(no subject)
Jan. 29th, 2006 08:35 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
kayreToday and the previous two Sundays, my husband and I have visited local churches, in part to see what they're doing in worship. I wrote up notes each time. It occurs to me that some of you might find those notes interesting or amusing, so here they are.
First Church of God
Since I get to worship as an observer for a few weeks, I figured I'd share some thoughts with you two.
I've already told Gordie that I was a bit disturbed at how little congregation participation there was in our January 12 service. There was a LONG stretch when the congregation just sat and listened or watched, and sitting for the second hymn felt pretty passive too. Over the last year or two we've eliminated quite a few congregational moments from the middle of the service; I think maybe we should take another look at that.
Today I experienced pretty much the opposite. We went to First Church of God. It was their "traditional" service, but was in fact quite contemporary; the only older hymn was Amazing Grace. The first 20 minutes of the service was almost entirely congregational singing (even the offertory was a congregational song). It really was a bit more than I wanted, but I definitely was ready to sit and listen to the sermon!
Other notes-- the praise group sang entirely from memory, and used handheld mikes that they carried on. Much easier to look at than BASIC'S forest of mike stands and music! They were softer than BASIC generally is, which made it feel more inviting to sing along (but the drums were too loud!). There was no performed music at all except a prelude-- on piano, miked so that I could hear it even over *quiet* conversation.
Ushers in uniform-- weird! And all male, which i didn't appreciate.
Visuals were projected on white walls on each side of the cross window. No ugly screen! I wish we could at least look into the possibility of surfacing the brick so we could do this-- it IS possible and is much less obtrusive than screens.
sermon-- every scripture was on screen, along with key points. The framework of the sermon was the usual 3-point, with an introductory scripture and another verse to support each point. I suspect this approach would please people who want sermons to be more "Biblical." Ended with a "spiritual growth assignment" for the week-- I liked this, though I'd call it a suggestion or challenge instead,
Church is so big, we were never noticed as visitors, and there were no greeters. Definitely a point on which we come out ahead! Made me realize that the chatter at our church is partly real fellowship-- but that doesn't particularly make me feel better about being expected to play nothing but background music!
First Congregational
First Congregational this time. It was eerily like stepping back into my childhood; the church layout is fairly common, but the choir was even wearing the same robes! It's a lovely space, full of light.. makes me glad we are painting the brick, at least.
There were greeters, but at the door of the sanctuary, not the outside doors, so I still had the awkward moment of figuring out where to hang my coat and where to go. We're definitely doing things right in that area.
Very first thing that happened was the pastor teaching a brief chorus which we then sang a cappella. David liked it, I didn't. It was pitched a bit high; and even with the choir support, singing something unfamiliar a cappella didn't feel like a good way to begin.
Prelude after the announcements and greetings, and everyone sat and listened-- imagine that! (Matter of fact, they all sat back down and listened to the postlude, too, except for some folks in the balcony.)
Very traditional service but relaxed atmosphere, not stuffy. Hymns were slower than I'd play them; choir anthem was marvelous. Sang the Doxology after the offering.
Sermon was on Jonah. As he talked about Jonah deciding to run away, the pastor slipped into first person-- and then left! Exited by a side door, slammed an outside door, ran down the steps, through the basement, up the steps and in the back of the sanctuary-- all with his clip mike live. It was both amusing and powerful; left some real time for thinking without being uncomfortable or boring.
I'm really surprised at how much impact the ushers have had on me both weeks. Last week, the uniformed men at First Church of God made me uncomfortable-- too formal, seemed a bit elitist. This week I smiled at the sight of a teenaged boy taking up the offering, and was glad to see women involved too.
First Assembly of God
Wow, parking lot shuttle!
At the door someone smiled and handed us bulletins-- but didn't say hello, shake hands or show us where the coat room was. SUMC is definitely doing well with the usher/greeter ministry!
Entry area of the church reminded me of an upscale office-- enormous lobby, bookstore, information desk.
Sanctuary-- front wall is covered in purple cloth with a big screen right in the center. David and I both had to look for a cross-- it was off to one side, painted black. Big printed banners with their mission, vision and goals. Enormous flat platform, very cluttered with organ, keyboards, mikes, pulpit, and a forest of artificial plants. (We were particularly interested in the shofar in one corner, and the two plant arrangements that incorporated military helmets painted white. Weird.)
We went for the 'traditional' service. Opening set was four hymns/ songs, two traditional, two contemporary. In these weeks visiting other churches, I've concluded that vocal range may be the biggest factor in whether the congregation sings. If it's pitched too high, people are embarrassed and physically uncomfortable, and just won't sing no matter how catchy the song. This morning only one thing was pitched too high-- and the keyboardist realized it and transposed down. I had a great time singing, but David felt like the set was too long.
Service consisted of: 15 minutes singing, more than an hour of sermon, hasty offering, closing prayer. More than half the sermon was shouted, very uncomfortable. There was no closing music, and it was clearly planned that way. Service began 5 minutes late, and ran (by their admission) 25 minutes over. As a result we ended up in a crush between us leaving and the next service entering; very uncomfortable, and no chance for anyone to speak to us as we left.
the only significantly integrated church we've visited-- about 5% black, including a black woman greeter.
