Amanda Azadian - Church Visit #1

Church name: Church of the Resurrection 

Church address: 935 W Union Ave, Wheaton, IL 60187

Date attended: 9/21/2014

Church category: Much more liturgical than my background

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

The service began with a procession from the baptismal fountain to the front of the church. Officiants were dressed in long robes and one of them was swinging incense, others were singing, and one carried a large Bible that another member of the clergy read from. The call to worship was much more extensive that my church's tradition. We read a verse written in our bulletin in response to an elder's call to worship after the first praise song that we sing. At the Rez there is a constant flow of water from the baptismal fountain rather than the bowl of water that we use for baptisms which is set up for such occasions. The blend of music was absolutely beautiful, we do not have such variety at my home church. The message was similar but the size of the building and the sense of the congregation's heavy involvement in church activities was very different. In my background, the community is tight-knit, not very large, and quite reserved in expressing emotions. They are emotive in talking about the Lord and in excitement to see each other, but there is less religious jargon, everyone is involved heavily in secular circles, and there is much less call and response type of service participation. 

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

Taking communion every Sunday is such a great practice, I wish my church did this and I wish we made it more corporate by performing intinction rather than passing little plastic cups. After beautiful music, an intellection speech about the Bible, and with friends sitting next to me, I am generally thinking about lunch as church comes to an end. Once ever month my church reflects on the gift of Christ's body and blood through the Eucharist, and if we meet every Sunday, I don't understand why this is not a universal practice. What an incredible reminder, what a time to meditate and slow down. Its so interesting that God gave us these physical reminders. The water which promises new life, the bread and wine which is broken and spilled so we may be fulfilled are all visual reminders that we are not for this world but for something far greater. These physical reminders, in my opinion, should be practiced more regularly!

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

I thought it was strange that there is one Bible considered more important throughout the service. In our technologically savvy world, most people at my home church don't even bring Bible's to church, everything is on their phones. The robes seemed unnecessary, and I don't understand the different tassels and colors, that I know must hold some kind of hierarchical significance. But I'm accustomed to church leaders who fly under the radar. They mentor, teach, serve on budget committees, and lead through example. They are known by the people who are in the community, and they make themselves known to newcomers by being the first to say hello. I don't see why its necessary to set leaders apart by their clothes. 

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

Surprisingly, the more I thought about the words printed for me to recite proved more and more meaningful the more I looked at them and repeated them in my head. I had always thought that prayer should come from the individual heart, be personal and intimate. Corporate prayer has been, in my tradition, somewhat of a call to worship, a prayer of thanksgiving, praise, and specific mention of the sermon themes, as well as a sort of public service announcement as requests are lifted up and the congregation is reminded to pray for certain individuals. The Rez has so many recited prayers and at first it seemed impersonal. Eventually I was able to appreciate the sincerity of each phrase, and feel blessed to be in the community of believers who have said these words over and over again throughout the ages. It showed me consistency, it showed me my humility before the Lord, and even as I was in awe of the words constructed on the page before me, I was reminded that God hears the call of our corporate prayers, and he hears the cry of our hearts just the same. Individual prayers however, do not need to be kept silent, and the Rez can join with the saints as they sing God's praises by repeating the same words that they used to praise our Creator.