VIP was on the go on the Sunday of our weekend tour. We started out at Bel Air UMC. This large church has multiple services happening at the same time! First, we sang in the Youth Service which takes place in the gym, complete with stage, praise band, giant screens, and stage lighting. Then, we headed upstairs to the beautiful sanctuary to sing in their traditional worship service.
One of the interesting things about this experience -- we were sitting in the regular pews during communion and sang several pieces from this spot. The result was that I was facing the congregation, instead of having my back to them, like I usually do. It was different and I tried to be aware of how I might look. This was NOT the time to stick my tongue out at the choir or make a silly face to get them to loosen up!)
We hung out for a few minutes in Bel Air's ultra-cool Youth Center (complete w/ soda and pinball machines!) and then boarded the bus for Agape Center in Baltimore. We had lunch en route and got there just in time for the gospel service to start.
The mission-minded congregation at Agape takes a unique approach to worship and as the gospel music started, VIPs sang and clapped along. We performed a great 5-song set and invited the children to play instruments with "Jenga" one of our Swahili pieces. We closed the set with the favorite, "Oh Happy Day" and the Pastor (rightly) called out the choir. He said, "You all are singing about a Happy Day but some of you don't look too happy." True, true!
After worship, it was back on our bus and a stop for ice cream before we got back to church. It was a GREAT day and a great tour.
Thank you to Bel Air and Agape for having us! We hope to return some day to worship with you.
One of the interesting things about this experience -- we were sitting in the regular pews during communion and sang several pieces from this spot. The result was that I was facing the congregation, instead of having my back to them, like I usually do. It was different and I tried to be aware of how I might look. This was NOT the time to stick my tongue out at the choir or make a silly face to get them to loosen up!)
We hung out for a few minutes in Bel Air's ultra-cool Youth Center (complete w/ soda and pinball machines!) and then boarded the bus for Agape Center in Baltimore. We had lunch en route and got there just in time for the gospel service to start.
The mission-minded congregation at Agape takes a unique approach to worship and as the gospel music started, VIPs sang and clapped along. We performed a great 5-song set and invited the children to play instruments with "Jenga" one of our Swahili pieces. We closed the set with the favorite, "Oh Happy Day" and the Pastor (rightly) called out the choir. He said, "You all are singing about a Happy Day but some of you don't look too happy." True, true!
After worship, it was back on our bus and a stop for ice cream before we got back to church. It was a GREAT day and a great tour.
Thank you to Bel Air and Agape for having us! We hope to return some day to worship with you.