Bob’s thoughts:
We have been surprised a few times lately, finding more than the small country church we expected. This church has good signage, five family restrooms off the narthex, and probably the most comfortable and aesthetically pleasing Sanctuary I have seen.
We were welcomed by a few people who seemed to realize that we might be visitors; one requested that we fill in the visitor pad.
There was a good age mix to the large congregation, and I saw the ushers actually usher people to seats after the service started. The large stained glass panel at the Chancel was framed by two large banners/curtains that I thought must have some special meaning to this congregation. There was a cross on the Communion table, but I thought the wall space to the side of the Chancel would be a great place for a large cross.
It was great to hear some female voices singing as part of the praise worship, and the presentation of the children’s choir using sign language was sweet.
The sermon was based on Romans 3:1-8, and I enjoyed the impassioned message.
The prime job of all believers is telling others of Jesus Christ. We need to be prepared to argue our faith. We need to be a lot more like Paul and willing to defend our beliefs. Our feeble works merit no intercession of God, but He keeps forgiving our failures, seeing only the purity of Christ. Can we defend our belief simply out of gratitude? This pastor is leading a church passionate for Christ, and I was pleased to worship Him there. I think this church is on guard against becoming a Sunday morning club.
Jan’s thoughts:
This is a well-kept facility and premises, very modern, with some excellent touches that indicate a great deal of thinking and planning. The parking lot is large, paved, and parking spots marked out. Someone was at the door to open it for us and someone else greeted us when we entered. We stopped at a small table to one side advertising visitor information, and nearby noticed a computer screen built into the wall to show photo slideshows.
The narthex area was a bustle of activity, including a table with small flowers in cups for the moms. Off to the side in an alcove are five family-style restrooms, enabling parents to help small children. Very well done.
In spite of the fact that this church has a Sunday evening service as well, several people stopped us along the way to introduce themselves and ask if we were visiting. (Oftentimes when a church has more than one service, members do not recognize visitors – they simply assume they don’t know the person/people because they usually attend the other service, so they fail to say anything.)
The Sanctuary is large and very nicely decorated with purple padding on the seats, a slightly different shade of purple cloth covering the back of the pews (which I’ve never seen before but is a lovely touch), with both shades of purple bringing out the flecks of color in the turquoise carpet. A gorgeous, intricate stained glass window decorates the rear wall of the Chancel, and numerous banners adorn the walls.
As we entered we heard praise music (a treat, as it’s been a while). The singers sounded wonderful, and were even accompanied by a trumpet and trombone.
The children’s time was uplifting – many of the children used the mic to announce that “My mom is special because…” and finished the sentence with things like “she loves me,” “she makes great cookies,” and many other tender thoughts, after which they each delivered one rose to their mother in the congregation. Very touching stuff.
The bulletin is one 11 x 17 sheet folded lengthwise into thirds and printed with the Order of Worship to fit on the one panel, along with two 1/3 panel-sized inserts. It was user-friendly, as it was easy to fit the two inserts into the folded sheet. The bulletin was well laid out and very informative.
With many of the churches we visit, we are often able to pick up on much of what is going on such as programs and special events. This church seems to have an awful lot going on, and the Elders and Deacons seem to take a large leadership role within the congregation. That is just a personal impression; I don’t know that for sure.
The sermon was entitled “Good News: Trusting in God’s Faithfulness” and was based on Romans 3:1-8. If I understood correctly, the pastor is preaching through the book of Romans. He was enthusiastic and passionate, beginning his message with an invitation encouraging anyone who wished to take issue with anything he said to speak with him and they could talk it out. It seemed like an honest appeal, he wasn’t looking for an argument or picking a fight, and I admired his desire to “talk theology” as that is something I enjoy also.
I very much appreciated his point that the Bible, “the very words of God” (Romans 3:2) sit “despised and ignored” by so many as they search everywhere else for answers to the questions of life. He urged the congregation not to be “sloppy, inconsistent, and incoherent in (their) faith,” to read and study the Bible and attend worship regularly, so they know how to respond to questions from not-yet-believers.
It was good stuff, presented with urgency. I’d like to hear him preach on life issues.
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