Driving down the neighborhood streets of Santa Cruz, we cranked our necks looking for the blinking, neon Graceland sign to glow in the night sky. We glanced to our left and saw the Santa Cruz Bible Church sign chiseled in wood with fairly traditional lettering instead and remembered that Graceland was a 'church within a church.' It was a Sunday night, and there was no movement in the parking lot. As we parked the car and approached the front doors, we heard the sweet sound of worship with the backbeat of a band. We looked at each other and began to wonder if we confused the times of the service. Were we walking into the beginning of the second service? Or, was this the end of the first service?

Were we walking into the beginning of the second service? Or, was this the end of the first service?

We figured it was the 'wrap up' song to the speaker's message that traditionally functions as an alarm clock for those who may have dosed. Instead, one song wove into a second that was followed by a third. We glanced at each other, and our brows furled in bewilderment. We felt guilty interrupting anyone in the midst of this powerful time of personal worship. We eventually looked to the nearest Gracelander and ignorantly asked, "Which service is this?" They sensitively reassured us that it was the end of the first, and the next service would begin shortly. Before we knew it, the service ended. As we floated through the exit door and a surge of sojourners to the 8 o'clock service arrived, it was like two great tributaries were merging together. Through the ebb and flow, we swirled off to the side in an eddy within the crowd. Eventually, we found ourselves bobbing in the shallows waters with a few others coming and going to the service.

We took advantage of the break in the evening flow to ask people what they liked about Graceland:

Andrew,14 "I like the music, and there are lots of young people - and what they're in to. I've been going for two months. I came with my brother to see what it was like, and I liked it."

Al,47 & Nadine, 43 "We've come here a couple of times. The reason we are here tonight is that our son is getting baptized. It is a special moment for both of us .Graceland is a hoppin' thing - especially for the younger generation. It is great to see the enthusiasm that they have. We've attended the Saturday night service at Santa Cruz Bible Church a couple of time. We are kind of in between churches, and we really enjoy this."

Virginia, 17 "I like it a lot. I come every Sunday, and I have a lot of friends here. It is a good place, because it is like a group of people that all have something in common. You can meet people who love God and trust in Him. When I tell my friends about Graceland, they're like, "You can wear that to church?" I was raised Catholic, and I could not wear what I want to church. It is kind of relaxing. I work, I go to school, and I get off early on Sundays to come here."

Jen, 24 "I've been involved at Graceland a long time. It has been amazing to see the energy of what God is doing in this place. How people are coming to know God through a community setting - how important the community of Graceland has become. The positive atmosphere that it generates has been amazing."

Jorn, 27 "I've been coming to Graceland before it was even Graceland ... I work on the tech team doing the sound. It is real exciting to see people worshipping. To see what is happening here is an exciting thing in Santa Cruz."

Lenaya, 23 "Actually, this is my third time here. I like it a lot, because it is young and hip. I go to a church with mixed ages, and I enjoy that very much too. So, I have not given up my other church. And, it is nice that it is at night, and Sunday nights arenormally open and free. They are going through Genesis now. It is nice to have it done that way - so that you can see where sin came from, marriage came, divorce - issues that you may not hear everyday in a church."

The tides eventually changed, and the forces of those coming in the doors of Graceland became greater than those leaving. We, too, were swept back through the double doors into a candlelit room for the start of the second service. We quickly noticed a table clothed in black adorned with previous message manuscripts, small group opportunities, and other information. As we made our way around a black curtain that partitioned the entrance from the place of worship, we noticed that the entire room was shrouded with similar draping to create a more intimate setting. Hung on the infrastructure of the draping, artwork from the Graceland community peppered the experience.

...the stage was low-lit with candles, vintage family-room lamps, and a microphone worthy of Buddy Holly.

As our eyes were drawn to the front of the reinvented sanctuary, the stage was low-lit with candles, vintage family-room lamps, and a microphone worthy of Buddy Holly. Strumming his acoustic guitar at a rapid rate, Josh Fox, Worship Leader, calls the crowd of predominantly late teens and early twenties toward an encounter with God. With an inspiring voice and a personal edge on Scripture, Josh and his team brought all of us closer to each other and away from the cares of our collective world. It was evident that his invitation was to join him as he not only led the worship, but he experienced God as well. On this night at Graceland, as with many in recent weeks, we experienced the celebration of baptism where two individuals were able to share part of their journey with Christ. Following our time of worship, we learned about an upcoming event at Graceland called "Frames." Frames is an event that seeks to gather local artists from churches in the area to unify them around the language and experience of art. From the announcements, the room darkened as three video screens came alive with Bill and Ted's second cinematic triumph. As they introduced this evening's topic, The Origin of Sin and Evil in the World, Pastor Dan Kimball, shared a comical experience of hearing about Satan in a church in England - where the mantra of the parishioners became "Stomp out the Devil!"

Dan seemed passionate, direct, animated, and engaging. As we reflect on the service, Dan seemed passionate, direct, animated, and engaging.

His sermon was laced with story, humor, and personal experience. In the midst of a series in Genesis, titled Origins, we found it rather gutsy not to gloss over the difficulties in articulating sin, evil, and Satan in a postmodern world. From the message, we were given the opportunity to respond through worship once again. As we approached the third song in the second set of worship, we experienced a deja vu moment. In fact, this is where our story began. Just like when you catch the end of a flick and stay over for the second showing, we were tempted to leave. Instead - this time - we were not distracted by the hands of the clock, and we, too, lifted our voices and hearts toward heaven in worship to the King of all kings with the rest of Graceland. Graceland on Graceland We asked the Graceland staff to describe what they love about each other:

Dan Kimball

"Visionary, ultra-creative, quirky, super-organized" - Heather

"Solid, consistent, follow-through, man of your word, considerate" - Christine

"Strategic, breaks for people, can see the good in anyone and pull it out, realist" - Josh

Josh Fox

"Creative, approachable, intelligent, musical" - Heather

"Integrity, honest, sincere, compassionate" - Dan

"Real, passionate, zeal, integrity" - Christine

Christine Beitsch

"Efficient, fast-paced, detail-oriented, heart for those who are hurting, passionate" - Dan

"Super-creative, eager to learn, heart for the Lord, self-sacrificing" - Heather

"Heart that never stops loving, friendly, in tune with the power of God, ultra-fun" - Josh

Heather Margo

"Keeps things on track, fun" - Dan

"Pleasant, approachable, wise, comfortable to be with" - Christine

"Warm, wisdom, understanding" - Josh

Date of review: March 7, 1999

Type of church: Church within a church

Start date: September 14, 1997

Service times: Sunday nights (6 and 8pm)

Current average attendance: 800 to 1000

Children's programs: 6pm service only

Other programs: Small groups, new members class

Meeting location: Santa Cruz Bible Church

Affiliations: Santa Cruz Bible Church (non-denominational)

Contact information: 440 Frederick Street Santa Cruz, CA 95062
Phone: (831) 429-1162
Fax: (831)429-9575E-Mail: heather@santacruzbible.org

WebSite:www.santacruzbible.org/graceland