26Student Life Just after 8:00 on Sunday night, people begin trickling into the silent gymnasium. The lights are dimmed; the only illumination comes from an overhead of a painting of Jesus Christ being projected on the front wall. A sea of folding chairs has been arranged in a semicircle to face the tables at the front. By 8:30, all the chairs have been occupied and crowds of latecomers begin to gather on the outside edges of the room. The Sunday night service at Downtown Church of Christ differs dramatically from the traditional evening services to which many students are accustomed. Unlike many evening services, which use a series of songs to lead up to a different lesson each week, the Downtown service focused exclusively on the Lord’s Supper. “The purpose of the service is to have a time that is strictly dedicated to communion,” said Dr. Pat Garner, the worship leader for the service. “That’s what it originally started as, and that’s what we intend to continue to do.” “It’s more centered on your personal relationship with God,” Katie Tool, junior, said. After the period of singing, worshipers were invited to partake of the Lord’s Supper. Instead of being passed down the rows on trays, the bread and fruit of the vine sat on tables at the front of the room, allowing those who wished to participate to do so at their own pace. Because of these unique elements, the service grew considerably after its inception several years ago and became especially popular among Harding students. “We started out with 50 or 60 people and now we’re getting near 1000,” Garner said. “That number is probably 95 percent students.” “It’s such an uplifting service,” Hill said. “Everyone there seems to truly love God, and that really shows to their friends and the people around them.” Written by Sara Hardesty Reprinted from Petit Jean 1999-2000 Downtown Provides 8:30 P.M. Communion Service Leading the Way | Directing the students, senior Reed Wallace leads singing for the service. Downtown Singing held their first service of the school year on Aug. 27. The service now includes a praise team made of students. Photo by Abigail Callicoat
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