Signs That Your Child Might Be a Witch

  • Your child asks to use the broom to cleanse, I mean clean, their room.
  • There is always a steak knife missing.
  • Your smallest pan keeps disappearing and reappearing, and always smells like ashes and potpourri.
  • All your candle holders are missing.
  • They now enjoy going to the fabric store with you and they want thread, ribbon and cloth of every color of the rainbow.
  • Their Christmas and Birthday wish lists consist of:
    a white or black full length bathrobe
    blank journal books
    window box herb gardens
    and a box of candles in assorted colors.
  • You just figured out that every full or new moon your child asks to have 3 friends spend the night; and strangely they are very quiet all night.
  • Your child now says “Merry Meet Again” every morning to you and whenever they leave they say “Merry Part”.
  • Your recipe cards are disappearing and when you do find them you can’t make sense of the recipe since it doesn’t require any actual cooking.
  • Your child has a new ID bracelet that reads something like “RavenMoon” “StarWolf” or “SunDragon”.
  • Your child asks you one day for a compass, four pails of paint; blue, green, red, and yellow, so that they can paint their room correctly.
  • They insist that their first car be the color brown and have a license plate that says BROOM.
  • Their pillows are now filled with all your potpourri.
  • You ask your child to rake up the autumn leaves in the yard, and they come back with a small stick and a large stick; which you later find to have shiny objects on them and unidentifiable etchings.
  • Once a jar gets emptied in your house it ends up in your child’s room filled with various objects like pins, needles, hair, honey, paper, and soil.

Changing a Light Bulb

How Many Church Members
Does it Take to Change a Lightbulb?

  • Charismatics
    Only one. Hands already in the air.
  • Roman Catholics
    None. They use candles.
  • Pentecostals
    Ten. One to change the bulb, and nine to pray against the spirit of darkness.
  • Presbyterians
    None. God has predestined when the lights will be on and off.
  • Episcopalians
    Eight. One to call the electrician, and seven to say how much they liked the old one better.
  • Mormons
    Five. One man to change the bulb, and four wives to tell him how to do it.
  • Unitarians
    We choose not to make a statement either in favor of or against the need for a light bulb. However, if in your own journey you have found that light bulbs work for you, that is fine. You are invited to write a poem or compose a modern dance about your personal relationship with your light bulb, and present it next month at our annual Light Bulb Sunday Service, in which we will explore a number of light bulb traditions, including incandescent, fluorescent, three-way, long-life and tinted, all of which are equally valid paths to luminescence.
  • Baptists
    At least 15. One to change the light bulb, and two or three committees to approve the change. Oh, and also one to provide a casserole.
  • Lutherans
    None. Lutherans don’t believe in change.

A Catholic Dictionary

  • Amen
    The only part of a prayer that everyone knows.
  • Bulletin
    1. Parish information, read only during the homily.
    2. Catholic air conditioning.
    3. Your receipt for attending Mass.
  • Choir
    A group of people whose singing allows the rest of the congregation to lip-sync.
  • Holy Water
    A liquid whose chemical formula is H2OLY.
  • Hymn
    A song of praise, usually sung in a key three octaves higher than that of the congregation’s range.
  • Incense
    Holy Smoke!
  • Jesuits
    An order of priests known for their ability to found colleges with good basketball teams.
  • Jonah
    The original “Jaws” story.
  • Justice
    When kids have kids of their own.
  • Kyrie Eleison
    The only Greek words that most Catholics can recognize besides gyros and baklava.
  • Magi
    The most famous trio to attend a baby shower.
  • Manger
    1. Where Mary gave birth to Jesus because Joseph wasn’t covered by an HMO.
    2. The Bible’s way of showing us that holiday travel has always been rough.
  • Pew
    A medieval torture device still found in Catholic Churches.
  • Procession
    The ceremonial formation at the beginning of Mass, consisting of altar servers, the celebrant, and late parishioners looking for seats.
  • Recessional
    The ceremonial procession at the conclusion of Mass – led by parishioners trying to beat the crowd to the parking lot.
  • Recessional Hymn
    The last song at Mass, often sung a little more quietly, since most of the people have already left.
  • Relics
    People who have been going to Mass for so long, they actually know when to sit, kneel, and stand.
  • Ten Commandments
    The most important Top Ten list not given by David Letterman.
  • Ushers
    The only people in the parish who don’t know the seating capacity of a pew.

