History and Ministry: First Presbyterian Church of Enid

    It was September 17th, the year was 1893, and exhausted and excited homesteaders were flocking to the land office in Enid, Oklahoma the day after the Cherokee Strip Land Run.  Taking advantage of the opportunity, Reverend G.V. Albertson stepped into the back of a waiting buggy and preached a sermon that marked the beginning of the First Presbyterian Church of Enid.

This table and box were the original pulpit from the Cherokee Strip days.

     Approximately 35 years later, descendants of this original congregation decided to build a grand church building at 502 West Main. Plans were set into motion, building began. and the Great Depression struck.  Refusing to give up, elders of the church traveled to Kansas City to meet with banker who were eventually convinced to put their trust and their cash in the hands of the congregation, and this beautiful House of God was completed.

    Even as we crossed the street and headed up the grand staircase to the impressive double doors, we felt our excitement mounting in anticipation of what we'd discover inside. And we were far from disappointed.

 

     The sanctuary was incredible with stained glass windows, incredible woodwork, and impressive balconies along three sides, but more important was the feeling of welcome and acceptance we experienced from those within.  The numbers of worshipers were relatively low, and the older generations were definitely most prevalent, but the smiles were genuine and the introductions many.

     We were surprised by the youthfulness of Reverend Andrew Philip Long (who I later found out is a good six years younger than me....which for some reason makes me feel really old), and we appreciated the effort he made to come down and introduce himself to us during the greeting time.  We smiled at the sweetness of the world's most adorable acolyte as she struggled with her candle and the precious boy at her side assisted her with the gentleness of an angel.  We were pleased and intrigued by the many similarities between the Presbyterian worship service and the Methodist services we grew up with and enjoyed the familiarity of the doxology and the preparatory words leading up to the Lord's Supper.

    We happened to have visited on a day when the congregation was presenting a scholarship to a seminary student who was delivering the day's message, and we were challenged by his urging to abide by God's command to rest on the Sabbath in order to renew our relationship with Him through time spent attending to our brokenness and pain and finding restoration in God's strength rather than our own. 

     The music was played skillfully and beautifully on a gorgeous grand piano, and while the hymns were unfamiliar to us, the words were full of power and meaning and praise to our God. The choir shared special music that was joyful and fun, and the pianist's fingers absolutely danced across the keys as the offering was taken, making we want to jump up and dance along.

     Throughout the service, we couldn't help but notice an instrument in the balcony that had us all a little baffled. Thanks to a long time member who offered to be our tour guide after the service, we learned that it was a set of portable chimes with a very interesting history. It turns out that the chimes had belonged to her uncles who had been members of a men's quartet that was part of the Chautauqua circuit in the early 20th century. The troupe had traveled by train across the country performing for crowds and toting the enormous chimes from place to place in cases; setting them up at each stop they made. The instrument is now one of very few remaining. It was such an amazing piece of history, and my girls made full use of the opportunity to shake out a tune or two. 

    The rest of the very large space was just as fun to discover.  Large kitchens provide space to prepare meals not only for the congregation but for a weekly Manna ministry that provides meals for any community member in need.  Additionally, the congregation hosts weekly tutoring program for students in need along with snacks, playtime, and some extra love and time.  The children's area is adorable and headed up by a precious lady named Ursula who quickly made my girls feel right at home and provided a fun and safe environment for the little ones. The church obviously had the space and the heart to fulfill all God's plans for them, and while they admitted that they were in something of a rebuilding phase in their congregation, it was apparent that God is using them in great ways exactly where they are.

    We thoroughly enjoyed our Steeple Chase this week and feel so blessed to have been called on this mission this year. We are discovering so many people within the walls of God's House who truly love the Lord and desire only to do his will and worship him....in whatever style that might be.  Thank God that even in the midst of the chaos of the world, His Church is still very much alive! May we continue to rely on Him for the strength to stand firm against evil and to show love to all God's children regardless of the differences among us.

A Sermon for Cinnamon: Faith Center Fellowship

      Isn't it funny (interesting? miraculous?) how God places you just where you need to be when you need to be there? I'm finding this to be so true on this crazy Steeple Chase we've embarked on as week by week, I open my heart and mind to urgings from the Holy Spirit to direct us to a Sunday morning worship, and week after week, God keeps setting me up to hear and feel and experience exactly what I seem to need at the time.  This week it was Pastor Cody Anderson at Faith Center Fellowship in Meno, Oklahoma that God used to speak directly to me.

