A Day of Firsts

Today was a day of firsts. My first Lord’s day in Australia, first time to lead communion, first time to wander around Wallaroo’s beach front, first time to make a purchase in Australia (coffee), and the first time I ever lead music in a worship service.

The morning service was not nearly as well attended as Saturday night’s worship session. There were only about 20 in attendance. Daniel said that there were some missing, but that this is the normal flow of the congregational attendance. More people usually come in the evenings. The reason for this is because the church began eight years ago as an outreach to unbelievers on Sunday nights. It is only in the last two years that they have begun to hold Sunday morning worship services. As a result, most attend the evening services. It will take some time before the morning service catches up to the momentum of Sunday nights.

I got my first official crack at leading communion this morning. It went well. Bruce came up to me before the service and said, “Would you like to participate in the service?” I said, “Of course.” The next thing I know I am leading the “wine” portion of communion worship. Fortunately I have had enough experience listening to pastors over the years that it wasn’t too difficult. It was probably a bit shakey but no one noticed. Like Dr. Carswell (my pastor growing up) always said, “If you mess up, just pretend like that was supposed to happen. No one knows the difference anyway.” It proved to be good advice.

After an afternoon nap, I decided it was time to explore Wallaroo’s beach front. Wallaroo has just developed a marina, complete with parking lots, several boat ramps, and a few man made jetty’s. I wandered around and eventually landed at a hotdog/ice cream stand only to find myself ordering a “Froffy Coffee”, an Australian name for a lattee. My first Australian purchase. Not bad.

We had the evening service at 7:30 pm. I led the first thirty minutes. Shared a devotional from Romans 4:4-5, prayed, led in singing of two hymns (“And Can It Be” and “There is a Fountain Filled with Blood”) and shared how God led me to Wallaroo. Clayton Errb’s class came in handy. I did my best to conduct with a 4/4 beat. Once again, the people here are forgiving. Daniel then preached on “Our Volition in God” from Daniel 9.

This week is apartment week. I hope to move in Tuesday or Wednesday.  It looks like I will be preaching on Sunday. Time to get down to business…

I tried to upload a picture from the weekend, but it seems to difficult for this computer. I will try to get some photos up this week at some point.