Actual Announcements Taken From Church Bulletins

  • Don’t let worry kill you. Let the Church help.
  • Thursday night-Potluck Supper. Prayer and medication to follow.
  • Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our church and community.
  • For those of you who have children and don’t know it, we have a nursery downstairs.
  • The rosebud on the altar this morning is to announce the birth of David Alan Belzer, the sin of Reverend and Mrs. Julius Belzer.
  • This afternoon there will be a meeting in the south and north ends of the church. Children will be baptized at both ends.
  • Tuesday at 4PM there will be an ice cream social. All ladies giving milk will please come early.
  • Wednesday, the Ladies Liturgy Society will meet. Mrs. Jones will sing “Put Me In My Little Bed” accompanied by the pastor.
  • Thursday at 5PM there will be a meeting of the Little Mothers Club. All wishing to become Little Mothers, please see the minister in his private study.
  • This being Easter Sunday, we will ask Mr. Vassilas to come forward and lay an egg on the altar.
  • The service will close with “Little Drops Of Water”. One of the ladies will start (quietly) and the rest of the congregation will join in.
  • Next Sunday, a special collection will be taken to defray the cost of the new carpet. All those wishing to do something on the new carpet will come forward and get a piece of paper.
  • The ladies of the church have cast off clothing of every kind and they may be seen in the church basement Friday.
  • A bean supper will be held on Tuesday evening in the church hall. Music will follow.
  • At the evening service tonight, the sermon topic will be “What is Hell?”. Come early and listen to our choir practice.
  • Weight Watchers will meet at 7 PM at the First Presbyterian Church. Please use large double door at the side entrance.
  • The 1991 Spring Council Retreat will be hell May 10 and 11.
  • Pastor is on vacation. Massages can be given to church secretary.
  • 8 new choir robes are currently needed, due to the addition of several new members and to the deterioration of some older ones.
  • Mrs. Johnson will be entering the hospital this week for testes.
  • The Senior Choir invites any member of the congregation who enjoys sinning to join the choir.
  • Please join us as we show our support for Amy and Alan who is preparing for the girth of their first child.
  • Scouts are saving aluminum cans, bottles, and other items to be recycled. Proceeds will be used to cripple children.
  • The Lutheran Men’s group will meet at 6 PM. Steak, mashed potatoes, green beans, bread and dessert will be served for a nominal feel.
  • The Associate Minister unveiled the church’s new tithing campaign slogan last Sunday: “I Upped My Pledge-Up Yours.”
  • This evening at 7:00 pm there will be a hymn sing in the park across from the church. Bring a blanket and come prepared to SIN.

Breaking the Silence

Brother John entered the ‘Monastery of Silence’ and the Abbott said, “Brother, this is a silent monastery, you are welcome here as long as you like, but you may not speak until I direct you to do so.”

Brother John lived in the monastery for a full year before the Abbott said to him:

“Brother John, you have been here a year now, you may speak two words.”

Brother John said, “Hard Bed.”

“I’m sorry to hear that,” the Abbott said. “We will get you a better bed.”

The next year, Brother John was called by the Abbott. “You may say another two words Brother John.”

“Cold Food.” said Brother John, and the Abbott assured him that the food would be better in the future.

On his third anniversary at the monastery, the Abbott again called Brother John into his office. “Two words you may say today.”

“I quit.” said Brother John.

“It is probably best.” said the Abbott. “All you have done since you got here is complain.”

Sayings of Biblical Mothers

  • SAMSON! Get your hand out of that lion. You don’t know where it’s been!
  • DAVID! I told you not to play in the house with that sling! Go practice your harp. We pay good money for those lessons!
  • ABRAHAM! Stop wandering around the countryside and get home for supper!
  • SHADRACH, MESHACH AND ABEDNEGO! Leave those clothes outside, you smell like a dirty ol’ furnace!
  • CAIN! Get off your brother! You’re going to kill him some day!
  • NOAH! No, you can’t keep them! I told you, don’t bring home any more strays!
  • GIDEON! Have you been hiding in that wine press again? Look at your clothes!
  • JAMES AND JOHN! No more burping contests at the dinner table, please. People are going to call you the sons of thunder!
  • JUDAS! Have you been in my purse again?!