     I had noticed Faith Center Fellowship many times over the years as we drove through the tiny town of Meno on our way into Enid for shopping and such. At first, I wondered what in the world that place was: a school, a church, a church-school? I wasn't sure, but as the years passed and the building transformed, and a new and very informative sign was placed by the highway, I understood it's role as a nondenominational church. With a bit of research, I discovered that the building was indeed originally a school, but a small congregation from the Church of God in Ames, OK lead by pastor Monte Anderson, had stepped out in faith, purchased the building, and began a journey which led to the church we see today. From the outside, it's large and a little awkward, and definitely interesting to see, so I was curious about what was inside and was excited to experience worship there.

 

    We stepped out of our vehicle and looked around the parking lot to see three cars unloading, all with friends and neighbors from home. We knew that there were people from Fairview who attended there, but were so pleasantly surprised to be greeted by familiar faces at the moment of our arrival. The next happy surprise was that we had arrived in time for donuts, which was brought to our attention by our neighbor's kids' happy cry of "Donuts!" as we walked through the door. (I have to admit that I often think of donuts with the same high-pitched happy squeal inside.) The entry to the church was cheerful and inviting as friends greeted one another, helped themselves to coffee, and caught up on the weeks events. We were invited to sit with our friends, and after a quick potty break for the kids, we entered the spacious sanctuary and found our seats.

    Due to the aforementioned potty break, we walked in just as the lights were dimmed and the music was beginning and the incredible vocals of music leader Lacie Tribble filled the space. I'm telling you  this girl can SING! The music was contemporary worship songs with words in both Spanish and English projected onto screens flanking the stage, and it was so very well done. I love when I can immerse myself in heartfelt worship with song without any thought or worry about the people around me, and they definitely provided that experience for me. The music did go on for quite a while with phrases repeated several times in a way I know my mom would not enjoy, and my girls did get tired of standing (bless their little out of shape hearts), but for me it was EXACTLY how my heart longs to worship, and I felt so very blessed and connected.

     Afterwards, the pastor called the children down front for a special blessing over them and then they were escorted to the Jungle Room for Children's Church. Once again our oldest chose to remain with us while the younger two be-bopped off with a bunch of strangers, happy as clams and without even a glance in our direction. They absolutely LOVED their time in the Jungle Room. They were excited about their lesson and insisted I get multiple pictures of them in the room. Both girls expressed a desire to go back sometime after our "steeple thing" is over.

 

    While the little ones were having lessons of their own, Pastor Cody was speaking directly to me. I'm going to do a little online confessing here and admit that I've been having a little house envy of late. Several of our friends have either been building new homes or buying new homes or remodeling the homes they have, and I've developed a giant chasm of dissatisfaction with our 75 year old farm house and all it's many issues. (The same farm house, mind you, that was the home of my dreams a few short years ago when it was first purchased.) I've spent multiple hours planning remodels and add-ons and "easy" changes that will not only improve our house but our quality of life and REALLY who we are as people, parents, Christians, and friends. So when Pastor Cody began speaking on the 10th Commandment about coveting, he might as well have started every sentence with "Cinnamon." His warnings about materialism leading to worry, weariness, and gloom were right on, his urging to "get your eyes on Jesus," and to realize that the "opposite of coveting is contentment" were exactly what I needed to hear. His delivery was down to earth and enticing and easy to follow. His desire for vocal audience approval and agreement a little different than what we are used to, but refreshing and encouraging in a sense that you no longer felt alone in your thoughts and feelings but united with others who were admitting to feeling the same. There was no boredom or drifting of thoughts, but a connected interest in both my husband and myself throughout the message, and we were left with tools to help us and discussions to sit down to together and a desire to please our Father more than ourselves.  (Please follow this link if you'd like to listen to this sermon online http://faithcenterpeople.com/#/watch-live.)

     After the final prayer and alter call, we discovered a very nice gift on the seat next to us (I always feel a little guilty taking these.), and then made our way to pick up the kids. Several people greeted us and introduced themselves on our way, and there was just an overall feeling of happiness and enjoyment and contentment within Faith Center.

