Sunday, February 18, 2007

Rolling Hills United Methodist Church

Pipersville, PA

Grade: B

You will not get lost in the crowd when you attend this church.  Most of the folks seem to know one another.  I’d guess that the sanctuary was about three-quarters full with about 150 folks in attendance.

Finding the church is easy.  The church is diagonally across the street from the Pipersville Post Office on Route 611.  Look for a church sign that is modest in size.  Turn into the driveway in front of the sign, not behind it, or you will be driving down the wrong road.  No pun intended.

The dress is casual to business dress casual.  The congregation was a mix of all ages.  Seniors - younger families, along with a few singles were in attendance.  The vast majority of the folks seemed to be white middle class.  American cars, less than 10 years old filled the parking lot, with a few exceptions.

As I entered the sanctuary, no one was at the front door.  It didn’t take any effort to find a seat in the back of the sanctuary.  Comfortable chairs with cloth padding were positioned next to one another in neat rows, with a large center isle down the middle of the room.

The pulpit was nondescript, with a beautiful stain glass window on the back wall.  Every seat seemed to be a good seat.  This is a large sanctuary with high ceilings and modest décor.

A fellow by the name of Lance introduced himself and then the services started.

10:30 – A young man played the electric keyboard.  Hymns were sung.  This church uses hymnals, along with a large screen to display the lyrics to songs being sung.  Before you find your seat, make sure you pick up a hymnal along with a church program.  Hymnals and church programs are usually found in the back of the sanctuary.

A second fellow played several different instruments and led the congregation in songs of praise.  If you can sing, feel free to sing.  If you have a voice like mine, repeat the words without uttering a sound.  The music portion of the service was traditional in nature.

Pastor Steve McComas asked the congregation for announcements of joy.  Folks would raise their hands and mention milestones in their life, everything from birthdays to prayers for friends and/or family.  It looked like the pastor wrote down prayer requests on a large sheet of paper.

10:55 - One offering was given without much fanfare.

11:00 – A second pastor by the name of Bruce Lenich began preaching.  Do not let looks fool you.  Pastor Bruce is an older man, very thin with a limited amount of hair, glasses and not all that tall.  Pastor Bruce started his message with humor that was relevant to the topic.  This Pastor is very enthusiastic in the way he presents his message.  The sermon was positive and entertaining. The message was filled with love and compassion for the least among us.  Unless you have serious medical issues, you will not be able to fall asleep during his sermon.

11:32 – The formal part of the service was over.  Everyone was encouraged to walk around and greet one another.  Folks tended to shake hands, offer a few seconds of polite conversation, before they move on to the next person.

11:35 - The service came to an end.  Lance, the man I met when I entered the church, reintroduced himself.  Lance has the gift of hospitality.  Lance told me about the some of the things the church was doing.

I left this church with the impression that this is a nice place to worship with good people who love God.  Feel free to go and be your own judge.