Today as I look out upon this great congregation, gathered for the first time in many years in one place, I feel a strange blend of excitement and anxiety. Perhaps this is what a paratrooper feels just before his initial leap out of an airplane. It's a glorious experience but a little frightening too.

I felt a similar mixture of excitement and anxiety recently, on the golf course, of all places. I was invited to play at Southwinds by two good friends who are excellent golfers. Though I am just a mediocre golfer, I was not too worried. My friends are charitable and kind.

I arrived early and was hitting a few balls on the driving range when one of my friends walked up. We greeted one another. Then I asked, "Are we going to have a foursome today, or will just the three of us play?"

He repl…