Chapter 9 - Page 131 - New Passion

thunder could be heard from it. A light breeze blew through the church. The congregation murmured nervously and started looking around.

    When Reverend Morris stepped up to the pulpit, everyone settled down. He finished the sermon by telling the congregation about heaven and hell. He explained that it was important for everyone to believe in Jesus Christ. If they didn’t accept Jesus as savior, he said, they would die a second death-a death that was much worse than the first. When he finished, he stepped to the side of the stage and Jim and Rhasha walked up to their microphones to sing the benediction. This time they didn’t have the angels singing with them.

    “Just as I am, without one plea, but that thy blood was shed for me. And that thou bids me come to thee . . . Oh lamb of God, I come, I come.”

    Reverend Morris waited at the altar, searching every face in the congregation, watching for any sign of movement.

    “Just as I am and waiting not, to rid my soul of one dark plot. To thee whose blood can cleanse each spot, oh lamb
of God, I come, I come. Just as I am, thou wilt receive, will welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve. Because thy promise I believe . . . Oh lamb of God, I come, I come.”

    No one came forward. Reverend Morris said his closing prayer. He told the congregation he was glad they’d all come and he hoped to see them again next Sunday.

    The congregation began to disperse. Jim and Rhasha talked to several people as they walked across the church grounds. When they got home, they made themselves comfortable on the sofa.