It is always interesting to visit a church that has multiple worship services. It is hard to guess if the people you see are visitors or long-time members who are attending a different service. We were greeted and welcomed by a number of people and invited to partake of refreshments.
There was good signage but it might help to project signage at the restrooms so they could be identified from down the hall.
When we sat down there were only a few people seated, but by the time the service was starting they were setting up extra rows of seats to accommodate the crowd.
The back wall of the stage is covered with floor-to-ceiling tinsel, a great effect with the colored lights.
I forgot my earplugs so I was not prepared for the volume, but after the first few songs it returned to a more bearable level.
The praise leader seemed like a cheerleader trying to get more out of the worshipers but I thought the congregation showed a lot of passion in worship.
My hip gave out before the prayers and I had to sit, so I am not sure if it was the praise team leader who spoke, but the prayer was well spoken.
Thought the song “Waiting Here for You” was done well, and I liked the individually spaced Advent candles.
The sermon was part of a series on the “Advent Conspiracy.” I liked that four points were presented early and the message developed nicely.
I really enjoyed the final solo, “Emmanuel.” We realized on the way out going past the beautiful Sanctuary that the soloists covered the other services as well.
I knew of some of the local mission efforts of this church, but was impressed with their more global efforts. I plan to contribute to the clean water programs.
My only disappointment was that there were a number of pretty Christmas trees on the Chancel but I couldn’t find a cross.
It’s a good thing Bob was driving: being directionally challenged, I would have gotten lost in the parking lot. Parking was plentiful, including spaces marked for first-time visitors, but I would have appreciated some outdoor directional signage in order to be sure I was headed in the right direction on this cold morning.
The building is very large, and we were early enough to take a self-guided tour. We couldn’t help but notice all those thoughtful touches that make such a difference. It is clean and uncluttered with superb signage throughout.
We attended the contemporary service held in Fellowship Hall where chairs were arranged facing the stage area and sparkling with trees, lights, and lots of tinsel.
We’ve spoken in the past about how easy it is to get lost when a church has two services. This one has three, so I was surprised at the number of people who greeted us as visitors. This is an inviting, friendly church.
There was no question when worship would begin, as the music jumped by a number of decibels. Surprisingly, I was unfamiliar with every piece of music at this service, including both of the impressive solos.
There was no children’s message, but as the children were led from the worship area (presumably to children’s church), the congregation was asked to extend their hands over the children as the worship leader prayed for them.
There appears to be lots of local, national, and international mission activity at this church. During the service a video was shown for Hair Peace Charities, a local organization that provides wigs for women who have lost their hair during breast cancer chemotherapy. Check out their website at www.hairpeace.org for everything they do.
I found the Advent candle lighting to be interesting as the candles seemed to be spread across the stage.
The Message was based on Matthew 25:31-40 and entitled “Advent Conspiracy IV: Saying and Doing.” It stressed the importance of Christians’ actions matching their words.
The Advent series springs from the assertion that $20 billion would solve the clean water problems around the world, and that each year Americans spend $450 billion on gifts. If we each gave one less gift and donated that money instead to organizations that work to provide clean water in other countries, wouldn’t that be a worshipful way of doing Christmas?
Having participated in three mission journeys to countries where clean water was an issue, I’m inclined to say yes. If you are too, check out the website at www.adventconspiracy.org.
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