Palm Sunday - True Life Fellowship - Beaverton

T sez:

OK so this week we went to a church in Beaverton called "True Life Fellowship." It was pretty easy to find if you knew what you were looking for - we drove past it the first time because lo and behold it was in an office building.

That was a first for me. So, we entered the church (that's hard for me to say because it was in an office building) and there were these two women with white suits on (a little John Travolta white suit!) - they were at the door to greet us and they said "welcome!"

Then, I don't know how she knew it, but she said "You guys are new to the church," and we were like, "Yes," and she said "We are so happy to have you. Let us show you where the bathrooms are."

I was like, did I have a look on my face that said I have to pee? but I went along, she brought us through a room where they gather after the service and there was a table with FREE BREAD and KC was like, GOOD! free bread! wow,free coffee, free bread and a bathroom tour YEAH!

As we continued she showed us a room where people went to pray before the service she said that they had music and it was just a time to pray. I thought that was pretty cool, but was not really ready to do that. So we continued to the bathroom where a man was fixing the door because it had fallen off the hinge. We later learned that the maintenance man was also the pastor. So KC decided, what the heck -I will use the bathroom.

After the bathroom (I should have asked K how it compared to the other church bathrooms because she had used them all. Maybe it was K that had the look on her face that the women at the door recognized...)

Anyway on the way back we went through the room with the free bread...the temptation was too much for KC it was calling her name but we did go back for that later.

So we entered the church and had a seat. I like to sit in the way back, and K likes the front. So we sat in the back. The church held maybe a hundred people - a couple of people came up and welcomed us - they were very nice. The chairs were comfortable. But let's remember I always compare them to the hard wooden pews.

They started out with songs and music and we all stood up and sang. I have never really sang in church, but on this journey I have done more singing than I ever have. The big screens showing the lyrics might be the reason. Still, so far, Good Shepherd has the best music.

They did a play about the Passion of Christ, which was very good except for me, when they sang. I never did like musicals (weird, I know). But it was very moving, one thing I really liked - in the end, all the disciples lined up and told what they did with their lives after Jesus was crucified, and how they died. It was interesting.

Before the play they handed out palms - not just one leaf but a whole branch. I loved it - the little things that make me happy - the free bread for K and the palm branch for me.

Everybody was dressed very casual, sometimes I think a little too casual. I can't believe I just said that. I know, that it is not what we wear that matters. And God would not care.

After the play and after the last prayer they asked if there was anybody new - they had a gift for visitors. We got a package - it had a pen, some candy, some coffee, a CD, a magnet. Gifts are always a good thing and a free mocha to all new visitors.

Over all not so much my type of church but we felt very welcomed and comfortable. We left right after the service but not before KC got the free bread. Until next week...God bless.