking.
3. That brings up an important ancillary point: Nobody is looking at you. All baptized Christians, even overly-rationalistic ones with Anabaptist roots, are welcome around The Table at the Episcopal Church. Episcopalians would rather steal a candy cane from a small child than embarrass a visitor (although they’re loathe to do either). Even if you mess up, nobody will care. Basically, you’re not that important. Come to think of it, this could apply to most situations in life. Say it with me: “I’m not that important, and nobody cares.”
4. You will usually find yourself in one of two lines at the front, often standing between two sections of the choir. There is usually special music being sung, especially on Christmas Eve, and you’ll be in the middle of it. Don’t worry, you’re not having an allergic reaction to the musical instruments such as the organ or violin which might be accompanying the chorus. Those aren’t hives, they’re only goose pimples. They mean you’re experiencing something very special, exciting and scary all at once. Like that time your Dad tossed you in the deep end of the pool for the first time, but to your surprise, you were treading water and still had your head above the surface. Go with that feeling, and just keep scissor kicking.
5. When there’s an opening at the altar on the side where you’re standing, go to that spot and kneel. Extend your cupped hands and wait. Yes, you’ll feel like a beggar at a feast, waiting on the crumbs from the Master’s Table. That’s the whole point. Remember: That’s what you are.
6. I know you’re used to “grabbing and passing,” but this is going to be a little different. This is where it get’s a little tricky since there are going to be options. Remember Rule #1: Pay Attention! A priest or lay server will come along and say, “The Body of Christ,” and then place the communion wafer in your hand. If you choose, you can exercise the first option and go ahead and eat the wafer now and then wait for the wine. You read that right. Bona fide, fermented WINE!, not Welch’s, just like Jesus drank and served on “That Night.”
7. If you exercised the first option, you are then ready for the wine. The server will have a chalice that has “the good stuff.” Remember, this is not the Drive Thru window at Sonic. DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT GRAB THE CHALICE FROM THE SERVER!! Instead, place your hand on the base of the cup and start guiding it toward your mouth. When the lip of the chalice reaches your lips, the server will gently tip the chalice so that you receive a small sip. Some of you will, no doubt, think Hey that wasn’t so bad, why all the fuss? I’d like some more, please! but now’s not the time for that. That comes later. Just get together with some friendly hospitality host Episcopalians after the service (they’re usually wearing specially colored aprons) and they will usually be able to tell you about some upcoming events at their church where you’ll be able to drink your fill.
8. If you’re worried about Cooties, don’t. They wipe the chalice after each use and rotate it. The physical cleaning combined with the alcohol will take care of most of them and your immune system, if it’s functioning properly, will take care of the rest.
9. Lately, I’ve been drinking directly from the cup–guess I’ve got some “One Cupper” in my blood. But I do occasionally exercise the second option, and if you’re still worried about Cooties with flu season picking up, you can too. “Intinction” means dipping, same way you dip your chicken nuggets in the honey mustard sauce. Sometimes, it is the custom at a particular Episcopal church for you to dip it in the wine yourself and then eat it, although I have found this to be more rare. Usually, a second server or priest will come along and take the wafer from your still-cupped hand and dip it in the wine and say, “The Blood of Christ.” You then stick out your tongue as far as you can (one of the few times in life where that move will be completely appropriate) and allow the server to deposit the now red-stained, moist wafer on the tip of your tongue. It is very important to not lose focus at this point and get fidgety (REMEMBER RULE #1!). You are not an aircraft carrier deck, and the server is not Tom Cruise in Top Gun. If you start bobbing up and down or moving side to side, or if the server’s depth perception is a little off or her hand is trembling a bit, you might catch a piece of finger along with the wafer. If this happens, just try to be cool about it. There won’t be a loud buzzer that goes off like it did when you played that game “Operation” as a kid, although come to think of it, that might go along way toward improving accuracy. Instead, you will both try to pretend like nothing unusual happened. The server will very surreptitiously wipe his or her hand on their vestment, you will think Wow, now that was different, and life will go on.
