Matthew 5:14
"You are the light of the world...
Matthew 5:16
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
6:21 p.m. --- we are running through the worship set before the crowd starts showing up. "Bang!" light's go off. No power. Ready Kilowatt has let us down. Actually what happened was an accident not far from the church knocked out our transformer.
We rounded up all the candles we could find, positioning them around the room so as to get the maximum light possible. Phone call to Vicki..."Bring all the candles you have. Power's out." She shows up with a basket full of candles.
We move worship from the stage to the floor. Acoustic Guitar's, small percussion set, and Wayne's harmonica. Debbie adds the shaker to give rhythm to the music.
Throw open the back doors to to let the breezes find their way in. Luckily the coffee was already perked. Carrie Elrod brought cookies and snacks to go with the coffee. We aren't going to let a little thing like not having electricity stop us from having church. After all, we ARE the church.
Crowd filters in. Hugs and handshakes all around. Family members find their loved ones and seats are taken. The room is alive with chatter and conversation. Life has now begun to sprout and show itself.I guess we are going to have ourselves an "adventure" service.
First song is Bob Dylan's "You Gotta Serve Somebody." Crowd begins to worship. Wayne on vocals and harmonica make the song come alive. "It might be the devil or it might be the Lord, but you're gonna have to serve somebody."
Song # 2 is a take-back. Bad Company's "Feel like making love" is now and forever more..."Feel Like Praising You!" Crowd really gets into this one. You have to remember, for the most part those who come on Saturday night have never really been taught what worship is all about. That's what we are trying to do by taking back some of the old songs we use to listen to, reword them and let them bring glory and honor to God. I love the look on people's faces when we crank up one of these take-backs. "Can we do this? Can you sing this song in church?" By this time, I'm really into the worship. We've moved down from the stage and are there among the people.
Song #3- Amazing Grace. You could sense a lot of gratitude in the room as we sang this one. One older gentleman raises his hands and lowers his face. He is very grateful that God has done a work in him. That this Amazing Grace we are singing about is more than words to a song. To him, it has become life itself. He remembers all too well where he has come from. But he rejoices in where he is today and where God is leading him.
Message is on learning to read the "white" part of Scripture.
One problem.
The lack of electricity, coupled with the candle light, is not conducive to seeing ones notes. It was impossible to see them, so I spoke from the heart.
Like last week, there was much interaction in the room. That is what I like the most. When message moves into the room and is not confined behind the podium. I'd much rather begin a message and then have the room interact and share their perspective on what they have heard. It usually opens up the door for other verses and other views.
Ministry time - One young man needs prayer for emotional stability. He is really struggling with decisions that have to be made, and he doesn't want to make those decisions if he is in turmoil. We pray and God's peace comes to him.
Someone else asks that we pray for him, that he would not go back to his old lifestyle. Fear is a major part of recovery. Fear of going back. Fear of what lies ahead So I always tell people, "a little fear isn't bad. A lot of fear will take you right into the ditch."
So we close with prayer.
Chairs are being stacked. The core group of VRC has moved into action and begun the process of resetting the room for Sunday morning. Groups of people are gathered all around the room and out to the sidewalks. Laughter, arms around each other. Children getting one last hug and kiss from dad. Life will now move from that little room at 419 Broad street, to homes all over this county and state. I know that what was said and demonstrated in that room was "good" seed. I know that hearts received what was shared. I know that at some point, God will bring forth a harvest when that seed begins to sprout. I may not ever see this happen, but I know that it is good seed. That is why we do what we do on Saturday night, in that little room at 419 Broad Street.
We extend the Kingdom a little more each Saturday we meet.
God on you....
mb
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