Letters From Hollywood

6:30 a.m., Sunday my alarm sounds. It’s time to get up for church. Yes, I said church.

Many reading this know me from Trinity United Methodist in Hummelstown. For you, it will be easier to understand the type of service I attend now. Size aside, it’s not that different than the Celebration Service at home. For those of you who haven’t been to TUMC, I’ll try to paint the best picture I can.

The biggest difference from home is that my church is no longer two blocks from my house. Not even close. Now I have to travel about half-an-hour by car to get there. Starbucks and Sirius Radio have become my Sunday morning best friends.

Rocky Peak Church sits up high at the third highest point in the Santa Susana Mountains in Chatsworth. I’m terrible with numbers, how many people strong is Trinity? Perhaps our editor knows? Regardless, Rocky Peak strikes me as at least three times larger. There are two services Sunday morning, each with over 1,000 in attendance on a typical week.

The service starts and ends with contemporary music. The band members rotate every week: three guitars, a bass, drums, a keyboard, one lead singer and two backups. From what I can tell, there are four separate bands. All of the instruments have a permanent place on what I refer to as “the stage.” They’re an integrated part of the upbeat service. You won’t find an organ here.

The music is very rehearsed. It lacks the fly-bythe- seat-of-your-pants mojo I’m used to. In some ways, that’s good. In others … well, it lacks some of that small hometown feel I love.

Words are displayed overhead on three large Jumbo-tron screens. These double as presentation displays during the sermon. They’re also used for short movies pertaining to the weekly topic. The production quality of these astounds me.

After a half dozen songs, the members greet each other and seat themselves for the pastor’s sermon. From attire – jeans, a Hawaiian shirt and flip-flops – to the delivery, it’s clear the message is geared towards a younger generation. The older members aren’t excluded, but there’s a clear focus on getting young dudes into church. I’ve noticed that most I encounter range from 20-35.

The church’s goal is more about outreach than anything else. Mission trips happen monthly as opposed to yearly. For those interested in inter-church programs, all hope is not lost. I haven’t investigated them yet, but they do offer LifeGroups. From what I can tell, they’re similar to specific Sunday School programs back home.

The biggest problem Trinity had (and still has, last time I visited) is playing the amount of music the congregation wants to hear and still getting in all the important words the pastor has to say.

At Rocky Peak, they have a solution for that: extend the service. An hour and a half is the official time. This never happens. There’s a countdown clock in the far back. It lets the pastor know when to wrap things up. He always goes over. Always. I can’t complain though. Ok, so once in awhile I might fall asleep. Who doesn’t? Overall, they have a way of keeping your attention here. I think that’s partly due to constant points of reference. It seems like Pastor Mike is never without a relevant story from his own life.

I’m happy to report that I continue regularly attending services despite my busy schedule. I think it’s due to how well the church fits my lifestyle. It’s casual, easy-going, and there’s lots of music. The music really is key for me. I learn a lot, and it’s fun. At the end of a hectic week, it’s the best way I know how to recharge my batteries.

Until next time, don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.

Kemer