Sunday Morning Celebration

Excerpt from the book On the Wave of a New Beginning by K. C. Leigh

The Leap of Faith dance troupe entered the atrium of the Seaside Community Church. The uplifting music of the worship team could be heard throughout the building. The community’s annual Friend Day extravaganza was about to begin, and the sanctuary was packed beyond capacity. 

Caroline ushered her dancers down the hall toward the church sanctuary. Reaching the side entrance, they stood in the empty vestibule, waiting for the pastor to announce their performance. Caroline closed her eyes, letting the soothing sounds of Amazing Grace calm her soul. 

As the final chords resounded, Caroline opened the sanctuary door a crack and peeked in. The pastor motioned them inside. The dancers entered wearing purple chiffon skirts over glistening white unitards. Long strands of purple and white ribbon had been woven into perfectly shaped top-knot buns.

Splitting it into two groups, the girls circled the back of the sanctuary and placed themselves on the two aisles that divided the three groups of pews. Caroline took a seat on a front pew. The pastor announced the troupe, then cued the music. 
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As the soft sounds of I Can Only Imagine began to fill the room, the performers danced down the aisles toward the stage. Their tea-length skirts flowed with every movement. They ascended the stage steps and positioned themselves in the form of a cross. One by one, they fanned out, creating a circular formation. The dancers spun, leaped, and twirled in perfect synchronization, honoring their creator with every graceful movement.

As the song neared its end, the dancers made their way to the rear of the stage. They formed a semi-circle around the baptistry. Above their heads, a massive stained-glass window in the shape of a cross hung over the water. Sunbeams shone through the multi-colored window and illuminated the dancers as they fell to their knees, raising their hands toward Heaven. 

The music stopped and a chorus of “Amen” and “Praise the Lord” echoed throughout the sanctuary. The girls stood up, and with faces glowing, exited the stage. Caroline closed her eyes and prayed that the dancer’s performance would be a blessing in someone’s life. She opened her eyes and gazed upon the sparkling cross in front of her. As she reflected on the significance of Christ’s sacrifice, the sound of rippling water arose from the baptistry. 

The pastor descended into the pool and held out his hand. A young girl with honey-colored hair grasped onto his outstretched palm and inched down into the water. Caroline recognized the face. Her sweet Olivia was getting baptized!
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Happy tears ran down Caroline’s face as the pastor introduced Olivia and announced, “I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” Olivia held onto the pastor’s strong arm as he immersed her into the water. Her head popped back up, and the room erupted into thunderous applause. The pastor led Olivia from the baptistry as the worship band played There is a Pure and Tranquil Wave. Caroline thanked God for His awesome faithfulness and prayed blessings over her friend’s new beginning.