Feb. 1, 2009 (Czech Baptist Church)

Location: Czech Baptist Church - Back Row

The following is my account in note form of my experience in the Czech Church. These are just observations and my opinions... ENjoi

I walked in and was immediately greeted by the pastor. I found Will and took a seat beside him. There were about 75 people there. Services started off with the pastor greeting the congregation. Speaking only in Czech. We stood to sing. We sang 2 songs in Czech, but I recognized the tunes. The pastor came up and asked for any prayer requests and several people stood and told there requests. Then 2 guys came up and each prayed followed by the pastor praying again. We sat down. Then all of the kids went down front and a lady taught them a quick lesson then they left, but not before one of the kids fell and started crying. Some things are just universal =) . Then we stood to sing 2 more songs in Czech that I recognized. The guy played the piano beautifully. then we sat down and the pastor did a baby dedication where he walked down the center aisle showing the baby to the congregation. Then a guy and a lady prayed, followed by the baby's father, and then the pastor prayed. We sang one more song that I didn't recognize and then stood to pray and read scriptures about Phillip and the enuch and prayed again and sat down. The associate pastor expounded upon the text in Czech. Acts 8:26-40. The baby that got dedicated started crying so the parents took him out. Then the senior pastor came back up and asked a guy to pray. We stood up. A lady prayed. We sat down. The senior pastor talked and the guy that played the piano came up with a guitar and sang a song. This guy is really good! We stood up and the senior pastor read from the Bible, then a guy and the associate pastor prayed to bless the communion. Then they passed out wafers to everyone followed by the wine in a common cup. They used real wine. It was a bitter, strong tasting wine. This is the first time that I've ever drank out of a common cup. I am glad it was here! They even took the communion out to the people with the crying babies and loud children. Then the senior pastor got up and talked and then we stood up and a guy prayed. Then another guy prayed. Then a lady prayed and another lady prayed. Then 2 more people prayed, and then the senior pastor prayed. Then we sat down. The emphasis they put on prayer is astounding and something we need to learn in the states. They played some more music. We sang every verse of Amazing Grace in Czech. Then we stood and prayed the Lord's Prayer together. The music started playing and the service was over. My first Czech Baptist Church experience was different yet surprisingly familiar... =)