     As we prepared to leave, we stopped for a bit to visit with my husband's sweet cousin who just this past week lost her husband in a tragic accident. When I mentioned to her that we were unsure if she would be in church that Sunday, her exact words were, "There's nowhere on Earth I'd rather be," and I realized that this was exactly what the Bride of Christ is all about. Providing a home where it's members desire to be in their joy as well as their grief, being that support for one another, and reaching out to all with the love of Christ. How fortunate we are to have been led to Faith Center Fellowship on our Steeple Chase this year, and how much we are looking forward to visiting again someday in the future.

     

    

Too Sick for Steeples: Home Church at the White House

     There are going to be times whether you like it or not, that leaving your house on Sunday morning just isn't going to happen. For us, this Sunday was one of those times. The sinus infection I'd been attempting to fight off for a couple days fought back with a vengeance, gluing shut my eyelids, blocking all nasal breathing, and turning my usual soprano pipes into those of a rasping 80 year old emphysemic smoker.  Deep sea lion barking coughs shook my entire body, and I knew that for that day at least, I was defeated. I considered sending the rest of the family on to church without me, but after peeling one eye open and blinking into the faces of children with snotty noses and crusty eyes of their own, I made an executive decision to skip church (Insert giant gasp....probably due mostly to respiratory issues rather than astonishment), and have Home Church instead.

    Typically, when we have Home Church (It's happened a few times over the past couple years.), we gather in the cozy office/fire place room and join together in song and prayer, and one of the girls (usually middle daughter who loves to be the "preacher") reads a bible story. In fact, several months ago, when we had Home Church due to extreme exhaustion and over-sleeping, the 8 year old, planned the entire service complete with hand-made bulletins and apple juice and Hawaiian roll communion. However, this Sunday, instead of making me move and start my hacking again, everyone gathered in our bedroom to worship.

Our usual Home Church sanctuary.

     The girls set up an alter on the dresser and lit the candles to symbolize the presence of the Light (aka Jesus) in our midst. Of course, the lighting of the candles had to be done three times because they each thought they needed to be the one to light them...and blow them out.

Casual dress is obviously acceptable at Home Church.

      In the past when worshiping at home, we've had congregational singing with praise songs and favorite hymns, but even though we could have done a pretty fair job with "Mama Sang Bass, Papa Sang Tenor," Jason and I decided to let the girls handle the music this time.  Each daughter shared special music with us. Middle child started out the service with a rousing rendition of "This is the Day that the Lord has Made".   Our oldest sang Amazing Grace quite beautifully, and the little one sang "This Little Light of Mine" on repeat until one of her sisters finally helped her find the final line. I have to admit, that each of our girls have been blessed with lovely voices, and it makes my heart happy to hear them using their gifts to glorify God.

     Although middle daughter was once again quite willing to play the preacher part, I asked Jason to share a devotion with us from the book I got him for his birthday. (Which he has know opened once. I'm a terrible gift giver.) He chose one entitled "Little People, Great Deeds" which compared Gandalf's choosing of Bilbo to go on the quest to God choosing the weak to complete tasks they could certainly not accomplish without His strength. Being big Hobbit fans, I thought my husband and his girls would enjoy this devotional, but to be completely honest it was a bit long and difficult to follow and so full of Hobbit terminology that I felt very Penny from Big Bang Theory for a while.

Not a bad devotional, really, unless you're a kid or not a big Hobbit fan.

     The most touching part of the service for me was the sharing of joys and concerns and praying together. It gave us a chance to talk about friends in need and things that were bothering us as well as things that make us happy. It gave my girls an opening to express that they wished we'd all stop yelling so much, and a chance for us to pray about it and ask God to help our family deal more kindly with one another. It was a chance to stop our oldest as she mindlessly began to recite the first lines of her usual prayer and ask her to take a breath, think with her heart, and remember to talk to God and not at Him. And suddenly, there we were, a family of five huddle on our queen sized bed, at peace in the presence of God, and I couldn't help but wonder why we wait so long to worship with one another.

 There was no Steeple on our building and no Chase to get us there,

 but our family worship time has a price beyond compare.

 I highly recommend you give this church a try;

It requires just your home, and your family by your side.

Home Sweet Home: Easter Sunday at Lenora UMC

I serve a risen Savior.

He's in the world today.

