If someone new to faith visited your church next Sunday morning, what would they think of the first half hour? What songs does your church sing? Do you have different worship teams leading on different Sundays? What’s the music like?
In Flavors of Forever, Wesley Ferguson checks out church for the first time since he was a kid. The first time he attends Bridgeview Bible Church, Logan Dermott is at the piano. Another time, Trudy and Norris Trenton are leading with a guitar.
Wesley nudged Sebastian into a pew toward the back of Bridgeview Bible Church. He wasn’t much of a church-goer, not in recent years, anyway, but Myles Sheridan had invited him to this, too. Said the church was the heart of the Bridgeview community, so Wesley was doing this for his son. It would be good for Sebastian to meet some kids his age before school started later in August.
He looked around as people chatted in the aisles. There were a few gray heads, plenty of middle-aged folks, teens, young families with school-aged kids and babies. A thirtyish guy with shoulder-length blond hair took a seat at the baby grand, flexed his shoulders, and began to play.
Wesley’s eyes widened. Man, did this guy play professionally? Wesley wasn’t familiar with the song, but that made no difference. Talent oozed from the guy’s flashing fingers as he commanded the entire keyboard. If he gave lessons, Wesley should sign Sebastian up.
The music seemed a cue for people to find their seats. In a few minutes, everyone sat expectantly quiet as a Latino man made his way to the front then adjusted the microphone. The pianist gentled the music, playing more softly.
Logan’s first choice: Forever by Chris Tomlin
Trudy and Norris’s song list includes Cornerstone by Hillsong (My Hope is Built on Nothing Less):
This is Amazing Grace by Phil Wickham:
You’re a Good, Good Father by Casting Crowns
It is Well with My Soul (public domain)
I asked all of you in my newsletter what worship songs you’d recommend for Wesley to understand the crazy, wild, eternal love of God. Here’s what you came up with!
One Thing Remains by Jesus Culture (sung here by Brian Johnson)
O Love That Will Not Let Me Go (sung here by the Westminster Chorus)
The Steadfast Love of the Lord Never Ceases (sung here by the Maranatha Singers)
Unstoppable Love by Jesus Culture (sung here by Kim Walker-Smith)
When I Look at the Blood (sung here by Godfrey Birtill)
Your Love is Amazing (sung here by Phillips, Craig & Dean)
Before the Throne of God Above (Selah)
So Will I (100 Billion X) by Hillsong Worship
And the most suggested song of all, Reckless Love by Cory Asbury
Thanks, everyone, for your suggestions, and I’m sorry for all the ads with the videos. I get why they’re there, but it does get annoying, doesn’t it???
Curious about Wesley’s journey to faith (and romance!) in Flavors of Forever? Just click.
