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Ship of Fools: North Coast United Methodist, Oceanside, California, USA

The Mystery WorshipperThe Mystery Worshipper Shipmate
edited September 4 in The Mystery Worshipper

imageShip of Fools: North Coast United Methodist, Oceanside, California, USA

Top scores for a warm welcome, a fine sermon, plus some decent harmonica playing

Read the full Mystery Worshipper report here


Comments

  • Baptist TrainfanBaptist Trainfan Shipmate
    In view of how good the service appears to have been, the attendance was very disappointing. I wonder it's better in other months?
  • Amanda B ReckondwythAmanda B Reckondwyth Shipmate
    Good question. They do seem to be into a variety of activities and outreaches, at least according to their website. But I was told that "We're a small church."

    I'll be in Oceanside again in October, and I may pay them another visit -- or I may choose another church to MW. But I've done most of the ones that interest me.
  • Bishops FingerBishops Finger Shipmate
    Baptist Trainfan wrote: »
    In view of how good the service appears to have been, the attendance was very disappointing. I wonder it's better in other months?

    I wondered if perhaps August is also holiday month in the area...maybe an attendance of (say) 40-50 would be more usual? Even so, that would still qualify as a 'small' church, I suppose.
  • Baptist TrainfanBaptist Trainfan Shipmate
    edited September 4
    Yes, I assumed it was holiday time - but the review only estimated 100 chairs anyway. And the online video of their Palm Sunday service only shows a sparse congregation. A pity: it sounds like the kind of church I'd be happy in.

    Looking at their website, I like the Inclusion & Accessibility statement.
  • Terry TeeTerry Tee Shipmate Posts: 25
    "Jesus’ ministry was not just for Jews" - this quotation is from the summary of the sermon above. In general, of course this is correct. But in the context of the gospel it misunderstands the text and leads the pastor to misrepresent the incident of the Syro-Phoenician woman. The way she is ethnically defined makes it clear that she is not Jewish. Jesus' plan is to lead a renewal of Judaism and from there to reach out to the world. If non-Jews start responding to him too early his mission will not take root among its first hearers and its success will be at risk. Hence what appears to be his rudeness is more likely to be a tactic to protect the timing of his mission.
  • Nick TamenNick Tamen Shipmate
    . . . and then recited the epiclesis (rarely done in a Protestant church in my experience).
    FYI, there is supposed to be an epiclesis in the Great Thanksgiving in Presbyterian, at least PC(USA), Communion liturgies.


  • Gamma GamalielGamma Gamaliel Shipmate
    I've only attended one Church of Scotland (kirk) service and they had an epiclesis there.

    Sounds like this service made a definite impression. I can't recall seeing many 10/10 scores.

    Surely only Heaven gets that?

    I'd have deducted a point for people jostling to get ahead of each other in the communion line and also for pre-communion coffee and doughnuts.

    But that's just me ...

    Oh, and the fellas wearing hats. 😉

    That's just for clergy ...

    😉
  • Baptist TrainfanBaptist Trainfan Shipmate
    I include a kind of epiclesis, not so much invoking the Spirit to come upon the elements (after all, Baptists aren't Transubstantiation/Real Presence folk) but to come upon us as we consume them.
  • Amanda B ReckondwythAmanda B Reckondwyth Shipmate
    Gamma Gamaliel wrote: »
    Oh, and the fellas wearing hats. 😉

    But, as I said, they REMOVED their hats!
  • SpikeSpike Ecclesiantics & MW Host, Admin Emeritus
    I really don’t see why it’s important what people wear in church
  • Nick TamenNick Tamen Shipmate
    Baptist Trainfan wrote: »
    I include a kind of epiclesis, not so much invoking the Spirit to come upon the elements (after all, Baptists aren't Transubstantiation/Real Presence folk) but to come upon us as we consume them.
    The typical practice in PC(USA) churches is to ask for the Spirit to come upon the people and on the elements, along these lines:
    Gracious God,
    pour out your Holy Spirit upon us
    and upon these your gifts of bread and cup,
    that the bread we break and the cup we bless
    may be the communion of the body and blood of Christ.
    By your Spirit make us one with Christ
    and with all who share this feast,
    united in ministry in every place.
    Or something to that effect.


  • Amanda B ReckondwythAmanda B Reckondwyth Shipmate
    Spike wrote: »
    I really don’t see why it’s important what people wear in church

    Well, then, let's all go in our bathing suits and to hell with it.
  • SpikeSpike Ecclesiantics & MW Host, Admin Emeritus
    Amanda B Reckondwyth wrote: »
    Spike wrote: »
    I really don’t see why it’s important what people wear in church

    Well, then, let's all go in our bathing suits and to hell with it.

    Why not?
  • Amanda B ReckondwythAmanda B Reckondwyth Shipmate
    Do send us a photo. :hushed:
  • Gamma GamalielGamma Gamaliel Shipmate
    We're getting very both/and here @Baptist Trainfan and @Nick Tamen.

    😉
  • Gamma GamalielGamma Gamaliel Shipmate
    Amanda B Reckondwyth wrote: »
    Gamma Gamaliel wrote: »
    Oh, and the fellas wearing hats. 😉

    But, as I said, they REMOVED their hats!

    Yes, you did.

    In which case I'll add back on the points I deducted ... 😉
  • SpikeSpike Ecclesiantics & MW Host, Admin Emeritus
    Amanda B Reckondwyth wrote: »
    Do send us a photo. :hushed:

    I wouldn’t inflict that on anyone, but if anyone else wants to I’m fine with that
  • Amanda B ReckondwythAmanda B Reckondwyth Shipmate
    Only if they're wearing Speedos. Otherwise why bother even looking? :sunglasses:
  • Nick TamenNick Tamen Shipmate
    Gamma Gamaliel wrote: »
    We're getting very both/and here @Baptist Trainfan and @Nick Tamen.

    😉
    You don’t have a monopoly on it, you know. Some of us were both/Anders long before we came aboard the Ship. :wink:


  • SpikeSpike Ecclesiantics & MW Host, Admin Emeritus
    Amanda B Reckondwyth wrote: »
    Only if they're wearing Speedos. Otherwise why bother even looking? :sunglasses:
    A thong, surely?
  • Amanda B ReckondwythAmanda B Reckondwyth Shipmate
    Hmmm . . . . To bring the discussion back to North Coast United Methodist: Judging by the demographics of this congregation, I don't think there are smelling salts strong enough to revive me if that's how they should show up for church.
  • Gamma GamalielGamma Gamaliel Shipmate
    Nick Tamen wrote: »
    Gamma Gamaliel wrote: »
    We're getting very both/and here @Baptist Trainfan and @Nick Tamen.

    😉
    You don’t have a monopoly on it, you know. Some of us were both/Anders long before we came aboard the Ship. :wink:


    Of course.

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