If the Church Bells were Quiet

If the church bells were quiet 

And the candles unlit 

And the building was empty, save one in pulpit 

 If the people could not join their hands down the aisle 

 If they had to put coverings over their smile 

 The stage unadorned 

 And the choir rows sparse 

 If they had to tune in from a speaker in cars 

 Would the church as we know it then cease to exist?

 Or perhaps, is The Church something different than this? 

 Can we still be at church if we're not in a seat?

 Or are we The Church when we're made hands and feet

 Are we robbed of the church if we're not in a place? 

 Or are we fully a church when The Church is a face

 Is church where we gather? Or is Church where we give 

 Is church where we hear a message? Or is the message how we live 

 When building is absent, can Body still grow?  

Where candles are darkened, can't our Light still show? 

 Where church bells are silent, can't Spirit still sing? 

If there's not any address, is Church still a thing? 

 The answer is yes, for we aren't wall or steeple 

 We are Christ's Bride: The Church is a people 

 And where two or more are gathered in Name, then the Spirit of God is there just the same. 

 So where church bells are quiet 

 Maybe we can ring out

 Living Stones being built in a spiritual house ❤️