Charleston Church Holds First Service Since Shootings

Four days after a gunman killed nine inside the basement of Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, the doors were once again open to welcome congregants.
"We ask that everything be done with dignity. There will be no backpacks, fanny packs or cameras. This is for security purposes," a man doing crowd control at the church told the swarm of people assembled near the door.
Charleston police stood in the vestibule.
Church members were given priority among a crowd that included mostly visitors and press. Women were allowed in first in a show of chivalry but also for security. "We will be checking pocketbooks," announced one usher.
Like on so many Sundays before tragedy struck the historic church, they started with Sunday school at 8:30 a.m. Service began at 9:30 a.m.
There were no programs to detail the order of the service.

Emanuel is a large church with a beautiful white edifice. The summer sun reflected off the building. Inside is just as beautiful. The wood of the pews and woodwork throughout the sanctuary is deep brown. The carpet is a vibrant red, as is the upholstery on the pews. A balcony lines the sanctuary. There, media gathered. Cameras looked down over the service.
Behind the altar was a large, ornate stained glass window. On either side are frescos. The one of the left depicts Jesus suffering on the cross. On the right, Christ is shown risen from death.
In the earliest moments, there was little activity in the room. The musicians assembled with light chatter. Visitors, mostly journalists, also made small talk. Members of the church, however, sat quietly in the middle pews. They waved handheld fans.

Before long, the pastoral staff took to the pulpit. South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley and her family joined the service, taking a seat in the front row along with Congresswoman Maxine waters, NAACP President Cornell Brooks and other dignitaries.
Before long, the organist began playing "Amazing Grace" followed by "What a Friend We Have in Jesus". The choir, dressed in all white began the service, by singing "Total Praise", a gospel song that brought the crowd to its feet.
Ministers used the invocation to pray for Wednesday's victims, naming each of them.
"We are reminded this morning of the freshness of death. It comes like a thief in the night," said Norvel Goff, reverend and presiding elder of the African Methodist Episcopal district that includes Emanuel. Goff called congregants to the altar to pray. "Many of our hearts are still broken. Many of us are still shedding tears. But we must take our burdens to the Lord and leave them there."
One by one, worshippers gathered at the pulpit, many weeping but all kneeling to offer prayers.
Goff continued, "As we try to make sense of nonsense, pray for our children. We pray that God will give us the clarity of thought to share with them what God has shared with us."
One man erupted in tears on the way back to his seat repeating over and over, "This is just an unthinkable tragedy. Help us, God."
This is a breaking news entry. More to come.