Sadie Singer- Church Visit #2

Church Name: Church of the Resurrection
Church Address: 935 W. Union Ave., Wheaton, IL60187
Date Attended: March 30, 2014
Church Category: Different Socioeconomic Demographic

Describe the worship service you attended. How was it similar to or different from your regular context?

The worship service I attended was a much larger church than the one that I regularly attend. The one I normally attend has been growing in the past few years. It started off in a gymnasium and they now have their own building. However, it is still a smaller church with folding chairs being brought by volunteers for each service, they have a worship band with piano, drums, guitar, and some singers, and the floor of the sanctuary is still a gymnasium floor. At the church of the Resurrection, they had a massive sanctuary with additional stands in the back for seating, they had a full fifty person choir as well as multiple singers, piano, drums, bass, guitar, violin, etc., and they had a stage to hold everyone. The service I went to they announced that they were going to be building a recreation center for youth in the area and they had just bought a grand piano. They style of dress was also allot more formal and with more "put together" wardrobes. 

What did you find most interesting or appealing about the worship service?

I enjoyed the music. Their choir was large and was well practiced. They had beautiful pieces for the offering and different music throughout. They also had a good mix of contemporary and traditional hymns. I further enjoyed the participation of the congregation in calls and responses, and in worshiping. When you have that many people singing together, and you hear the power of that many voices it is difficult not to feel the glory of God, His presence and Spirit, and His power. Also after the message and for the closing songs the children came into the sanctuary and began running around the aisles and dancing. There was such joy in that moment that it reminded me of Christ's challenge to have faith like little children.

What did you find most disorienting or challenging about the worship service?

The service was challenging because I felt a bit lost in the crowd. There are so many people there that you can come in and out without ever even talking to or interacting with anyone there. They loose the feel of being a personal church when it is so large. It is hard to feel cared for or invited when no one personally greets you or speaks with you. It is easy to hide. They do however have different classes and groups you can be a part of, but you must take that step on your own, they will not track you down to ask you to get involved. Communion as well had a less communal feel from my regular church. They split up the church by sections and each section would go to a specific place for the sacraments. I understand that this is necessary for time and efficiency, but I do feel like it's a more individualized process.  

What aspects of Scripture or theology did the worship service illuminate for you that you had not perceived as clearly in your regular context?

This church was Anglican so there was much more liturgy, calls and responses, and hymns than the non-denominational church that I attend. It was also interesting to me when they blessed their piano and new recreational center. I had not seen someone "bless" an object like this before. I enjoyed it because it reminded me that these things are not and should not be taken for granted. The blessing of a beautiful piano reminded me that even this is a gift from God. They also made sure to emphasize their giving, what they donate to, who they support, and how the piano and recreational center will be used for the Glory of God.  I thought this was important because it reminded the community to remain focused on giving to others because they have been so blessed.