United Pentecostal Church

United Pentecostal Church was formed in 1945 by the merger of the Pentecostal Church Incorporated and the Pentecostal Assemblies of Jesus Christ and originally emerged out of the Pentecostal movement of Azusa Street Revival in Los Angeles and later Topeka, Kansas. Pentecostal faiths believe Miraculous Works of the Holy Spirit and that the Holy Spirit takes a hold of a person and they should express it by singing, dancing, jumping, and other movements. 

I attended the 2pm service at the New Life United Pentecostal Church 

The Mission of the New Life Church is to "exalt God through heartfelt sincere worship,  bible-based teaching, and anointed preaching." The whole service was conducted in praise - first singing praise, then prayer and healing, a sermon full of the praise of God, then they concluding the service with more healing prayers. In the true pentecostal vein, the members of the church were very vocal - speaking in tongues, praying out loud, singing joyfully. Some of them jumped up and down and ran around. They were very excited about the time they spent in prayer and praise. It was by far the most spirited pentecostal service that I have attended. Their healing is done by the laying of hands on each other, anointing with oil, and speaking tongues over one another. 

This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit. ~ 1 Corinthians 2:13

Pastor Steven Hamilton gave an exuberant sermon. He showed a great humility for his faith and God's will. He encouraged us to always go to God for direction and spoke of not holding the words of ministers or any man above the words of God. He asked if we have surrendered our Affection, Intellect, and Will to God?  Only those who have surrendered to God will hear the guiding voice of God. 

"Only God can stop your crash course to Destruction."  - Pastor Hamilton

The members showed a great dedication to their faith and humbleness to the Lord. 

Note: Pentecostal women generally wear skirts and wear their hair up even thought there is no official rule on that. Pentecostal women do not cut their hair so that is the reason so many of them wear it up. 

THANK YOU New Life United Pentecostal Church for sharing your Spirit Filled worship with me. 

Asbury United Methodist Church

The Methodist Church is a Protestant Christian denomination with an emphasis on practical Christianity. It has roots back to 1739 in England and is based on the teaching of John Wesley. In 1968, different factions of the Methodist movement joined together to form what is now The United Methodist Church. 

Today I attended the Asbury United Methodist Church. I went to the Church's Website before I attended - it was very open and informative. It told me exactly what I needed to know to visit their church. 

Every Sunday they hold both a traditional and a contemporary service. In theory, I believe that God's word should be enough to engage any audience.  In practicality though I think that it is smart that many churches are offering contemporary services to make the church more inviting and inclusive to a different group than has traditionally been involved in the church. 

I attended their Act2 Contemporary Service at 11 AM. Associate Pastor Dr. Todd Seelau led the service. A live band provided warm and meaningful music. They put the lyrics to the songs and the bible verses up on a big screen.   

Today was part of the advent and since the advent marks the beginning of the new year, the sermon focused on what that would mean in your walk with Christ this year. The sermon spoke about John the Baptist and how he was not accepted in his time. Rev. Todd spoke about how our path following Christ might too have times of struggle or be unconventional by cultural standards. 

They'll know we are Christians by our Love

John 13:34-35 Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.

He spoke of what our actions say about us - are they consistent with the kind of person that we think we are, "are we letting people see and hear the person that we want to be." - Rev. Todd. He also spoke of having FUN during your journey with God. There ain't nothing wrong with a little fun along the way! Amen Brother. 

Communion was open to all ~ "this do in Remembrance of me"  
They had a wonderfully moving communion which included lighting a prayer candle for someone and praying over a blanket that would go to a needy individual. 

I also loved that they had a man in a cart after the service offering to transport people to their car if they needed assistance. 

I thought the Church did a great job at helping people get closer to God. Reverend Todd was very engaging in the service, even soliciting participation from the group. Many of the congregants welcomed me and were friendly. The entire process was very inclusive and inviting to members and guests alike. 

Thank You Asbury United Methodist Church for allowing me to worship God with you today. 

Post Note: The church sent me a lovely letter, thanking me for my attendance, and hoping I felt welcomed in their home. Kudos ♡♡♡