Are you Presbyterian?????

YESSSSSS!!!...My honey and I have finally found a church that we KNOW we can settle in to. It has been a long and grueling process. We have visited EVERY little country church...and a few larger ones...within a 15-20 mile radius of our home. We thought we found "the one" about 6 months ago...but when getting up and going to church on a Sunday morning became a "chore", we knew that our search was not finished.

After expanding the search in a westerly direction...having already exhausted the south and east (the north does not offer much in church selection)...we have found a beautiful Presbyterian church. They offer two types of worship services...traditional (which brings us back to our Presbyterian "roots") and contemporary (which we have come to love since ECC in Minnesota). It is a "healthy" church with lots of ways to get involved!!

This morning my honey and I went to the first contemporary service (they have two of each type on a Sunday morning) and actually moved up a few rows when we sat. We usually start near the back and work our way up as we become more comfortable. This was our 4th visit and we are already "movin' on up"...a GREAT sign!

After the first set of praise music it was time to greet those around you. We turned around, and seated behind us were the two cutest couples I have ever seen. They were dressed in their "Sunday best", from suits and ties to beautiful dresses (the only thing missing were the hats!)...and yes...they were in their mid-70s. While shaking my hand, one of the ladies said "this is quite the lively service!" I replied that "they do offer a traditional service in the Sanctuary..." but before I could get any further in my description of the service (ie. organ music, hymns and a 70-person choir...or so I have read), she then said "are you Presbyterian?"

Now the humor in this question is only understood if you ARE Presbyterian. This contemporary service had a full praise band complete with drums, bongos, violin, keyboard, base guitar, lead guitar, and an awesome praise singer. The music was loud and exciting. The congregation was exuberant and engaged...complete with hands raised and clapping. I am certain that these two couples had NEVER experienced this kind of worship in their lives...and most definitely not in a Presbyterian church!!

I quickly answered "YES!", but did not have a chance to say anymore because the "greeting time" was over and the music had begun again.

I wonder what they were thinking??? I wonder where they came from?? I wonder how they became unsuspecting visitors who stumbled upon this room full of "crazies" claiming to be Presbyterians?? I wonder if they will give it another try on another Sunday?? I wonder if they will find their way to the sanctuary with the organ and the choir??

I hope that they do not "give up" their search...but remain persistent until they feel comfortable enough to sit in the front row...with their hearing aids turned off, of course!!!