Church Chores

This morning,
While no one was looking
A few people went about their work --
Preparing the worship space
For tomorrow's liturgy.

Arranging palm fronds in vases,
And for distribution on Sunday morning.
Removing the Lenten altar vestments,
And replacing them with the Holy Week Red.
Setting the elements and various containers
In their appropriate places.

This activity of "setting up"
Takes place week in and week out
Mostly unnoticed
Mostly anonymous
Mostly without wrinkle or hitch.
Which is how
Altar Guild members want it!

Their service is an act of devotion
To their Lord
And for their church.
No one else needs to know.
But I do.
For the gift of dedicated service
To the "House for God's People"
And the care of "Holy Things"
By these Holy People
I give hearty thanks.