It's not my second car.

I don't have a second car.

My pickup Is my only means of conveyance.

A preacher might should drive a car. A car has more -- well -- dignity than a pickup.

I mean -- can you see Billy Graham in a pickup?

I don't think so.

But I'm not Billy Graham, and I do drive a pickup.

And I have discovered that ministry involves a lot of hauling.

Now I don't think it does for Robert Schuler. I don't think Robert Schuler has to haul stuff -- but I do.

Especially this time of the year.

It's auction time!

And I have to put on my auctioneer hat and pick up my auctioneer microphone and be an auctioneer.

Now when the Bishop ordained me to preach, he didn't mention the auctioneer part of it.

I know it's not in the Bible.

And D. James Kennedy never has to do it -- but I do.

People tell me I do pretty well, but that's not why we use me.

We use the preacher as the auctioneer -- because I'm free!

Last year I sold a cherry pie for $265. A biding war got going among three people who really wanted that pie!

Funny things like that happen at a church auction. Good antiques can go for little or nothing while a cherry pie sells for $265.

You need to get in on the fun this year.

This is our big yearly fundraiser, our version of a Fall Festival or Lord's Acre -- antiques, glassware, furniture, crafts, and, yes -- another cherry pie.

Also, there's a big rummage sale and a great barbecue dinner along with the auction.

That's Saturday. On Sunday, the real excitement: the First Sunday of Advent -- the season that leads to Christmas. Here are our evening events:

• Dec. 3. 6:00 p.m. Pastor's Christmas Concert. Get in the spirit of the season!

• Dec. 10. 6:00 p.m. Bring the children. Santa visits -- and we put the Santa story in the context of the Gospel.

• Dec. 17. 6:00 p.m. Our Renaissance Nativity, a dramatic retelling of the Christmas story with costumes and music.

• Dec. 24. 6:00 p.m. Christmas Eve -- "the most beautiful service of the year" Music, candles, and God's grace.