I know that He is with me,

whatever foes may say.

I see His hand of mercy,

I hear His voice of cheer,

and just the time I need Him, He's always near!

 

He lives! He lives! Christ Jesus lives today!......

 

    I stood in the second pew on the left-hand side of the Lenora United Methodist Church on Easter morning singing one of our favorite hymns and knowing I was home. This tiny church of my childhood, nestled on a bend in the road where the town of Lenora used to be holds the memories, the people, the faith, and the love that made me who I am, and I couldn't imagine celebrating this most holy of holy days anywhere else.

A drawing of the original church building.

 

    Growing up, the little church sat down the "hill" a bit where it had first been built by the Disciples of Christ in 1903.  It was there that generations of hard-working farm families worshipped and worked to maintain a congregation through good times and bad. By 1950, when my grandmother married my grandfather and moved to the JV Flats south of Lenora, the little church had undergone a tent-revival inspired transformation and became part of the Union Baptist denomination.  By the late 1960's, though, the struggle to find ministers became such a burden that the members of the church took my grandmother's suggestion to look into the United Methodist Conference and upon hosting a dinner and informational meeting with the District Superintendent from Clinton, the district agreed to sponsor the church as a mission church and provide a minister as well as much of his salary until the church could establish a firm foundation with a Methodist congregation. In time, Lenora United Methodist Church became a dual parish with the Vici UMC and to this day, the two churches work together to fund a pastor who provides leadership for both church communities.

    In the late 1990's, members of the church voted to build a new church building due to the dilapidation of the nearly century old original, so a beautiful new metal church was erected just west of the old church on land generously donated by the family of Norman Morris. Simple white with trim of blue and stunning hand-made stain-glassed windows, the church remains quaint in size but hosts a kitchen and fellowship hall large enough to provide for any and all who enter. From funeral dinners to teacher's luncheons to an annual stew and chili dinner and auction, this little church on the plains is a church of the community not just the congregation. The money raised during the auction provides for the needs of any of God's children, and people of the surrounding communities and churches come out in droves to support the works of the Lenora United Methodist Women, knowing that through this faithful organization, they will be helping friends and neighbors with needs big and small and will be making a difference in their lives.

    And so on Easter morning in 2015, it is for the most part, the families of these original followers of Christ who fill the pews and sing the same old hymns and greet one another in the name of the Lord. It is these families who lift one another in prayer and show up to help in times of need, who celebrate one another's joys, and spend time simply enjoying one another's company. It is these families that know your name and your parent's names and their parent's and on and on, and with so much history and love between you, it is difficult to find this feeling anywhere but here. And on Easter Sunday, it is these families whose children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren gather together to hear the resurrection story and hunt eggs in the tall prairie grass and rejoice to serve a risen Savior!

    If you decide one Sunday to come Steeple Chasing here, don't expect to slip in and out unnoticed.  Be prepared to shake some hands and answer some questions and help yourself to the snacks on the counter. Grab a cup of coffee and have a seat and linger a while after church. Share in some laughter and good-natured teasing and before long you'll no longer be a stranger but a part of the family:  the family of God, the family of the Lenora United Methodist Church, my family, and yours.

 

 

Returning to Worship: Palm Sunday at Fairview FUMC

          "Hosanna in the highest! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!"( Matthew 21:9)

      For hundreds of years, faithful members of God's chosen people had made the pilgrimage to Jerusalem and the sacred temple there to celebrate the Passover with family and friends. That particular year, as Jesus made his way into the Holy City was very much the same, and so very, very different. Families came together to fellowship and worship and remember. Friends greeted one another in the streets and arrangements were made for the seder meal as traditions were continued and passed on from generation to generation. And in the midst of the frivolity and chaos, Jesus rode towards the city gates on a donkey just as Jeremiah had prophecied so many years before.  And hopeful Jews who had heard the rumors, seen the miracles, who had memorized and watched faithfully for the signs of the messiah, cheered excitedly, waving palm branches and laying down their cloaks to pave the way Jesus to enter the Holy City that fateful day in history.

        Today we celebrate his "Triumphal Entry" as Palm Sunday, and much as the Jewish families flocked to Jerusalem to celebrate with family and friends in the temple so well known to their people, my daughters (and in truth, myself) yearned to return to the church family they have grown up with and the traditional celebrations they know and love in order to celebrate this start of Holy Week together.  So, this past Sunday, we returned for a "visit" to our home church, The First United Methodist Church in Fairview, Oklahoma.


