I left the house at Zero Dark Thirty to preach at St. Paul, Brenham, my first active duty assignment since testing positive for COVID. I am symptom-free, but three services and the drive took it out of me more than it normally would. I’m looking. I’m looking forward to the respite retreat.

Pastor Phil Geleske started at St. Paul Brenham in October of 2019, just a few months before the pandemic hit. We have not had an in-person assembly yet, so he’s still getting to know the synod.

This Sunday, January 9, 2022 was the Baptism of our Lord, and also a Sunday they had dedicated to praying for, learning about and giving to our companion synod, The Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Central African Republic.

Services today were at 8:00, 9:15 and 10:30. The 9:15 is a less formal service with a band, held in St. Paul’s Fellowship Hall. The early and late services were with choir and organ. Many in the choir were out with COVID, but congregational singing was still quite strong.

The sun was just coming up as the church bells tolled at 7:30. I got to wondering what the neighbors think about that! Attendance was down due to COVID (as everywhere) but spirits were up, and hopeful.

Here is a video of the organist warming up. The stained glass is still dark.

Here’s a compilation video of the day: https://www.dropbox.com/s/1tq299178d1bgr9/01-09-22%20St%20Paul%20Brenham.MOV?dl=0

The Gathering Service at 9:15:

10:30 service

Lookie here, Pastor Chris Lake’s folks…
By the time of the late service the sun was up and had peeked out of the clouds to light up the front stained glass window.

And, it’s a wrap.