Missed the shuttle bus as I was late from work, so had to take the bus myself. My worries of missing the stop for the unfamiliar church was soon gone, as I realised the presence of people in the bus who seemed to be unfamiliar with the area and looking for some landmark. Too much for a coincidence I suppose.
Reached Evangel Family Church...and found the place to be teeming with people. Was directed to the 4th floor, as the actual concert hall was already filled to the brim. [Only realised later that jia en & abi were in there, and could have sneaked in! =( oh well. ]
Entered the room only to be greeted by the face of Mark Hall, the lead singer of the band, plastered on the giant projection screen. With the concert started, I managed to find a quiet, cosy corner & settled myself in.
Actually, concert would be a wrong word. I found myself singing along together with the crowds to the band...it was more like a praise and worship session....except this time you're with people who have been ministered to by the same band...singing the all too familiar album songs. An experience indeed. I never knew the songs could be so well-suited for church body worship in such a way.
I must say...I was really pleasantly surprised to how close they sounded to the albums, live. What with the studios' technology nowadays to enhance vocals and instrumentals, it wouldn't have been surprising to find the band different in a live setting. But nope, what you hear is what you get....Mark's strong rough, raw vocals accompanied by the harmonising female vocalist. The band? Boy it sounded really great and tight.
Oops....I'm rattling away. Heh, I guess it was better for me not to have entered the actual concert room....I think I might just be too carried away by the band's presence and live playing. I'm sure the atmosphere in the "live" room would have been more crazy. Though I kinda lamented at the beginning for not being able to enter....I found it to be less distracting for me.
More than the blast of the songs...the message of the songs sank in. Sure I've heard it a thousand times, but to sing it in their "quiet" environment, coupled with Mark's sharings.....it was good. The honesty and simplicity of the message impressed me.
The fear, and uncertainty of where one stands before God.
I wonder how many youths out there would go through years of "christian-church life" before being battered by life's storm and try to make sense of what they have thought they know and believe all these years. And Mark addressed that brutal honest question, that some may find uncomfortable to ask themselves with.
I really enjoyed the time together with the body of Christ, and the time alone with God. I guess when we left, there was probably quite some crowns casted onto the floor.
Mine?
Let's just say that my head, did feel lighter...
=)
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[And Now My Lifesong Sings] - Casting Crowns
I once was lost, but now I’m found
I once was lost, but now I’m found
So far away, but I’m home now
I once was lost, but now I’m found
And now my lifesong sings
I once was blind, but now I see
I once was blind, but now I see
I don’t know how, but when He touched me
I once was blind, but now I see
And now my lifesong sings
And now my lifesong sings
And now my lifesong sings
I once was dead, but now I live
I once was dead, but now I live
Now my life to You I give
Now my life to You I give
Now my life to You I give
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Let my lifesong sing to You
