An American Pastor’s congregation could be forgiven for feeling a little short-changed when the service they dutifully attended was abbreviated to last just a minute.

A story on the incident which appeared this morning in the online version of London Evening Standard did not give the name of the pastor. It said that worshippers were told by the Pastor that the sermon would be shortened thanks to an American football game due to kick off in “just a few moments.”

Worshippers, according to the report, were told: “For those of you who weren’t at the early service and are here you may not be aware that there’s a football game starting in just a few moments – not that I have any vested interest in this game or the outcome of that game whatsoever – but I was thinking we might have just a little bit of an abbreviated service...”

On the rest of the service, London Evening Standard reported:

“Would you all like to be forgiven for your sins?” he asks the congregation.

“Yes,” comes the reply from worshippers.

“OK that’s great. You are,” their Pastor tells them.

“There is some bread and some wine up here on the table. Feel free to help yourself.”

Then, revealing a San Francisco 49ers T-shirt beneath his robes, he tells the gathered crowd: “I’m outta here!”

•Photo shows the unnamed Pastor who abbreviated his sermon due to a football match.