My Walk finding a Church

Born and raised, baptized (Holy Cross) and confirmed (St. Paul's) in the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS).  St. Paul's Lutheran in PB was where I attended 1st-8th grade and where my family went to church after we transferred membership from Holy Cross after some "pastoral issues". Coming to UCI for college I struggled finding a church home.  For some time during freshman year I went to Concordia's service as I had a friend (James Wilson) going there at the time.  At some point during that first year I found a church that some of my dormmates were going to called Newsong.  Although not Lutheran, it appeared to share the same core beliefs.  The style of worship was very different to me - what I call ultra-contemporary.  St. Paul's had a contemporary service (at least for a while) but Newsong was at a whole different level.  Incorporating video, lighting, song, dance, and skits among other arts - seemed to speak to the college-age generation very well.  I attended their regularly for some time and eventually went through the "Connections" class to become a member.  I became involved in ministries like "Front-line" helping with ushering and parking.  I also joined the mountain bike ministry where I met my friends like Ted and Edgar.  I soon met Travis and started a surf ministry with him also.  With my newfound community I felt as though I really made this church my "home".  I felt energized and "on fire" for Jesus, singing and dancing undignified. Within the past few years I became introduced to the (Roman) Catholic Church and am now realizing that I had many misunderstandings of the Catholic Church.  I have been going weekly to "Inquiry" sessions where I can ask questions I've had regarding the church.  Many of the church's teachings regarding Saints, Mary, Purgatory, Confession, and even Indulgences make "sense" although maybe not necessary and at times even seem a little "scary" in the sense that I feel they might detract from that which is at the root of our faith, Jesus. But in the words of an old friend "However you get your Jesus on".  So now I come to the final question: "Who has ultimate authority".  I feel that if I can be convinced that Peter was truly given this supernatural ability to bind and loose and that the Pope and bishops have attained this also through Apostolic succession, then I would be need to become Catholic.  At this point however, I am not convinced, and I am in regular discussion with members and leaders within various other churches including Pastor Bill from Christ Lutheran Costa Mesa and Ed Salas from Newsong to ensure that I do my due diligence and am able to make a knowledgeable decision.  My prayer is that God can lead me to the church where I can best grow in my relationship with Him and serve him here on this earth.