You pull into the parking lot of the Boys and Girls Club of Manassas, just before 10:00. So far, so good; the place wasn't hard to find. Before you open your car door, you check out the people filtering in. What are they wearing?
You're glad to see you fit right in. The guy over there in a tie is followed by a mom in a denim jumper, trailed by kids in jeans. There's what appears to be a sports shirt contingent over there, next to a guy in Levi's, a couple of women in classy dresses, and a teen in something fringed. Looks like people wear what they want.
There's a greeter at the door, a woman with a friendly smile. She gestures toward the auditorium doors: the service will be held through the lobby, to the left. Kids are ambling down an adjacent corridor, on their way to the children's praise and worship service that precedes Sunday School.
Armed with the bulletin handed you at the auditorium entrance, you're soon moving down the aisle to choose your seat. People greet you with amiable nods. Looks like a mix of young families, singles, and couples. On the stage, a worship band is starting the first song. There's a keyboardist, a drummer, a sax player, singers, a couple of guitarists ... looks like this group is serious about worship. The song is bright, upbeat, contemporary. The words are projected on a screen to the right of the stage, so it's easy to join in. Someone starts clapping; others follow.
After a few more songs, somone in a sports shirt and khaki-colored slacks appears and introduces himself. After pointing out bulletin highlights ... a women's breakfast, a youth group trip to see Michael W. Smith in concert -- he mentions that the pastor, Dave Blum, will teach this morning.
As the ushers come forward for the offering, Pastor Dave states that visitors should not feel obliged to contribute. Then, the offering is taken while the band plays.
Dave Blum is a dark-haired, cheerful-looking guy, with a ready grin and a conversational manner. He plunges right into his teaching, titled "Becoming a Caring Spiritual Community." It's structured around Scripture passages enjoining Christians to develop a lifestyle of mutual care and support. He punctuates his message with references to current events, and talks about challenges people face when they try to "wing it alone" in today's society.
At one point, after giving a few statistics about feelings of alienation in America, he lightens the tone with a story about a time when he could have used the help of "community:" the day he ended up in embarrassing beside-the-road, hand-to-hand combat with a wayward mattress he was trying to transport. Then he motions to the screen, inviting the congregation to watch a film clip that illustrates the theme of caring. Harrison Ford appears in a scene from the movie The Witness, showing an Amish barn-raising.
Soon after, Pastor Dave ends his sermon with prayer. Music drifts out of the sound system, and as you leave the auditorium ... what's that aroma curling toward you? Gourmet coffee? You'll have to try a cup. Do they have decaf? Looks like bagels and muffins over on the table, too.
Before you can get to the table to pour yourself some coffee (Hazelnut creamer, one sugar), a friendly-looking church member stops you to introduce himself. The two of you chat for awhile before you're joined by another. By the time you've reached the table and decided to go with high-test coffee in spite of your pledge to cut down on caffeine, you've made three acquaintances. You look around at the church members gathered in groups throughout the lobby. They appear to be nice, casual, easy to talk to. Hm ... looks like community.
When you finally file out the door, you're thinking you want to come back to hear next week's sermon. Afterwards you'll stay awhile once again, to meet a few more people.
And when that well-brewed aroma greets you in the lobby after the service, maybe you'll even try the decaf.
Nah.
