In college, I went to a church where the women wore amazingly beautiful hats and the men wore pocket squares that matched their ties. The choir processed down the aisle every Sunday morning – heads thrown back, steps matched, voices strong and joyful. They sang “I’m glad to be in the service one more time,” and no one could stay in their seats when they sang it. It was a celebration. A community gathered – all in one place, with one thing on their minds: telling God “thank you” for getting us through another week.
We clapped our hands and sang together, and some people lifted open hands up to the air – a gesture that seemed to whisper, “Here, God. Take it. It’s too big for me, but I know You can handle it. I NEED You to handle it.” We’d sing out, and the Hammond organ would punctuate our songs with high-pitched runs, or driving low notes rising from the pedals below. The choir would make their way to the choir stand and they would rock the house. And there was dancing and there was praising and there was freedom everywhere I looked.
When the preacher preached, he stood tall and wore a black robe and stretched out his arms to place both palms flat on the pulpit. He always started with the bible, and the people who sat in the pews turned pages of their own and it sounded like the flutter of wings. His voice was low and strong and he unpacked those words on thin pages so they seemed to dance in the air and we knew God could see us. We knew it and believed it, and it was real and true.
At the end of the service, we’d all stand, and we’d join hands across the aisle. And if you were sitting on the end of an aisle near the window, you’d reach behind you or in front of you to hold the hand of the person in the next row. Everyone connected to each other. No one left out. Together we would sing, “Praise God, from whom all blessings flow,” and it was percussive and the drums spurred us on. And when we finished, the pastor would pronounce the benediction and the last word was always, “Peace.”
Deidra @ Jumping Tandem
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Torrie says
What a sweet reminder! Brought back a lot of beautiful childhood memories! Although I understand (and truth be told like) the more casual approach to church attire, I do miss getting dressed up for Sunday services. I feel bad for our children’s generation because they are not being taught that we wear our best on Sunday out of respect. They are missing out on the treasured words of classic hymns. I love the old hymns and have sung them to our children as lullabies.
Luree says
Yes I also miss the hymns of old, such strong doctrine taught…i also sang them to my children as lullabys…and wearing our Sunday best was just the right thing to do out of respect for God…I do miss those days..
Kimberly says
What a beautiful portrait of the body of Christ, beginning with praise and ending with peace…
Charina @ Pondered Thoughts says
‘….beginning with praise and ending with peace.”
Echoing Kimberly’s comment….
All good things.
tammie says
beautiful. <3
Christy says
So beautiful & lovely Deidra~felt I was right there with you. What a blessing to be part of that experience growing up~making God real for people in a tangible way.
Kathy @ In Quiet Places says
You brought back a flood of memories when you said college years…
i remember walking to a church with a group of college students, the church was close by and I remember on the way back we’d start singing, and end up on the steps of one of the buildings and just sing our hearts out to the Lord. Contemporary music and praise songs were new on the scene then, I won’t date myself too much, but it was the late 70’s.
I was just beginning to truly grow as a Christian in my college years, which makes those memories even sweeter.
Deidra says
I had some singing friends in high school. We’d hang out on the front porch and harmonize – Motown, gospel, and a few big band tunes. Good times!
Julee Ann says
Even though my church upbringing was quite different, today, I went to church with you. Great is thy faithfulness! And great post!
Lisa says
Good uplifting music is some of the best ways to worship God. Well, at least I think so…
Jerri Phillips says
Amen and amen!
Save me a seat because I’m going to church with you!!!
Deidra says
We will surely worship together one day! 🙂
Gayle says
Powerful words. And that time became a part of you, a part of your Spirit, your faith. It reached and holds you still, and today it reached out and held us for a brief moment in time.
Mackenzie says
Your post brings back memories of my grandma’s church. Thanks for that sweet memory 🙂
Kristi says
What a beautiful picture your words painted!! I have always longed to attend a service such as you described. Need to put it on my bucket list! 🙂 I experience similiar feelings of connection and closeness at my church….but we don’t “rock the house”! Thanks for taking me on that walk down your memory lane!
Blessings~
colleen Brown says
I LOVED THE BEAUTIFUL POST TODAY. i GO TO A VERY SMALL CHURCH AND WE HAVE A BEAUTIFUL WORSHIP TIME. WE ARENT AS VOCAL OR OUTRIGHT AS YOU WERE BUT OH I WISH WE WERE. THAT IS SO UPLIFTING TO PRAISE THE LORS WITH JOYFUL NOISE AND A GLAD HEART. tHANK YOU FOR THIS POST aND tHANK YOU JESUS FOR ANOTHER DAY. aNOTHER SUNDAY
Deidra says
“…a glad heart…”
Yes. Just that. It makes all the difference.
colleen Brown says
SORRY FOR THE SPELLING ERRS I WAS JUST TO EXCITEDS TO TYPE CAREFULLY. I MEANT LORD NOT LORS
Alecia says
What an amazing picture of worship and a great way to start the week! Thanks for sharing!!
