They were just getting started on the second hymn of the service when the Volkswagen Beetle embedded itself in the church wall.
``Morning has broken, like the first morning...'' they sang cheerfully. Then there it was, the front right wheel of a 1974 Bug hanging over the heads of Mrs Lanford and her daughters.
The singing sort of trickled away except for old Mr. Greer who went on quite oblivious.
Mr. Parfit was first out of the church. He saw the boy jump out the window of the VW and take off running. Mr. Parfit grabbed the kid and threw him in his car and drove away with half the congregation watching. The kid was on the floor gasping and moaning.
``You hurt?'' Mr. Parfit asked.
``I don't know,''the kid answered.
``You need a doctor?''
``Don't think so. Might have broke my nose.''
``What in hell were you doing?''
``The keys were in it. It wasn't locked. I just thought I'd drive it around for a bit - I never drove a stick shift...''
``You're in big trouble, ain't you?''
The boy said nothing then he started to cry.
``How old are you? Don't lie to me.''
``Twelve.''
Mr. Parfit drove the kid to a bus stop and gave him five dollars.
``Don't never do anything that stupid again,'' he said. No question the boy's nose was broken.
Mr. Parfit drove home through the sweet green countryside. It was a beautiful morning.
``He got clean away,'' he told his wife, ``couldn't see where he went.''
Next Sunday in church they gave thanks to god that no one was hurt and they gave thanks to Mr. Parfit for helping fix the wall and returning the VW - damaged but possibly salvageable - to its owner.