- Apr 30, 2013
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Yesterday I did something different. Since my congregation I belong to was having alot of post 4th of July foolishness, I decided to visit another local church . I went to the local Metropolitan Community Church congregation, Joy MCC. I've never been to an MCC church before, so this was a new experience.
The worship I would describe as "Bapti-Costal". Probably not unusual in this part of the country, or the rest of the US. Inside the church, there was a relatively low ceiling, with a soft purple painted wall behind a communion table, covered in a woven rainbow-patterned parament, and narrow stained glass windows lined the walls of the church. A piano and drum set were in the back. Greeters handed out sealed communion cup sets and wafers to people entering the church. Several people greeted us warmly before the church service. There were no pews, it looked more like a small presentation auditorium than a traditional church architecture.
The music was rythm and blues type gospel music. I couldn't sing it, but it was moving to listen to: I wore ear plugs because it was a little louder than what I was comfortable with, particularly the drums. There was a Bible reading from Philippians, and the sermon theme this month was on "spiritual makeovers". The pastor was a middle-aged southern woman who was quite enthusiastic and passionate in her preaching, beginning the sermon talking about political topics in Florida that might address felt needs of this particular congregation, before relating it to the Bible lesson for the day. The spirituality seemed to be more individualistic than what I am used to in the UCC, but I found the sermon moving, and gave me alot to think about the rest of the day.
There was alot of semi-extemporaneous prayer, as well as praying the Lord's Prayer early in the service. Towards the end, the pastor approached the communion table, held the bread and chalice, and there was a combination of an anamensis and words of institution: the Body of Christ is God's "yes" to us, and the Blood of Jesus Christ is his life for us, with memorialist overtones. Then we all opened our individual communion packets and received communion, and most of the congregation went forward to receive prayer from a prayer team (we stayed in our seats, politely declining). Then the service ended more gospel singing and a dismissal.
Overall, I think it was an interesting, even if it was very different from my usual church experience, I could still appreciate the preaching and the sincerity. I was impressed by how the demographics were younger than what is typical for Mainline churches.
The worship I would describe as "Bapti-Costal". Probably not unusual in this part of the country, or the rest of the US. Inside the church, there was a relatively low ceiling, with a soft purple painted wall behind a communion table, covered in a woven rainbow-patterned parament, and narrow stained glass windows lined the walls of the church. A piano and drum set were in the back. Greeters handed out sealed communion cup sets and wafers to people entering the church. Several people greeted us warmly before the church service. There were no pews, it looked more like a small presentation auditorium than a traditional church architecture.
The music was rythm and blues type gospel music. I couldn't sing it, but it was moving to listen to: I wore ear plugs because it was a little louder than what I was comfortable with, particularly the drums. There was a Bible reading from Philippians, and the sermon theme this month was on "spiritual makeovers". The pastor was a middle-aged southern woman who was quite enthusiastic and passionate in her preaching, beginning the sermon talking about political topics in Florida that might address felt needs of this particular congregation, before relating it to the Bible lesson for the day. The spirituality seemed to be more individualistic than what I am used to in the UCC, but I found the sermon moving, and gave me alot to think about the rest of the day.
There was alot of semi-extemporaneous prayer, as well as praying the Lord's Prayer early in the service. Towards the end, the pastor approached the communion table, held the bread and chalice, and there was a combination of an anamensis and words of institution: the Body of Christ is God's "yes" to us, and the Blood of Jesus Christ is his life for us, with memorialist overtones. Then we all opened our individual communion packets and received communion, and most of the congregation went forward to receive prayer from a prayer team (we stayed in our seats, politely declining). Then the service ended more gospel singing and a dismissal.
Overall, I think it was an interesting, even if it was very different from my usual church experience, I could still appreciate the preaching and the sincerity. I was impressed by how the demographics were younger than what is typical for Mainline churches.
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