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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: EXPRESSION (11/12/20)
Many contests, gadgets, rewards and promotions have been used to promote Sunday Schools, but this is a story of one of those promotions that went awry.

John had recently moved to town and started his own business. Obviously he wanted to make a good impression. When the church asked him to be the Sunday School Superintendent, he gladly accepted.

His first assignment was to do a Sunday School promotion on the theme of the Olympics. It seemed easy enough. He made two torches, one for himself and one for Pete who happened to be the City Postmaster. At the beginning of the Morning Worship service John and Pete entered the auditorium from opposite sides. The plan was for Pete, carrying a lighted torch, to light John’s unlit torch and then they would both exit, with some dialogue about the Sunday School interspersed.

John thought the kids would like it if the fuse lighting the torch also lit a small firecracker. That’s when the plan started to develop some serious cracks.

There was a high schooler, Allen, in the church who made firecrackers and he was delighted that his skills could be used for the “Lord’s work” so he readily agreed to make the firecracker. (Do you see red lights yet?)

Allen’s father, a building inspector, seldom came to church, but he came this Sunday to see his son’s talents put to use.

Everything went fine until the fuse was lit. Unbeknownst to John, Allen used some dynamite in the firecracker, so when it exploded it made a tremendous boom and the sanctuary filled with smoke.

John’s expression was one of horror and shock. He saw his reputation go up in smoke. The postmaster who held the other torch was shocked but grateful that he still had his hand. Both exited the sanctuary in opposite directions as planned.

Allan’s dad expressed delight to see some excitement in the church and started laughing. Allen on the other hand had a sense of satisfaction on his face now that others recognized his skills. That was not the sentiment of many that were there.

An emotional lady in the choir started crying. There may have been others crying, too.

The ushers in the foyer opened the doors to let the smoky air out and some fresh air in.

The music director’s expression was one of confusion, like, “It doesn’t seem appropriate to sing ‘Holy, Holy, Holy’ at this time.”

The pastor had the weirdest expression of all. He simply sat there and wondered what to do next. He had no idea how long it would take for the smoke to clear. No one would remember a thing he said that day anyway. The expressions of everyone else in the church were all over the spectrum.

I have been amazed that one incident or stimuli produced so many varied expressions, crying, laughter, confusion, pride, and who knows how many more. Although I didn’t hear of any anger, I’m sure some of that was present too.

It has been said that God has a sense of humor. It is felt by the writer that this incident was beyond that. Fortunately, God’s mercy extends to cover this and many more stupid things that his sheep do.

Incidentally, John only served one term as Sunday School Superintendent.

Non-Fiction
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This article has been read 285 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Gregory Kane
11/19/20
Only one term as superintendent? How unfair to deny talented writers even more priceless anecdotes! Very memorable.
Barbara Culler 
11/23/20
Oh this was a fun read! I hope I hope it places high!
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
11/23/20
You did a fine job of bringing the characters to life. I could picture this playing out from beginning to end.

Just a couple of minor things--be careful of POV shifts. Instead of telling what various people thought (since it's impossible to enter into another's thought process), use dialog and body language to show what the MC actually observed and using thoughts of the MC is another great way to show and not tell. The other thing is quite minor as well. You used the word expression quite often. You don't need to actually use the word to be on topic, although sometimes that an be difficult to do. Instead, perhaps try to describe the expressions or use another word occasionally.

You definitely have incredible talent. You pulled me in right away and kept me to the very end. You have a delightful sense of humor, which made me grin often. You nailed the topic in a fun and fresh way too.