Preach It!

A few disjointed notes on church today

One of my biggest fears in life is spilling the communion cups at church. I've never done it, I've never seen anyone else do it, but it always seems like it's bound to happen. At Eglise Evangelique, only those who have been baptized by immersion can take communion, which is certainly not everyone who attends. So those who have stand, while the others sit. It is possible to be the only one standing in your pew. The tray of cups gets passed over peoples' heads and behind you at awkward angles, and it's a little bit terrifying. So far, though, no incidents.

Today the pastor at church was wearing a traditional boubou, but its pattern was pretty unique: he was covered in cross and verses from the Bible! That was really incredible, and makes a bold statement for Christ just by walking outside.

One thing I found interesting today, but not terribly surprising, was the fact that he preached against homosexuality. In Senegal as a whole homosexuality is not at all tolerated, so it's not a hot button issue for the church the way it is in the US. The sermon wasn't centered around that topic; it was just an example to demonstrate the destruction of those who do not follow the word of God. He also addressed something I was reading about in Why We're Not Emergent by Two Guys Who Should Be - the emergent church minimizes the importance of theology and doctrine in favor of "living it out", but as our pastor said today, "If we don't study the word of God and understand His doctrines, how can we put these ideas into practice?" Love it.

I also managed to find the Wolof words for Mangi Yekkati Sa Tur (Lord I Lift Your Name on High)

Mangi yekkati sa tur

Sopp naa di la maggal

Yangi ci sama dund beg naa

New nga musa nu beg naa

New nga ci addina si wone yoon wi

Ci addina ba bant ba, fey nga samay bar

Ca bant ba, ba bameel ba

Ca bammeel ba, ba asamaan

Mangi Yekkati sa tur!

How amazing!

The cross is at the center of worship

At 10:25, we're all early for the 10:30 service. People generally come in and pray right away. In 20 minutes, this place will be packed wall to wall.

I kind of like that the worship team sits off to the side. (They're in the red).

Build it, they will come.

The "fellowship hall" is actually outside. It got really hot inside today, and the breeze felt good.