In the hall, folding chairs are arranged in a circle around a wooden table. On the table are candles and greenery. The lights in the room are low, and people are sitting quietly, reading through the service sheets. Banners from the sanctuary have been moved into the room, and you find yourself staring at one that is in your line of sight, meditating on its message.

The minister of music is sitting at a piano, and someone you don’t immediately recognise is sitting beside him with a guitar. They are quiet, waiting.

At 7:30, the minister of music says: ‘Welcome to our Selah Service. Thank you all for coming. We will follow the printed program. It is clearly marked where John – he gestures to the guitarist – and I will lead, and where you have a response. Many of our short songs will be sung over and over, so be prepared for that. Where the service sheet says SILENCE, that will be a ten-minute silence during which you can pray, meditate, and reflect on what God is saying to you this evening. Now we’ll begin.’

There are songs, some of which are new to you and some of which are often used in your regular worship services. The short choruses are easy to learn, and quite beautiful. You sing them over and over again, and once you’ve learned the song you find that you can really meditate on the words which are simple yet profound. At certain points, members of the congregation read scripture or prayers from their seats – they must have been briefed on this ahead of time.

The ten-minute silence seems very, very long. You start off talking to God about your cares and concerns, and when that is over – has it only been 2 minutes? – you simply sit in his presence and contemplate the scripture that was read earlier. Something in that psalm has caught your attention, and you turn it over and over again in your mind, and in your heart.

Now the silence is over, and the congregation sings a hymn of benediction. You realise that your pastor has been a member of the congregation like everyone else. There is no sermon. There are no announcements, and no offering is taken. The volume of this service is quite low, everyone seems relaxed and thoughtful. The service ends with prayer, and there is an atmosphere in the room: a hush, a stillness. Rather than rushing away noisily, people stay in their seats. Some have their heads bowed in prayer. Some are gazing at the candles in the center of the room. Some have their eyes closed, some are staring straight ahead.

No one is in a hurry, but one by one and quietly, people stand up and make their way to the door. The service is over.