Well, that was embarrassing...

I try hard to do things well, especially in front of other people, but sometimes things just don't work out the way I plan.  About once or twice a year I take my turn reading scripture during the 11am  service at my church. Today was my day, and I also read several parts of the liturgy.  All went well; people stood up when I told them to, read the responsive parts and generally did their part.  Until I read the scripture. There were actually two scriptures to read today, the first one was printed in the bulletin and I led the congregation in a responsive reading. The second one (blessedly short) I read. Everything seemed to go well - I didn't slip on the steps going up and down from the lecturn, I read what I had been given loudly and clearly and was feeling pretty good, and relieved, as I sat down. That is until the pastor, before he started his sermon, announced that what I had read was the wrong scripture and proceeded to read a completely different passage. In my defense I had read what was given to me by the staff person (not the pastor) who provides readers with a copy of what they are supposed to read and he did apologize to me after the service for giving me the wrong scripture. Ironically, right after the service a friend told me what a good job I done with my readings. You can bet that the next time I read I will double check the paper copy I'm given against my Bible. We live and learn.