Thursday, October 07, 2004
Church Search Episode VI: Holy Transfiguration Church.
Last Sunday we decided to try out an Orthodox chruch (OCA, Orthodox Church of America) which was only about 20-25 minutes from our house. We had run into the preist when he came to speak to our Intervarsity group and were curious.
Preaching: 9/10, the preist is a very thoughtful man and gave a great sermon on the gospel text of the day. The guy was a missionary for years, and has taught at Trinity Evengelical Divinity School, among other places, and knows his stuff.
Worship: 10/10, needless to say there was no rock and roll in this service, and no speaking in tongues (other than some mumbling in Russian) but you gotta give kudos to a choir which can sing a liturgy which goes on for an hour and a half.
Smell: 10/10, a new category perhaps, but the incense and candles really do smell nice, even if they are not good for the lungs.
Seating: 1/10, The seating would have been no better if we had stood for the hour and a half. Oh wait...we did. Actually we got to sit down for the 10-15 minute sermon on the wooden benches along the side, but the rest was on our feet, and they were pretty sore by the end.
Weird Family Connections: 10/10, It turns out that the preist and his wife were EFC missionaries in Germany while Laura's Grandparents were missionaries, and the two knew each other well. So yeah. You can not run...You can not hide...from Laura's family's friends. There are just too many of them.
Coffe time: 7/10, not a giant pot-luck, but still it is hard to argue with free danishes and apple juice after a long service.
All in all it was a great experience, we are interested in learning more about Orthodoxy now, and plan on doing some reading.
Last Sunday we decided to try out an Orthodox chruch (OCA, Orthodox Church of America) which was only about 20-25 minutes from our house. We had run into the preist when he came to speak to our Intervarsity group and were curious.
Preaching: 9/10, the preist is a very thoughtful man and gave a great sermon on the gospel text of the day. The guy was a missionary for years, and has taught at Trinity Evengelical Divinity School, among other places, and knows his stuff.
Worship: 10/10, needless to say there was no rock and roll in this service, and no speaking in tongues (other than some mumbling in Russian) but you gotta give kudos to a choir which can sing a liturgy which goes on for an hour and a half.
Smell: 10/10, a new category perhaps, but the incense and candles really do smell nice, even if they are not good for the lungs.
Seating: 1/10, The seating would have been no better if we had stood for the hour and a half. Oh wait...we did. Actually we got to sit down for the 10-15 minute sermon on the wooden benches along the side, but the rest was on our feet, and they were pretty sore by the end.
Weird Family Connections: 10/10, It turns out that the preist and his wife were EFC missionaries in Germany while Laura's Grandparents were missionaries, and the two knew each other well. So yeah. You can not run...You can not hide...from Laura's family's friends. There are just too many of them.
Coffe time: 7/10, not a giant pot-luck, but still it is hard to argue with free danishes and apple juice after a long service.
All in all it was a great experience, we are interested in learning more about Orthodoxy now, and plan on doing some reading.
Comments:
Hey young McMullens! Sounds like you might be on to something with this one...we'll be praying for you up here that you find the right church!
-Jake Tews
-Jake Tews
# posted by 
: 10/08/2004 12:54 AM
: 10/08/2004 12:54 AM
A few addendums.
First of all, Steve was a little too harsh on the seating. 2/10 would be more appropriate. Unlike the Orthodox churches in Russia, or the Orthodox church I attended in August (see August 17 ) this church did not have any Babushkas to scold me, so when my back got really sore towards the end of the service, I was able to sit down without getting scolded. (The chairs are usually reserved for the sick, elderly, or really young. I guess I don't look like I fit that category.)
Also, a 10/10 for being the first church where we met someone who lives in our apartment complex. (Unexpected, given the commute.)
In addition, I appreciated the fact that it was the first church we've attended where no one just shook our hands, said "howareyou," and walked away. People took time to talk to you, share their lives with you, and give you the opportunity to share your lives with them. It probably helped that the church was small (30 people this Sunday, though usually it's closer to 50)and we had met the Father of the church before hand. Still, nice.
The service was beautiful, biblical, and stayed with me much of the week (helping me focus on my creator, worship, and the meaning of this thing we call life) and for that I am very appreciative. At this point I know little about Orthodoxy, and certainly not enough to feel comfortable worshiping there on a regular basis.
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First of all, Steve was a little too harsh on the seating. 2/10 would be more appropriate. Unlike the Orthodox churches in Russia, or the Orthodox church I attended in August (see August 17 ) this church did not have any Babushkas to scold me, so when my back got really sore towards the end of the service, I was able to sit down without getting scolded. (The chairs are usually reserved for the sick, elderly, or really young. I guess I don't look like I fit that category.)
Also, a 10/10 for being the first church where we met someone who lives in our apartment complex. (Unexpected, given the commute.)
In addition, I appreciated the fact that it was the first church we've attended where no one just shook our hands, said "howareyou," and walked away. People took time to talk to you, share their lives with you, and give you the opportunity to share your lives with them. It probably helped that the church was small (30 people this Sunday, though usually it's closer to 50)and we had met the Father of the church before hand. Still, nice.
The service was beautiful, biblical, and stayed with me much of the week (helping me focus on my creator, worship, and the meaning of this thing we call life) and for that I am very appreciative. At this point I know little about Orthodoxy, and certainly not enough to feel comfortable worshiping there on a regular basis.
