Abby Clark - Church Visit #3

Church Name: Harmony Community Church
Church Address: 1908 South Millard Avenue, Lawndale, Chicago, 60623
Date Attended: April 6, 2014
Church Category: Socioeconomically different context

Describe the worship service you attended.  How was it similar to or different from your regular context?
This worship service was about two and a half hours long, which was different than I am usually used to.  There was so much freedom and energy in the service, as many people would get up and contribute something or exclaim praise.  As well, the majority of the members were African American.  The service started with praise and worship, with about five people on stage singing, and about four people playing instruments off to the side.  One of the singers would usually come up and lead the specific song.  There was so much energy and passion in each of the songs.  After this there was a spoken word done and a pantomime dance.  This specific service included a small memorial service called gone to soon which commemorated the deaths of loved ones of the church community who had died because of crime violence.  After this was a short sermon, offering, and communion.  Another difference that stood out to me was the involvement of so much of the congregation throughout the entire service.  For example, the sermon was the shortest part of the service and the only thing that was primarily just the pastor.

What did you find most interesting or appealing about the worship service?
One of the most interesting aspects of the service was the portion of time alloted to the memorial service.  This community has experienced countless deaths due to crime violence.  They had a slideshow with the pictures of 19 people that were loved ones of members of the church.  Then those affected by these losses lit candles, went to the front of the sanctuary, and said the name of their lost loved ones.  This was a time where the congregation came together to support and grieve together.  The church did not pretend like bad things didn't happen to them, nor did they blame God. Instead they came together in love and community to remember the lives of those that had been lost due to injustice.

What did you find disorienting or challenging about the worship service? 
One thing that was disorienting was that the sermon was so short. It lasted about 10 minutes . I think the pastor did this to save time, as much time had been devote to other things that day. However it made me wonder about the type of authority and urgency his teachings usually hold. Unfortunately I cannot even remember what the short sermon was about, but regardless I know the congregation has a lot of deep respect for him and that the Sunday I visited might have been a bit out of the ordinary with regards to the pastor's involvement in the service.