Give to the Lord the glory due His Name; bring an offering, and come before Him. Oh worship the Lord in the beauty of Holiness

I Chronicles 16:29

Johanna's eyes gleamed with uncertainty as I spoke, her gaze towards me unaltered as I compelled her to go to the altar. She must since Marienne is not around. We can't let the congregation wait just because the worship leader is missing.

"You can do it Anna, by God's Grace."

Slowly, she lowered her glance and took a deep breath. Her gaze darted wearily towards the Altar. I can see the weariness in her eyes. She anchored her raven dark eyes to me once more, this time a hint of determination peeking from its embers. With a nod, she stepped away and walked towards the altar. Upon reaching the center of the platform, a nervous smile adorned her face.

"Lord, we may have come before you unprepared..." We heard her words echoing through the speakers. "... But Lord, all we want right now is... is to worship You." Her speech ringed with apprehension. After all, who wouldn't be? She once more smiled and began to motion the musicians to start. The music began to play, and the congregation prepared to worship, clapping their hands to the beat of the drums.

My Life is in You Lord, My hope is in You Lord

My strength is You Lord, is in You, is in You!

The congregation began to join the singing as they recognized the song. The corners of my lips lifted, relief surging my heart as I watched how Anna sang. There's no doubt, she really is meant for this.

And I'll praise You with all of my life

I'll praise You with all of my strength

With all of my life, with all of my Strength

All of my hope is in You!

God's Presence gradually took dominance of the place. I opened my eyes and I gazed up to the woman in the altar. It really is different when one is moving under Grace...

Joy began to take the place of the nervosity I felt. My heart now focused on God as I shut my eyes. His Presence in the building had no doubt stirred each heart. Not my voice, not the instrumentalists. His Presence. My lips curved to a smile as I began to sing each word.

I have found exceeding joy, Jesus answered when I called

This Name that has saved me, pure love that embraced me

Mercy, Grace, Eternal Life... Brought from darkness to His light

While lost in my sin He, raised me and made me live!

Without much effort, God's wonderful work once more flashed in my mind. Each memory flooding my heart with emotions indescribable. Oh how wonderful, how wonderful is my God! What would my life have looked like now had He not intervened?

My soul magnifies the Lord,

My heart joys in God my Savior

For He lifts the lowly,

and He has done great things for me,

Tears of joy and gratefulness now slid down my cheeks, my heart crying out as I sang each word. With the instruments' intensity, I lifted my voice, singing my heart out to God as though it was He and I alone in the place.

I will sing praising evermore...

He is Mighty and Holy is His name!

I took the microphone away from my mouth as I allowed His Presence to soak the place even more, the musicians taking over. As I opened my eyes the view of the people, with their hands raised, met my perception. I heard some who were shouting as they praised, some were just enjoying His Presence in silent praises. Right then and there I realized; If there was one activity where the congregation can totally be one in heart; it is worship, and I felt gladness overflow in my heart to have been able to lead it.

T

he people began to take their seats as the worship came to an end. I, on the other hand, stood and walked to the altar as the M.C. lead us to the next activity. I met Anna halfway to the altar, her hand upon her chest as she gasped for breath from the intense worship.

"Great job, I knew you can do it." She lifted her gaze.

"T-thank you, Pastor. Indeed, by His Grace..."

"Amen... that's what happens when you're under Grace, and good at the singing thing too." A slight laugh escaped her lips upon hearing my words.

"Yeah, Yeah I know Pastor. You were sound asleep when God showered the skill. Oh, but hey, I got nothing against you when it comes to preaching. It looks like I was sound asleep when God showered the skill, as well." She countered, causing my lips to curl into a big smile.

"Well, we shall see about that. Hey, I have to go up there now, gotta preach..." I replied briefly and walked to the pulpit. She waved at me with a smile and went back to her seat as well.

As I reached the pulpit, Instantly I discerned the eagerness of the people to hear the message, like a cultivated ground ready for the seeds to be planted in it. Indeed, it is easier to plant, when the land is prepared. It's easier to preach when hearts are opened. This is exactly why worship is so necessary for a preacher like me. And I couldn't help but admire Johanna for that. An anointed woman, I must admit.

The service has now come to an end. We ended with a beautiful song and everybody began to shake each other's hand and one by one. I felt so happy to see Mercy doing the same. I shook my head with a smile. She has always been outgoing, after all.

"Mercy!" I called out. She turned around and began to approach with a sweet smile, her blonde coloured hair swaying softly as she walked.

"Wow! You did so well today girlfriend! That worship was amazing!" She exclaimed, hugging me tightly.

"That wasn't me. It was completely God, Mercy. I felt so nervous I thought I was going to faint out there!" I replied gladly as we walked towards the church's door.

"Well, thank God you didn't! Or the congregation might mistake your fainting as 'being slain in the Spirit'." She teased. "Is that the term for it?"

I chuckled as she spoke, impressed that she now uses those terms. "Yeah, I think so?" I replied.

"Hey, by the way, Anna. I have to go now. We have a practice for our P.E. class performance. Won't you be leaving too?"

"Oh, I don't think so. I have to ask Pastor Melchour about some things around here, especially what to do now that I have begun to lead, plus I have to talk to our senior pastor too- whoever he was- they say he asked for me."

"Oh, I see," I saw her nod as I explained.

"But hey, I can accompany you to the waiting area?" I offered.

"Sure! Let's go?" I clung to her arms as we continued to chat. After a few minutes, our conversation was interrupted as we saw a cab arrive.

"Take care Mer, I'll see you tomorrow at school!"

