We visited Glory Chapel for worship this past Sunday. I didn't know what to expect but I was excited for the experience. And an experience it was. I have never felt so genuinely welcomed by people I didn't know. They were truly happy we were there - well, that and the fact that they simply were just truly happy people. The diversity in that chapel was amazing. So many races under one roof praising the same God.. it would give anyone chills. The worship began and I was in awe. I felt like a spectator at a show, except these people weren't acting. They sang, they danced, they clapped, they shouted. I could feel the trembling under my feet as the building shook from people praising the Lord. The sound was massive. Kids running around, people trying to converse as they strolled in. The choir fanning themselves with their worship bulletins. An abundance of grace had truly been poured out upon this building and its congregation. The people of Glory Chapel knew what it meant to be saved. They have been given a second chance and were literally running and dancing with it. No one could take it away from them now. ( The church was founded be a former drug addict who became saved. The majority of the men and woman that attend have had previous drug addictions and are now working to help community.) As we sang the men waved their white handkerchiefs and the woman swung about their scarves. People all over had brought their own tambourines and were clanging along. Time meant nothing to them as they worshiped, in fact one of the elders came up to the podium to do the announcements and ended up expressing how much he loved the previous song, so he called on the choir and pianist to start it up again so we could worship some more. A woman in the front started dancing all around, and as the choir came to the end of the song she dropped to the floor and began to shout. "I thank you!" she cried to the Lord. "I am your servant! I thank you for being a forgiving father," she screamed as she lay on the floor. It was quite a moving moment.
You know how you sometimes applaud after singing a song at church? Well, I suppose I always thought it was for the band or the worship leader. At Glory Chapel I learned of a whole new way to applaud. They weren't clapping for the amazing choir, or the drummer or the talented pianist. They were clapping for Jesus. At one point we started applauding and just didn't stop. It just went on and on, like a never ending applause. This applause was like no other. Faces were turned up to heaven, eyes shut tight, speaking loudly to God and thanking Him. That was one of my favorite moments that day, applauding as if a band had just finished the last song of a concert and we were waiting for an encore. That's what experiencing grace is.
Here's some photos of my past days, enjoy!
In Christ,
Cheryl
