The old building was in bad need of repair. It was once the proud home of a major church, but when the members started moving to the suburbs away from the downtown area, the church bought land and built a newer modern building in the suburbs. fter trying to sellthe building for several years, the voted to give the old building to a small black congregation. The people were excited about having a newer bigger building but through a series of economic downturns, the congregation had dwindled to just a few. That's when the called the new young preacher.
Under the new preacher things had turned, well, they were better. The big old building was hard to heat, had no air and the property began to show its age and it's lack of proper maintance. Though it was an impressive structure to look at from a distance,the closer you got, the more you could see the peeling paint, the places where plain glass had been used to fill in the giant stained glass window that allowed light into the sanctuary.
The inside showed the same wear and tear that the outside showed. How many pairs of shoes had walked up those steps to enter through those majestic doors. The panelling, one so shiny and well maintained, now was dull and dry from the lack of attention. The pews showed the use of hundreds of people over the years, some back rails almost looked dirty from where worshippers had sat in the same place for years and had placed their hands getting up and sitting down. The stage needed a carpet update, if for no other reason that the color of the carpet on the stage. It definitely looked out of place amidst all the modern churches around the city.
But every Sunday, God's people came to the old building to worship. The cars in the lot weren't the fancy cars that many of the other downtown churches boasted of. The oil spots on the cracking and faded parking lot told of cars that were older, with many miles registered on the odometer and a lot of prayers were offered every week that they would travel many more. Many of the worshippers now walked to church, living in the area of town where they could afford to live, in modest, small houses on streets that were lined with faded fences and houses.
Thanks to the young preacher and his tireless efforts the church had experienced a bit of revival and there was once again the sound of children running up the stairs. Some of the rooms that had once hoasted a multitude of children now held four and five children, which has a huge improvement over who had been in attendance when the young preacher had first arrived. The first Sunday he had preached at the church, his children were the only children present. Now there were several friends for his kids to enjoy church with.
It was a typical fall sunday, the leaves turning but not falling off the trees in the neighborhood, so it was sweaters for the ladies and children. The chill in the wind began to forecast the coming of winter. Thanksgiving time was just around the corner and the thought of turkey and dressing, pumpkin pie and some football were the topic of many a discussion, with the added bonus of the thoughts of family from far away distances coming home to celebrate.
Sunday school was over and people were finding their way to their familiar seats. The choir gathered in the choir loft where the song director was telling them the order of service. He announced to the choir, "the choir special is the medley that Brother Leon used to sing. We will all sing unison where he sang the solo and we'll sing our parts where we always have. It's been a couple of months since Brother Leon passed away and I know that many of the people will be blessed if we sing this medley for them."
Bro Leon had been a member of the church since the beginning and he was without a doubt the featured vocalist in the church choir, not that it was of any importance to Brother Leon. He just loved the Lord and was one of the faithful members of the church. His baritone voice had blessed others so often, but it wasn't just his voice that Brother Leon sang with. As one lady said one day, Brother Leon sings from his heart.
Just before the first song began, the backdoor of the church opened and man entered the church. His clothes were dirty, his coat ragged and his hair long and unkept. He was greeted by the usher, who greeted him with a smile on her face as she reached out her hand to shake his.
"We're glad to have you here this morning," she said warmly. "The service is just about to begin, so welcome."
The organ was just beginning to play the prelude.
"I dont know," the man said. "I dont know anyone here, I don't know if I will feel welcomed."
"You know me," the usher said pleasantly, "and you can sit with me and my family as our guest."
She asked one of the members in the back to take her place as she lead the way to where her family was seated. While the music was playing, she introduced her husband, her son and daughter to the man. She seated herself between her husband and young son, while the man sat next to her husband right next to the aisle.
"Is there a rest room I can use," the man asked.
"Sure," responded the young man of five. "Let me show you where it is, I need to go to."
While his mother was concerned, she was proud of her young son who so willingly took interest in a total stranger.
As they walked to the back the man said, "Do I smell coffee."
"Sure,"the young man responded. "There's some downstairs. Follow me."
As they went downstairs they saw a group of ladies cleaning up from the refreshments of Sunday school.
"Sis Clara, is there any coffee left. My friend would like cup."
Sis Clara looked up and saw the man. "Would you like a donut as well. We have some left over from class and none of us need to take them home," she said smiling and laughing. The man took the coffee and quickly ate two of the donuts.
"Thank you for the coffee and donuts,"he said politely.
"Oh, your welcomed. We're always glad to have visitors in our services. Did you get enough?"
The ladies had slowed down the cleanup to be sure that the man had gotten all the donuts and coffee that he had wanted.
"Yes," he said. "The coffee was the best I've had in a long time."
The boy and the man went up stairs. The bathroom was small so the young man went in first, the the visitor visited the restroom.
When they went into the sanctuary, the singing had begun. As they arrived at their seat, the lady in the row in front of him turned and smiled and handed him her hymn book already opened to the right page.
