Davy and I set up his drums on the stage, get the sound system going, plug in computers to broadcast the Scripture and song lyrics, plug in my guitar, welcome our visiting musicians, do sound checks and a run through of the songs.
John Iacovini shuffles in with his drums as do members of "The Church" ready to talk, eat or just listen to us make things ready.
Everyone shows at the same time ... on island time ... so we're already behind schedule ... but nobody cares ... as they fill a plate at Potluck on the Pool Table ... pour coffee from the Urn Cupcake made ... remind me of all the things I've forgotten to do ... or stop for a hug.
Ten minutes or so after we're supposed to start ... we start ... though Church began half-an-hour ago.
Davy, John and I take the stage and sing, "We going up, up, up, cause the view's a little nicer" as the rag-tag Congregation sit on Bar Stools, plates in laps, lifting their hands to Heaven every time we sing "UP, UP, UP."
Rick strolls in ... grinning a shit-eating grin ... eyes dancing in delight.
I haven't seen him in 30 years.
Back in the day, we were the answer to Elvis's death and the break up of The Beatles.
We made it as far as Juanita's Mexican Restaurant where we were hired as the Band!
It was a big night as we killed the crowd ... until the guy dropped money in the Jukebox in the middle of one of our songs ... and played "Misty."
We were crushed.
On the other hand Juanita was pissed, jerked the plug out of the wall and threw him out.
The glories of being a Rock Star!
Anyway, Rick walks in after several decades and I can hardly finish the song for grinning.
As the service unfolds, I ask him to sing.
He does.
"You have the same guitar," he says in astonishment picking it up.
And ... as only Rick can do ... he proceeded to slay the crowd in the Holy Spirit with one of his songs.
I watched as 30 years melted away when we argued ... Do you want to be The Beatles or the Rolling Stones?
Here's the Church part.
Sometimes in life, people who were so instrumental into you becoming you, come back ... even if just for a second ... and if you're lucky ... you recognize it.
That was my gift at Bar Church yesterday.
You just never know what you're going to get at Bar Church!
"Sarah," I explain, "you're not gonna believe what happened, and I rush to tell her."
Jesus ... I'm glad I go to Bar Church ... I just never know what Holiness is going to happen ... but it always does ... hitting me right in the middle of my heart.
