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Pastor
the Rev. James M. Plummer
Attendance
5
Lay-to-Nonlay Ratio
1-to-1 (pastor, two deacons, two choir singers)
Service Length
2 hours
Sample Worshipper Dress
black pants, black shirt, black woven skullcap
Inexplicable Native-American Statuettes
1
Congregational Fervor
Wallflowers beware: With only five people in Trinity Religious Temple’s congregation at a recent service, it was a bit difficult to hide modestly. Under the watchful eyes of the tambourine-accompanied, two-member choir, the meager smattering of attendants obediently clapped and hollered along to such call-and-response hymns as “Hold on to God’s Unchanging Hand.”HHHHH
Food for the Soul
For part of his sermon, Plummer acted out the story of man’s exile from the Garden of Eden, proving himself to be not only an excellent preacher but also a well-developed thespian. “Are you there, Adam?” Plummer called out, in the deep baritone of the Creator. Then, assuming the role of Adam, he cowered behind an empty chair and assumed Adam’s nasal whine. “I’m right here, God; I’m hiding because I’m naked.” HHHHH
Food for the Body
No food or drink was available at the service.HHHHH
Overall Worship Power
Those unsure of their Christian devotion know that communion is not optional. After the majority of the congregation had received their wafer and thimbleful of grape juice, they formed a semicircle around the altar and silently beckoned the two stragglers to partake. HHHHH
—Aaron Leitko