Yesterday was winter at its finest. We got about 5 inches of very wet and heavy snow by the time our services began and it was still snowing. We had church because it was so warm that the snow was no longer accumulating and our parking lot was plowed and the city was doing a good job on the streets. So it was a very different kind of Sunday, which leads to different kinds of musings …

-The weather kept many people at home. Our attendance was about 40% of our normal worship attendance.

-The low numbers gave the service a very different feel.

-We had a great time of worship during the music and prayer time. Maybe the lower numbers made some people feel like that had to participate a little more passionately. If that is true then I need to find a way to get them to feel that way on more normal Sundays.

-Our worship team was only half of its regular size but they did a marvelous job of leading us as they worshiped.

-The difficulty on days like yesterday is that many people who do not venture out in the weather assume you know they are not coming and don’t bother to let us know they are not attending. Which leads to some scrambling and adjusting on the fly. That really bothers me and I will leave it at that for now.

-I believe that those who do attend on Sundays like yesterday have a memorable experience and it is something that they bond over with the others who attended.

-I believe people were engaged during the sermon. One nice thing for a pastor on a day like yesterday is that with the smaller number people can’t hide behind other people. We attempted to video the sermon but I haven’t put myself through the pain of watching it yet.

-I did have a hospital visit yesterday with a dear lady from our church. It is difficult to watch ones who have been so active and vital in a church as age and disease limit their ability to serve. I love being able to minister to them at times like this, but I hurt for them.

-Our small group gathered to watch the Super Bowl last evening. The outcome of the game was not what I wanted, but then I would have said that if the other team had won. I was wishing that somehow they could both lose. It was an entertaining game and I had great company as I watched the game. Love our small group.

-This is shaping up to be a very busy week with many different tasks and a lot of emotion involved.

-Very grateful for people who came early yesterday to make sure those who ventured out would have a great experience when they arrived. I love seeing people serve with such passion and love.

Here’s hoping you are safe and relatively warm today. Take some time to be thankful for the blessings you have and pray for those who are struggling today.

Dennis