10. It’s now time to leave. It is customary to say “Amen” and cross yourself, but you don’t have to. I have worked my way up to the “Amen” after a lifetime of being told not to shout in church, but I need to get a tutorial on “crossing” before I go any further.
11. You then return to the same pew, same spot. You can kneel and pray and thank God for His mercy on you a sinner or anything that you please. Or, you can simply sit and pray. Or, you can often do like I do and sit and listen to the music (it’s usually quite beautiful) and people watch as others return to their seats. Entire families go forward, and small children not old enough to take or understand communion often have gone too, crossed their little arms, and been blessed by the priest. It’s very sweet, and it usually brings tears to Eyegal’s eyes (okay, okay, mine too). Usually, people are all smiles and it’s a very festive moment. It’s one of my favorite parts.
12. I might also add, you don’t have to take communion if you don’t want to, although you’re more likely to be “noticed” if you’re still sitting there after the rest of those on your pew have gone forward. Still, Episcopalians will pretend they don’t notice. They’re cool like that.
After it’s all over with, you’ll most like think Hey, that wasn’t so bad. I didn’t know what I was missing! In all likelihood, you’ll feel blessed and strengthened to go out and do the work that the Lord has set in front of you to do. Including loving all of those visiting relatives–the ones with the annoying habits that make you want to grind your teeth into powdery, white dust–during their overextended holiday stays.
I’ve had this thought recently: If we all (Christians of all stripes and tribes, other “religious people,” atheists, agnostics, rich and poor, “conservatives” and “liberals”) ate together more often, we would probably spend less time fussing and fighting over stuff that really ultimately doesn’t matter. It’s hard to hate “The Others” when you eat with them and realize that they too sometimes get a piece of food stuck at the corner of their mouths. Humor and Irony are nonsectarian and nonpartisan.
Merry Christmas to all, God Bless us every one, and bon appetit.
51 Comments
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Wisdom
As a former CoCer now regularly attending an Episcopal Church, I think you’re right on, Mike. The first time we attended St. Timothy’s, we spoke to the rector (this really cool, hippyish guy about my age) before the service and he said, “Look, if you’re sitting there thinking, ‘What’s the hell’s going on?” that’s ok. Don’t worry about it, man. Everything’s cool. Just ask the people around you. They’re all really groovy people and they’ll be glad to help you out.” After that, we had no more worries at all and now we almost feel like full-fledged Episcopalians.We also attended their Christmas party last weekend and let me tell you, those Episcopalians know how to throw a party!
Mike the Eyeguy
Your rector actually “cusses” in a non-theological context and uses the word “groovy?” I think Episcopal churches in Tennessee must be a LOT more “liberal” than the ones in Alabama… ; )
David U
GREAT post! One request…….the choice of color and background makes it difficult to read. Sorry!MERRY CHRISTMAS and ROLL TIDE!
Mike the Eyeguy
DU, I fixed it for your increasingly presbyopic eyes. Don’t ever let it be said that I’m not a “visually sensitive Eyeguy.” RTR.
Jeff
I had the opportunity to receive Communion from an Episcopalian priest while at a conference a few years ago. It was a good experience and was pretty much like you described. What I don’t get is the robes or vestment. Seems a bit silly, unnecessary (and maybe even pretentious). Perhaps you can shed some light on that in a future post…
Mike the Eyeguy
Jeff,
Here’s a good article on the meaning of vestments written by a Disciples of Christ guy (“one of ours,” so to speak. Well, sorta).
My explanation? They’re “dressing for success.” Serious business people wear suits, doctors white coats or scrubs, soldiers uniforms and priests vestments.
eirenetheou
When i worked in Sewanee, on Wednesdays in term time i would celebrate the Eucharist with the School of Theology, and on Sundays i would observe the Lord’s Supper with the Church of Christ in Monteagle.The Whiskeypalians made me grateful for the Campbellites, and the Campbellites made me grateful for the Whiskeypalians — and that, dear heart, is the essence of ecumenism.God’s Peace to you.d
Mike the Eyeguy
To all: Listen to this man, d. What he says is True.
