One Hundred Churches

one hundred churches
one thousand pews
ten hundred thousand
different views

sunday morning
saturday night
wednesday meeting
at first light

grand wooden doors
great walls of stone
or folding chairs
to praise or moan

a father's vestments
a reverend's suits
a doctor's robes
no substitute

young preacher's sandals
and faded jeans
loose fitting shirts
and modern themes

felt baskets brought
by usher's rows
plastic tubs passed
so no one knows

age old hymns
with numbered scenes
overhead stanzas
on video screens

chorus are sung
eyes are closed
some bring tears
just blow your nose

old men and women
to the organ sway
young guys and gals
hear the guitar's play

the word is read
from a big black book
or on the face
of a hand held nook

a booming voice
a keen whisper
where truth proclaimed
for hearts to stir

we sit we stand
some will kneel
even raising hands
has great appeal

we meet we greet
we get to know
sometimes it's fast
sometimes it's slow

walk the aisle
take the bread
drink the wine
or juice instead

some kids stay
some kids go
bible stories
colored so

babies crying
candies passed
hope they've learned
to make em last

visions shared
hearts are stirred
the word proclaimed
hope assured

decision time
altar call
no difference seen
for great or small

blessing given
before we leave
prayers are offered
for those that grieve

small groups gather
strong in prayer
to help and heal
the people there

do not forsake
that common tether
He is present when
we gather together