         For 119 years, members of this church have been meeting faithfully to worship and live life together in this rural community in Northwest Oklahoma. They started meeting in 1893 with the branches of an elm tree serving as their only protection from the elements. They met in homes and schools until in 1901, they opened the doors of their first church building on the corner of 7th and Walnut. (That church now completes my perfect view from my kitchen window as it sits lovingly cared for at the Major County Historical Society next door.) By 1939 the congregation had expanded and a building expansion was needed as well, so a new modern brick church was built next door. (This church now houses the Fresh Start Fellowship and services continue to be held there on Sunday mornings.) On August 1, 2004, the church family made their way though the streets of Fairview, leaving behind the 65 year old building and making their home within the walls of a new, incredibly beautiful church located on east elm street.

         It was within these walls, that our family chose to celebrate Palm Sunday this year, and oh, what a joyous occasion it was!  We delighted in the heartfelt welcomes and sweet embraces of our friends as we made our way to our "regular" pew, and the girls hurried into the foyer to take their places in line with the other children waiting to begin the palm parade. We were greeted at the sanctuary doors and given the weekly bulletin as Pastor Rich Redinger began making the day's announcements. We couldn't help but smile as the children paraded in waving their branches and circling the pews as we sang "Tell Me the Stories of Jesus" in celebration of the recognition of the kingship of God's Holy Son.

                                            


         As we joined the praise team in musical worship, my voice caught in my throat as the Holy Spirit made His presence known within the room and within my soul.  I cried again as Pastor Rich read to us an account of the brutal persecution and crucifixion of our Lord and Savior and once again as I watched my middle daughter draw pictures of Jesus on the cross surrounded by the smiling faces of angel children sitting at God's feet as he "told them the story of Jesus coming back to life."

                                               

     As the service came to the end, I felt prepared for the Holy Week ahead and looked forward with excitement towards the celebration of Easter next week. The children, with Easter also in mind, raced to get their baskets and gather in the fellowship hall in preparation for the annual Easter Egg Hunt to begin. I raced from lawn to lawn in hopes of catching each of my girls in action, and realized that I haven't gotten a good egg hunting picture of my oldest since my youngest was born.


      The kids had a fantastic time as parents caught up on the week's events and exclaimed over the utter adorableness of each other's little egg hunters, and made plans for the kid's program on Wednesday and the upcoming Maundy Thursday service, which is were we made a point to be tonight.

      Maundy Thursday is the day in which Christians gather in remembrance of the Last Supper of Jesus Christ. It was the last time he gathered with all of his original disciples and when he presented his body and blood to them as a symbol of the sacrifice that was soon to come. Some Christians partake of a traditional Seder, or Passover meal, but at Fairview 1st UMC, we celebrate with baskets of LJS (Long John Silvers, in case you're not abbreviation savvy), olives and cheese and dried fruits and pita bread. We forgo the utensils and dim the lights, and immerse ourselves as much as possible into a meal that somewhat resembles so many that Jesus and his followers would have shared. As the eating slows, the "disciples and Jesus" make there way onto the stage where a Divinci-esque table has been prepared. One by one, the disciples share their stories of meeting, following, and often dying for the One who called them by name. In time, Jesus (portrayed by Pastor Rich) lifts the bread and cup and offers himself as a living sacrifice for not just those at the table, but for all mankind. The presentation is poignant and solemn and serves as a reminder of the darkness of the crucifixion that must come before the light of Easter morning.

 

                                             
   
     It has been a blessing and privilege this week to return to where our Steeple Chase began. The First United Methodist Church of Fairview is a beautiful body of Christ housed within the walls of an equally beautiful church building, and we are so grateful to have had the opportunity to worship together here during this most holy of weeks, and I assure you, my friends, that if you are looking for a church to attend this coming Easter Sunday, you, too, would be most welcome within these walls. God bless you and Happy Easter to you all!

    

Happy Easter from our family to yours!

 

 

 

A Church Alive: Camargo Christian Church

     If you're driving through the tiny town of Camargo, Oklahoma located on Highway 34 between Vici and Leedey, you might be tempted to think of it as dying. The school has long been closed, the population is somewhere shy of 200, and Main Street consists primarily of a single bank, a convenience store, and a car wash.

