Skip to main content

Last Saturday, my husband Kenneth and I had a day that felt like a gift straight from heaven. We were in London for a busy week of meetings and study, but this day was pure joy—a blend of exploration, family celebration, and worship. From a delightful breakfast in Marylebone to celebrating our grandson’s graduation and ending with the soul-lifting Prom Praise at the Royal Albert Hall, this London day trip was unforgettable. Here’s how it unfolded.

A Cozy Morning in Marylebone

Our day kicked off with breakfast at a charming street café in Marylebone. The cool breeze was a refreshing change for this Floridian, and the warm croissants paired perfectly with our coffee. Kenneth and I laughed, chatted, and soaked in the moment. After breakfast, we strolled through Marylebone’s picturesque streets. We popped into a whimsical haberdashery, where hats adorned with ribbons and feathers sparked my imagination.
Next, we wandered into Daunt Books, Daunt Books’ flagship store is housed in a former Edwardian bookshop in Marylebone, London.
Built in 1910, it is believed to be one of the oldest custom-built bookshops in the country. I grabbed a few titles on faith, art, and history—perfect inspiration for my projects. The serene atmosphere felt like a little sanctuary.

As we walked around this lovely neighborhood, we popped into the local parish church. St Marylebone Parish Church has a history spanning almost 900 years, evolving through four different church buildings. The first church, dedicated to St John the Evangelist, was built around 1116, on land near the current intersection of Oxford Street and Marylebone Lane. Words from Revelation are etched in the ceiling near the altar.

A Private Pizza Retreat

By midday, hunger called, and we went to a corner cafe called “Home”, – a pizza spot with outdoor tables nestled behind lush plants. Our table felt like a private green booth, perfect for soaking up the sunshine. The pizza? Absolute perfection—crispy crust, tangy sauce, and melty cheese. Tucked away in our leafy nook, London’s buzz faded, and it was just us, enjoying the pizza and our new books. This little haven made lunchtime unforgettable.

Cheering for Cameron’s Graduation

While we enjoyed our pizza, our hearts were 60 miles away in Cambridge, where our eldest grandson Cameron was graduating. Despite the challenges of lockdown schooling, he triumphed with resilience and grace.
We couldn’t be there in person—graduation tickets are tougher to get than front row seats at a Taylor Swift concert, but we celebrated from afar and we’re delighted that his mother and dad and special friend were there to cheer him on. We are so proud of Cameron’s dedication to his studies, but even more so for the vibrant witness he demonstrated for Christ during his time at the university. The academic environment is not always welcoming to Christians, but Cameron’s unwavering faith and integrity served as a true testament to his character. His ability to grace his academic pursuits with humility, compassion, and a steadfast commitment to his beliefs has inspired those around him. We are confident that Cameron’s journey at Cambridge has equipped him not only with valuable knowledge and skills but also with a deeper faith and a desire to make a positive impact in the world.

Worship in Wonder at London’s Royal Albert Hall

The day’s highlight came that evening where 6 friends joined us and thousands more at the Royal Albert Hall for Prom Praise 2025. Growing up in small-town Florida, where concerts meant the high school auditorium, I never dreamed I’d worship in this iconic venue. Opened in 1871 by her Majesty, Queen Victoria it is named for Prince Albert, and the Hall’s grandeur is breathtaking.
Since 1981, Prom Praise, has become an annual tradition, blending hymns, contemporary songs, and orchestral pieces. Famous worldwide for its unique voice in music, the All Souls Orchestra has a long-standing residency at the Royal Albert Hall, hosting the annual Prom Praise concert. This event blends classical and contemporary musicians for an evening of top-tier music.
This year’s theme, Wonder, celebrated the awe of God’s universe and His role as creator. Conductor and Musical Director, Michael Andrews led with passion, guiding the orchestra and choir in worship that lifted our spirits. Guest artist included
The hymn How Great Thou Art soared, its lyrics—“When I in awesome wonder consider all the worlds Thy hands have made”—resonating deeply. Joseph Haydn’s The Creation captured the majesty of stars and planets, each note inviting us to marvel at God’s work.
The concert took us on a journey across the galaxy, celebrating God’s fingerprints in every note and natural wonder. The All Souls Orchestra, Prom Praise Massed Chorus, and guest artists—including Andrew Peterson, Jamie and Ellie Sperling, Anando Mukerjee, StreetHymns, and Elle Limebear— showcased musical masterpieces inspired by the magnificence of Creation.
The evening also featured the world premiere of a new piece by Michael Andrews, inspired by the mosaic frieze around the hall, it reads: “Thine O Lord is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine. The wise and their works are in the hand of God. Glory be to God on high and on Earth peace.” The biblical quotations comes from 1 Chronicles 29:11 and Ecclesiastes 9:1.

