I don’t know if most people have a favorite sound. If they do, it’s probably something like birds chirping or their favorite song or their mother’s voice. I like all of those things, but one of my most favorite sounds is when a church congregation says these lines from the Lord’s Prayer:
Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil . . .
Go ahead, say it out loud to get the full effect. I love the whistling sound that a congregation makes on all those “s” words. Is that weird? It makes me happy every time. I feel lucky to go to a church that says the Lord’s Prayer every week.
Today I was especially lucky, because I was the liturgist at church, so I led the Lord’s Prayer. I also had to write the prayers for the world and the offering and the prayer of praise and thanksgiving. And I led the call to worship. I have never been the liturgist before. When certain people asked me how it went, I downplayed my nervousness a bit (I admit it, I was trying to play it cool) but the truth is that I. Was. Terrified. My legs even got a bit shaky at one point. Now it is true that part of my shakiness was not sleeping well combined with too much caffeine combined with too little food, but I was definitely more nervous than the situation called for.
I don’t know why I got that way . . . I mean, I don’t love public speaking, but I was prepared. What on earth is wrong with me? It reminds me of this one time in high school when we had to present on an article and I got up in front of everyone and apparently sounded like I was going to cry. I did get an A on the assignment (probably a pity A, but an A nonetheless), but everyone kept coming up to me with big sad eyes going, “Are you okay?” I hadn’t been that nervous, really. It was just some dumb article about frogs. Today I didn’t sound nearly that bad, but it’s the same concept. I had to do a lot of presentations in college, and I like to think that I have gotten better as a public speaker. But then something like today happens and I see how wrong I am.
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[...] terday was one of those days where I was so tired that I grew increasingly upset about the liturgy debacle as the day went on. By the time Mike got hom [...]
21 Comments
you had me fooled. well done.
I hate speaking in front of people. I’m okay if I’m doing something with someone else, but alone, hate it. My boyfriend in high school and I had Spanish class together. Knowing how nervous I get he I guess was trying to help me feel more at ease when I went up to the front of the room to do a presentation. I was scared to death (I downed played it too Kari) and he I guess to be a kind and caring boyfriend, whistled at me (like the kind you get truckers whistle at you out their truck windows). It was no secret we were dating, but the whole class laughed. I didn’t laugh, I turned bright, bright red. Needless to say, I think I got a pity A as well. The boyfriend on the other hand, he was dead meat.
Well, that’s good, Brian, because I really just couldn’t talk about it at that point. I had to come home to have the meltdown. My ingenious plan? We’re getting a new church. Mike thinks that’s extreme, but I remind him that he wasn’t there, so he gets no say.
hehe, Alisa, that’s a funny story.
I used to get really nervous. Then I spent several years singing in front of a million different congregations, most of whom looked like they were just waiting for you to stop so they could go get a McFlurry at the drive through on their way home. Try doing that…it’ll cure you of all stage fright.
I had such a bad day yesterday – I think someone should bring me a McFlurry. Anyone? Anyone?
Id make Jason bring you one Kari, but hes in New York.
So he could be here in . . . what, 45 minutes? An hour?
the mcflurry will numb your tongue so you can’t talk well. This will not help your public speaking dilemma.
I am willing to take that risk.
Or, you know, someone could bring Mexican food. Whichever is easier.
Also, did I mention I was MORTIFIED about the experience? Way to kick a girl when she’s down, Shearer.
Sibilance…
I don’t like public speaking, either. And I hated Speech class.
what? by not bringing a mcflurry I’m helping to avoid futher awkwardness. It’s a blessing in disguise.
My official stance on public speaking is: meh. I don’t love it, but I don’t go out of my way to avoid it. I did, after all, agree to be the liturgist. I think I am decent at getting a speech together, but yesterday I allowed my brain to psych myself out. And . . . Brian and I were just discussing how it’s harder for me to read prayers that I wrote in front of the congregation than for me to discuss the finer points of the Netflix marketing strategy in front of a class. The prayers are infinitely more personal, so I feel I am sharing a lot more of myself.
Brian, a McFlurry would be a blessing NOT in disguise. Unless you call a McDonald’s cup a disguise.
Kari: I am typically unfazed by public speaking, but for some reason, getting up and reading liturgy or the Gospel in front of a congregation is absolutely and utterly terrifying.
The S’s actually bother me, but that’s due to my time in choir, where you’re supposed to cut off with each other.
Kari, uhhhh I think its a little more than an hour drive from NY. But hows this, on his way back into town, Friday, I will send him.
You mean he’s not going to fly in just to deliver the McFlurry? I’m shocked! Shocked, I tell you!
I know, I expect more him. But this is why Im dating him, you know, to “fix him.”
You are a good woman, Alisa.
Thanks Kari. I take my cues from you.
You’re going to have him fixed????
What sort of church do you attend? I never heard of this position of “liturgist” before.
Baptist church. It’s not Southern Baptist, though. More high church.