The Optimist (Abilene, Tex.), Vol. 91, No. 35, Ed. 1, Wednesday, February 12, 2003 Page: 3 of 10
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February 12 2003
Wednesday Plus
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or Worship
RAFAEL AGUIlf RACHIEF PHOTOGRAPH!
Above: Freshman Youth and Family Ministry major Jon
Mills leads singing at nine o'clock devo.
Right: Students pray on the steps of University Church of
Christ.
'Nine o'clock'
has become
synonymous
with prayer and
praise.
KauTuuuy
StajjWiHet
I ilcnce. Then one voice.
"There's a stirring deep within me..."
More voices join; soprano alto tenor and
bass sing the words and notes from memory.
A female student stands and quietly
makes her way to a candlelit table to take
communion.
Another student leans to whisper some-
thing to his friend. Together they rise and
walk into the hall their heads already bowed
in prayer. Elders sit in Room 101 available to
anyone who might want to talk or pray.
"Could It be my time has come... "
This is Sunday night at University Church
of Christ Eleven years ago the church began
opening Its doors to college students for a
devotional consisting of a short message fol
lowed by almost an hour of song. Anyone in
the building is free to start a song; no lyrics
or notes arc displayed on a screen or in a
book. They sing from their hearts.
"Wiien 1 see my gracious savior. . . "
This is nine o'clock. Jeremy Harrison who
earned an undergraduate degree In
Christian missions and a masters degree in
cross-cultural missions has worked part
time for University Church for more than
three years. His duties include organizing
and speaking at nine o'clock. Harrison
attended nine o'clock as an undergrad and
said he always enjoyed the unique aspects of
the devotional.
"Face to face when all is done."
The spontaneous singing is "the unique
fingerprint" of nine o'clock Harrison said.
"The whole mood with the lights being down
and the lights behind the stained glass for
me it Inspires worship." The men and
women in Room 101 arc also a unique aspect
of nine o'clock. When the speaker begins the
devotional he reminds attendees that Room
101 is available for anyone who wants a ses-
sion of prayer advice or a kind listening ear.
"This is a place to be refreshed and get splri-
tual energy for the week." Although most of
the attendees are ACU students Harrison
said some students from Hardln-Simmons
and McMurry occasionally attend. Junior
high and high school students also come
occasionally. At the beginning of each
semester the church Is packed to capacity
and more students trail in and listen from
the foyer.
7s that His voice I am hearing 'come away
my precious one.'"
Harrison said attendance can reach 1 600.
During the middle of each semester and
near the winter break attendance falls as stu-
dents scramble to study for midterm exams
or go out of town. On most Sunday nights
the auditorium has few empty seats; stu-
dents sit in the balcony and line the walls as
well.
"I think people come because they enjoy
the freedom" Harrison said. "1 hey enjoy the
ability to start a song particularly the
females. This is one of the few places where
they enjoy that freedom."
The beauty of the song is also a draw.
"The singing is so powerful when you
have that many young people who arc good
at singing worshiping with their heart"
Harrison said.
"Is He calling me?"
In the beginning nine o'clock was held in
Chapel on the Hill then it moved to the
Beauchamp amphitheater and then to the
church.
But the devotional has always been a
ministry of University Church. All the people
involved In planning and leading nine
o'clock are members of the church. The eld-
ers and other adults who staff Room 101 are
also members. In January Harrison will turn
his job over to Chris Blair another University
Church intern.
Blair plans to follow the established lay-
out for nine o'clock.
"Is He calling me?"
Blair also wants the devotional to encour-
age students to become involved in a com-
munity of believers at a local church.
"I see it as an opportunity to engage in
reflection" Blair said. "At nine o'clock stu-
dents can sit and sing and think about where
they are in the scheme of things" he said.
"twill rise up rise up..."
Harrison makes a point to check in on
Room 101 during the singing and some-
times he stays to pray or talk.
"I think it is probably one of the greatest
ministries of the service" he said. "Students
come out In tears. It's not always hard things
though; there are moments of joy too." Over
time students and Room 101 volunteers can
develop relationships.
"...and ill bow down."
Harrison said students come to the room
to update adults about a situation they
prayed about or to rejoice in a good deci-
sion they helped the student make.
"I see ministry happening here to the
enth degree" Blair said. All this fulfills the
goals Harrison had for the service when he
took the job from the last leader.
"I just wanted it to be a time that pointed
people to Jesus through the singing through
the things I said through the fellowship and
communion" Harrison said.
Announcements are never made at nine
o'clock and Harrison said he keeps his mes
sages short intentionally.
"...and lay my crown..."
Above all Harrison said that the worship
is sincere the fellowship Is uplifting and the
prayer is genuine. At the end of the semester
Harrison will attend nine o'clock as a partic-
ipant rather than a planner.
He expects to miss the service but said he
knows the prayer song and fellowship will
continue for years.
"...at His precious wounded feet."
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The Optimist (Abilene, Tex.), Vol. 91, No. 35, Ed. 1, Wednesday, February 12, 2003, newspaper, February 12, 2003; Abilene, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101809/m1/3/: accessed April 25, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Abilene Christian University Library.