Redeemer’s Ambassadors visit St. John’s in Ambler, just off the main drag in this suburban community business district.
We discovered a delightful small church that reminded us of our own. Even the layout of the sanctuary and fellowship hall were familiar to us.
Attendance was about the same as Redeemer with only two children, but there was talk in the announcements of some youth activity.
Hudson and Freda helped with the blessing of the stuffed bears to be given to needy children.
The service began with the distribution of stuffed bears and a small stack of prayer shawls. The stuffed animals were cared for throughout the service, blessed during the prayers, and gathered for presentation with the offerings. The bears will be given to children as part of St. John’s support of Interfaith Housing. It is hoped that the children can cherish and love the stuffed animals and feel the comfort of the congregation’s blessing. The prayer shawls were passed throughout the service to each member.
The service music was excellent and accompanied by various combinations of flute (Cindy LeBlanc), cello and piano (Jim Holton) and organ and included both hymn renditions and some classical themes. Christine Djalleta served as cantor, led singing, and sang Softly and Tenderly as an offeratory. The amount and breadth of music reminded us of a Redeemer service, the only difference — no Swahili words!
The pastor’s sermon (Sandra Ellis-Killian) was an interesting mix of Scripture and Shakespeare.
All members were welcoming and ready to engage in conversation.
They were looking forward to a busy week or two as Easter approaches and were planning for a Maundy Thursday meal (much like Redeemer’s Green Thursday tradition). They were also planning a labyrinth mediation walk at a nearby church and a commemoration of the 14 stations of the cross.
We enjoyed robust fellowship and were interested in the after church Bible Study on Isaiah, led by a lay member, but we slipped out to return home.
It was nice to be in a church that “felt” like Redeemer. There is beauty and power in small churches like St. John’s — and Redeemer.