Sunday, February 4, 2007

Covenant Church

Doylestown, PA

Grade:  A 

Editor’s Note – Full Disclosure

For years I’ve talked about hosting “The Last Pew”.  I’m not a religious person.  In most areas of my life, I would be considered average.  The Last Pew is my act of faith. 

Here is the review:

The voice of procrastination suggested I go to church next week.  Who would go to church on the coldest day of the year?  Besides, chores had to be done.

The telephone rang.  A good friend promised to meet me at church.  No more time for excuses.  I had to get ready.  Business dress casual here I come.  Ice on the windshield of my car slowed me down, but it did not stop me.  I made it to church on time, with all kinds of fears, reservations, and doubts.

1O:40 - The parking lot started to fill up.  My friend met me with a reassuring smile.  We walked into the church, stood in a short line, shook hands with greeters, who welcomed us, along with everyone else in line.

The church is filled with padded crimson cloth chairs.  The walls are a light tan.  The carpeting is shades of blue.  The interior décor is not overwhelming.  I’d guess that three or four hundred folks could sit in this sanctuary.

On Super Bowl Sunday, the coldest day of the New Year this church was filled.  Most of the people were white – middle aged – middle class.  Sprinkle in a few seniors – families and you get the picture.  Think business dress casual, with comfortable shoes when you attend this church.  If you dress up or down a little, you’re still going to be okay. 

Two different ladies from the church introduced themselves before the service started.  Everyone seemed very friendly.

10:45 - A few announcements were made.  The music came from a live band.  This band was very good; they could have been professional musicians.  Hymns were displayed on a large screen to the right of the stage in the front of the church.  The hymns were easy to read from the last chair in the church.

11:05 - The collection plate was passed around.  No big announcements about how much the church needed your money.  No pressure of any kind when it came to passing the plate.  Within the program guide you will find a brief financial summary in reference to the financial affairs of the church.

11:20 - A middle aged, white man in business dress casual attire stands in front of the congregation.  Bruce was his name.  Bruce told the congregation that he would be filling in for the Pastor.

Bruce did a fantastic job.  Bruce preached a message that was relevant, personal, educational, upbeat.  Bruce could work as a motivational speaker.  The sermon took about 30 minutes.

Suggestion; bring a Bible.  You can follow along if you do not have a Bible, but it’s better if you have a Bible with you.

Towards the end of the service communion was given.  A plate with bread was passed around.  The pieces of flat bread were about the size of a thumb nail.  Do not do what I did.  Wait until the Pastor gives you the okay to eat the communion wafer.  The communion wafer is followed by a thimble of wine, or at least it tastes like wine.

The entire service took about 1 hour and 10 minutes.  Give yourself five minutes to get out of the parking lot.

My report card score was a solid B; however, with the 2 extra bonus points I gave for the overall experience this church gets an A.

Will this church fill your needs?  This depends on your needs and the church.

The Covenant Church is a Presbyterian Church.  Please go to their web site before you attend one of their services.  By the time you read this review, the church may have moved into a new building.