"You too Anna, see you tomorrow! Love Ya!" She waved from inside the car as I watched the cab drive away. Once more I sighed in satisfaction, grateful for the work that God had done in my friend's life. I feel that, now we are both saved, the relationship we have had somehow grown even deeper. Now she's truly my best friend... till eternity.

I turned and walked back to the church. And as soon as I entered the church's gate, the view of pastor Melchour occupied my perception. My gaze narrowed as I approached, wonder gripping me as I saw a familiar bag upon his shoulder.

"Oh, there you are! I thought you left without getting your bag."

"Oh!" Embarrassed, I walked towards him in haste and took the sling bag in my hands.

"Sorry Pastor, I wasn't actually leaving I just accompanied Mercy to the waiting area. I do have something to ask-"

"You can call me by my name Anna..." My eyes widened as I heard him speak.

"Uh, really? But isn't that a bit improper?" I stammered, "You're my Pastor, and my teacher too how can I-"

"Either that or Manung," He insisted.

"Oh, okay. I'll go with Manung, then." I replied with a smile.

"That's better." A smile was again drawn from his lips. For a moment all I could do was gaze towards him in appreciation. He's extremely attractive.

Wait, what?

I pulled my gaze away in haste as I realized my thoughts.

"Uh, right..." I forced out a laugh.

"So, what were you about to ask?"

"Uhm, I was gonna ask how is it going to be from now on that I have begun to lead, what am I supposed to do? Am I going to lead again? Or..."

"Oh yes, of course. You are going to lead again. That's what Pastor Fernando has said."

"Pastor Fernando? Is that our Senior Pastor?"

"Yes, Anna and he told me you should be trained more so you can continue in the ministry."

"Oh really? Wow, will I be able to meet him today?"

"Yes, he went to one of our outreach churches this afternoon but he'll be back later. Hey, do you have anywhere to go this afternoon?"

"Actually, no. Is there an afternoon service here, as well?"

"Yes, we have a Youth Bible Study and Prayer Meeting. Care to join?"

"Sure! What time does it begin?"

"It starts at three and ends at around six. But if you would join we could eat lunch here. We can prepare lunch while waiting for the others..." He offered as we headed to the pastoral house.

"Wow, really? We can actually eat here? And cook here too, on a Sunday?"

"Especially on a Sunday, Anna," He confirmed with a smile.

"Oh, how nice..."

Silence began to fill our midst, and with this, I gazed up to him in wonder. His features were now clouded with sadness, and I couldn't help but wonder why.

"Uhm, Manung, are you okay?"

"What do you mean? Of course, I am."

"No, it's just that... you're expressions seems to have changed. Are you really okay?"

"Oh, I'm fine. I just was thinking of Marienne. She said she wouldn't be attending this church anymore." I silent gasp escaped my lips as I heard his words.

"What? Why? She was just with us yesterday practicing, why would she do that?" I lowered my gaze in confusion. I couldn't understand why a woman such as her would ever leave the place she was mightily used in, what could've caused her to decide like that?

"Well that I do not know too Anna, maybe God is leading her somewhere else. Even her boyfriend Mike left too; he was one of our most dependable guitarists in the youth ministry." He sighed. "But anyway, May God's will be done."

"Amen," I breathed, "I believe everything will work out well soon, Manung. After all, didn't you say God has a purpose for everything?" A saw a smile form in his lips as he turned his gaze towards me.

"Yes, that's right. Thanks for reminding." I lifted my gaze towards him as we stepped in the Pastoral house, a smile upon my lips.

"You're welcome, Manung..."

---

After the fellowship, we were again back to the pastoral house. I took a seat upon the wooden bench in front the Pastoral house and gazed afar, feeling a gush of wind caress my skin as soon as I sat. Melchour followed behind me, a cup of coffee in both his hands.

"Thanks, Manung," I spoke as I took the other cup, gazing up at him with a smile. With this, the memory of him cooking earlier flashed in my mind. And I couldn't help but smile at the thought. I had never been as amused in my life. Seeing him in an apron moving around the kitchen was the cutest thing I've seen a man do.

"Hey!" A voice from the gate tore me from my thoughts. I narrowed my eyes, my vision occupied by a fair-complexioned man probably in his 50's walking to our direction.

"How was the fellowship, Pastor?" I heard Melchour speak.

"Well, It was great!" The man replied, a warm smile upon his face, "How did the service here go?" His graying hair was neatly combed to the side and he wore a brown suit that matched his fair complexion very well. This must be Pastor Fernando.

"It went very well, Pastor, by God's Grace," Melchour replied.

"Oh. This must be her," I saw him fix his gaze towards me. "You were the girl that lead the worship this morning, right?" He asked cheerfully as he approached.

"Yes, Pastor ..." I replied in confirmation, returning the smile that adorned his seemingly flawless skin.

"Praise God! I'm Pastor Fernando Aluyen by the way." He extended his arms towards me.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Pastor," I replied as I shook his hand.

"Pleasure's mine Dear, say, what's your name?"

"Johanna Dumay, Pastor,"

He then sat beside us and continued to speak, conversing enthusiastically with us about how the services went. As our conversation developed I couldn't help but admire how kind the man was. It was as though I wasn't talking to a Senior Pastor at all, it felt more like talking to a father.

"Thank you so much for welcoming me so warmly, Pastor.." I spoke, joy ringing from my voice.

"You're welcome dear," He lifted his hand and gazed down to his watch, "By the way, as much we'd like to continue, I think it's time for you to go now. it's getting late."

I nodded in percipience, "Yeah, I think so, Pastor. Thank you once again."

"No problem, Johanna," He replied with a smile and turned towards Melchour, "You will accompany her home, right?" My gaze darted towards Melchour,

"Ah, of course, Pastor," Melchour confirmed, "I'll walk her home,"