Roman’s first inclination was to say no, but he remembered Jasper’s advice. Best to go for the first time with someone he knew. And he’d have more time with Grace. He thumbed a response. What time? Her answer came quickly, and she wished him a good night.
Roman drove to Van Nuys, Grace in the front passenger seat and Samuel strapped into a car seat behind him. The parking lot filled; a multitude migrated toward the open doors, where greeters handed out programs. Roman had never felt comfortable in a crowd.
Grace turned to him. “I’ll take Samuel to the nursery and be right back.” She nodded toward a set of open double doors into what looked like a small stadium. “We usually sit on the right side about halfway down.”
He felt a moment of panic as she disappeared into the throng. Who had she meant by “we”？ He spotted her again, weaving her way through the crowd like a salmon going upriver, and then she was gone. Others moved around him like he was a rock in the stream. He tried to get out of the way, but felt himself swept along in the tide. Once through the doors, Roman slipped out of the stream and stood close to the wall.
The sanctuary looked like a concert hall, complete with a band setup onstage. A large screen hung behind them, high enough for everyone to see announcements rolling one after another: a women’s Bible study on Wednesday nights, choir auditions and practice times, men’s ministry events. A mission team was heading to Zimbabwe for two weeks; volunteers were needed for the Sunday school classes.
What was taking Grace so long?
Maybe he should have stayed home and watched a few church services on television before he ventured into the fray. He might have had a better idea what to expect.
“Hey, you!” Shanice appeared, grinning at him. “I didn’t expect to find you here.”
“That makes two of us.”
“Are you here all by yourself? And why do you have a cane?”
“Torn muscle.” He shrugged, not wanting to talk about it. He looked over Shanice’s head toward the back doors. “Grace is around somewhere. She said she was dropping off Samuel in the nursery, wherever that is.” Must be Timbuktu, considering how long she’d been gone.
“You look ready to bolt.” Shanice’s dark eyes danced with amusement. “Never been in a church before?”
“No.” And this just might be his last time.
“It can be pretty overwhelming. Come on.” She took him by the arm. “We’ll take good care of you until Grace catches up.” He spotted Ashley and Nicole. They must be the rest of the “we” Grace mentioned. He looked around for exit signs. Shanice almost pushed him into the row of seats. “Just do what everyone else is doing and you’ll fit right in with the crowd.”
Roman had never been good at that.
A man came out center stage and shouted for God’s people to praise the Lord. Everyone surged to their feet. Roman stood uneasily. Lyrics replaced announcements on the screen. Everyone was singing. Loudly. It was a giant karaoke bar, but no one needed a few drinks to loosen up. This gang was already bouncing and clapping.
Jasper had told him about choirs and pastors in black robes, silence and decorum. He hadn’t said anything about shrieking electric guitars, synthesizers, drums, or singers who sounded like rock stars. The place shook with the music. Shanice leaned toward him. “Don’t you sing?”
“Not even in the shower.”
By the third song, most people had their hands in the air, some jabbing a finger at the ceiling like football fans rooting for their home team. Grace slipped into their row. Shanice made room for her. She said something in Grace’s ear before they switched places. Grace scooted in beside Roman. She smiled at him and then joined in the singing. Her voice wasn’t as strong or trained as Shanice’s, but he liked it better.
After half an hour, Roman figured singing was all that went on in church. He read the lyrics carefully and began to enjoy how a couple thousand voices could blend together. Just when he was getting comfortable, the music ended and another man came onstage and invited everyone to pray. Roman looked around as he listened, taking in the worshipful attitude of so many.
When the prayer ended, a rippling sound surrounded him as everyone took their seats. He sat, tense and watchful. The overhead screen posted an outline. Grace opened her Bible. He’d brought the one she gave him, but didn’t have a clue where to look. She took it and found the place quickly, pointing out the passage to him. Roman read the chapter, closed the Bible and put it aside, and focused on the speaker. The preacher talked about guarding your heart because it set the course for your life. Roman knew all about guarding his heart. He’d been doing it for years.