    However, as you walk into the sanctuary of the Camargo First Christian Church, though it boasts an age of more than 100 years, you'll discover that it, along with this community, are far from their deathbeds. In fact, this little church is very much alive.

     The girls and I (without Jason this week) arrived at the church a little early and excited to attend. My grandparents and great-grandparents were long time residents of Camargo, and I had been in this church on different occasions through the years for birthday celebrations, funeral services, and worship, so it felt good to be returning to a town and church in which so many sweet memories had been created.

      We stopped outside the historical church building to snap a few pictures before going in, and the sounds of bells drifted out to us, prompting me to hurry us inside, thinking the bells were a signal for church to begin. I was wrong, but what a sweet surprise we discovered when we entered. In the front of sanctuary stood several young children, holding bells, and practicing for an upcoming bell choir performance. They were surprisingly good and so cute, and I was so happy that we were able to get a sneak peek of what's in store for the congregation next week.

My girls posing in the beautiful arched entryway.

     As the kids returned to their Sunday school classroom to finish up before church, congregation members began to enter, and I was pleased to see so many friendly familiar faces. And then, I was simply shocked to see so many, many more as pew after pew filled up. God's children from 8 months to 80 years took their seats, and I was surprised to see so many young families entering the room to be seated next to couples and individuals representing every generation possible. In fact, by the time the service began, somewhere around 30 kids and their families (including grandparents and even great-grandparents) were settling in to worship, and as traditional hymns were beautifully led and prayers were lifted up and offering taken, I realized that this was not a quiet church body where I had to worry constantly about any sound my children made. All about were the sounds of little voices being lovingly hushed and the rustling of restless bodies and opening candy wrappers (which resulted from the handfuls distributed after the children's sermon to keep the kids occupied as they returned to their pews rather than being swept off to another room).  All about were signs of a healthy body of Christ embracing ALL those who had come to worship.
    


A stage full of children up front for the children's sermon.

 

What a sweet little face we got to enjoy!

     I was a little discombobulated by the lack of a church bulletin to follow as the service began, but I soon realized how unnecessary it really was as Pastor Richie Oakes and his wife Marylu, along with several other faithful members guided us seamlessly from one portion of the service to the next. We took part in the weekly communion service as the body and blood were passed from pew to pew, and my children felt comfortable enough that my youngest even stood up during the sharing of joys and concerns to announce excitedly that she is going to have a new cousin. (I was a little worried that my brother and sister-in-law might not have wanted her to share their surprising and joyful news, but she's over-the-moon and there was just no stopping her.)

    The morning's sermon was delivered my Pastor Richie and just the sound of his voice brought back so many memories of my childhood years traveling to stock shows with the Oakes' family: singing songs and telling jokes, working hard, fighting with one another,  freezing to death with the windows down in December to keep Richie awake, and lots and lots of laughter. I knew I was in for a blessing, and I was right! Pastor Richie's down-to-earth, conversational-style sermon was easy to follow and his lessons easy to receive. As his words created pictures of miracles in my mind, I could feel Jesus "breathing down my neck" as the Holy Spirit refreshed me from within. What a blessing that not only those present at Camargo Christian Church that morning have the opportunity to hear God's Word spoken within these walls, but people all over the world are invited to attend through the miracle of technology at http://churchesaid.com. I would definitely encourage anyone reading this to visit this site and take the opportunity to listen to Pastor Richie's messages.

      As the service came to a close, it was wonderful to see so many congregation members lingering to spend time with one another. Just outside the doors is the Camargo City Park, and the kids made great use of it as parents enjoyed the lovely weather and gathered in groups to visit. My girls made new friends while I talked with old ones. We found ourselves right at home among the members of the Camargo Christian Church, and I could see exactly how God has used this little congregation in this tiny little town to impact generations of His people over the past century.....and how He will continue to use it as a beacon to Him in the generations to come.

 

God bless America!

 

 

 

 

Flashing lights and Smoke Machines: Life Church Yukon

    I'm really excited to share with you our first experience at a Life Church, but first, let me tell you about Car Church.

