V3 (going forward each week's experience will be referred to with a "V" and the week number) took us to a different part of town, at a different time of day. We found V3 church through a drive by. Rachel and Bethany were out shopping and saw a vinyl sign at a large, traditional church building - advertising a church meeting there with a hip, artistic feel. A web search shed a little more light on this church and we decided to make a visit. It felt a little weird to wait until the evening to attend church, but there was something positive about wrapping up a weekend with a time of worship and fellowship. I know this is something we have discussed at Discovery as an alternative time, and we have already noticed several churches in Nashville using this time slot. From our limited experience, it is worth considering.
We arrived a few minutes early for V3 and followed signs to the location in the church building where the service was taking place. The church had done a nice job of transforming a gym/fellowship area space into a "holy place" with pipe and drape and lighting. Our experience in transforming spaces gave us a real appreciation for the work and thought put into this. It totally worked. We were greeted briefly by a few different people, but the initial greetings were somewhat subdued, in keeping with a more contemplative atmosphere.
Once again, the Music City lived up to expectations with another very talented worship band. This group featured a guest musician and songwriter who had composed some music that V3 church uses regularly in their services. The musical selections provided a nice balance of upbeat and reflective songs. We were greeted by a staff member from the stage, offering the Peace of Christ. This was followed by a moment where we were instructed to greet others around us with the Peace of Christ.
The message that followed was brought by one of the staff members and was a homily on the episode in the life of Jesus where he washed the disciples feet. The emphasis was on Christ's expression of love through this humble act of service. The challenge to the listener was to find ways to express the love of Christ through service in local and global community. It was a sharp contrast in tone, content and "grace factor" to the messages delivered in V1 and V2 churches. Maybe (borderline) too polite.
At the conclusion, the service transitioned to a time of communion, which included an opportunity to wash one another's hands (you thought it was going to be feet, didn't you?). The moment hit us hard because after two weeks of quick-pass "chicklet" communion experiences, V3 does it right (meaning, of course, intinction - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intinction). The tears in our eyes were part gratitude for Christ's incredible gift, and part homesickness for Discovery.
When the service dismissed we were greeted by several people, including several staff members. They welcomed us to the area warmly, and were passionate about their church. There was another new couple who sat directly behind us - young, professional-looking. I spoke to them during the "Peace of Christ" moment, and found out they had recently relocated from Texas. They left quickly after the service, and looked a little uncomfortable or overwhelmed. (I am planning a follow up post on the topic of greeting people who look uncomfortable.) We left feeling renewed by having been there - not a bad way to wrap up a weekend.
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