A misguided bird gets loose in the sanctuary and every eye in the congregation drifts toward the ceiling. Never mind that the choir is continuing to sing the anthem they have been working on for weeks just for this special occasion. The lost bird has totally interrupted the proceedings and besides, most would have to admit, its flight was much more entertaining. “I was so afraid that bird was going to land on your head -- but I’m sure the choir understands,” is the comment heard from a number of people at the close of the service.

Two men meet on the street on Monday morning and in the course of their conversation, one asks if anything exciting happened in church the day before. “Oh, not much; same as usual, I suppose,” the other replies. “Well, there was one moment. Somehow an old hound …