Caitlyn Fong - Church Visit #2

Church Name: Immanuel Anglican Church

Church Address: 900 W. Wilson Ave. Chicago, IL

Date Attended: October 30, 2016

Church Category: More Liturgical

1. Describe the worship service you attended. How was it similar to or different from your regular context?

Compared to the nondenominational church context I am used to, Immanuel Anglican Church’s service was very different in that it was much more liturgical and followed the bulletin exactly. In my regular church context, we do not have liturgy readings and the bulletin just outlines the service’s structure in little detail. But at Immanuel, the songs, Scriptures, liturgical readings and prayers used during the service are all written out in the bulletin for the congregation to follow along and participate with. Also, Immanuel Anglican sings mostly hymns spread out throughout the service, whereas I am used to singing more contemporary worship songs at the beginning and then at the end of the service. In addition, at the churches I have regularly attended, we have communion once a month, yet Immanuel has communion every week. However, one aspect that was alike is the sermon/message given by the pastor, as it was a similar style and structure as what I am used to hearing.

2. What did you find most interesting or appealing about the worship service?

I found the style of worship songs very appealing, as the churches I usually attend sing mostly contemporary worship songs and at Immanuel we sang mostly hymns. A few of the hymns I knew and had sung before, but the majority of songs were new to me since I do not have much experience with hymns. There were also a couple contemporary worship songs mixed in as well, though not the popular or better-known ones we sing at Wheaton during chapel or All-School. It was interesting to be exposed to a different style of worship songs that held some familiarity but also some newness at the same time.

3. What did you find most disorienting or challenging about the worship service?

The most challenging aspect of the worship service for me was staying engaged while reading the liturgy. Because the words were given and laid out for us in the bulletin, it was easy for me to zone out and go on autopilot, as I oftentimes read it without thinking much about what I was saying. In addition, it was a little disorienting for me that the passages from Habakkuk, Psalm, and Revelation were not really explained or discussed after it was read. I enjoyed the dramatic reading, as it helped me focus on the words of Scripture, but it was hard for me to figure out how to connect the meaning of the passages to my life. The reading was a part of the liturgy, so my disorientation may have been because I am not used to the liturgical style of worship.

4. What aspects of Scripture or theology did the worship service illuminate for you that you had not perceived as clearly in your regular context?

Scripture was emphasized much more clearly, specifically the role it plays in worship. The liturgical readings and prayers are based off of Scripture, so the incorporation of liturgy into the service naturally brought to light how important Scripture is in worshipping God. Adding onto that, the reading of Scripture was made special in very obvious ways. The Old Testament passage was dramatically read, and even acted out to some extent, while the Gospel passage was opened and closed with a congregational singing of “Alleluia”. Similarly, the liturgy throughout Immanuel Anglican’s service also illuminated how God’s Word can bring about unity. Because the liturgy was read together as a congregation, it was very easy to see the oneness we have in Christ reflected in that.