Dr. Gordon Hugenberger, Senior Minister
Worship Style- "Evangelical, Congregational, International"
We walked to Park Street from Michael's apartment on this sunny, cold Sunday morning. We entered the church from the front main entrance and immediately saw a coffee time set up. It felt very welcoming, and we helped ourselves to coffee. Immediately, we were greeted by an elder of the church who seemed to know we had not attended there regularly. We shared with him our pilgrimage and began a discussion of what we had already experienced. He also shared his experiences with the church and encouraged us to give him some feedback on Park Street. He explained that the church has approximately 800-900 members. However, approximately 1400-1600 worship at the three Sunday services. There were approximately 400-500 in attendance at the 11:00 AM service we attended. The service began with a 16th century piece by their brass ensemble entitled, "Eno Sum Panis Vivus" by G.P. Palestrina. This was followed by a delightful children's choir singing, "Make Me A Servant" by Kelly Willard.
The sermon by Dr.Hugenberger was titled, "The Darkness Before The Dawn" (Samuel Series) based on 1 Samuel 1. Dr. Hugenberger took us on a study of Hannah and her pain. Hannah was unable to bear a child for her husband, causing him to break tradition and take another wife. He, however, always provided her with an additional portion of food "because he loved her." Hannah took her pain to the house of the Lord, where she was provoke by her rival until she wept and would not eat. Her husband did not understand her "depression." It wasn't until Eli confronted her, told her to go in peace and offered her his own prayer, that Hannah accepted the fact that God had heard her prayer and would answer it. Once Hannah believed that God would answer her prayer, even before it was answered, her countenance changed. We were challenged to believe that when we pray our prayers will be answered, and with that trust our hearts should be lightened.
We were particularly touched by the loving manner in which we were invited to communion and cautioned to examine our hearts regarding our relationships with God and others. If our hearts have any unresolved conflicts, we should first resolve them and then come back to communion.
Without a doubt, we were enriched, educated, and challenged by this experience.
Worship Style- "Evangelical, Congregational, International"
We walked to Park Street from Michael's apartment on this sunny, cold Sunday morning. We entered the church from the front main entrance and immediately saw a coffee time set up. It felt very welcoming, and we helped ourselves to coffee. Immediately, we were greeted by an elder of the church who seemed to know we had not attended there regularly. We shared with him our pilgrimage and began a discussion of what we had already experienced. He also shared his experiences with the church and encouraged us to give him some feedback on Park Street. He explained that the church has approximately 800-900 members. However, approximately 1400-1600 worship at the three Sunday services. There were approximately 400-500 in attendance at the 11:00 AM service we attended. The service began with a 16th century piece by their brass ensemble entitled, "Eno Sum Panis Vivus" by G.P. Palestrina. This was followed by a delightful children's choir singing, "Make Me A Servant" by Kelly Willard.
The sermon by Dr.Hugenberger was titled, "The Darkness Before The Dawn" (Samuel Series) based on 1 Samuel 1. Dr. Hugenberger took us on a study of Hannah and her pain. Hannah was unable to bear a child for her husband, causing him to break tradition and take another wife. He, however, always provided her with an additional portion of food "because he loved her." Hannah took her pain to the house of the Lord, where she was provoke by her rival until she wept and would not eat. Her husband did not understand her "depression." It wasn't until Eli confronted her, told her to go in peace and offered her his own prayer, that Hannah accepted the fact that God had heard her prayer and would answer it. Once Hannah believed that God would answer her prayer, even before it was answered, her countenance changed. We were challenged to believe that when we pray our prayers will be answered, and with that trust our hearts should be lightened.
We were particularly touched by the loving manner in which we were invited to communion and cautioned to examine our hearts regarding our relationships with God and others. If our hearts have any unresolved conflicts, we should first resolve them and then come back to communion.
Without a doubt, we were enriched, educated, and challenged by this experience.