“Why, That’s A Deacon In A Gorilla Suit”
Fred and Jim just loved to have a good time. You were never sure when they were going to be up to something mischievous and fun. While they took their faith, their families, their church, and their roles as Deacons of the church seriously, they did not take themselves seriously. They were good friends; buddies even. They knew how to smile, and believed it to be their calling in life to help others smile as well. Fred was in his late 30’s. Jim was in his late 50’s. It was a good thing that Sandy insisted that Fred sit with her during worship services. Likewise, Wanda insisted that Jim sit with her. Had these two been able to sit with each other the potential for something to happen during the worship service that would result in giggles, snickers, and hilarity was an eventuality.
It so happened that Halloween fell on Sunday. Being Baptist, you could count on the church having an evening worship service. Trick or treat was not going to happen! The folks had hymns to sing, scriptures to listen to, an offering to be taken, and a sermon to endure (Oops! I meant to say “enjoy”.). Everything was reverent, solemn, still, and quiet. When it got to the place in the service for the offering a couple of the ushers passed the plates throughout the congregation. As soon as the ushers had reached to back of the auditorium they turned and nodded to the music leader, immediately “The Doxology” began to be sung as the ushers brought the offering back down the center aisle to the altar area. With the sounding of the first notes of “The Doxology” the rear doors swung open and two people, dressed in Halloween costumes came in following the ushers down the aisle to the front. You know who it was, do you not? Yep. It was Deacon Fred and Deacon Jim. Fred was dressed in worn out/tattered clothing, sporting a scruffy beard, and carrying a burlap sack full of something. He was a sight to behold! On the other hand, Deacon Jim was dressed from head to toe in a gorilla costume. While you could not see his face, his six foot-six inch, 245 pound frame gave him away. (Besides that- he was with Fred. Who else would it be?)
As they processed to the front of the sanctuary folks all over the congregation began to laugh and point, point and laugh. There was an outbreak of grins and chuckles from everyone; almost. It was obvious that Fred and Jim had decided to throw the young pastor for a whirl. They just knew they would get the best of him. He, resisted their efforts with steeled determination. As soon as the offering plates were properly placed on the Communion Table, the pastor read his scripture lesson, had a brief prayer, and then got right into the sermon. The pastor did not so much as look at Deacon Fred and Deacon Jim. The pastor knew better than to do so; for the fear of getting tickled was real. As the sermon proceeded, Deacon Fred would glance around and would wink at members of the congregation; gleaning return winks and smiles as a reward for his efforts. However, Deacon Jim had not thought about the fact that wearing that gorilla suit was going to be a “heated endeavor”. The longer the sermon, the hotter the gorilla became. Sweat was soaking the suit from the inside out. He was getting hotter and hotter with each passing moment. In desperate attempts to cool his face and to enable him to breathe deeply, Deacon Jim would gasp the bottom of the face-mask in his hand, pull it out from his face a little bit and inhale, exhale, and sigh loudly. He became more and more and more uncomfortable with each passing minute. Throughout the congregation folks were getting more and more amused at both of the men.
It took a while but finally the pastor brought the sermon to an end. He asked the congregation to stand for the benediction. And, without hesitation he called on Deacon Jim to have the prayer. It was something to see and hear as he prayed one of the most beautiful prayers ever verbalized in that church. Just before saying his “Amen” Deacon Jim said, “Thank you God for loving this Deacon in a gorilla suit”.
11/4/2015