We have had the opportunity to attend three church services, one at The English Reformed Church in Amsterdam, another in Reims Cathedral in Reims, and the final in the Church of our Lady in Dresden. Each service was a unique experience, but there were a few recurring themes that surprised me, because they differed from my experience of churches back home.
If I had to pick one word to describe all three churches, it would be the word: formal. The English Reformed Church in Amsterdam was slightly less so because a lady greeted us at the entrance and communion was served to the congregation. In other words, we stayed in our seats and passed the bread and wine around. It was a new experience for me to have wine instead of grape juice. That simple replacement from grape juice to wine made the service seem formal to me. As for the Reims Cathedral and the Church of our Lady, we were not greeted at all, and the congregation stood up and walked to partake in communion, adding further formality for me.
The Reims service was in French and the Dresden in Germany, so I didn’t understand the majority of either service. However, I still noticed that, out of the three services, not one used a projector screen. I am not used to looking at the bulletin or the hymn book for lyrics, but it was also nice to not have to pause for technology issues, which sometimes happens in my church. Furthermore, an organ was played at each service. I love the sound of an organ and have missed it being played since my church’s organ player left, but it adds a formality to the service that’s not there when a piano or a guitar with drums is played. Sometimes between songs, the pastor would sing and the congregation would sing back, creating a back and forth for a few lines. I didn’t understand what was sang, but the interactiveness was nice. I’m still confused as to how the congregation knew which tune to sing to. Then again, especially in the Church of our Lady, people were singing quietly, so maybe they didn’t. Finally, each congregation waited for the pastor and clergy to leave before standing. That’s simar to my church, except we stand while they exit.
Each of these services was a great experience, they were just more formal than I’m used to. It makes sense, though, that there is a formal feel, considering the massive, yet beautiful and intricately designed cathedrals they worship in.