Joseph P. Mathews
Loved the post. It’s nice to read outside perspective on what we do weekly (daily in chapel….). I would say though, that number one while especially important at the distribution applies to the whole service. PAY ATTENTION!
When my family (all of whom are Southern Baptist) ask what The Episcopal Church believes I talk about the Prayer Book. The entirety of each service conveys our theology, and we strongly believe the maxim that the law of prayer governs the law of believing.
While the Rev. Collins does a great job talking about vestments, I think a very good discussion of them is found in Patrick Malloy’s book on celebrating the Eucharist, specifically the points that Jeff raised. Rather than dressing for success as a business outfit (that’s more a clergy shirt and collar), it’s a formal celebration. Vestiture is like a tuxedo, except the colors convey a message. Malloy’s book is available at http://bit.ly/hEG6eI, and if you scroll up a bit there are bullet points. That whole section up and down is about vestitture. Rather than silly, it’s dressing up for God. And doing it lavishly to show God’s goodness. (The Hovda article that Malloy references is absolutely stunning to this effect.)
And I have a quibble with a line in the post, but that’s neither here nor there, and it’s not about the focus of the post and is a theological statement thing.
Thanks for the post!
Mike the Eyeguy
Joseph,
Thanks for stopping by and for the kind comments. Your seminarian’s perspective is much appreciated, along with the links. I hope I didn’t give you too much to quibble with. As you can readily tell, I am not a trained theologian, just an optometrist. But I did stay at Holiday Inn Express last night.
Come to think of it, this post would probably help Southern Baptists as well. I’ve always said SBC and CoC are cousins, not quite kissin’ ones, but still cut from the same cloth.
Stop by anytime! Peace of Christ to you!
P.S. I apologize for my inhospitable WordPress theme which very rudely deletes paragraph breaks from visitors’ comments. I have added some that I think are close to what you intended.
Joseph P. Mathews
The line breaks are great, thanks! The only theological quibble is thoroughly traditional difference (denominational). Something that the Church is still learning is that none of us understands communion. The BCP 1979 makes clear that baptism is full initiation by water and the Spirit into Christ’s body the Church. As such, people may choose to excommunicate themselves from week to week, but the idea of the Prayer Book revisers is that children who are baptized in infancy will never remember a time that they weren’t taking communion.
And those who do get blessings are cute….but not quite as cute as the three year old whose dad has decided she can guide the chalice herself but whose mom doesn’t know this plan yet!
Mike the Eyeguy
Oh, okay, I see your point, and it’s a good one. Don’t even get me started on “the age of accountability” thing. You might be interested in my takes on that in “C’mon In Boys, The Water is Fine,” Part 1 and Part 2.
David U
Thanks for making the change! Have you read John Mark Hick’s book “Come to the Table” ? If not, I highly recommend it! Probably the best book I have read in regards to the Supper. Let me know what you think after you read it. RTR!! 🙂 DU
Mike the Eyeguy
DU,
I have not, but yours is not the first praise I’ve heard regarding it. Thanks for calling it to my attention; I’ll be on the lookout for it.
(BTW, No. 1 and I are off to the Cap One Bowl on New Years Day. Hope we play well. RTR!)
David U
I am SO JEALOUS! You are the ROAD TRIP king this year in the land of the TIDE! 🙂 Glad I was along for the ride on one of them. I expect a DETAILED account on your blog when you get time to post it.RTR!!!!!!!!!! DU
Jan Lenz
Great article, Mike! Reminds me of the horror experienced at my mom’s church when they used WHITE grape juice.
rebecca
So, shall I be brave enough to share the story of my daughter being taken to church by her grandparents? She went for a summer visit — they did not ask that we send “dress up clothes.” Although I don’t attend church now, I attended one growing up and was taught that young ladies (and now because I’ve reached middle age, women) do not go some places if not wearing a dress and pantyhose. Proper attire IS required in certain places and on certain occasions — church is one of those places, no matter how many times one is told, “It doesn’t matter what you wear.” The child was taken to church wearing a pair of leopard print play pants (it was during the time when she admired Britney Spears). Horrifying!
