Drama in the Church Saga by Dynah Zale Page B

I’m sure the Lord would love to hear from you. Please close us out in prayer.” The children gathered around, held hands, and formed a circle.
    â€œDear Lord, I want to thank you for waking me up this morning,” the boy said. “Bless my mother, my father, and my sister. Amen. Oh! And bless Ms. Tressie, too.”
    Tressie looked up and smiled at Dontonio. “Thank you for including me. I’ll see you next week, all right?”
    â€œYes, Ms. Tressie.”
    Tressie straightened up the church pews as the children gathered their things to go home. She grabbed a stack of Bibles and returned them to their place on the back of the church pews.
    â€œMs. Tressie?” Ta’Lena, one of her Sunday School students, called out her name. “This man was outside looking for you.” Ta’Lena pulled a man by his hand into the sanctuary.
    Tressie turned around and looked straight into those eyes. Those captivating eyes that held her completely hypnotized before; long, perfectly curled eyelashes above almond-shaped eyes. It was him. He was here. A wave of heat suddenly passed through her body like a storm. Except this storm held her like a hurricane that kept circling around inside of her.
    â€œHello,” Tressie greeted him.
    â€œHi,” Payce responded. Ta’Lena instinctively let go of his hand and ran back outside with the other children.
    â€œNice to see you again. What brings you here this morning?” Tressie asked.
    â€œI came here to see you,” Payce answered.
    Before she could respond, Reverend Kane, the associate pastor, came up to her with the morning service program. “Tressie, I need for you to make a few announcements at the start of the morning service, and I want to change the scripture reading.”
    Tressie stood and listened to the adjustments Reverend Kane wanted for the program. Before the pastor had a chance to walk away, Tressie stopped her.
    â€œReverend Kane, this is a friend of mine, Payce.”
    The minister turned and reached for Payce’s hand. “Hello, Payce.” She greeted him with a huge smile and shook his hand. “I’m glad you came to worship with us this morning.” She turned back to Tressie. “Thanks again for those changes, Tressie.”
    The organist began to play the opening hymn, giving the signal that service was about to begin. Tressie excused herself and took her seat in the pulpit next to Reverend Simms, the senior pastor. After the opening hymn concluded, Tressie led the church in prayer. As she bowed her head, she glanced over in Payce’s direction. He winked his eye at her and she replied with a smile. He is so cute , she thought to herself.
    Reverend Simms stood before the congregation and delivered a soul-wrenching sermon. “Church!” Reverend Simms screamed. “Beware of wolves that disguise themselves in sheep’s clothing. Everything ain’t what it seems. I Peter 5:8 tells us to be careful and watch out for attacks from the devil; for the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for victims to devour.” Tressie absorbed the words of wisdom spoken by Reverend Simms.
    After church, Payce waited around to speak with Tressie.
    â€œI was so surprised to see you today,” she said to him.
    â€œI remember seeing you in Harrisburg, and my brother mentioned that you lived in Philly. Finally, after a lot of harassment and putting myself in debt by promising to get his car washed every week for the next three months, he told me your name and what church you attended.”
    â€œI’m flattered that you went through so much trouble.”
    â€œOn my way over here I hoped that you would be worth all this fuss. Now that I’m here, I can see that you are.”
    Payce’s compliments left Tressie speechless. She silently thanked the Lord for answering her prayers. He was what she had prayed for. She asked the Lord to send her a man who knew the Lord, but