(Forgot to mention that all music was played on Korg keyboard along with an old Hammond organ, vibrato on max, in a kind of 50's light jazz style.)
Since I get to worship as an observer for a few weeks, I figured I'd share some thoughts with you two.
I've already told Gordie that I was a bit disturbed at how little congregation participation there was in our January 12 service. There was a LONG stretch when the congregation just sat and listened or watched, and sitting for the second hymn felt pretty passive too. Over the last year or two we've eliminated quite a few congregational moments from the middle of the service; I think maybe we should take another look at that.
Today I experienced pretty much the opposite. We went to First Church of God. It was their "traditional" service, but was in fact quite contemporary; the only older hymn was Amazing Grace. The first 20 minutes of the service was almost entirely congregational singing (even the offertory was a congregational song). It really was a bit more than I wanted, but I definitely was ready to sit and listen to the sermon!
Other notes-- the praise group sang entirely from memory, and used handheld mikes that they carried on. Much easier to look at than BASIC'S forest of mike stands and music! They were softer than BASIC generally is, which made it feel more inviting to sing along (but the drums were too loud!). There was no performed music at all except a prelude-- on piano, miked so that I could hear it even over *quiet* conversation.
Ushers in uniform-- weird! And all male, which i didn't appreciate.
Visuals were projected on white walls on each side of the cross window. No ugly screen! I wish we could at least look into the possibility of surfacing the brick so we could do this-- it IS possible and is much less obtrusive than screens.
sermon-- every scripture was on screen, along with key points. The framework of the sermon was the usual 3-point, with an introductory scripture and another verse to support each point. I suspect this approach would please people who want sermons to be more "Biblical." Ended with a "spiritual growth assignment" for the week-- I liked this, though I'd call it a suggestion or challenge instead,
Church is so big, we were never noticed as visitors, and there were no greeters. Definitely a point on which we come out ahead! Made me realize that the chatter at our church is partly real fellowship-- but that doesn't particularly make me feel better about being expected to play nothing but background music!
First Congregational this time. It was eerily like stepping back into my childhood; the church layout is fairly common, but the choir was even wearing the same robes! It's a lovely space, full of light.. makes me glad we are painting the brick, at least.
There were greeters, but at the door of the sanctuary, not the outside doors, so I still had the awkward moment of figuring out where to hang my coat and where to go. We're definitely doing things right in that area.
Very first thing that happened was the pastor teaching a brief chorus which we then sang a cappella. David liked it, I didn't. It was pitched a bit high; and even with the choir support, singing something unfamiliar a cappella didn't feel like a good way to begin.
Prelude after the announcements and greetings, and everyone sat and listened-- imagine that! (Matter of fact, they all sat back down and listened to the postlude, too, except for some folks in the balcony.)
Very traditional service but relaxed atmosphere, not stuffy. Hymns were slower than I'd play them; choir anthem was marvelous. Sang the Doxology after the offering.
Sermon was on Jonah. As he talked about Jonah deciding to run away, the pastor slipped into first person-- and then left! Exited by a side door, slammed an outside door, ran down the steps, through the basement, up the steps and in the back of the sanctuary-- all with his clip mike live. It was both amusing and powerful; left some real time for thinking without being uncomfortable or boring.
I'm really surprised at how much impact the ushers have had on me both weeks. Last week, the uniformed men at First Church of God made me uncomfortable-- too formal, seemed a bit elitist. This week I smiled at the sight of a teenaged boy taking up the offering, and was glad to see women involved too.
Wow, parking lot shuttle!
At the door someone smiled and handed us bulletins-- but didn't say hello, shake hands or show us where the coat room was. SUMC is definitely doing well with the usher/greeter ministry!
Entry area of the church reminded me of an upscale office-- enormous lobby, bookstore, information desk.
Sanctuary-- front wall is covered in purple cloth with a big screen right in the center. David and I both had to look for a cross-- it was off to one side, painted black. Big printed banners with their mission, vision and goals. Enormous flat platform, very cluttered with organ, keyboards, mikes, pulpit, and a forest of artificial plants. (We were particularly interested in the shofar in one corner, and the two plant arrangements that incorporated military helmets painted white. Weird.)
We went for the 'traditional' service. Opening set was four hymns/ songs, two traditional, two contemporary. In these weeks visiting other churches, I've concluded that vocal range may be the biggest factor in whether the congregation sings. If it's pitched too high, people are embarrassed and physically uncomfortable, and just won't sing no matter how catchy the song. This morning only one thing was pitched too high-- and the keyboardist realized it and transposed down. I had a great time singing, but David felt like the set was too long.
Service consisted of: 15 minutes singing, more than an hour of sermon, hasty offering, closing prayer. More than half the sermon was shouted, very uncomfortable. There was no closing music, and it was clearly planned that way. Service began 5 minutes late, and ran (by their admission) 25 minutes over. As a result we ended up in a crush between us leaving and the next service entering; very uncomfortable, and no chance for anyone to speak to us as we left.
the only significantly integrated church we've visited-- about 5% black, including a black woman greeter.
(Forgot to mention that all music was played on Korg keyboard along with an old Hammond organ, vibrato on max, in a kind of 50's light jazz style.)
