Chapter 9 - Page 130 - New Passion

He ended the sermon by explaining how Jesus was crucified. He didn’t read anything from the Bible because he knew it would only confuse them. He knew the congregation respected him and his beliefs, but while they liked his stories, they didn’t understand Jesus was the only savior they would ever have.

    Reverend Morris said the Lord’s Prayer so the congregation could get familiar with it. When he said “Amen,” he stepped away from the pulpit and motioned for Jim and Rhasha to come forward.

    When they began singing, the angels again sang with them.

    “Whispering hope, oh how pleasant thy voice, making my heart, in its sorrow, rejoice. Soft as the voice of an angel, breathing a lesson unheard, hope with a gentle persuasion, whispers a comforting word.”

    As Jim, Rhasha, and the angels continued to sing, Reverend Morris studied the congregation. Many looked thoughtful, and he hoped they were thinking about what he’d said. Very few people believed his stories, because they had their own gods.

    “Wait till the darkness takes over. Wait till the tempest is done. Hope for the sunshine tomorrow, after the shower is gone. Whispering hope, oh how pleasant thy voice, making my heart, in its sorrow, rejoice. Whispering hope, oh how pleasant thy voice, making my heart, in its sorrow, rejoice.”

    As the song ended, Jackie remained seated at the drums and Simbatu stayed with the keyboard, but Jim and Rhasha stepped to the side of the stage.

    Again the humming sound could be heard. It grew louder, began to pulsate, then, after a few seconds, it faded softly away. The storm had passed and now the distant grumble of