The Top Biblical Ways to Get a Wife

  1. Find an attractive prisoner of war, bring her home, shave her head, trim her nails, and give her new clothes. Then she’s yours. – (Deuteronomy 21:11-13)
  2. Find a prostitute and marry her. – (Hosea 1:1-3)
  3. Find a man with seven daughters, and impress him by watering his flock. – Moses (Ex 2:16-21)
  4. Purchase a piece of property, and get a woman as part of the deal. – Boaz (Ruth 4:5-10)
  5. Go to a party and hide. When the women come out to dance, grab one and carry her off to be your wife. – Benjaminites (Judges 21:19-25)
  6. Have God create a wife for you while you sleep. Note: this will cost you.- Adam (Gen 2:19-24)
  7. Agree to work seven years in exchange for a woman’s hand in marriage. Get tricked into marrying the wrong woman. Then work another seven years for the woman you wanted to marry in the first place. That’s right. Fourteen years of toil for a wife. – Jacob (Genesis 29:15-30)
  8. Cut 200 foreskins off of your future father-in-law’s enemies and get his daughter for a wife – David (I Samuel 18:27)
  9. Even if no one is out there, just wander around a bit and you’ll definitely find someone. (It’s all relative, of course.) – Cain (Genesis 4:16-17)
  10. Become the emperor of a huge nation and hold a beauty contest. – Xerxes or Ahasuerus (Esther 2:3-4)
  11. When you see someone you like, go home and tell your parents, “I have seen a … woman; now get her for me.” If your parents question your decision, simply say, “Get her for me. She’s the one for me.” – Samson (Judges 14:1-)
  12. Kill any husband and take HIS wife (Prepare to lose four sons, though). – David (2 Samuel 11)
  13. Wait for your brother to die. Take his widow. (It’s not just a good idea; it’s the law.) – Onana and Boaz (Deuteronomy or Leviticus, example in Ruth)
  14. Don’t be so picky. Make up for quality with quantity. – Solomon (1 Kings 11:1-3)

God’s Total Quality Management Questionnaire

God would like to thank you for your belief and patronage. In order to better serve your needs, He asks that you take a few moments to answer the following questions. Please keep in mind that your responses will be kept completely confidential, and that you need not disclose your name or address unless you prefer a direct response to comments or suggestions.

  1. How did you find out about God?
    ___ Newspaper
    ___ Other Book
    ___ Television
    ___ Divine Inspiration
    ___ Word of Mouth
    ___ Near Death Experience
    ___ Tabloid
    ___ Burning Shrubbery
    ___ Bible
    ___ Torah
    ___ who?
    ___ Other (specify):_________________________
  2. Which model God did you acquire?
    ___ Yahweh
    ___ Father, Son & Holy Ghost Triplet Bundle
    ___ Jehovah
    ___ Jesus
    ___ Allah
    ___ Satan
    ___ God
    ___ None of the above, I was taken in by a false god
    ___ don’t know what you’re talking about.
  3. Did your God come to you undamaged, with all parts in good working order and with no obvious breakage or missing attributes?
    ___ Yes
    ___ No
    If no, please describe the problems you initially encountered here:______________________________
  4. What factors were relevant in your decision to acquire a god? Please check all that apply.
    ___ Indoctrinated by parents
    ___ Needed a reason to live
    ___ Indoctrinated by society
    ___ Needed focus in whom to despise
    ___ Imaginary friend grew up
    ___ Hate to think for myself
    ___ Wanted to meet girls/boys
    ___ Fear of death
    ___ Wanted to piss off parents
    ___ Needed a day away from work
    ___ Desperate need for certainty
    ___ Like Organ Music
    ___ Need to feel Morally Superior
    ___ My shrubbery caught fire and told me to do it
    ___ don’t know
  5. Have you ever worshiped a God before? Is so, which false god were you fooled by? Please check all that apply.
    ___ Odin
    ___ Cthulhu
    ___ Zeus
    ___ The Almighty Dollar
    ___ Apollo
    ___ Left Wing Liberalism
    ___ The Radical Right
    ___ Ra
    ___ Barney T.B.P.D.
    ___ The great Spirit
    ___ The Great Pumpkin
    ___ The Sun
    ___ Barack Obama
    ___ Teemu Selanne
    ___ Lady Gaga
    ___ The Moon
    ___ A burning cabbage
    ___ drugs
    ___ Other: ________________
  6. Are you currently using any other source of inspiration in addition to God? Please check all that apply.
    ___ Tarot
    ___ Lottery
    ___ Astrology
    ___ Television
    ___ Fortune cookies
    ___ Ann Landers
    ___ Psychic Friends Network
    ___ Dianetics
    ___ Self-help books
    ___ Biorhythms
    ___ Alcohol
    ___ Barack Obama
    ___ Teemu Selanne
    ___ Tea Leaves
    ___ EST
    ___ Mantras
    ___ Jimmy Swaggert
    ___ Crystals (not including Crystal Gayle)
    ___ Human Sacrifice
    ___ Pyramids
    ___ Wandering around a desert
    ___ Insurance policies
    ___ Burning Shrubbery
    ___ Barney T.B.P.D.
    ___ Barney Fife
    ___ Other: _____________________
    ___ None
  7. God employs a limited degree of Divine Intervention to preserve the balanced level of felt presence and blind faith. Which would you prefer (circle one)?
    a. More Divine Intervention
    b. Less Divine Intervention
    c. Current level of Divine Intervention is just right
    d. Don’t know…what’s Divine Intervention?
  8. God also attempts to maintain a balanced level of disasters and miracles. Please rate on a scale of 1 – 5 his handling of the following (1=unsatisfactory, 5=excellent):

