Blessed be the flash mob

COEUR d'ALENE - The singing stopped and the greetings given, it was sermon time for Jonathan Owens Friday night.

This would not be an easy one.

A somber video highlighting words including divorce, rejection, pain and torment had quieted the energized crowd of about 100.

The pastor at Heart of the City Church stood before the congregation, his face serious, and began to speak on Good Friday.

Then ...

"Oh Happy Day," sang a voice.

"Oh Happy Day," cried another.

One by voice, more powerful voices joined in. Ten, 20, then 30 and 40, as bodies suddenly filled the center and side aisles.

The group danced and sang.

"Oh happy day

When Jesus washed

Oh when he washed

When Jesus washed

He washed my sins away!"

Sitting churchgoers began cheering. Some stood. They realized what was happening.

Flash mob.

Yes, on holy grounds.

For five minutes, the mob's white clothes glowed under black lights as each swayed and sang, smiles all around.

Finished, they disappeared as quickly as they arrived to a round of applause.

A grinning Owens stepped back before the crowd.

"You never really know what's going to happen around here," he said. "That's the first flash mob I've ever seen in a church."

Owens said Heart of the City wanted to add a creative element for its four services on Easter weekend that would reach new and older generations.

Flash mobs are common in public places like malls, streets and stores. But sanctuaries?

The message is sacred, Owens added, but the methods are not.

"I love different. I love to be able to share Christ in a very relevant way," he said.

"Oh Happy Day" seemed ideal for the flash mob to share a message of hope and joy.

"That's exactly what we're celebrating this weekend," he said.

Flash mobber Angela Haven said it was "awesome." Eight hours of rehearsal shined through "for the glory of God."

"We wanted to draw people into the Heart of the City Church. There's a lot of hope here, and all our joy. We want to share that joy."

Mark Collins said when he got the chance to be part of the mob for a special Easter tribute, he jumped in.

"There's sense of love here and that reaches out to everyone," he said.

His daughter, Rayla Collins, smiled after the surprise performance. She had no doubts that a flash mob was welcome in church.

"I think it's fun to show the fun side to God," she said.

Heart of the City, 521 W. Emma, has Easter services at 6:06 tonight, 9:09 and 11:11 Sunday morning.