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Once there, Dawud noticed that the lawn in front of the church was recently mowed, there were flowers planted everywhere. Any blowing trash, if there had been any, had been picked up. Even the front walk seemed to be clean! When they walked inside John and Dawud were greeted by a man and his wife. John explained that they were "Greeters." It was their job was to make everyone felt welcome and greet everyone who stepped into the church on the morning. John explained that every Sunday morning a different family in the church would be the "greeters." John introduced Dawud to Mr. and Mrs. Grayson. Dawud was unsure what to do when Mrs. Grayson held out her hand expecting a handshake. He looked at her and said "Very happy to meet you," but that was all. Later he told John that hoped she wasn't offended he did not shake her hand. John replied that he would explain it to her. . John lead Dawud through a hallway he said was called the "narthex." The narthex lead to a very large room called the "sanctuary." The sanctuary was very large and held an many benches. John said these were called "pews." This was all very new to Dawud and he noticed everything. He noticed how shiny and clean the tile floor was, like it had just been waxed the day before. He noticed that all the carpeted areas seem to be clean, vacuumed and in good repair. None of the walls looked dingy, as if they had all be washed recently. Looking up at the ceiling of the great hall, Dawud noticed that all the light fixtures worked, and there were many light fixtures. He also noticed a large bouquet of flowers on either side of a table in the front of the sanctuary John said was called the "altar." The flowers seemed to make the whole area smell fresh and clean. When the service began Dawud saw everyone reading their program to find out what they were supposed to do and say during the service. "That's different!" he thought, "Why don't they know what to do?" He also laughed quietly to himself when he heard John groan at having to stand for another hymn (Christian devotional song). "Why does he think this is so bad. He just sits down and stands up?" Dawud thought. After all the singing, prayer reading, and collecting of money the sermon began. Dawud sat in the pew and listened. He thought it nice how the minister spoke during the sermon, he was engaging and even humorous while making his point, and he didn't yell into the microphone. |