"My Pleasure!"
The first time I saw the Wilmington Celebration Choir (WCC) I was blown away.
I have to say, it was not like any choir I was used to seeing. The name is perfect for this choir. They celebrate!
Isn’t that what God’s children should be doing when we sing about Him? I love to watch them praise the Lord!
“Praise the Lord. How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise him!” - Psalm 147: 1
As a worship choir, God sends the WCC wherever He can use them through song.
On Friday, June 11, the WCC was off on another trip to sing. This time they traveled to Dahlonega, Georgia, the home of Karen Peck and New River Homecoming 2021. This is a 4-time Grammy Award nominated group with 4 GMA Dove Awards and more than 15 number one hits on Southern Gospel charts.
One of their members, Theresa, shared a glory sighting with me.
The group left at 6:30am to sing that night at 6:30pm and they are used to being on a schedule! They stopped at Chick-Fil-A in Simpsonville, SC. According to Theresa, one of the members, they do two things well: they sing and eat well!
They called ahead to let Chick-Fil-A know they were coming so they could be prepared for a bus load of 40 people. When they arrived they were directed into the restaurant. Joey Gore, the WCC Director told them it is a one stop visit for food and bathroom. Being Chick-Fil-A, they were directed inside, the paths divided, one for the bathroom, one for food.
We begin to sing “I Go To The Rock” (our flash mob favorite!)
Watch their Chick-Fil-A performance here!
Customers and staff listened and some even recorded it on their phones! I was told it was so amazing. The manager thanked them. She was excited and thankful.
Theresa was last in line to get her food and was speaking to the manager. The manager walked with her back to the bus. She boarded the bus with Teresa and thanked them again for stopping there to have lunch and for singing for the customers and staff.
She then asked Joey if she could pray for them and for safe travels and singing.
She then began to pray for 40 people she didn’t know.
The WCC was so amazed at this because as Theresa said, this was not something that happens every day!
After the manager left, they began talking about what had just happened and how wonderful it was to be treated with such courtesy, kindness, and compassion. Then we realized that this Chick-Fil-A had just served 40 people in a matter of only 20 minutes… wow!
It is truly remarkable how God puts us in places, where and when we need to be, at certain times.
“My times are in your hands; deliver me from the hands of my enemies, from those who pursue me.” - Psalm 31:15
This was a special time for the choir to see the love of God in a manager and her staff at a Chick-Fil-A in Simpsonville, SC. They came to encourage and they were encouraged!
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11
God is so good!
Late 2020, the WCC Director, Joey Gore, was called by God to come and lead worship for PVUMC’s Thursday night services, sharing some good ole’ southern gospel music. You can expect a blend of hymns, southern gospel, praise, a live band, and uplifting preaching each week.
Thursday night services are at 6:15pm in the Christian Life Center (CLC) gym and continue to be a blessing to many and attendance is growing.
“Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus… let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.” - Hebrews 10:19-22
I was going to be out of town recently so I attended the Thursday night worship service and each time I am reminded how awesome that service is.
“Clap your hands, all you nations, shout to God with cries of joy.” - Psalm 47:1
The Holy Spirit is in that place on Thursday nights! He shows up where worship is going on and worship is going on there!
“How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord Almighty!” - Psalm 84: 1-2
Theresa and Joey say, “It is always a joy to serve the Lord wherever we sing, whether it be at PVUMC, a church or at a Chick-Fil-A in Simpsonville, SC. Praise the Lord!”
“My mouth is filled with your praise, declaring your splendor all day long.” - Psalm 71:8
Like Chick-Fil-A, when it comes to praise and worship, we should say, “My Pleasure!”