"Sir, would you like a cup of coffee…you look rather cold."

"Yes I- I- I- surely would" he mumbled, rubbing his large gnarled hands on his stubbly beard—he even called me sir—I’m impressed the old man thought to himself. He noticed the last of the chairs being clunked down as they were put into place by two lanky adolescent boys. A small girl was placing hymnals carefully on the chairs which she got off the pile her mother was patiently holding. His eyes swept the room once more. He was beginning to feel uncomfortable when a woman broke from the group and came toward him…

"You’re new here…my name is Peggy…would you like to meet a few people. I see you’ve got hot coffee…that’s good…what’s your name?" She smiled warmly ignoring his shabby appearance. Before long they were introducing themselves and including him in the conversation. The old man knew he was going on and on about his physical infirmities and he was surprised they were willing to listen and sympathize.

Soon the old man noticed it was ten minutes past the time services should have begun…

"How come you have-haven’t started services?" annoyance tugged at his words.

"An elderly lady and her son will be here soon, the roads aren’t so good today…we are waiting for them." Just then a white haired, laughing lady, on the arm of her son, came into the hall. Someone rushed over, gave her a hug and taking her arm, led her to a comfortable seat near the front, another fetching a stool for her bad leg.

The old man was so busy watching them make her comfortable he didn’t notice the man approaching. "Would you like a seat near the front, sir, so you can hear the sermon better?" The old man gladly grabbed the younger man’s arm and allowed himself to be taken close to the front, just behind the old lady and her son.

Before he knew it the small congregation was lustily singing hymns, the young man behind the podium encouraging everyone to give it all they got. The old man found himself puffing after the first song. He looked around—a young couple held hands, obviously in love—a mother cradled her baby, a woman had her arm around her husband...and surprisingly strapping-big teen-aged boys were actually singing and clearly enjoying the song service and each other… And three little girls stood together arm around arm bowing their heads during the prayer. What a joyous sight he thought. During the sermon he was pleased to see a woman looking up the scriptures for the white-haired lady who sat directly in front of him and the aroma of food wafting in from the kitchen made his mouth water.

After services everyone had a job it seemed, moving chairs and tables around, gathering up song books, putting the sound system away, and the old man felt a little lost but he needn’t have worried…an older woman came and put her arm through his and leading him toward the kitchen door he could see steaming hot dishes, green salads and freshly buttered bread laid temptingly out on a big table. Then smiling up at the old man she said, "Guests help themselves to food first." She even offered to carry his plate while he filled up…oh the food looked good he mused. He watched while the line flowed in behind him, chatter and laughter permeating the room.

Young and old brought steaming heaped plates to the tables and the conversation and laughter continued. The same young man offered to bring him another coffee…and a giggly nine or ten year old girl offered to serve him a healthy slice of cherry pie, chocolate cake or both. While he was eating, a get-well card was being passed around. The old man was told it was for a shut-in and members wanted them to know their church family was thinking about them. The minister asked if the old man had any questions, which he did, and a friendly discussion was enjoyed by all those around him…they even listened attentively to what he had to say, even though he stuttered. Soon his visit was over…