The day before Maundy Thursday, I was texting with friend Karen in NY. She mentioned that she would miss going to church on Thursday and Friday, because both services were at night. She and I don’t drive at night. I said, “Go to church with me on line!” That’s how we came to be figuratively sitting in the same pew 793 miles apart.

I didn’t expect to see anyone in person, but I dressed as if I were going to church. In honor of the season, I was wearing purple (lavender edged in purple).

Karen and I met, as planned, using cell phones and iPads. We didn’t text while the service was going on. I was shocked to see my pastor leading the service, because he announced on Sunday that he was having a knee replaced the following day. I wondered if he had had a miraculous healing. I didn’t move that well three days after knee surgery, and I’m sure Karen didn’t either. She had both knees replaced on the same day. I counted it a miracle and moved on.

Correction! I misunderstood the day of Pastor’s knee surgery. It will be the Monday after Easter, not the day after Palm Sunday. That makes a whole lot more sense. This is one of the busiest weeks of a pastor’s life, and Pastor Jeff is right where he planned to be, in the thick of it. I am recalling my prayers for him, asking that they be applied a week later. I’ll add new ones, because used prayers aren’t good enough for this dedicated man of God.

This was our view of the congregation.

For many years Karen and I, with our husbands, were often at the same service. After this service ended, I thanked Karen for joining me, because this added a new dimension to worship. She agreed, and we will meet again on Good Friday.