CarolinaGirl
ME: I enjoyed reading this one. The first day of the week is really Saturday – right? :0) If my CofC family & friends only knew where I attend now…
Mike the Eyeguy
Jan–*gasp* White grape juice? Simply scandalous!
Rebecca–*gasp* Leopard print play pants in church? That’s way more scandalous than white grape juice!
CG–I know there’s something juicy (and scandalous!) at the end of that ellipse…
Gina
About the white wine, I was visiting a friend of mine who accepted a call from another Lutheran congregation. I noticed the used of white wine instead of red during communion and asked her about it. Her reply was, “Yes that is one of the things we will need to change. It’s the blood of Christ, not the plasma!”
laurie
Oh, great, NOW you write this. Where were you BEFORE my niece married an Episcopalian who is now a priest? 🙂
laurie
Also, this reminded me of the time when we’d spent a long three days volunteering in prison with an ecumenical group, and we came out for our Saturday night chapel service and realized we’d forgotten communion elements! The pastors quickly blessed some grape kool-aid and hot dog buns. I think God understood.
Liz L.
Do you know Kee Sloan? Used to be priest at St. Thomas on Bailey Cove, now Bishop Suffragan of Alabama. You need to hear him. He’s probably the biggest 🙂 reason we are Episcopalians. http://www.dioala.org/bishop/bishop_sloan.html
CarolinaGirl
ME: I now attend a congergation where communion is still done every week, but of which has a praise band and where hand clapping is the norm. :0)
Bill Gnade
One little tip: When one takes the wafer, it is often best to place it inside one’s mouth off to the side a little bit. This prevents a somewhat embarrassing moment: sometimes a well-centered wafer sticks to the roof of one’s mouth! Best to place it near one’s molars for quick grinding. Also, to be technically precise, one is to say “Amen” before receiving each element. When the celebrant/priest/lay eucharistic minister says “The Body of Christ, the bread of heaven,” one receives this with “Amen.” Same, too, with the cup.Priest/LEM: “The Blood of Christ, the cup of salvation.” You: “Amen.”And then you drink or dip. Lastly, you can still go forward and NOT receive Communion. Instead, you can go forward to receive a blessing from the priest. Just go forward, kneel at the chancel when there’s an opening, and cross your arms across your chest (hands open, on shoulders). The priest will lay his hand on your head and offer a prayer. It is quite lovely.(I had a friend who was so surprised by the real wine she started choking. She was beat red, gasping embarrassedly, as she walked back to her seat. We laughed forever about it.)But the best thing about it all is that it is not a contest. As Michael said, no one is watching or judging. Peace.
Mike the Eyeguy
Gina–
I am wondering about the doctrinal implications of red vs. white wine for my color deficient patients. Do they get a “Get Out of H— Free” card if they choose the wrong one?
Mike the Eyeguy
Laurie–
Your theological quandaries (and common sense, ad hoc solutions) never cease to amaze me!
Mike the Eyeguy
CG–
Aw, come on girl, is that all you got? Praise band and clapping? Weeeeak! Surely you can get more scandalous than that!
Mike the Eyeguy
Liz L–
So, since you are one of my new Episcopal friends, were you offended by this piece, or did you understand my intent (which, of course, was not to give offense)? Apparently some non-Episcopalians were taken aback (evidence of this on a friend’s Facebook page who linked to this). I think I know your answer, but I’m just curious–for the record.
I’ve heard of Bishop Kee, but never heard him speak. If that introduction article on his website is any indication of how well he does, I’m sure I would enjoy hearing him. See you Sunday.
Mike the Eyeguy
Bill, my friend, I was hoping you would chime in.
