Filipinos in Araneta worshipped; so did I

Four years ago, I was blessed to witness for the first time a concert from Hillsong United. Last 15th of June this year, they returned, together with their younger band Hillsong Young and Free. It was a very nice comeback, the same day I anticipated a Kpop group pull off their comeback. I had to set aside that anticipation for this grand night of worship which does not come very often.

Fellowship

Aside from new songs added to their setlist, it is my companions which made this concert experience special. It is not merely a worship night. It was a fellowship with fellow brethren of God's Christian Church, albeit in a different dynamic. Besides, this time around we're sitting with a flock of people on General Admission. We have even left for Araneta Coliseum at around 2pm for an event that started at around 8pm. Lines of people were visible, waiting to enter the Big Dome even before six in the evening. When four years ago there were also a lot of people entering the venue, a lot more that night encircled Hillsong's cube-like stage.

Before the concert, AVPs of various Hillsong events and ministries were featured,
showing again their skill in making creative and visually-appealing videos

It must be an evidence that this nation has a lot of worshippers, a lot of Christians, who that night have gathered as a church, nay a parcel of it, worshiping the Lord. It didn't matter if an early arrival was necessary. It didn't matter that the seats were like a seats in a standard basketball court (besides, it's a basketball venue). It didn't matter that I only had a hotdog sandwich and popcorn for dinner (though I hoped I joined my mother going out a bit while we stayed in line).

Acquaintance (worship) party

Compared to the Zion concert in 2014, my knowledge of the current songs are minimal. Two albums have passed for both bands, and it seems I was not that updated to their music since discovering and appreciating other artists under the CCM genre through time. That night laid out an opportunity to get acquainted again with the music that's Hillsong's—and after all, God's.

Obviously, the first set was from Young and Free. My jest was it was pang-millennials, as if I weren't included there. Nonetheless, their music was refreshing to the ears as well as to the soul. Not only were remarkable originals were played, but they also played a classic—"None But Jesus". It is very much noticed how Y&F could take the current trending sounds of pop and mix it with spiritual lyrics that are sound enough. I like the words of "Peace", a good reminder of that peace only God can grant.

Classics, future standards intensify United set

And now, the main event (at least for me). After a short break, Hillsong United kicked off with "Wonder". Even the intro was something already done in their live performance posted on YouTube. To witness it live in your eyes, nonetheless, is something. Be it in album art or live background, Hillsong is remarkable in its aesthetics. Again, the known aesthetic was nicely employed for worship. This is worth appreciating.

But I appreciate more that they played classics. While I acknowledge new material, when "One Way" played (interspersed with "Go"), I found myself jumping. Same goes with my fellow brother in Christ beside me. I guess we were already adulting. We're getting old! It is something I don't usually do in a normal worship part. But the music gets you. The crowd gets you. Even raising hands is something I don't get to do (out of a not-so-serious preference). But then, the concert has been a platform to just worship. And I'm convinced everyone there were in harmony to give the best, for God gave His.

The infamous (first) ending, "With Everything", was another opportunity. Lifting the torch of my new cellphone (which I consider a blessing), has become an act of worship. It's like raising and lifting a lightstick for your favorite group. But this time around, it's for our great great God.

Once you hear "O-oh..." of "With Everything", it's time to light your phone's torch

"Alive" as the bands' encore

Letting worship sink in

Witnessing new songs, both recognizable and otherwise, pushed me to look and hear into the lyrics. And this made me appreciate the words more, longing to comprehend them more fully. Beneath the melodies and the chords, there's a noteworthy and serious lyric. This is what I realize when I heard "So Will I" and "Glimmer in the Dust". Yes, I was familiar with them when I had my first listen to the album Wonder. But this concert has helped in letting the words sink in, making me appreciate the songs more, enabling me further to sing them. Just to sing "I know that you love me" in between the lyrics in the bridge is enough for me.

Those three hours has been a great opportunity for worship and fellowship. It was also a good chance to get acquainted with some contemporary Christian music—talent that is worth musicians' investment, and talent that is worth our appreciation and support.

Even before that night ended, I was clouded over a thought: after all the hype, the raising of hands, the jumping, and the singing, what are we to do? How should we continue worshiping? I do hope that for every twenty-four hours that we have each day, let it be lived in worship. I'm convinced that Hillsong and other bands and churches, inside and outside their music ministries, are living in worship. So—in our own means—should we.