I sat in a pew near the center of the sanctuary and reminded myself that this was not a performance that could succeed or fail, but a worship service prepared with prayer and careful thought for the glory of God.

This was our first Sunday in a small Covenant church in downtown Pasadena where my husband Mel was the new minister. Since I had a background of study in liturgy and worship and had experience planning services for a church in Portland, we entered this ministry with the understanding of the pulpit committee that I could best help Mel and the church by coordinating the Sunday morning worship service.

The church was filling up quickly. The balcony and main floor were already full, and chairs were being added to the aisle. Since the attendance had been around 225 a week during the previous month, I felt a sense of excitement about the crowd.

Any pride I might have had about people coming because of Mel was quickly dispelled when an elderly lady behind me began to talk to the young couple ...