And thanks for those tips. That “roof of the mouth” thing has happened before to me, and I was struggling for a solution. Problem solved!
“But the best thing about it all is that it is not a contest.”
Amen. And how many things in life can we say that about? It’s nice to have a sanctuary from all that.
Jenny
I grew up CofC and went to a nice CofC college, but have been attending an Episcopalian church for almost a year now. I can vouch for the accuracy of this article (especially the part about discovering you like wine and attending the next church social to get more). Thanks for sharing and the for the smile this brought to my face.
Jenny
Also, I’d recommend the book _Worship Without Words_ as a nice resource for those of us who are “liturgically challenged.”
Mike the Eyeguy
Jenny,
Thanks so much for stopping by and for your comments. Glad it rung true and brought a smile to your face. I love my CoC heritage and will always consider it my “home base” regardless of where my journey leads. Therefore, I hope nobody takes my attempts at dry, ironic humor for hatred because nothing could be further from the truth. And thanks for the book suggestion. I’ll check that out. Blessings!
Susan Pryor Hodges
Loved your blog, Michael! Reminded me…. 9 months after I married, my father-in-law died. His service was held in the Episcopal Church. Beforehand, the priest came to visit with the family. He asked if we had any questions, and I, the only non-Episcopal asked, “and just why are we taking communion at a funeral?” He went on to explain. Well, Mom and Dad came for the service (yes, Dr. Joe and Bessie Mae in an Episcopal Church!). I did warn them beforehand that I wasn’t “switching” churches…. I didn’t want my parents to go into cardiac arrest there and I didn’t want to be the new wife left sitting behind on the pew with her “holier than thou” attitudes 🙂 I just watched and did what the others did. It all worked out fine. Except I was disappointed that the priest hardly even mentioned my father-in-law during the whole service…. wasn’t this His funeral?
Joseph P. Mathews
Susan, I’d say that not a lot of attention being paid to the deceased is the norm; the gathering for a funeral is to pray for the dead, which Episcopalians believe in. We gather around word and sacrament to hear proclamation of salvation, but Episcopal funerals aren’t memorial services. Instead, they’re more like the bookend closing of baptismal services. We believe that in baptism you are buried and raised to new life in Christ. At death you come to know more of that new life, and that’s what’s celebrated.
For the most part, eucharists (as opposed to daily office services) will focus largely on scripture, resurrection, and Easter. I have already planned my funeral and most of the songs are from the section of our hymnal for songs for All Saints Day or Easter. Lots of alleluias since it’s the joyful song of the resurrection (that we make even at the grave). This link is the text of the Episcopal funeral service.
Mike the Eyeguy
Susan–great to hear from you!
I’m chuckling at the image of Dr. Joe and Bessie Mae in an Episcopal Church. Somehow, I see them handling an unfamiliar situation like that with their customary class and aplomb.
I’ve been to some Catholic funerals, and they were similar to what Joseph described, mostly a set liturgy with relatively little time spent talking about the deceased (although the priests’ short homilies did mention family present and some humorous anecdotes).
My wife attended a funeral at a Church of Christ one time where the officiant spent at least as much if not more time commemorating his own mother and grandmother than he did the person lying in the casket. One of the things that I like about the lectionary and the liturgy is that they function like a bridle bit, keeping the speaker “honest” and “close to home” rather than running off to parts unknown.
Fr. Jared Cramer
Excellent intro, Mike. The comments are also helpful.One of my favorite moments as a priest was the first time I communed an infant. She was not very old at all and her mother held her out to me. I didn’t know what to do so I held up the chalice awkwardly. She smiled and told me, “You just dip your pinkie in the wine and then put it in her mouth. She’ll suck it off. Then you wipe your pinkie with the purificator.” I did just that and got all choked up at the moment of this young babe, only recently baptized into the church, already nourished by the blood of our Lord. When we say all baptized Christians are welcome, we mean it.And, of course, you’re always welcome. If you ever wind up in Grand Haven, you may find that the Rector will invite you back to his house after the service for a bit of scotch instead of more wine. 🙂
Mike the Eyeguy
Fr. Cramer,
You’re someone who has resided in both worlds, so I was hoping this one would strike a chord with you. I’m just glad you didn’t get a similar request from then-President George W. Bush when he was kneeling before you at the altar rail.
