Sunday Morning Breakfast at Chez Johnson

We've had an unexpected blessing here in Ames this summer. Campus ministry doesn't worship on Sundays through the summer - most of our student population has either gone to summer internships, to church camps or just home for the summer. Generally this is a time for the campus pastor (that'd be me) to get out and about to spread the 'word' about campus ministry. But since I'm new to the area, I haven't really been on anyone's radar for supply preaching. So over the last month I've had several Sunday mornings "off." It's a rare occurrence for us, one that likely won't happen again until I hang up my preaching jock for good (I'll wash it first.), so we've enjoyed this time by eating really big Sunday breakfasts and generally relaxing before going to worship at our "home congregation," St. Andrew's Lutheran Church in Ames.

Today was the last Sunday of this special time. I've picked up three supply dates for the next three weeks, then the baby comes, and by the time I'm off paternity leave, school will be in session and we'll be worshipping on Sundays again. So, this was a day for celebrating with good food, including:

Burgies' Espresso Blend coffee
Blueberry Pancakes made from scratch
Scrambled eggs (with green peppers & sharp cheddar cheese in mine)
Cran-apple juice
and, of course, bacon (everybody sing the bacon song!
"dead piggy, dead dead piggy dead piggy...")

All of this was accompanied by the wonderful sounds of Great Hymns of Faith, the beautiful compliation CD from the St. Olaf College Choir from Northfield, MN. Seriously, if you're a person from a hymn-singing faith tradition, you should own this CD (even if you're not, you should still own it). You can order it here.

One of our favorites is the classic F. Melius Christiansen arrangement of Beautiful Savior. As usual, youtube's embedding line is crap, so here's the direct link. The recording starts very softly, so crank up your volume and enjoy. A blessed Sunday, friends.