It was a bright and sunny morning. Everyone was a little sweaty but after last week, no one wanted to risk missing church. Quiet though it had been, something palpable had happened and everyone wanted to be there in case it happened again. What would Esperanza do today? Was last week a flash in the pan, or would there be more? The anticipation was thick as Esperanza took her place onstage. Damon looked interesting too. The difference was subtle, but his eyes seemed...bright, like he was fully present in a way he hadn't been before. Esperanza gave a signal and the guitarist started playing something unfamiliar but beautiful. Seconds later, she began singing.
Lift up your wings and fly / Fly away, far across the sea / And bring to me / The sign that we are blessed free / See how the sun shines in / Oh, how I've missed the warmth of light / And sing to me / The song that removes the night
Just then, clouds dimmed the sun somewhat and rain started to fall.
Rain, rain, You were pouring rain / I wonder, Lord, were they tears of pain? / Yet You saved me, oh, I praise You / Hallelujah, all Your words are true / See the rainbow, all creation new
Speak now, Your servant hears / For in my heart Your promise lives / It says to me / Life is from You a gift...
As the song wound down to its final notes, a rainbow could be seen outside: God's promise to Noah. Again silence reigned, as in addition to stirring all the souls present, the music had somehow aligned perfectly with the weather. But the set wasn't finished. Now Damon furrowed his brow and his fingers hit the keys with solemn purpose, beginning the next song.
Unexpectedly, You came back to see / If I'd be waiting, like I promised long before
The sky darkened further; thunder rumbled.
Your shadow filled the room / The music changed its tune / When I saw You, You were standing at the door
Like summer snow, You were an unexpected sight / A blazing sun, You came shining in the night
Lightning struck.
Well, I really should have known / That You'd be coming...home...home...
I waited patiently / I found it hard to see / If You were coming, why was there such a long delay?
A tear rolled down her cheek, voice tightening with remembered remorse.
At times I thought You lied / Or else You would have tried / To let me know that You were coming back today
Like summer snow, it falls around me in the cold
Hail started falling.
I can hear the echoes of the warnings I was told / That I should know...that You'd be coming home...home ..home ..home
...
Unexpectedly, You came back to see...
Eyes stared around in shock. If it were at all possible, the silence grew even deeper, heavier. Damon continued to play the keyboard, smoothly transitioning to a brief companion song called "The Vineyard". The whole team sang the wordless vocals and the spooked congregation joined in as they caught the tune. As the voices swelled, seeming to shake the floor, the storm subsided into light rain. Then the final song began swelling in, slowly buoying the congregation back up.
Between the divide, there is a river / The water is clear and pure as driven snow / It flows from a spring that wells forever / Enriching the world beneath God Almighty's throne / Though the masses won' t believe it / If it's there, it's not too far to go
Lead me to the water / That can wash my heart clean / Replenish my spirit / Lead me to the water / The crystalline water / Let me start over / In the springs of living water / Let each new day begin
They're standing their ground out in the desert / Wasting away but not thirsty anymore
Eyes closed, Esperanza blindly pointed into the audience, directly at Sophia.
You're taking a chance against the current / Old habits will stand and they'll curse you from the shore / But I'm sure I want to chance it / And the time has come, so let me go
Lead me to the water / That can wash my heart clean / Replenish my spirit / Lead me to the water / The crystalline water / Let me start over / In the springs of living water / Let each new day begin / In the springs of living water / Let each new day begin
(Ahh...) ...
By the end of the worship set, Holy Ghost Fire was so quiet that only the patter of rain and the soft rumble of fading thunder could be heard. Scarcely anyone dared even move. It was like their feet were cemented to the floor, thoughts focused like a laser on one thing: prayer. Time itself seemed to stand still. After a solid hour of stone silence, Pastor Moses offered to pray with anyone who wanted his assistance but did not even attempt to give a sermon. There were no takers, everyone already seeking God on their own with urgent whispers, so finally he knelt before the pulpit and placed his forehead on the steps, quietly praying in tongues. Sophia's head positively buzzed with the implications. If ever she had needed a sign, there it was, quite literally clear as day.