Hampden Baptist Church

Today I visited Hampden Baptist Church, a beautiful stone church I pass every time I walk up to the Rotunda.   I found out that in a few weeks, another church will share the church, meeting at 11.  More updates on that to come.

Location:  3645 Roland Ave.

Worship time:  9 a.m.

Spiritual leader:  Pastor Jon Brewin, a young, energetic man with great interpersonal skills, reached out to all generations present.  He was knowledgeable but pleasant to talk to.

Congregation:  Around 30 people usually come, but with Labor Day, about half that showed up today.  It again was mostly an older crowd.  The pastor and the parishioners were well aware of each others' personal lives and asked a lot of caring questions.

Interior:  You had to go up steps, which seemed difficult for a few people.  There, a lovely church that had been restored numerous times since the 1870s boasted 10 stained glass windows on each side (every other one was detailed).  A large stained glass of angels and Christ garnished the back.  A small picture of Christ's face lit up at the front of the church when lights were turned on to start the service.

Although there was no air conditioning, the side stained glass windows actually had a bottom section that folded out, allowing air flow. Clever.

Presentation:  A hymn and a bible were available at each pew.  The bulletin was short, leaving room for changes.  Here, the pastor seemed to set what was studied; the congregation finished Acts today.  

Sermon:  As mentioned, the message started with the historic (an analysis of the temples of Artemis that Paul was combating)  and brought to the present by talking about Charles Sheldon's book "In His Steps" that brought about the WWJD bracelet.  He even said the world "cool" in the sermon, which amused me.

Music:  A choir of four sang a few songs.  The problem was that one of the singers was closest to the microphone, blocking any harmony that might have been there.

The organ was high quality, and the sound was good.  The deacon led the songs, again traditional, such as "Send the Light" and  "Onward Christian Soldiers."

Overall atmosphere:  I felt very welcomed right away.  Just about everyone came to shake my hand and ask how the new house was.  A great crowd.

St. Luke's (Lutheran)

Last Sunday I visited the first church, St. Luke's.  It was an easy first choice because I grew up Lutheran and because of their sign out front, "Come join us, hon!"  The church's 125th anniversary was coming up.  

Location:  800 W. 36th St.  (corner of 36 and Chestnut)

Worship time:  11 a.m.

Spiritual leader:  Reverend Michael A Dubsky was very self-complacent in his delivery, inspiring little extreme of emotion. Yet, he knew every parishioner's personal life and asked for updates and details.  He did not embarrass the one obvious visitor by making a big deal, but he did come to me at the end to welcome me anytime and hope that I'd enjoyed the service.

Congregation:  About 35 people mostly at the ends of the age spectrum.  There were a number of elderly, all of whom were clearly dear to the rest of the congregation.  They kept coming back to check on those who had difficulty walking.  Children probably made up two-thirds of the number there.

Interior:  Worship services were being held in the chapel, a cozy room with two simple stained glass windows (one with a shepherd and one with Jesus with the children).  There were some pews, but the back was filled with folding chairs.  By September, they plan to go back to the main room--a shame, really, because the larger space will make it seem emptier.

Presentation:  The service depended highly on the handouts sent by the synod, even using the given prayers of the day. Hymns were printed in the bulletin.  

Sermon:  The sermon was light-hearted but had little new information or inspiration.

Music:  Perhaps three people in the room new anything about pitch (not including the organist).   The tried and true were sung, "For the Beauty of the Earth," "The Church's One Foundation,"and "My Hope is Built on One Foundation." Comforting but bland.

Overall atmosphere:  Friendly but routine.  The parishioners clearly enjoyed getting to catch up on each others' lives and share their faith, but people who didn't grow up in this church would probably need a little more encouragement to get involved.