Yesterday my dear, sweet wife and I had the opportunity to worship at a church we had visited a year ago. The worshippers there are very friendly, the worship service is done well and the pastor is a fine preacher. We looked forward to hearing God's Word and receiving Holy Communion.
It started with the beginning of the Old Testament reading. Two people directly behind us begin whispering to one another. I couldn't really catch what they were saying but it must have been important because it continue throughout the readings and didn't stop even when the pastor began with his sermon.
My dear, sweet wife and I looked at one another. We were puzzled. What was so important that it had to be discussed at church right in the middle of the service? I kept thinking that it would eventually stop. But it didn't.
What to do? We were visitors. Is it appropriate to turn around and ask the offenders to be quiet? Would that have become even more of a distraction to the worshippers around us? In the end we did nothing. We toughed it out.
When we returned to our seats after communion we purposely sat farther her down the pew and away from the chatterboxes. As we prepared to leave we took a good look at them - two older women who should have known better - and and made a mental note to sit as far away as possible from them the next time we visit.
In the end Sherri and I agreed that we did get the message the pastor delivered and we receive the Lord's body and blood in the Sacrament. And we talked about some subtle ways we might "shush" a person the next time it happens. Worship is too important to have it spoiled by some folks who don't seem to get it.
