5 or 6 years ago a Baptist preacher contacted me about some members of the Ukrainian church wanting to reach out to other churches,.It seems that a member of our church had gotten acquainted with a Ukrainian man he worked with. In one of their conversations the man who I will identify Vladimir acknowledged that yes they did want an invitation. We said we would love to have them come not knowing who, how many and what they were going to do.
That Sunday this group of about 25, men women, teenage girls and boys came with an orchestra. They played several numbers and a couple of the young people did solo;s in song, violin, and flute. Then a couple of the older ladies stood up and told us the stories of their trials escaping their country to come to the United States.
We were mesmerized.
We then had an opportunity to talk to each one of them ( of course most spoke English) but for some of them it was difficult.
Recently we just heard that the Ukrainian Community had build a new church.We drove there and came upon a magnificent church with a huge parking lot. The front door said that services wee at 10:30, So one Sunday we went to the church. We were just about late and we pulled into the parking lot and there were no parking places to be had. We drove around and finally a man came out and wanted to help us.. We didn’t understand him and I said English and he said ok. I have a parking place for you he said, follow me. He led us right next to the building by the front door.
We followed him in he asked where we would like to sit, on the main floor or the balcony. We said the balcony so he took us up there and he found us seats. The balcony wasn’t completely full but the main sanctuary was. We said to ourselves , lets just enjoy the people and what was going on even tho the whole service was in Russian.
After a few minutes, a young man came and asked us if we would like an interpreter. We said yes and for the rest of the service he gave us the English version of what was being said. They had a big choir that sang beautifully. Two other solos and two young ladies that read poems about their life in the US.
The first speaker introduced himself and said that he was from Seattle and it was his first time in this church. He gave a rousing sermon on listening for God. He used several scriptures to make his point. They were projected on two big screens both in English and in Russian. He talked for 20-25 minutes Another choir piece and the next speaker said he was from Oklahoma.
He talked for 20 minutes and his subject was being worshipful in the sanctuary and raising your children as Christians both in the church and at home. Another choir peace and then 20 minutes of announcements. The pastor then talked about missions and the youth bible class. starting that week, and why it would be helpful for the parents to have them in the class.
The last thing the pastor did was ask the missionaries and their families to come forward They honor different ones each week The congregation prayed for them and the service ended in the Lords Prayer.
Other observations. This was as wonderful a church service as I have been to in a long time.There were about 350 attending the service. All the women wore dresses and had head coverings. All the men had on nice slack and shirt. Same with the children. And children! There must have been 10 little babies, 70 5 to 12 year old’s. Another 50 teenagers. There was an abundance of 20,30,and 40 year old couples We asked how long the service was and the interpreter said about 2 hours. We arrived a little after the service has started at 10:30 and it was 12:30 when we left.
I am using this month’s blog to tell you all this because here is a church building that was less than a year old Active ministries , active participation and good bible teaching.
How much more welcoming could they have been? Our interpreter said that they usually have one or two guest preachers and the regular preacher will preach also. He said that
they are installing head phones so non Russian speaking guests can follow the worship.
In the meantime he and other young men help the guests.
A unique praise and worship time.. Thank you Ukrainian church!
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