I remember my first service at Eastbrook in Fall 2017. One of the first things that struck me is the unusual setup of the Worship Hall. I was initially confused by the stage on the long side of the room, and the main entrance coming from basically backstage, but it quickly became my favorite quirk about our physical space.
Growing up, I attended a large church where the stage felt very tall and separate from the members of the congregation. As a musician there, worship felt similar to our high school orchestra concerts. We were under bright lights and could hardly hear the congregation singing, even though there were many people. To me, it felt very structured and hierarchical.
At Eastbrook, the experience is much different. The “sideways” setup of the Worship Hall shortens our distance from front to back and unifies the stage and the congregation. I’ve experienced worship from every angle—from the back corner of the stage to the farthest of congregational seating. The effect of Eastbrook’s environment is that no matter how many people are in that room, whether you’re in the band or congregation, it truly feels like we are all singing in unison to praise our God. It’s the most consistent place and time that I feel like I start to understand God’s glory appearing over us, a visible and tangible display of His holiness.
Darkness covers our earth today just like it did in Israel as told in Isaiah. In Isaiah 60:2, we are reminded that “the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you.” This happens in present tense; God’s glory is already here for His believers. When we find those moments of glory within our lives and the lives of those around us, it feels like we get one step closer to the day that all nations will come to His light (v. 3). This Advent season, as we wait in expectation for Jesus’ arrival, let us notice those moments and thank God for His present glory in our lives.
For Reflection:
- When you think of the light of God coming into your life, what comes to mind?
- Have you experienced people being brought to God because of the Light He is shining in your life? How/when?
- Move Mary and Joseph and the donkey a little closer to the stable. God was carrying out His good plan, even when others did not notice.
by Sareena Daniel
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