Church Hopping

One of the benefits of going on vacation is being able to visit different churches. While on vacation at Grand Haven, Pat and I attended Covenant Life Church on both Sunday's that we were here. It's interesting to participate and see how the worship takes place. In Covenant Life they used drama, a story teller, film, interviews, along with the music and message. One Sunday evening, we went to Grand Rapids to Mars Hill Church. This is the church Rob Bell pastors. You may have seen his film work in a series of short films called "Nooma." Both the morning and the evening worship gatherings are the same. At Mars Hill they give you a Bible as you enter (this church is attended by thousands)and project the page number on a screen to help in looking up the passage that the pastor uses. We had the privilege in hearing Rob Bell that evening. He has a remarkable presentation style that the Lord uses. This worship primarily used music and message. Later this summer we'll keep "church hopping" as Pat and I will be in France for three Sundays. Our worship in France may be done by our group or we may attend a Protestant church. The problem in attending a church is most are in the French language and rarely translated into English for us Americans. One unique figure is every church worship gathering I have attended in France involves communion. Real wine and bread. After all, it is the land of wine and cheese. Good bread too! We're also making plans to worship this summer at Cedar Creek at Perrysburg, Westwinds in Jackson, Michigan, and a small emerging church in Findlay. When we're not church hopping, you'll find us at home at Ebenezer Mennonite Church. What's your worship like where you gather? When on vacation, check out an area church. It just might be refreshing for you. These are the days my friend.
Jim "Train"