    Wait! First, let me tell you about why we were having Car Church in the first place:

      We woke up early Sunday morning knowing we weren't going to be able to attend church that morning. My oldest daughter's basketball team had signed up weeks before to take part in the High Five program for the Oklahoma Thunder basketball team's home game against the Chicago Bulls. It was a 12:00 game, we were required to be there an hour early, and being a couple hours from the city, we would be driving and arriving around the time most churches start. Several of us regular church attendees had some misgivings about missing church for a basketball game but decided that we were still part of the Body of Christ no matter where we gathered, so we gave God the praise for the opportunity and headed to OKC as the sun was coming up.

     My niece had stayed the night and was riding to the city with us to spend a few days with her aunt and uncle, and my daughter's bff was joining us for the game, so I headed east out of town with three happy eleven year olds in the back seat chattering along. A few minutes later, I declared that we would have church in the car this morning, and this is how it went:

                              Praise and Worship:  I cranked up the tunes and all four of us began to sing along. The tune was upbeat and we were rocking out, worshiping God together through music.

                              Prayer Concerns: I looked down at my speedometer that was pointing somewhere near 80, and up into the flashing lights of a flashing patrol car. The concern was obvious, and the prayers began.

                                Confession and Contrition: As the grim faced patrolman renounced my sin and asked for an explanation, I apologized profusely while frantically searching for my license and registration in a purse packed with junk, a console full of papers, and a glove compartment stacked with all manner of ridiculousness. After hours (or a couple of interminably long minutes) of really uncomfortable silence while I dug and shoveled and searched, I finally gave up and begged for mercy.

                                  Morning Message: While the officer returned to his patrol car to decide my fate, I proclaimed to the girls in back the importance of staying organized and following the rules and not allowing your life to get trashed out due to being overly busy. All this was said while continuing to search my purse for my illusive license and tossing not one but FIVE oranges out of my purse, over my shoulder, and into their laps as I spoke, until a distinct throat clearing at my left shoulder stopped me mid-toss and I turned to the officer even more humiliated than before while the girls behind me choked on giggles behind their hands.

                                  Absolution: "Mrs. White," the officer sternly stated, "You currently have no  record on your license, so I'm going to give you a warning this time. However, if you'd like to continue with no record, I recommend you get all of these offenses taken care of and set your cruise control."

                                 Praise, Adoration, and Prayers of Thanksgiving:  Praise the Lord!! Just as God offers us salvation through Jesus Christ and bids us to "go and sin no more," I had been given grace in the face of my failures, no record was kept of my wrongs, and I was allowed to continue on my journey praising God and thanking Him for a second chance today and always. However, as we drove away, I declared to the girls that I would be focusing on my driving for the rest of the trip, and I was sure we could find a Life Church to attend on the way home, which is exactly what happened!

We don't get a lot of time together without the sisters!
What a blessing this day turned out to be!

    
     It was close to 3:00 when we left the Thunder game, and a quick internet search revealed that LifeChurch.TV of Yukon had a service at 5:00 which was absolutely perfect.  It was on our way home and gave us time for a quick stop at the outlet mall for a little shopping. I had never been to a LifeChurch before, but I've had several friends recommend it. One of the main reasons for encouragement was that there are so many service times offered on both Saturday and Sunday that you can always find time to join a worship service even when you've got a busy, over-booked weekend schedule, as most of us do, at least from time to time.  In addition, I'd been told that the pastor was excellent, and the kids church had been highly suggested for my girls by my friend's son who is the same age as my oldest.

Actual feelings face.

Might be on Mom's blog face.

     I really had no idea what to expect, and my daughter (who is not quite as friendly and adventurous as her younger siblings) had no desire whatsoever to attend kids church, but with some encouragement from her friend, and a demand from her mother, she poutingly deigned to attend. We followed the signs to registration and got the girls signed up. They each received a name tag with a number that corresponded to a sticker given to me that would have to be presented in order to retrieve them. We were welcomed by some very friendly volunteers and shown to a special classroom for 5th grade students that looked like a pretty good time to me. There were several games including basketball and foosball and a comfy looking couch area in front of a big screen television. The girls were told they would get the VIP treatment and were offered snacks and drinks and were headed in that direction when I left them and followed the signs to the auditorium.

