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| 1869: Mountain
View Mennonite, Upland, California, USA |
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Mystery Worshipper:
Origen.
The church:
Mountain View Mennonite, Upland, California, USA.
Denomination:
Mennonite
Church USA, Pacific
Southwest Mennonite Conference.
The building:
A simple modern design with slanted columns. Inside the sanctuary
were rows of chairs with Christmas greenery all over. At the
front were a wooden cross, the altar and a pulpit.
The church:
Mountain View runs a local pre-school kindergarten in cooperation
with Bethany Baptist Church in nearby Montclair. The congregation
is truly inter-generational and involves the children in the
work of the church, particularly in social justice, including
purchasing gifts for children of prisoners and delivering Christmas
stockings to children in hospitals.
The neighborhood:
Upland is a city nestled at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains
about 30 miles due east of Los Angeles, in the area known as
the Inland Empire. Founded in 1906, it was originally an agricultural
center but is today primarily residential. Many of the older
houses and shops have been preserved, and the city exudes a
quiet charm. The church is located in a suburban neighborhood
and is across the street from a school.
The cast:
The Revd Roger Richer, pastor, assisted by Sallie Richards,
worship leader.
The date & time:
Sunday, December 6, 2009, 10.45am.
What was the name of the service?
Worship and Celebration.
How full was the building?
Mostly full with the exception of a few front chairs.
Did anyone welcome you personally?
As I entered the sanctuary, at least five different people,
including Pastor Richer, greeted me. I was handed an order of
service and signed the visitors book. We had some casual chat
about where I'm from, my graduate studies, my experience in
other Anabaptist churches, and my personal faith journey.
Was your pew comfortable?
My chair was very comfortable.
How would you describe the pre-service
atmosphere?
Pre-service had some conversation but it turned reverential when the prelude started playing.
What were the exact opening words of the
service?
"Welcome to worship. Let us hear the revelation of God's
promise."
What books did the congregation use during the
service?
Hymnal: A Worship Book. Also available but not used
was Maranatha Praise.
What musical instruments were played?
Piano only.
Did anything distract you?
A couple of worshipers arriving late.
Was the worship stiff-upper-lip, happy clappy, or
what?
Soulful and meditative. It was a lessons and carols service.
Pastor Richer sang the gospel reading, which was the story of
Jesus' birth as told by Luke (King James translation). When
the pastor was at seminary, he served as cantor in a local synagogue.
Exactly how long was the sermon?
25 minutes.
On a scale of 1-10, how good was the preacher?
9 – The pastor engaged the biblical text and yet allowed
for deeper exploration of its meaning and interpretation.
In a nutshell, what was the sermon
about?
Get on board with the baby! The story of Jesus' birth begins
in the heavens and then is proclaimed throughout the heavens.
Every time a child is born is a holy time that brings new possibilities.
The birth of a child reveals the kingdom of God in our midst.
Which part of the service was like being in
heaven?
Pastor Richer singing the scripture reading. Congregational
singing was also heavenly, as were the children's moment and
the sermon.
And which part was like being in... er... the other place?
Moving a couple of seats in order to accommodate late arriving
worshipers.
What happened when you hung around after the service looking lost?
After the service, several people invited me to a potluck luncheon
that had been planned. There, we continued to share our life
experiences.
How would you describe the after-service
coffee?
The food at the potluck included but was not limited to fried
chicken (from Colonel Sanders), lasagna, assorted fruits and
desserts, and other culinary novelties. Lemonade was available
– cold and refreshing.
How would you feel about making this church your regular (where 10 = ecstatic, 0 = terminal)?
10 – I loved it!
Did the service make you feel glad to be a
Christian?
Most definitely. This church follows in the spirit of Jesus,
whose acts of inclusion often scandalized those around him but
embodied God's radical grace and love.
What one thing will you remember about all this in seven days' time?
Pastor Richer singing the gospel lesson. |
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| One of our most seasoned reporters makes the Camino pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. Read here. |
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