Sandy Sunday
We attended a new church this morning. A startup church meeting early Sunday in the building of a more established church, they were doing a lot of things "right" and some that didn't really work. As we entered, there were friendly greeters who made us each a name tag as they welcomed us to the service. They had a full service table where coffee and goodies were available.
I noticed some people had brought their refreshments into the sanctuary and I was somehow disturbed by that. I have no problem with casual dress (to a point) but I think that when we treat the Lord's house like a movie house, we begin to lose sight of and respect for the sanctity of the place and the service.
The music was contemporary... so much so that I had never heard any of it before. The pastor led the "worship," as we tend to call the musical portion of church services, and although the music was lively, the "audience" was just that, a group of onlookers, not participating much, just observing. Maybe four people were singing along. Words were on the screen and the music was good (although not especially to my liking) so I'm unsure about the lack of enthusiasm.
The sermon was well presented, the last of a series on married life. Most people there were 20's and 30's... the congregation was small, maybe 40-50, max. They were a hard crowd to play to, not laughing at the pastor's puns, etc. In general the group was subdued.
We chose that church because of a great ad they put in a local paper but will probably not go back because there was no life in the congregation. After the service (when the coffee and goodies might be more appropriate) not one person spoke to us except those I deliberately went up to. A thought maybe they might all be new, too, LOL.
We came home and decided to take a day trip to the beach. We explored some of the Atlantic coast of central Florida... found a secluded beach with public facilities but not much public attendance. We walked in the surf. The Atlantic was cool and there was a nice breeze. We sat on the beach and watched little birds find food and fight over territory. We walked some more relishing the time together and the wonders of the sea.
Finally, we were getting happily tired and headed home, taking an alternate route. We stopped at a mom and pop ice cream shop where I got the biggest ice cream cone I have ever seen. I had no idea when I ordered the waffle cone it would be so huge! Driving on, we missed a turn and had a longer, more interesting ride home.
I am thankful for a sweet Sunday spent with my Honey and my Jesus. I am praying for the little startup church and also for my Master's leading in finding a home church with which worship and serve. I covet your prayers in that regard as well.
I noticed some people had brought their refreshments into the sanctuary and I was somehow disturbed by that. I have no problem with casual dress (to a point) but I think that when we treat the Lord's house like a movie house, we begin to lose sight of and respect for the sanctity of the place and the service.
The music was contemporary... so much so that I had never heard any of it before. The pastor led the "worship," as we tend to call the musical portion of church services, and although the music was lively, the "audience" was just that, a group of onlookers, not participating much, just observing. Maybe four people were singing along. Words were on the screen and the music was good (although not especially to my liking) so I'm unsure about the lack of enthusiasm.
The sermon was well presented, the last of a series on married life. Most people there were 20's and 30's... the congregation was small, maybe 40-50, max. They were a hard crowd to play to, not laughing at the pastor's puns, etc. In general the group was subdued.
We chose that church because of a great ad they put in a local paper but will probably not go back because there was no life in the congregation. After the service (when the coffee and goodies might be more appropriate) not one person spoke to us except those I deliberately went up to. A thought maybe they might all be new, too, LOL.
We came home and decided to take a day trip to the beach. We explored some of the Atlantic coast of central Florida... found a secluded beach with public facilities but not much public attendance. We walked in the surf. The Atlantic was cool and there was a nice breeze. We sat on the beach and watched little birds find food and fight over territory. We walked some more relishing the time together and the wonders of the sea.
Finally, we were getting happily tired and headed home, taking an alternate route. We stopped at a mom and pop ice cream shop where I got the biggest ice cream cone I have ever seen. I had no idea when I ordered the waffle cone it would be so huge! Driving on, we missed a turn and had a longer, more interesting ride home.
I am thankful for a sweet Sunday spent with my Honey and my Jesus. I am praying for the little startup church and also for my Master's leading in finding a home church with which worship and serve. I covet your prayers in that regard as well.
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