A Lifestyle

It was a looming mass of steel and concrete that would have remained just that- a collection of man-made materials- if the congregation had not united together to transform it; but as matter stand it is a grand, newly remodeled building that houses one of the most remarkable churches of Petaluma. Petaluma Valley Baptist Church, or “PVBC” as its congregation prefers to call it, stands on a bustling street, welcoming the populace as a father welcomes his prodigal son. Indeed, the public is gladly received at all of the church’s events: the women’s group, the men’s group, the
youth group, and, above all, the unifying Sunday worship service. Sunday worship occurs unfailingly every Sunday at nine and eleven in the morning, as the blue and white weekly bulletin states, and attracts devoted members and semi-annual members and members that had never before been members of this or any other church.
If one chooses to arrive early, as I usually do, and chooses to sit in one the balcony seats, as I usually do, one will be able to observe the arrival of the congregation; members file systematically through the transparent glass doors into the sanctuary, greeting friends old and new equally as warmly. Orderly rows of teal blue pews with neat geometric designs and conventional wooden embellishments remain mostly untouched as the congregation favors conversing and socializing amongst themselves. However, when the first strains of the first hymn can be heard and when the late arrivers sneak in guiltily, the congregation settles concurrently
into their seats. Friends, families, strangers- there are only smidgeons of distinction in the church.
The period of musical praise is one of happiness, of joy, of laughter, where no one will be judged on how clearly, how loudly, or how well they sing. The worship team leads an assortment of songs; from old hymns to modern pieces, there is something for everyone. To a new church member, the time period of the song can easily be determined by the voices of the audience singing it: most generations feel a greater inclination to sing the songs that they are familiar with. Either way, teenagers can be found worshipping next to adults, who can be found worshipping next to the elderly, who enjoy the songs so much that their faces radiate with the vibrancy of teenagers.
When the time of musical praises passes and the sermon, which is usually given by the senior pastor, Pastor Tom, or unusually given by a guest speaker, begins, the overall hum of the sanctuary diminishes to the sound of pens and pencils taking notes on paper, with sometime (but this is only in rare cases) the sharp cries of a baby before its mother rushes it outside to comfort it. The concentrated congregation- young and old, wealthy and poor, saved and unsaved- mostly listen intently to the speaker, hoping to acquire some of the insight that they possess. With the clicks of the speaker’s portable remote, the more visually-oriented audience members can see the points brought up in the sermon projected onto the pristine white wall of the front of the church; those who may not be more visually-oriented use the PowerPoint to enhance their notes and understanding. Underneath the projection stand two important flags: the American flag and the Christian flag; their identical colors- red, white, and blue- catch the attention and reverence of the occasional glazed eye.

As the sermon draws to a close, hearts open and hands clasp as the members prepare for a quiet time of prayer. Some ask for the happiness of wealth, and some for the wealth of happiness. Some ask to be given the power of constraint, while others ask to be released from the constraints of powers. This is the time when many ask for things- good health, steady careers, strong faith- to be given and reveal sins- greed, pride, envy- that need to be forgiven.
With lighter hearts and brighter smiles, the members of the congregation enter a time of tithe with generous attitudes; the completed funding of the remodeling of a much-needed pavilion stands as the church’s evidence of God’s work through the giving hearts of his people. After the wooden and velvet offering plates have passed, all reside comfortably as they listen to this week’s
announcements, commenting softly to their fellow church members about the upcoming events. When the announcements draw to a close, the chords of the closing song floats over the chatter of the congregation and the church doors are opened to let the sun peak in and the members stroll out, ready to share what they have learned with others. To many people, Christianity is a religion: to many members of Petaluma Valley Baptist Church, it is not only a religion, but also
a lifestyle.

Hannah (Zero Period)