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| 2546: Hinde
Street Methodist, London W1 |
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Mystery
Worshipper: Aileen.
The church:
Hinde
Street Methodist, London W1.
Denomination:
Methodist
Church in Britain.
The building:
The present church is the second of two, dating from 1887. The
interior is very attractive, in a traditionally Methodist style,
with a gallery around three sides and a high pulpit. The organ
is above the people, and there is a piano on the worshipping
floor. There is a lovely blue colour all round. Nearby is a
memorial stone to Charles and Sarah Wesley.
The church:
They have a number of groups that meet, and Thursday Tea Time
each week. They support the West
London Mission and a winter night shelter from January through
March for homeless people.
The neighbourhood:
This is the Marylebone Road area, very busy with cars, not buses,
and with many shops. There is also a Marylebone School not far
north of the road.
The cast:
The Revd Sue Keegan von Allmen, minister.
The date & time:
Trinity Sunday, 26 May 2013, 6.30pm.
What was the name of the service?
Evening Worship.
How full was the building?
Quite full on the main floor – with all organised to sit
around and in front of the communion place.
Did anyone welcome you
personally?
People smiled at us as we entered and gave us the books we needed
to use in the service, and after the service they chatted to
us, as also did Pastor Keegan.
Was your pew comfortable?
Comfortable seat, coloured red, and big enough to sit on.
How would you describe the pre-service
atmosphere?
I got there just in time and my friend had kept the seat just
beside him for me. People were chatting and listening to the
nice music being played on the piano.
What were the exact opening words of the
service?
"Welcome! Praise God!"
What books did the congregation use during the
service?
Methodist Worship, Singing the Faith, and
The Holy Bible, New Standard Version.
What musical instruments were played?
A really good piano.
Did anything distract
you?
I remembered my grandad from Wales, who always called himself
"Wesleyan." I wished he was here with me.
Was the worship stiff-upper-lip,
happy clappy, or what?
All sung well but stood still. This was also a communion service
– bread but no alcohol, of course.
Exactly how long was the
sermon?
25 minutes.
On a scale of 1-10, how good was the preacher?
9 – The minister showed us pictures for us to walk up to
and think of God being Lord, and Jesus, and Holy Spirit. I've
never experienced that sort of doing and thinking before!
In a nutshell, what was the sermon
about?
There is one God, with three persons: the Trinity. There is
community in God. The life of the Trinity offers us a life of
giving, and shows the power of love. God longs for us all to
be involved. God is in life and we pray to God to hear us. God
restores us always.
Which part of the service was like being in
heaven?
Hearing about God loving and saving us was helpful. I felt close
to God.
And which part was like being in... er... the other place?
I felt guilty about not being "perfect."
What happened when you hung around after the service looking lost?
Immediately a man came to collect our books, and others beside
us chatted to us, as did the pastor. This also felt really happy.
Nice people!
How would you describe the after-service
coffee?
We did not have that.
How would you feel about making this church your regular (where 10 = ecstatic, 0 = terminal)?
9 – If I lived closer to the church I would love to go
there regularly, as it seemed really excellent.
Did the service make you feel glad to be a
Christian?
I felt really pleased to be a Christian and also my family has
been Christians for many many years!
What one thing will you remember about all this in seven days' time?
I will remember the Triune God loving and caring for us. |
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