School Plus Church?

I recently had the pleasure of spending an entire Sunday in church. You may well ask what’s so unusual about that? Well, this was a tour sponsored by a local Community School program, what I like to call “School Plus”. School today is not just the three R’s, it’s learning-plus delivered in so many different and interesting ways to kids of all ages. One of which is the “day trip” offering geared mainly toward adults. Many of these trips are indeed an adventure in education and entertainment in unique ways.

This particular offering intrigued me. Especially since it was centered in the not so desirable destination city of Newark, which has a reputation not quite connected with religious worship. What, I wondered, could be the fascination of “touring” different churches. Of course, I had my own ideas, and the day certainly proved some of my instincts to be right on target. My personal feeling is that for Christians there should be no separations or schisms brought on by different forms of worshipping and glorifying God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, since we are all praising the same triune divinity. Unfortunately, there is strife that arises from the differences in the dogmas of different divisions of Christianity and the resulting styles of worship. However, whether you are Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Baptist, Methodist, Pentecostal, etc., etc., you must remember we all love the same Lord God Jehovah.

Our first stop was a well-known church in this, the East Coast of the USA, New Hope Baptist Church. A black gospel Baptist church. The people were so warm and openly welcoming to our group. The choir and congregational singing was rousing and animated, joyfully and loudly praising the Lord in song. There was witnessing to the congregation with responses of praise loudly proclaimed by others, and friendly greetings and interaction among the congregants and our group. Since I’ve attended a Baptist church before I felt so very much at home and eagerly joined in with everything.


Then on to the Roman Catholic Sacred Heart Cathedral Basilica. It was officially designated a Basilica in 1995 by Pope John Paul II who said, "This magnificent building stands in the heart of Newark as a powerful reminder of God's steadfast love for his People and as a sign of faith in Christ, our 'hope of glory.'" The architecture was spectacular in the style of European cathedrals, it’s spires majestically soaring heavenward. The interior was beautifully designed with the finest woods and Italian marble. It truly was awe inspiring. The service, in contrast to New Hope, was reserved and somewhat sedate but certainly imbued one with a feeling of piety and respectful worship through it’s quiet reverence. There was little interaction with the congregation because of the different style of worship in this glorious edifice.

We paused for lunch at the Priory Restaurant and enjoyed their sumptuous Sunday Jazz Brunch buffet. A bountiful Cajun/Creole/Southern style inspired selection along with the more mundane offerings. The food was excellent and there was so much variety to satisfy anyone’s tastes. The gastronomic delights were enhanced by a jazz pianist who serenaded us throughout lunch with various gospel selections. His adaptations of well-known tunes into worship songs was delightful. One example; “Georgia on My Mind” became “Jesus on My Mind”. It was almost like breaking bread with the Lord! ;o)

We then visited the Grace Episcopal Church after all services were finished for the day but were in for a special treat. Here, again, the beautiful architecture, reverently beautiful inside as well, as the cathedral was. Our treat was a “private” concert of worship hymns performed by the organist on one of the most beautiful church organs I’ve ever seen. It was a stirring performance by a master on a magnificent instrument. The melodies soaring to God’s Heaven as beautifully as they did in the regular services, perhaps joined then by the voices of the congregants.

The “tour” concluded with a stop at the Newark Museum before heading home.

For me this was a day of joy and refreshment. Worshipping the Lord is always a joy and experiencing the differences in these churches only served to once more prove to me that for those of us who love the Lord, there is no difference. He is our God, we love and adore Him, each in our own way, yet each with the fullness of our hearts, minds, and souls. Praise God, and all the people shouted, “AMEN!”.