Synod Assembly

I had the great pleasure these past couple days of attending the Northeastern Ohio ELCA Synod Assembly, in Akron, Ohio.

Mind you, I am not one for pomp.  All the clergy dressed in their proper attire was a bit unnerving, not to mention the appearance of some gaudy-looking crosses worn by more prominent members.  Don't ask me why it bugs me - I don't know.  I suppose maybe because I know Jesus probably never wore anything like that while down here on earth.  My nature is to be modest.  When I see such things, it strikes a nerve of great unease.  I would much rather be seen taking out the trash than wear some of the outfits I witnessed this weekend.  I am not ashamed of the cross.  But I am put ill at ease with the sight of gaudy crosses.  Jesus' real cross was anything but.

With that said, aside from some of the attire, I did enjoy the assembly.  Particularly the worship service following Friday's assembly.  The church, Holy Trinity Lutheran, in Akron, was positively beautiful.  Again, there was quite a bit of pomp here as well, and being the lucky kid I am, my group was the last in, yet ended up having to sit in the very front; that's where the only open seats were.  I was rather put off at first by it.  But then, for some inexplicable reason, it grew on me.  The organ was amazing, as was the organist.  The sermon was also excellent (given by our Synod bishop Elizabeth Eaton, who is quite charismatic if you've not met her).

We also had communion that evening.  Right after I'd taken mine and sat back down, this incredibly wonderful feeling overwhelmed me.  There I was in a beautiful sanctuary surrounded by hundreds of other Christians, only a handful of whom I knew.  But it didn't matter.  We were all there for the same reason: To worship this wonderful God we can call ours.  It was as though time had stopped, and the service could just keep going on, never ceasing.  I cannot pin the awe to any particular tangible thing, because it was Spirit work (which makes it all the more awesome).

Never before have I been so moved by a worship service.  I can only hope/wish/pray that I could experience more just like it, if not better.  As we were leaving, I couldn't help but wonder if that might be like what church in heaven is like.  (Only I know it's probably a million times better.)