Ethiopian Lutheran Church

Wow. So today I ventured over to Augsburg college campus to go to church. There is a Lutheran church, Trinity, that offers both an American Lutheran and an Ethiopian Lutheran worship service. I got there in time around 12:15 for the Ethiopian service that was suppose to start at 12:30. I walked in and there were all these people sitting around eating food. You know that feeling of walking in somewhere and knowing absolutely no one? Well, a pastor saw me and introduced himself. I told him I was new and was there for the service at 12:30. He looked at me a little strangely and said there was worship already at 11. I told him I knew, but I was there for the Ethiopian service. I explained that I was going to Ethiopia this summer. I bet that's not the answer he was expecting from a really pale Minnesotan girl, huh?

Well, much to my suprise, it was Easter today (because they celebrate the Eastern church's day of Easter) There was tons of Ethiopian food to celebrate. How cool is that! Not something I was expecting, but very cool indeed. The people there were really nice and interested in why I was there.

The service started a little late because of the Easter celebration. There had been quite a few people at the Easter lunch who had went to the morning service, so only about 7 people stayed for the Ethiopian service - all of whom were Africans (not sure if all Ethiopians, but I think so). The entire service was in Amharic so I basically had no idea what was being said the entire time. I had a nice fella sitting next to me though who helped me along a bit. The singing was absolutely gorgeous. And the praying - wow, I have never heard so much emotion being put into a prayer before. It felt almost like they were pleading. Like they felt it in the bottom part of their heart...the part that aches.

During the sermon, the pastor came down and sat next to me while another man went up to give the sermon. I'm not sure who he was, but he may have been the intern pastor. Anyways, the main pastor sat next to me and translated the sermon for me. It was such a cool experience to be looking up ahead and hearing this man speak in his native language, with such gusto, and also hear the sermon soflty interrupted in my ear. Very, very cool.

My favorite part of it all was at the end. The pastor announced in English (most likely for my sake) that we were going to say the Lord's prayer. I whispered it along in English and we all ended at exactly the same time. It was one of those "wow" moments. Just to know that we were saying the exact same thing and pausing at the exact same times.

I'll definately be going back. I think next time I'll go to the earlier service. It's mostly in English but has parts of the service in the African languages. The people were incredibly nice and so understanding. I am so excited to have found this church - and one so close! I have two months before I leave to go there, but I wish I had found it even earlier so I could go more.

Well, I will stop the rambling for the night.

Until next time...