Father's Day Malalysian style!

OK. So no problem getting drowsy! We met in a hall which held 800 to 1000 people. Overall, the service was similar to what we are used to in the states. They had announcements, a choir special, an orchestra special, a drama presentations by the teens (using the song "When God ran to me"), recognition of fathers (more than once). Jeff got a special gift (a book written by the pastor) as a father that had never before been in the services at Grace Assembly. They had a screen on either side of the sanctuary for better viewing. They taped the service, had a deaf interpreter and information on how you can use your credit card to give to the church. In the "bulletin" they had info on the big pot luck dinner coming up (no kidding). In the orchestra, they had several violins, a flute, clarinet, cello, piano and keyboard, bass, two guitars and drums. They had a worship team to help lead the congregational music. Attire for the day ranged from dressy traditional garb to jeans and t-shirts. Flip flops and high heels. They had children's church and a teen section. Everything was done in English, and their theme at this time is: "Move up into a new era of fruitfulness".

There were also some differences. Six or eight dancers up at the front (floor level) alternated between tambourines and scarves as they danced. Everything was very lively. Even those in the congregation were encouraged to dance to the Lord. They received the offering by laying two sheets down on the platform and having those who wanted to give to bring their money up and place it there. Then they folded them up and took them to the back. Pastor Henry gave the announcements and proceeded to "wax eloquent" about how our prayers to God on behalf of others will intervene in difficulties that may be coming if we do not pray. He was very interesting and challenging and went on perhaps a little longer than he might normally do while giving the announcements because their was a guest speaker for that morning and that was his one shot. I didn't catch the name of our speaker, but she was a professor from Nigeria. She spoke on what is an honorable father. Pretty solid stuff overall.

I enjoyed being there with my brothers and sisters who live half a world away. I felt such a spirit of oneness with them, all strangers to me. We serve the same God, are all redeemed by His blood and take comfort in His love. We all look the same to Him. Not so long ago, I remember thinking about heaven and (in my mind) as I looked out over the crowd that will be there, all the faces were white. It brought me up short as I realized how narrow and closed my world was. Since that time I have struggled to revise my vision. There will be all colors of skin, different eyes and hair. We will be big and small. Our language will for the first time a common language of God's love and the one I stand beside will be just as swallowed up in awe for Him as I will be. What a privilege it was for me to be in the presence of others so unlike myself except for our heritage as chosen heirs in a heavenly lineage.

PS I am noticing as I "spellcheck" that some of the spelling corrections are with British spellings and a little different from ours at home. How cool is that?