Have you been wondering what church services are like here? We are attending the Wesleyan Church here in Vladimir--
Tokareva Evangelical Wesleyan Church. There are about 60-70 people who attend. Lucky for us, the church is just across the hall from our apartment, so we don't even have to get bundled up to go to church! (Believe me, this is a good thing!)
Church begins at 10:30am. It begins with the pastor reading a portion of Scripture. Then he prays and invites everyone into a time of fellowship and greeting others. Many people say "Peace and Grace" as they greet people.
Once the greeting time is over we enter into a time of worship in song. Adalynn loves this part. They have drums and guitars, so it is pretty lively. Adalynn likes to bounce around while we are singing...though sometimes the bouncing turns into squirming. We sing about 5 or 6 songs. Of course they are all in Russian, so Philip and I follow along from a song book...trying to read the words in Russian. Surprisingly some of the songs I recognize from "our" worship music from the States. My voice isn't getting better, but I'm thinking reading the words while singing along is going better each week. We feel a part of the worship service for sure.
(The song books have numbers, so we can follow along---they aren't hymns, more contemporary songs)
At the end of worship there is a prayer and the offering is taken. After the offering the pastor says a prayer for the children and then off the children go to classes and the nursery.
Adalynn goes to the nursery. Four of the kids in the nursery are missionary kids, so sometimes one of us stays behind to help if there aren't enough helpers.
(The nursery!)
The message is given at this time. Brian, our field director, has been translating the message for us so we can feel a part of the service. It has been helpful! Recently we have been sitting with some other people who need a translator...so we are kind of sharing the same girl who has been translating!
When the message is over, the pastor and anyone else who has announcements will give them at the close of the service.
Enjoy some of the pictures of the sanctuary and children's nursery.
This is kind of like the foyer. It is where you enter before you go into the sanctuary.
Sanctuary
More nursery...Adalynn LOVES to climb these stairs!
Blessings,
Philip, Kara, Adalynn, and baby Gwen
See this handsome man? Yes, it is my husband who needs your prayers today. Philip is speaking to the youth group tomorrow night (Thursday, March 3rd). He is speaking using an interpreter, so that also throws a new dynamic into things. Will you remember to pray for him? I know that speaking to a crowd can get anyone a little nervous, especially when you are wanting to share what the Lord has put on your heart. I'll let you know how things go! Thanks again for your prayers.
This Vladimir's White House...yes, it is actually called the White House. It is a government building.
You guessed it...yellow snow.
The street...you can kind of see the downtown area if you look really close.
Adalynn enjoying the "warm" sunshine...ok so it really isn't warm enough for Adalynn to go around without gloves, but she kept pulling them off. Stinker.