Jacqueline B says
What a beautiful image of the bride of Christ. What joy in heaven and across the earth if all believers would worship so, and hear God’s Word taught so, and would be in such a united community. My prayer this Sabbath Day. 🙂
Erin says
Thank you for this. I’m home from church this morning with two sick little daughters. Watching sermons online and listening to music is nice, but a little lonely. Your post fills my heart with beautiful thoughts of fellowship. Thank you.
Deidra says
Aww… praying for your little ones.
Katie says
This was exactly my experience throughout my entire childhood..I left an impression on my heart and in my spirit…thank you for sharing and congrats to you for having this experience. A fitting tribute to Black History Month too…..this is how we did it and still do it!!!!
Phoebe says
That sounds absolutely delightful!
Claresa says
Absolutely beautiful. Made me think about my own memories, especially singing “Praise God from whom all blessings flow.” That song always makes me feel a sense of peace.
Anonymous says
Loved the sentiment that everyone felt “free” to dance, shout & lift up arms. I used to belong to a Methodist church & none of that is done there–very quiet.
Now I go to a small Christian church with mostly older people. I feel open enough to clap my hands, sing loudly & yes lift my arms hands wide open–telling God to take it all–I can’t but you can!
A neat dimension that I have added to our worship services, occasionally, is that of sign language to music for our special music time. I pick a song–hymn, contemporary Christian whatever & learn the signs. I stand in front of church next to pulpit & while music is playing do my signs as expressively as I can. This is my way of saying “Thank you Lord for all you’ve given me”!!
Beth Williams says
Forgot to put name on comment!
Loved the sentiment that everyone felt “free” to dance, shout & lift up arms. I used to belong to a Methodist church & none of that is done there–very quiet.
Now I go to a small Christian church with mostly older people. I feel open enough to clap my hands, sing loudly & yes lift my arms hands wide open–telling God to take it all–I can’t but you can!
A neat dimension that I have added to our worship services, occasionally, is that of sign language to music for our special music time. I pick a song–hymn, contemporary Christian whatever & learn the signs. I stand in front of church next to pulpit & while music is playing do my signs as expressively as I can. This is my way of saying “Thank you Lord for all you’ve given me”!!
Deidra says
Beth-
I have always loved sign language in worship! Somehow it reminds me that God appreciates our worship – no matter what form it takes. Hymns, gospel, silence, dancing – all of it is beautiful to God. Thank YOU for sharing your gift.
Diana Trautwein says
Oh, sweet sister – preach it! Love the sound of this place, love to hear about different rich experiences of worship, love the pictures in my head because of your writing. Here’s a loud AMEN from the corner!
Deborah says
I love the way you paint a such a rich picture of your church with words – so evocative.
Praise be that there is room for us all in church, and we are all part of one family.
Amen!
Deidra says
Oh yes. There is room at the table for everyone.
Every voice.
Every song of praise.
What a beautiful family He has knit together…
Jennifer Rowland says
You painted a beautiful word-picture, and I loved reading it. Makes me wish that I had been sitting in the pew next to you.
sonyamacdesigns says
El roi …
Deidra says
Absolutely!
The God Who Sees…
colleen laquay urbaniuk says
your post makes me wish i had been to a Church like that. what a great feeling of praise and worship to our Lord!!!
Maryann Schwinge says
What a wonderful post!!! I have been thinking about and missing my Grandmother who passed away many years ago. Your post brought back so many wonderful memories of going to church with her always dressed in our Sunday best!!!! I love the hymns of days long past. I know that because of my sweet Grandma I still remember so many of those songs and many times when I hear them today it brings tears to my eyes just remembering her. I can’t wait until the Lord returns to see her again!
Elizabeth says
Your descriptive words drew me in and I wanted to be there with you and feel the joy and the love.
Dawn Camp says
Deidra, I love your stories and I love you, friend!
Shari~Rain into Rainbows says
I loved your description. It was almost like I was right there, worshiping along with you.
Beautiful.
Julie Sunne says
You’ve painted a lovely picture of worship, Deidra. Your words transported me to place and time. Love my church but would enjoy more outward expression of joy. Blessings.
Beth Ann says
Ahhh, Deidra. Your post makes my heart (and eyes) swell. When you talked about lifted hands, it reminds me of my dear husband, who was not yet saved when we were married. He would say to me, “Why are people raising their hands during the service? I don’t understand that!” I did my best to explain it to him. Now, he is a believer, on fire for God, and when I’m singing in the choir, often his hands are the first to raise when we are singing. I thank my God for saving his soul. NOW he understands! He is such a blessing!
Amy says
Oh, I love this picture of the body of Christ! It reminds me of my childhood church. Whenever a new member joined, we would all hold hands in one great big circle at the end of service (no mean feat in a 300+ member church) and sing “Blessed Be the Tie that Binds” a capella. Your story reminds me so much of those days and I love to hear about joyful places of worship like this!
Sara Campbell says
this was such an uplifting story to read. BEAUTIFUL!
Rhonda J. Smith says
Simply beautiful, Deidra, the writing and the celebratory message. Thanks for sharing your lovely writing and your heart.