Devil in the Church

Zeandale Community Church has made Easter a special occasion for years. The event begins the day before with the men of the church, under the direction of Jim Brazzle, getting together to make cinnamon rolls. Usually the choir is practicing upstairs at the same time with the promise that if they do well they can go downstairs and get a hot fresh cinnamon roll. You'd be surprised at how that raises the quality of the music.

Sunday begins with a true Sunrise service. We check to see at what time the sun is scheduled to rise and plan the service to be underway as the sun comes up. Only once have we been forced by bad weather to go to the church for Sunrise service.

This year it was cool--28 degrees F--but that didn't stop the crowd from coming. Ever since I have been at Zeandale I have marvelled how we can one crowd for the sunrise service, a different one for the breakfast and finally a different crowd for the cantata in the main service. If we had everyone in just one service it would be a very large service.

This year as last we had a visitor from Germany. The service is conducted at the Pleasant Valley Cemetery. That service has made me a believer in the resurrection. I will see people at the Sunrise service that I will most not likely see again until the next one.

After the Sunrise service we go to the Zeandale church for breakfast. Jim and his crew do a magnificent job of preparing scrambled eggs, ham, and those famous cinnamon rolls. I have suggested to Jim that he go into business and start a cinnamon roll shop. I have been led to believe he is not interested. Breakfast was great and when it was over several took home packages of cinnamon rolls for future breakfasts. Unfortunately my wife and I are diabetics, so we really don't need the temptation around.

Finally we reached the main service of the day. The new crowd is seated and one lady stood to read the Old Testament reading for the day. Suddenly there is a flurry in the back of the church. People are looking under the seats and pointing. Finally one man stands with his hands cupped together and leaves. Many have no idea what took place.

When the cantata was finished and we were making final announcements, this gentleman arose to apologize to the Bible reader. But he felt getting the snake out of the church justified the interruption. Yes, we had the devil in the church, but one of our faithful members carried back out into the world where he belonged.