There aren't that many churches in Auburn. I tried two different ones last week, and they were both hit-and-miss.
I tried a Methodist church in the morning, and I liked the service and the music, but the sermon left something to be desired. I went to a baptist church that night, and the music was bad (anytime the worship leader is in a short-sleeved dress shirt and has a flat-top haircut, you know something is up) but the message of the sermon was spot on. Because I'm going to be here for three months, I figured I might as well try another church or two and see if I found one I liked.
After some Google searching last night, I found a United Methodist church in nearby Moravia, NY (about a 30 minute drive from Auburn). It's a long drive, but I figured if I really liked the church (or happened to meet future Mrs. Miller there), it would be worth the gas money.
I showed up about 10 minutes late and grabbed a seat in a pew towards the back of the church. It turns out, all the churches I've seen in NY so far are all small. No big churches. This church probably had space for 150 people in the sanctuary and was relatively full for the service. It also turned out, it was Children's Sunday, or so I hope. Kids sang solos (grade school kids), read scripture, and did everything. The message was given by someone's grandma and she basically yelled into the microphone while giving her sermon.
Needless to say, I was ready for the service to be over. I longed for my home church, where I knew people and felt comfortable. Not this period of uncertainty, where I couldn't even find a place to worship.
As the service concluded, I got up to leave and was stopped by an older gentleman who asked me about myself. Through talking, I learned that he grew up in Joplin, MO and had a son who pastors at Parkway church in Springfield, MO. Small world.
After we talked briefly, he told me "well, I hope you come back" and I kind of thought "thanks, but it's probably not going to happen."
As I drove back to Auburn, I prayed. I want a church. I don't want to be in limbo for three months. I want a church where I can worship like I'm used to worshipping and don't feel like I want to bolt for the door when the service is over. I felt God tugging at my heart, telling me to give the church I just left another chance. I remembered their website telling me they had a contemporary worship service Sunday nights at 6:30pm. Maybe I should go back, give them another shot, and see what the contemporary service had to offer.
That's exactly what I did. I c
ame back tonight.On my way there, I had to pull over though. I looked out my window and saw some beautiful countryside. I had to bask in the awesomeness that is God's creation (left).
When I finally got there and walked into the sanctuary, I found about 15 people in the congregation and 8 or 9 in a praise band singing contemporary songs. Songs like "I Will Rise" and "Mighty to Save." The message was really good and given by a younger man in an "Evangel" t-shirt. He talked about loving others even when they don't deserve it. About forgiving others when they don't deserve it, because that's what Christ has done for us. After the service, a man in the row in front of me turned around and introduced himself. We chatted for a bit and I learned that the man who gave the sermon was indeed an Evangel grad. As was his wife. And the screaming lady who gave the message at the morning service went to CBC in Springfield.
It truly is a small world.
He also told me about a worship service that the local church camp puts on during Sunday mornings. Said it's a group of kids around my age who have a contemporary worship service Sunday mornings before the campers arrive in the afternoon. He thought it might suit me best because the camp is closer to Auburn than their church, and also because the church wasn't going to have their contemporary worship service anymore this summer. He gave me the phone number of the man in charge of the service, and told me to give him a call and see if it would be okay if I joined them on Sunday mornings.
I wonder if this is why God brought me back to this church. Not so I could call it my church home for the summer, but so he could introduce me to John, who would tell me about a contemporary worship service on Sunday mornings by kids in my age group.
A week ago, I was praying for friends. God answered that prayer. I went to a minor league baseball game with an intern from the Doubledays. I'm very thankful that the other interns are welcoming and invite me to do things. SO very thankful for this.
Today, I prayed for a church. A place to worship. I believe God is answering that prayer and tonight wasn't just a coincidence.
