3 /5 Atypical Churchgoer: Overall: The day that I attended was an unusual service so a review as an average service, would not be fair, however I would guess that the feel of each component of the service reflects that of their usual services. Their commitment to recognizing their members shows a strong sense of community and family in this church. Read on for more detailed info on this church!
Welcomeness: I arrived at the church at 11:00am which was 15 minutes after the service started. Perhaps it was because I was late, or that at that moment when I arrived, that there were no greeters present to welcome people. Regardless, the service began at 10:45 and ended at 12:15. When I arrived I noticed that the service was dedicated to the graduates of the church as elementary, middle school, high school and higher education students as they were seated on stage. I imagine the service was a little different than usual and so I understand if todays visit may not be the average service for this church.
Worship Music: Because I was late I may have missed any type of worship music that was played prior, however when I arrived the type of worship music consisted of a couple of hymns during the service and one at the end. The instrumentation of organ and piano played well together as the congregation was engaged and participated in singing.
- category: hymns
- instrumentation type: organ & piano
- quality: good
- crowd engagement: good
- duration: couple songs for worship & praise
Sermon: The speaker for today was a guest speaker who spoke primarily to the graduates. She gave a short 10 minute message who used props and great examples for to connect the message to the graduates. Afterwards, all of the graduates were acknowledged and were given a chance to share a special thanks to their family and supporters.
Atmosphere in church: The tributes from the graduates livened the service and created a youthful, entertaining, humorous, and heart-felt feeling.
Environment: The inside of the sanctuary was large and open. It had a banquet-hall feel with approximately 60% of the cushioned-seated pews filled.
For the Order of Service, see picture bulletin program.
The service had a feeling of genuine warmth from the people who spoke. Although it could have been because of the unusual type of service, there were minor technical difficulties that the audio technicians had to attend to.
Demographics: The congregation consisted of parents with elementary-middle school aged families with the majority over 55 years of age. There were about 225-250 people in attendance and the ethnic background consisted primarily of Filipino-Americans, but not all. The dress and attire of most of the congregation was business, business-casual.
- family oriented: yes
- attendance: 225-250 in attendance
- single ethnicity / multiple: majority Filipino, but not all
- dress / attire: business dress / business-casual