Montgomery County Church of Christ

Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers out there!

Today, on this lovely Mother's Day, Todd and I attended Montgomery County Church of Christ. We were invited by one of my students! The church is located in Silver Spring and meets in Springbrook High School.

Upon entering, we were quickly greeted and welcomed by the ushers. We were a couple minutes late so when we entered the auditorium, worship had already begun. The congregation consisted of around 200? members. (I am really bad at estimating numbers of people.) Have you ever watched The Sing Off? That was kind of what worship was like this morning. There were several people on stage with microphones and all the hymns were sung acapella. Yes, I said it. Hymns. We had a hymnbook and everything and the words were not on the screen. I enjoyed the music; it sounded good. I don't know if I would enjoy it every Sunday though. Apparently, they have a band that plays once or twice a month as well. I would like to go back and experience that. For one of the songs, one of the guys played a guitar but it didn't change the sound much.

The student that invited us, came and sat with us during the service. She talked us through some of the things that were going on... kind of like a tour guide. I noticed that all her friends- all the youth- were sitting up front, as a group. It was great to see them sit together of their own accord!

About two of the speakers who came on stage to make announcements and whatnot, brought their mothers on stage for Mother's Day. I just thought that was a nice thing. I also noticed that no matter what was talked about, Scripture was appropriately referenced.

One thing I noticed was that before the offering, the speaker at that point gave a small talk on the poor. I have been to many churches but I have never heard anyone give a small talk before an offering like the one I heard today. He made the point that people tend to compare themselves and what they don't have to people who are more well off. We need to be comparing ourselves and what we have to those who are not as fortunate as us. It is a good point and one that I have thought on before.

Communion is done every Sunday, which is nice. Not much more to say on that portion of the service.

I don't think the main pastor spoke this morning but the guy who spoke was pretty decent. It was a short "devotional" type of message for Mother's Day. Basically, he said that a mother's love and compassion and teachings are reflections of God's love and compassions and teachings. It was a nice perspective.

Several young teens came up to thank their mother's. It was really great to see and hear several young ladies talk about their mothers with such gratitude. It brought tears to the eyes of many in the congregation. One of the women even played a song on the piano to thank her mother. It was beautiful!

After the service, Todd and I stayed and talked with my students who attend that church and their parents. We were introduced to some other people as well. We stayed and talked for a good twenty minutes or so. The people seemed to have such a great sense of community.

I would love to go back on a non-"holiday" Sunday. I really enjoyed the people and service. As previously mentioned, I would like to experience the worship when the band is playing.

Maybe we will have a Montgomery County Church of Christ Take II next week!