        Before passing into the auditorium (I wonder why it's not called a sanctuary?), I encountered a large coffee, tea, and water bar. There was a variety of snack and drink options, and church members were eagerly filling cups and carrying them into the auditorium with them. Feeling a bit sacrilegious, I filled a cup of ice water and found a seat near the center back.

      So far, I had not been spoken to by anyone in the lobby or the greeters by the door, and I felt a little awkward as I sat alone in the congregation as others entered in groups of family and friends. I noticed a few other singles in the congregation and was a little surprised that like myself, they continued to remain alone, with several seats separating them from the others as the auditorium began to fill up. I wondered if this was common in all churches and if I had simply never noticed because I'm usually surrounded by family of my own.

    The church itself was unlike any I'd ever been in before. The closest I  think I've been to would be Jr. High Church Camp or a Women of Faith Conference. The stage itself was backed and flanked by a trio of huge tv screens counting down the time until service began, and music was blaring as laser beams flashed off of the machine made smoke hovering above. It was definitely a festive, fun-filled atmosphere, and as the booming bass vibrated up the floor causing my pant legs to shake in time to the music and tickle my stubbly legs, I realized that I was probably a little past due for a shave. (Too much information again? Sorry, again!)

     As the countdown came to a close, a live praise band took their places on stage, and we joined in as the words to songs that were new to me but easy to catch on to flashed across the screens. The musicians and vocalist were excellent and the words to the songs meaningful and touching. People across the room lifted their hands in praise and danced in their seats as they sang along in praise to our God. I was surprised by the continued feeling of isolation I was experiencing. I think perhaps the fact that I couldn't hear myself or any of the people surrounding me singing over the volume of the band kept me feeling like I was in a bubble of my own, there but separate. (Once again, this could very well have been due to the newness of attending church alone, and I in no way mean it as a ridicule against this particular church family. Its simply how I was feeling at the time. )

     As the praise band left the stage, the local pastor stepped up to welcome, encourage, and pray for the congregation. He also introduced the senior pastor of Life Church who soon appeared on the large screens to greet his congregations. Pastor Craig Groeschel  and a handful of others launched LifeChurch in 1996 with a vision of creating a different kind of church. Nearly 20 years later, there are Life Churches throughout  the US and their services can be viewed live throughout the world through the power of Internet. Pastor Groeschel can be found leading in person at his church in Edmond, Oklahoma, but he provides leadership to all his churches behind the scenes and on the big screen. He often provides the morning message for all of his church families while various local pastors provide the messages around four times each year, but this particular morning, Pastor Groeschel introduced an upcoming sermon series entitled "I Deserve It" and a guest speaker to present the morning's message on Chasing Light: Part 2: Greed. Paster Peirre Du Plessis from The Father's House in Rochester, New York presented the morning's message, and as I nodded in agreement and chuckled with the other members of the Body, I finally found myself feeling a part of the congregation as a whole. (If you're interested in hearing a really great sermon for yourself, you can find it at http://www.lifechurch.tv/watch/chasing-light/.)  By the time we'd all received the message, the offering had been taken, and we were dismissed with an invitation and a prayer, I was feeling much more at home with this body of Christ. I took a few minutes before we left to ask some questions, meet some very kind people, and learn a bit about Life Church as a whole.

      I find myself intrigued by this relatively new style of church, and would definitely encourage anyone seeking a modern, contemporary worship style to seek out a Life Church near you. In addition, I highly recommend anyone who finds themselves unable for whatever reason at this time to join a church family, to experience and learn from the messages by tuning in at www.lifechurch.tv.  You can view live services several times a week or view messages on demand from their archives anytime. There are several sermon series that I'm really excited about seeing as soon as possible.

    From sirens to smoke machines, this week's Steeple Chase was definitely a unique experience.  We were reminded that whether in a car, at a ballgame, or viewing a Biblical message on a giant tv screen: Where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am with them. (Matthew 18:20)  After all, even without a steeple, if the message points upwards, the journey is headed in the right direction. Thanks so much for being a part of this journey with us. Stop in next week for our next Steeple Chase adventure!

 ***Just a little side-note here: As I was completing this week's blog post, Tara from Life Church Yukon called to welcome us to their church and see if we had any questions or comments about their church. She volunteers her time to make contact with all new visitors to make sure they feel connected and welcome in their congregation. What a great way to make a newbie feel at home! Well done, Tara at Life Church! Thanks for your call and your encouragement!