This is a tale of two men. In many ways we are the same. In others, vastly different. Both sons of the Show Me State, our family roots run deep. Music is in our veins. He produces, I consume.
I came to San Antonio in 1993. In November 1995, Coker UMC became our church home. Traditional worship has never been my thing. Too formal. In 1995, formal dress was still required at work. The last thing I wanted to do on Sunday was put on a tie and head to church for a traditional worship service. However, It was important to Linda and me that Lauren and Amanda grow up in a Christian centered world. While the girls attended Sunday school Linda and I went to traditional worship.
Celebrate in the beginning
Shortly after arriving in San Antonio in 1998, Bob joined Coker UMC. He understood contemporary worship. Under his leadership, Celebrate took
flight October 2000. Held in the gym with plastic stackable chairs. The acoustics were horrible. But this service filled a void. It catered to kids who wanted to worship after Sunday school. Lauren suggested we try it. Pretty soon Linda and I found a Sunday school class and we began worshiping at Celebrate.
flight October 2000. Held in the gym with plastic stackable chairs. The acoustics were horrible. But this service filled a void. It catered to kids who wanted to worship after Sunday school. Lauren suggested we try it. Pretty soon Linda and I found a Sunday school class and we began worshiping at Celebrate.Celebrate matures
Its popularity grew. Construction on a new building with worship space, dubbed the “Upper Room,” was completed in 2004. Celebrate occupied the “Upper Room” from May 2004 until its abrupt cancellation in June 2016. Band members and faithful worshipers had to find new homes. Coker replaced Celebrate with a contemporary service at 9:30. Some found refuge there. Others returned to the traditional service at 11:00. But many, including some key band members found new church homes.
Celebrate Comes to My Church
Last Sunday, our far flung diaspora held a family reunion. We sang, shared inspiring stories, received holy Communion, broke bread, and worshiped Celebrate style. All in the sanctuary of my new church: My “Living Room.”
I am happy for you all. I do have one question. who served communion? Sue
Pastor Billie from Travis Park UMC. David and Beth Stone now worship there and brought her. If we do this again would you be interested in being a guest pastor and serving communion?
Beautiful! Truly our strength is in our diversity. This brings to mind the Craig Courtney anthem – One faith, one hope, one Lord. Though we be many, we are called by one Lord and we serve Him in many different ways. I’m glad you were able to reconnect in such a beautiful way, reminds me of the New Testament believers who gathered in homes!
I was just thinking the same thing as Beth about the early believers gathering in homes, sharing a meal, etc… Very cool, Brad. I hope you can gather again.
Wonderful!!