I'd like to thank everyone who has helped take the "edge" off my fear of exploring a new faith. My husband and I attended our first Lutheran service yesterday. All I can say is that I finally feel at home. From the moment we walked into the church, we saw folks interacting with one another - neighbors talking with neighbors - smiling, sharing stories and laughter. I could immediately tell that this would be different than the somber keep-to-oneself congregations I had been accustomed to my whole life.
Even though I had read up a bit about the order of the service and immersed myself into as much literature as possible in anticipation, there were moments that completely took me by surprise, namely by the way it just captured my attention.
The service opened with a short prelude and the pastor discussing concerns of the parish. How remarkable is that!!! Regular folks actually have a voice that appears to have been heard; that tells me the church is responsive to our local needs (while aiding those abroad is nice, they still have a tremendous sense of responsibility to their community - reaching out to the physical "neighbor" and immediately acting in the likeness of Christ).
I did see a bit of "flyswatting", or making the sign of the cross - not a lot of folks did so at the Gospel, though. The hymns were identical - I didn't even need to crack open the book to follow along. It was just a little suprising that the music director chose a much slower tempo than what I was accustomed and he played ALL verses. There was even a choir (with robes!) - something I hadn't seen or heard since I was a little girl.
Although I hadn't yet been born when the RCC's second Vatican Council convened, I immediately recognized that many of the traditions and prayers were hinting at the pre-Vatican II days. What really blew me away, though, was the perspective of the readings. Thanks to the pastor, this was the first time that I was able to fully piece together each reading into one full message for the day versus, say, a remotely connected first reading to the Gospel. It was about the Beatitudes. I remember in about third grade CCD (and again in maybe 9th grade), we learned what they were through a child's eyes. Yesterday, though, was the first time in my adult life that I can say I fully understood what was meant (as an adult) from each one. She (YES, she) drew upon real-life applications that really hit home - not in a scary preachy way as I'd been used to, but rather in a way that is practical and something I can relate to myself. I felt talked to, not preached at.
Something else that I didn't expect to see in the bulletin was in insert that had all prayer intentions - not just for those in need, but also for those in the military and in college. The pastor also had a moment for the kids to approach the altar and sit with her as she gave a really nice explanation of what the Scripture for the day was about, in a manner that the kids could really grasp.
Now, there is something I have to work on: the pronunciation of Amen (aahm-men versus A-men). I think that was the dead giveaway that visitors from another denomination were present! lol!!! There were three others who were received into the church yesterday: two were affirmed from another religion and one transferred from another Lutheran church.
I was a little puzzled by the attendance pad they passed around for which members and visitors alike signed. The only thing I could think of is that they don't record attendance by the offeratory envelopes. No biggie, just different.
Needless to say, I will definitely be returning to this church for this upcoming Sunday's service. We will also begin to attend a weekday service at another church on Weds just to get another angle and maybe see which one we prefer. Obviously, selecting a church home is not a decision to be taken lightly, so there is no rush. We really look forward to whichever church offers the best opportunity to learn about the faith through sermons and adult ed before making our final decision.
All in all, I can say is that we were pleasantly overwhelmed by the feeling of what a church community and how the message of the Word should be executed. As I mentioned before, our RC Bishop stated that we should "go where we are fed", well he must not have known the power of those words. I really felt "full" yesterday.
Even though I had read up a bit about the order of the service and immersed myself into as much literature as possible in anticipation, there were moments that completely took me by surprise, namely by the way it just captured my attention.
The service opened with a short prelude and the pastor discussing concerns of the parish. How remarkable is that!!! Regular folks actually have a voice that appears to have been heard; that tells me the church is responsive to our local needs (while aiding those abroad is nice, they still have a tremendous sense of responsibility to their community - reaching out to the physical "neighbor" and immediately acting in the likeness of Christ).
I did see a bit of "flyswatting", or making the sign of the cross - not a lot of folks did so at the Gospel, though. The hymns were identical - I didn't even need to crack open the book to follow along. It was just a little suprising that the music director chose a much slower tempo than what I was accustomed and he played ALL verses. There was even a choir (with robes!) - something I hadn't seen or heard since I was a little girl.
Although I hadn't yet been born when the RCC's second Vatican Council convened, I immediately recognized that many of the traditions and prayers were hinting at the pre-Vatican II days. What really blew me away, though, was the perspective of the readings. Thanks to the pastor, this was the first time that I was able to fully piece together each reading into one full message for the day versus, say, a remotely connected first reading to the Gospel. It was about the Beatitudes. I remember in about third grade CCD (and again in maybe 9th grade), we learned what they were through a child's eyes. Yesterday, though, was the first time in my adult life that I can say I fully understood what was meant (as an adult) from each one. She (YES, she) drew upon real-life applications that really hit home - not in a scary preachy way as I'd been used to, but rather in a way that is practical and something I can relate to myself. I felt talked to, not preached at.
Something else that I didn't expect to see in the bulletin was in insert that had all prayer intentions - not just for those in need, but also for those in the military and in college. The pastor also had a moment for the kids to approach the altar and sit with her as she gave a really nice explanation of what the Scripture for the day was about, in a manner that the kids could really grasp.
Now, there is something I have to work on: the pronunciation of Amen (aahm-men versus A-men). I think that was the dead giveaway that visitors from another denomination were present! lol!!! There were three others who were received into the church yesterday: two were affirmed from another religion and one transferred from another Lutheran church.
I was a little puzzled by the attendance pad they passed around for which members and visitors alike signed. The only thing I could think of is that they don't record attendance by the offeratory envelopes. No biggie, just different.
Needless to say, I will definitely be returning to this church for this upcoming Sunday's service. We will also begin to attend a weekday service at another church on Weds just to get another angle and maybe see which one we prefer. Obviously, selecting a church home is not a decision to be taken lightly, so there is no rush. We really look forward to whichever church offers the best opportunity to learn about the faith through sermons and adult ed before making our final decision.
All in all, I can say is that we were pleasantly overwhelmed by the feeling of what a church community and how the message of the Word should be executed. As I mentioned before, our RC Bishop stated that we should "go where we are fed", well he must not have known the power of those words. I really felt "full" yesterday.
