Then there was the special music. RoJean led a quartet with Becky Hannaburgh, Georgia Humphrey and Warren Knapp in a couple of lively a capella anthems, reminiscent of RoJean's Kansas Evangelical heritage. (Whatever you think of the Evangelical philosophy, you gotta admit their music really gets to you!) You guys can come back any time!

Pastor Nancy's sermon touched on a text that I must admit I've always had a problem with. If God takes more pleasure in a sinner who repents than in all the righteous ones, why try to be good? But I suppose Jesus was addressing not the ordinary guy in the street who's doing the best he can, but the Pharisees whose self-righteous compliance with the rules followed the letter of the law but was dead to its spirit. After all, which is more important, following the dietary laws or loving your neighbor?

This Saturday, Sept. 22, begins the week's operation of the Barnyard Restaurant at Cumberland Fair by a task force from our church. We expect some familiar faces will be absent from church this Sunday since people have the habit of eating seven days a week. Here again, the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. We can't all take a week off to cook, clean and wait on tables, but we can all pray for the success of the enterprise and the continued strength and endurance of the volunteers. AMEN.