K, seriously... time for some reflection time in a big big way.
Preface - I go to this (I mean I'm a part of) this wicked church community called "freechurch". Definitely worth a look see for anyone looking for something a little different or if you haven't been to church in years because it wasn't really a place for you and wonder if there's a place for some God in your life or even if you've never been to a church or know anything about God, Jesus and the like. It's an amazing place to be while you try and figure out all of that and where you are in it.
So yeah back to loving the church.
Picture this, you're part of a church that uses a projector for song lyrics so everyone can do "worship" (singing in this context) and know the words cause some songs are new, some are old and we can't always remember everything now can we? So yeah, you're part of this church and someone steals your projector... err... not so sweet eh? Sad really. Really sad. Then you get another projector for use and it blows up (almost litterally but if it's more fun to picture a projector becoming a flaming pile of plastic and glass after it's spontaneously combusted have at it). Then what do you do? Well you borrow a projector, and when that projector is killed off almost like another act of God, what then? The projector is never the focus, just an aid.
This is my church.
So yeah, my church, takes it as a sign that we should reconnect, worship a little different and just go with the idea of chaos. Chaos is cool right? Well if you're part of a church you're used to yknow... pews, isles, rows, the standard... Order? Yeah. Well this week, we changed everything.
Upon entering the church, each member from the community was faced with all the chairs in the main area of the church scattered facing different directions in no order what so ever. It was utter chaos. The balcony seating was blocked off as well indicating that we're all sticking on the ground level for this one, there was no escaping the misguided chairs.
Yup take a moment to visualize this really. It's astounding. All the chairs in the church are set up, ready for sitting but they have no order at all. When you are accustomed to walking in to a nice orderly setting this is jarring. The alter is also place to the side, and on stage is a stool and a guitar. As each person entered it was amazing to watch. Each person was hesitant, confused, worried a little bit but they each had faith in the ways of our community and entered and found a seat. How wicked cool is that? I think that did something very very special. It allowed each person to walk in and take a moment before they sat down. It created this great break, a harsh division in the day that was your Sunday like a line of chairs shouting "YOU'RE HERE!"
The mood of everyone shifted dramatically from the previous, somewhat somber week. Instead we were all genuinely excited about what was to happen next. I figured we'd just sing like we usually do but instead we were all – allow me to repeat ALL – invited up by the alter to sing in praise and celebrate. We all walked up the stairs and had one of the best worship sessions at FT since we moved into the new space. One of the things that always made me love love FT (freechurch toronto) is the idea that you could sing along with the songs and close your eyes and hear many excited, genuine voices in your ear. And this was very much in that vein. To be singing, lifting up your heart I guess, and to hear everyone in your ears so loud as this unified voice was simply amazing. I loved every moment of it. It almost seems like something that should be done once a month. Perhaps it's something that will come back for the love feast so we don't have that much setup? Either way, the feeling of the sermon and back to worship after and the whole night was something that I won't likely forget anytime soon.
I can't say that this week would have been the most inviting week to anyone walking off of the street but it was definitely necessary and served a much different purpose. This week, it was for us, for our little family. A time for us to really let it out and be together. And isn't that something we all want?
Anyway, I doubt there's anyone reading this that's new but if you are new, or if you've just been stalking me blog and live in Toronto and don't go to freechurch, please do check it out. I always thought of it as a place that people can get lots of things out of. Even if you don't consider yourself super religious, you might just be surprised. Currently, I attend the evening service which is at 5pm to 7pm on Sunday. You can find freechurch on the southside of College and Bathurst. (College and Bellevue to be exact).
Anyway, it's late, I need to finish up some work (crazy as it may sound at 1pm) but I hope you all have a wonderful, day and night. Love to all and as much peace as you can handle.
J
