solemn Sunday Worship at First Methodist Church

the First Methodist Church

    

the welcome board in front of the church

    Bell, Amanda and I went to attend the Sunday Worship at First Methodist Church this morning. It is the first time to go to the church, so everything is new and fresh to me.

   The church is located at 425 College Street. When we arrived there at about 9:45am, an elder lady greeted us warmly and gave each of us a handout about the procedure of the ceremony. The solemn moment began at 10:00am, which is composed of the following steps: prelude, call to worship, hymn, opening prayer, children’s moment, hymn, gospel lesson, psalter, sermon, announcement, offering, offertory, doxology, prayer of dedication, hymn, benediction and postlude. Among the 17 steps, two of them gave me a deep impression. One is the children’s time, 5 children went out and sat down in a circle with a middle-aged woman. She worked as an instructor to tell those children to be passionate and friendly to others, not be selfish and mean, which was told by Jesus Christ, God. The other impressive moment is the Offertory. An elder black lady’s beautiful songs announced the beginning of it. She is dressed in formal gown, with a black and white hat, elaborately designed jewelry, which looks like a delicate and elegant woman in classic movies. Her voice is so magnetic and penetrating that we all cannot help clapping and singing with the rhythm. Accompanied by her moving hymn, participants donated cash into two big metal bowls.

beautiful window inside 

  

    We were invited to join fellowship hour after the worship service. Snacks, desserts and drinks were provided free in the basement. Those nice and kind-hearted Christian expressed their hospitable welcome and all of us enjoyed a pleasant time. On the way home, two questions came into my mind: why most participants are white people whereas the majority I see on the street are black? Why most Christians are seniors, do those juniors not believe in God or they are too busy to attend the Sunday worship? Dear Carrie, could you do me a favor and give me the answers?    

senior Christian walking with difficulty