First pulpit sermon

I preached my first pulpit sermon last Sunday.  And what a pulpit it is… donated by the good Christians in Southwell Diocese, England, the thing has got to be about four feet off the floor, with a really long staircase leading up to it.  ’twas a bit imposing on first walk.

Unless the service includes Holy Communion, the sermon is the last item in the service.  So we start with music, have the confession, the readings, the Apostle’s Creed (Nicene if there’s Communion), announcements, and more music.  During the announcements, the preacher is introduced.  This Sunday, I finally met Canon Titus Baraka, who is the mission coordinator at the cathedral.  It took some time to convince him that I am doing my whole program at UCU.  But he was sufficiently impressed that when he introduced  me, he explained that I’m doing my whole program here (vice the USPs who are only here for a semester, I guess), and said that I’m “amazing Jessica.”  Whoa.  No pressure for a great sermon there…

And God certainly redeemed that sermon.  When I practiced it Saturday night, it clocked in at 10 minutes 34 seconds.  Not fabulous for an American sermon; disastrous for an African sermon (though they teach us to aim for 15-20 minutes; I’ve not yet heard a church sermon for less than 25 minutes).  The service started late, so I was relieved that my sermon was short.  I had warned the vicar ahead of time that it was short, so I think  he must have been at least as surprised as I was when I talked for 20 minutes.  And we still ended on time.  Alleluia!  Canon Titus said after the service I had power.  Praise God; I certainly was a bit nervous to feel powerful, especially when standing above the congregation.  But I’m encouraged nonetheless.  My supervisor (the department Dean) was there; it’s a good thing I couldn’t see her.  Her husband is the diocesan secretary; he said he was home with the baby, and was sorry to have missed me.  One of my lecturers was there, as was one of the lecturers I’ll have next semester, and some of my classmates (which was a surprise – they didn’t know I was preaching)… I feel like I’m being evaluated by the entire faculty.  J