Paul advised Timothy to use a “little wine” for his stomach. I’m sure the scotch must be “medicinal” as as well–countering the effects of all that lake-effect snow…and what not. 😉
CarolinaGirl
AH – ME. Me is the granddaughter of a once well known and respected CofC preacher who no doubt entered into a better life a handful of years ago. That might prove to be the rest of the story.
Mike the Eyeguy
“the granddaughter of a once well known and respected CofC preacher”
Ah, I see. That’ll oft times complete the story. My CoC ties only go back to my parents (who were adult converts), so I don’t have quite the root system of many Restorationists.
John
You addressed this a little with Jenny. I am wondering why you feel it necessary to make fun of members of the church of Christ.
Mike the Eyeguy
John,
I make fun of members of the Church of Christ because they are funny (I am one, after all, so I should know). Family members should be able to joke around a bit about their idiosyncrasies. That doesn’t make them less a family.
I make fun of people in general because in general everyone, myself included, tends to take themselves way too seriously. Or at least that has been my experience.
I recognize that humor and satire are tricky business and that not everyone will be amused or “get it.” If that’s the case with you, go in peace and be blessed nonetheless.
Kristi
My fiance grew up Baptist and currently attends a Methodist church in Ruston, LA. When my grandmother found this out, she asked me if she had to pay for his dinner since he wasn’t a member of The Church. I vacillate between angry and amused at that.I’ve been doing some reading about the Episcopal church in preparation for church hunting with my soon-to-be husband. The Episcopal church is finding its way onto my short list. The church of Christ in the town is finding its way off of it. This surprises me too.
Mike the Eyeguy
“When my grandmother found this out, she asked me if she had to pay for his dinner since he wasn’t a member of The Church.”
Ummm, yeah, I’d say that would be one of those teeth-grinding moments.
Keith
Eyeguy, just got around to reading this post! That’s Procrastinator with a capital “P”. Love your descriptions and insight. We should all branch out and stretch a little with regard to our spiritual comfort zones. Merry Christmas to you and your family. Have fun at the Capital One Bowl. Sugar is Sweet! Go Hogs!!!
Kristi
Tonight I’m going to my first Christmas Eve service. I’ve spent a good portion of the day explaining to my fiance that the church of Christ doesn’t celebrate Christmas as a religious holiday. I’m really really excited about the candlelight service at the Methodist church. I’m glad there are people like you that remind us not to take ourselves too seriously.
John
I do not understand this not taking things too seriously. I believe a problem is that we do not take our Christianity seriously enough. I am sure Mike takes his optometry practice very seriously. I believe he takes his Christian life seriously. I believe Jesus took things very seriously. I hope we will be more serious, not less.
Mike the Eyeguy
Hey Keith, great to hear from you!
Insight? Well, I don’t know about that, eyesight maybe. Stretching? Oh yes, definitely, Good for what ails ya.
I can only imagine the cries of WPS! and WDE! as you and Terri open your packages on this fine Christmas morn (it’s snowing here!). But I bet you’re wishing that the NCAA had been a bit more of a “Scrooge” when it comes to TOSU and tats.
You may have NOLA Sugar, but we’ve got Harry Potter and Universal, so stick that in your Hawg Hat and smoke it! RTR and Merry Christmas!
Mike the Eyeguy
Kristi,
I hope you enjoyed your Christmas Eve service at the Methodist Church. May there be many more. And many happy years of marriage ahead. Merry Christmas!
Mike the Eyeguy
John, seriously, have a seriously Merry Christmas.
John
Mike, the same to you…seriously. My son-in-law is your Huntsville neighbor. Send us some snow.