    a. Disasters:

    flood 1 2 3 4 5
    famine 1 2 3 4 5
    earthquake 1 2 3 4 5
    war 1 2 3 4 5
    pestilence 1 2 3 4 5
    plague 1 2 3 4 5
    SPAM 1 2 3 4 5
    AOL 1 2 3 4 5

    b. Miracles:

    rescues 1 2 3 4 5
    spontaneous remissions 1 2 3 4 5
    stars hovering over towns 1 2 3 4 5
    crying statues 1 2 3 4 5
    water changing to wine 1 2 3 4 5
    walking on water 1 2 3 4 5
    VCRs that set their own clocks 1 2 3 4 5
  • Do you have any additional comments or suggestions for improving the quality of God’s services? (Attach an additional sheet if necessary)
  • If you are able to complete the questionnaire and return it to one of our conveniently located drop-off boxes by August 30 you will be entered in the One Free Miracle of Your Choice drawing (chances of winning are approx. 1×10^256, depending on number of beings entered).

    Biblical Spokespersons

    What if biblical characters could be recruited as high-tech promoters? Consider the following tech advocates and their ad slogans:

    • Noah for Match.com:
      We can find a mate for anything. Why not you?
    • Moses for the Excedrin Headache Resource Center (Excedrin.com):
      Take two tablets and call me in the morning.
    • The dove for UPS.com:
      Guaranteed delivery in 40 days and 40 nights.
    • Adam and Eve for Dell:
      No Apples for us. We’ve learned the hard way.
    • Solomon for Microsoft:
      Don’t cut the baby in half.
    • Joseph for Nikon Coolpix:
      Only Nikon can capture the 36-bit color of my megapixel dreamcoat.
    • Methuselah for AARP.org:
      Life begins at 960.
    • John the Baptist for DunkinDonuts.com:
      You’ll be head over heels for our new Munchkin platter.
    • Pharaoh for Symantec:
      If only we’d had Norton AntiPlague 2002 in 2002 … B.C.E.
    • Job for NASDAQ:
      ‘Nuff said.

    Dear God…

    A nice young worker from the Post Office, was sorting through her regular envelopes, when she discovered a letter addressed as follows:

    GOD
    c/o Heaven

    Upon opening the envelope, a letter enclosed told of how a little old lady, who had never asked for anything in her life, was desperately in need of $100 and was wondering if God could send her the money.

    Well, the young lady was deeply touched and arranged a collection from her fellow workmates. She collected $90 and sent it off to the old lady.

    A few weeks later another letter arrived addressed to God, so the young lady opened it and it read,

    “Dear God,
    Thank you for the money, I deeply appreciate it, however I only received $90. It must have been those bastards at the Post Office.”