"Good morning,"she said. "We're always glad to have visitors here. I've already found the page for you. God bless you."
And she turned back around.
As the songs were sung, the man just looked at the hymn book at glanced at the people. Whenever he saw someone looking at him, they smiled and several mouthed the words, "Good morning" or "Welcome."
The music was as good as always. While the church was not blessed with many good singers, they all sang from from their hearts as they sang praises to God.
After the prayer, the congregation sat down and the choir prepared to sing the special music. It felt awkward to the members of the choir to hear Sister Gladys play the introduction to that medley of song that Brother Leon had sung for so many years. As she finished the introduction, just before they began to sing, the visitor began to sing.
Oh, he didn't just sing, I mean, he sang! His voice was so pleasant that no one bothered to join him. His voice filled the old building with a sound so strong and soothing that every eye turned to where he was seated. In crystal clear words he began to sing while they all listened.
"There have been names that I have loved to hear,
But never has there been a name so dear,
To this heart of mine, as the name divine,
That precious, precious name of Jesus.
Sister Gladys suddenly felt the touch of divine fingers guiding her fingers. In her heart, she felt the Spirit of God move as she played in perfect rhythm to the voice of the stranger.
Others were suddenly warmed by the emotion of the words the man was singing. Something moved on the inside of those there that day. The preacher said to himself, "Whoever that man is, he surely knows who he's singing about."
The choir always joined Brother Leon on the chorus, and by habit they joined the man singing,
"Jesus is the sweetest name I know
And he's just the same
As his lovely name
And that's the reason why I love him so,"
The choir hushed. Sister Gladys waited just like she always did. She waited for the man to sing, and finally he did.
"Oh, Jesus is the sweetest name I know."
By now most folks had joined the man in that a moment of worship. It was with such conviction that he sang, his voice so clear and powerful, the words coming from the depth of his soul. The preacher, his eyes closed, raised his hands as he felt the winds of heaven begin to flood his tired soul.
How the man knew the medley no one knew. Sister Gladys waited just like she did she when Brother Leon used to sing, and at the right moment, the man sang out...
"Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, There's just something about that name
Master, Savior, Jesus, Like the fragrance after then rain."
By now every eye was closed the building. It was like the church had been transported to the very throne room of heaven where Jesus was seated on the right hand of the Father.
"Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, let all heaven and earth proclaim,"
Then , with what sounded like the trumpet call of God, the man sang out...
"Kings and kingdoms will all pass away."
Sis Gladys, her fingered being moved my heaven hands, stopped. Her eyes shut in worship, her soul lifted to heavenly heights, just seemed to know what and when to play.
Then in a voice so heavenly, the old man sang out...
"There's just something about that name."
At that moment the preacher fell out of the chair to his knees and then flat on the floor. The glory of God had filled his heart and he had no choice but to fall in worship and adoration. The choir director dropped to his knees in that holy moment. One of the ladies in the choir tried to push herself out of the choir loft towards the altar, but found herself in a convoy of all the ladies, many weeping, heading to the old wooden altars, where the tear stains of many a burdened saint could still be seen in the finish. The men followed suit and soon husbands and wives, children and grandchildren from the congregation joined them at the altars, bowing and worshipping at the feet of Jesus.
Everyone had their eyes shut but one five year old boy. To hear him say later, "it was like the roof of the church opened up and a bright light suddenly shone on the pulpit and communion table." He said he watched until the light became so bright that he too had to close his eyes.
The only three people that had not gathered at the altar and down the aisles of the church were the old man and Sister Gladys at the organ, and a little boy but he had shut his eyes. Sister Gladys had her eyes shut and her fingers were guided by years of practice and by a holy presence. She just was playing from her heart, and her playing was her act of worship.
If anyone had been looking, they would have seen the old man with his eyes closed with his face lifted towards heaven. Without missing a beat he began to sing as Sister Gladys hands played in heavenly rapture.
"He is Lord! He is lord! He is rise from the dead and He is lord!
Every knee shall bow, every tongue confess, Jesus Christ is Lord."
When he finished, the silence was deafening. The very presence of the risen Savior filled the building and people just bowed in silence with tears running down their cheeks. Sister Gladys slid from the organ seat and knelt in worship with the rest of the church. No one spoke for what seemed an eternity, the presence of the living God was so powerful in the old sanctuary.
Slowly people began to look up, wiping tears from ther eyes, hugging each other with greeting of "God bless you." The preacher finally was able to stand and take the pulpit. With tear stained eyes he looked to where old man had been standing to thank him for his ministry but the man was gone.
"Did anyone see the man leave?" asked the preacher. Everyone answered no, they had been struck by the presence of God.
The 5 year old boy called out to the preacher, "He left the visitor card with some writing on it." And he ran it to the preacher. The preacher read the card and then fresh tears filled his eyes, his heart encouraged by a touch from heaven.
He read the card to the congregation, who stood In reverent silence.
The card read, " Don't forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some have entertained angels without realizing it."
"Thank you for your welcome, Gabriel."
