First Christian hosts praise gathering
Published 11:01 am Thursday, February 2, 2023
Photos Contributed A young girl leads the praise gathering in the song "Deep and Wide."
A young man praises the Lord with his guitar.
Hymns and praise songs were a part of the praise gathering last Sunday evening at First Christian Church.
First Christian hosted a praise service Sunday with several local Christian churches participating with special music.
A quartet of men delighted the audience at the praise gathering with special music.
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“Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord.” Eph. 5: 18-19
The phrase “Get your praise on” is attributed to Kirk Franklin. It is usually used by black gospel singers to say “Are you ready to worship?”
Last Sunday evening at Elizabethton First Christian Church, a congregation of worshipers representing local Christian churches, “got their praise on” as they came together for a praise and worship service. The service featured a combination of old hymns, spirituals, and quartet singing, and some whooping and a bit of clapping.
“You may have thought for a moment that someone had broken out the sawdust, wooden chairs, and an old canvas tent. A revival meeting was going on,” said Michael Klaus, minister at First Christian Church.
“It’s been a long time since we got together like this. I think a lot of Christians have opted out of “in-person” worship because of the pandemic. Many others have not made music from their hearts in a while. That combination led to a moment at the praise gathering where one man was singing a hymn and then voices peaked in unison and ‘Amens’ could be heard all over the auditorium,” said the minister.
The evening ended with a little girl leading the congregation in the song “Deep and Wide” and everyone was doing the hand motions.
Minister Klaus said the congregation left with the sound of “When We All Get to Heaven” ringing in their ears as they filed out to fellowship.
“We owe a special thanks to Steve Vance of Hampton Christian Church for his leadership in this spirit-filled night,” said the minister.