Michael Andrews conducts Prom Praise, filling the Royal Albert Hall with worship.

Scripture Meets the Stars

The concert wove music, Scripture, and stunning visuals. They shared a recording of Apollo 8’s 1968 reading from space, offering hope in a turbulent time from Genesis 1:1-10 (KJV): “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth… Let there be light: and there was light.” Against a backdrop of twinkling stars and nebulae, their voices bridged faith and science. The Prom Praise visuals, reminded us God’s word spans the cosmos.
Special speaker Glen Scrivener inspired us to reflect on the harmonies of heaven, drawing from a poem by John Dryden. His words stirred wonder about worship of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Question? Can music truly come from silence or nothing? Not at all. All creation points to an our loving creator who spoke the worlds into being

A Biblical Call to Wonder

Wonder is the heartbeat of Christian faith, a response to the God who reveals Himself as infinitely marvelous. Psalm 145:5 (KJV) declares, “I will speak of the glorious honour of thy majesty, and of thy wondrous works.” Isaiah 40:26 (KJV) urges, “Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things.” These verses, echoed in the soaring music of Prom Praise, drew us into worship, reminding us that God’s creation—from galaxies to the human heart—testifies to His awe-inspiring nature. Isaiah 9:6 (KJV) calls Jesus the “Wonderful Counselor,” a title that captures His divine wisdom and majesty, inviting us to marvel at the Savior who embodies wonder itself.

How can we worship a God who is not wonderful? A God devoid of wonder would be a mere concept, not the living Creator who spoke the universe into being. The Bible presents a God whose works demand awe: the parting of the Red Sea, the resurrection of Christ, the intricate design of creation. To skeptics who question why we worship, consider this: the complexity and beauty of the cosmos—billions of stars, each uniquely placed—point to a purposeful intelligent design. As Romans 1:20 (KJV) states, “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead.” Denying this wonder is like ignoring a masterpiece while standing before it. Worship flows naturally when we recognize a God whose nature and actions are inherently marvelous.

The Prom Praise concert, with its blend of music, Scripture, and cosmic visuals, was a vivid apologetic for this truth. It showed that faith is not blind but a response to the evidence of God’s wonder in creation and redemption. That night left me inspired to live in awe of God’s majesty. Seek His wonder today—in a hymn, the stars, or Scripture—and share it with a world longing for meaning.

A Day to Treasure Forever

Last Saturday was a tapestry of love, creativity, family, and faith. From Marylebone’s charm to a cozy nook for reading and pizza, Cameron’s graduation, and the awe of Prom Praise, every moment sparkled. And I am grateful.

To experience the concert’s full impact, watch it at https://www.youtube.com/live/BQzXoe3hcpI?si=ZSvERaU1SPjyIr-b

P.S. Announcement! the Amazing Life Gospel Choir has been invited to join the Prom Praise gathered choir in June 2026 and We Need Your Help

To shine God’s light on these world-class stages, we need to raise £4500 ($5,900) cover travel, music arrangements, and performance costs. Your generous gift will keep our choir accessible to all and help us share the Gospel far and wide.

Will You Be Part of Our Song?

Every donation, no matter the size, fuels our mission to spread faith, hope, and love. Give today and help us carry the Gospel through song.

Please support us through our GoFundMe page. Thank you for your prayers and support.


If this message resonates with you, I encourage you to Insta-share it with a friend.

Insta-share it on Instagram!
Screenshot your favorite section and tag me [@AngelaMackenzie___] so I can see and share your post! Let’s keep the conversation going and strengthen each other in faith!

Leave a Reply

Close Menu