Here I Am (part 2 of 3)

by Bill McArthur

(READ PART 1 HERE)

Here I am then.
Attending a church service.
But this is not what I think it should be like.
Where is the droning organ?
Instead the hall fills with sound.
Sounds that I recognise from outside
but not in the church.
I don't know the tunes though.
Where are the hymn books?
Ah, there are the words on a screen, which helps.
I look around and see people singing
really singing.
With some clapping and raising their hands.
I am no sure about this.
I keep my coat zipped up despite the heat,
glad to be in the back row.
More songs and jumping around.
The next bit is about what is going on in the church.
Quite a lot it seems,
some of it may be interesting.
Then I suppose it's the sermon
as a man has walked onto the stage with a microphone.
Probably the minister
although he has a pair of jeans and a tee shirt on.
He talks of God, of Jesus, of love
and I lift my head to hear more.
He talks of church family and being part of something
and I think, maybe.
After a while he stops and prays for some things. 
Praying - what is that all about?
Then I hear him say that God loves me
no matter what I have done
and I can come to him and be forgiven
and healed.
All I have to do is say yes to him.
Then I hear the minister say
you can do this today.
You can invite Jesus into your life.
Now!
Just come forward to the front.
This is it, decision time.
I don't need much time.
I feel myself rising from my chair
and walking to the front.
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