journey for a church: not it

Sometimes there are just better churches. This past Sunday we went to a new church in Plymouth. We had already been to a church in Plymouth, but this time the church was in the middle of the tourist area. We circled around a couple times and found a free spot – this time. As the tourist season really heats up we pondered the thought of having to either pay for parking or parking far away and having to walk quite a distance to church.

The church itself was a typical New England looking church – white with a large steeple. From the front doors you walk into the church narthex next and a large fellowship hall. Staircases on both sides of the narthex lead to the sanctuary upstairs. The sanctuary upstairs was large and could easily fit 400 people, maybe 500.  The church had a good attendance of 100 people, but looked empty in such a large church that was probably full back in its heyday.

The church was traditional, yet different from another traditional service from the same denomination that we attended weeks ago. There was a large choir, acolytes, and yokes. There was a normal liturgy, great hymns, and we even said the Gloria Patri.  I am not sure I have ever been to a church that has done that.

The sermon, or should I say communion meditation, was good. It incorporated relevant biblical verses and real life situations. The pastor even had a high school student read much of the service as a way to involve and teach the young people of the church.

Even so, the church didn’t seem ‘it’. Can a church even have an ‘it’? Can a church be judged on the basis of its essence? I don’t know, but it was done on Sunday.