Mystery Worshipper: Amanda B. Reckondwyth
Church:
University Lutheran, Tempe
Location: Arizona, USA
Date of visit: Sunday, 20 October 2024, 10:30am
The building
A low, flat, plain building set far back from the road. The interior is a study in wood, with wooden beams on wooden arches supporting the ceiling, and wood paneling behind the altar – which is also of wood. Plain glass windows let in plenty of light.
The church
They are a member of Reconciling Works – Lutherans for Full Participation. Their Campus Ministry welcomes any and all students for a weekly Bible study, a free lunch on Sundays, a free dinner on Wednesday nights, a student food pantry, retreats, community outreach, and other activities. They have a young adults group, women’s ministry, book club, prayer shawl ministry, and other activities described on their website. There is a traditional service each Sunday. Additionally, there is Bible study, student dinner, and a contemporary service Wednesday evenings.
The neighborhood
Tempe is an eastern suburb of Phoenix and home to the main campus of Arizona State University. University Lutheran Church is located at the southern edge of ASU’s campus, at 15th Street east of College Avenue, a clean-scrubbed plebeian residential neighborhood. Nearby is ASU Gammage Auditorium, one of the last commissions of noted architect Frank Lloyd Wright, who did not live to see its completion – nor did Grady Gammage, president of the university at the time, for whom it is named. The auditorium is a favored venue for concerts and theatrical productions. Tempe St Luke’s Hospital, the city of Tempe’s only hospital, is also nearby – not to be confused with Phoenix’s St Luke’s Hospital, which was recently ordered by the Arizona Department of Health Services to close due to chronically malfunctioning air conditioning and other problems.
The cast
The interim pastor, vested in alb and green stole, led the service. She was assisted by pianist, guitarist, vocal soloist, and lay reader.
What was the name of the service?
Worship Service.How full was the building?
I counted 100 chairs. There were 35 people present, about a third of whom were students and the rest elderly couples.
Did anyone welcome you personally?
One lady shook my hand and introduced herself. Several older folk nodded but said nothing. So far as the students were concerned, I wasn’t there, although they greeted each other effusively.
Was your pew comfortable?
Chair – yes, it was comfortable.
How would you describe the pre-service atmosphere?
The soloist and pianist rehearsed. There was some quiet visiting as people trickled in. Most came in just at the start of the service. The pianist struck up a jaunty prelude.
What were the exact opening words of the service?
‘Good morning and welcome.’
What books did the congregation use during the service?
There were no books. Everything we needed was in a service leaflet.
What musical instruments were played?
Upright piano and electric guitar. A small tracker organ in the rear of the church remained silent.
Did anything distract you?
Call Miss Amanda what you will, but some of the better looking students were more than a slight distraction to her.
Was the worship stiff-upper-lip, happy clappy, or what?
It followed the standard Western liturgical form, but with home-grown texts. There was quite a bit of singing – all old standards. The service music was mostly set to hymn tunes: ‘Azmon’ for the Gloria (but with home-grown text) and the Agnus Dei; ‘Land of Rest’ for the Sanctus. The psalm was chanted antiphonally to a psalm setting I hadn’t heard before. At communion we received a morsel that the pastor tore off a large round pita loaf, and we helped ourselves to a wee cuppie of wine or grape juice as we wished.
Exactly how long was the sermon?
10 minutes.
On a scale of 1-10, how good was the preacher?
4 — The pastor read her sermon, which to me isn’t the same as preaching. I really didn’t think she succeeded in making the point she was trying to make.
In a nutshell, what was the sermon about?
The pastor preached on the Gospel for the day: Matthew 25:14-36 (the parable of the talents). When the disciples heard Jesus speak these words, they must have felt that ‘there was something wrong with this picture.’ The first two servants invested the master’s money and made a profit, but the third servant chose not to participate in what he saw as a ‘get-rich-quick scheme.’ The parable is not meant to glorify economic prosperity. We live to practise what God considers normal. Look for the good in others.
Which part of the service was like being in heaven?
The offertory hymn was that old Baptist (some say Quaker) chestnut, ‘How Can I Keep From Singing?’ – one of my favorites. And I really like it when the Sanctus is sung to ‘Land of Rest’. The altar candles were real beeswax candles, rather than wicks floating on oil in fake candle cylinders, as you see almost everywhere nowadays.
And which part was like being in... er... the other place?
The soloist sang an anthem that was on the better scale of ‘Singing Nun’ stuff, but it was ‘Singing Nun’ nevertheless. And it was applauded! For shame! And the Lord’s Prayer was the modern language version. In my mind there is no justification for its existence.
What happened when you hung around after the service looking lost?
I confess that I had to leave right after communion, as I was in town for a show at Gammage Auditorium and I had to get there on time.
How would you describe the after-service coffee?
I saw no evidence of any being readied, but I had to leave early, as mentioned above. If there was any, I am sure it was a festive affair. These people seemed glad to be worshiping together, and I was pleased to see so many students there.
How would you feel about making another visit (where 10 = ecstatic, 0 = terminal)?
10 — This was a heartfelt service full of joy. I don’t live in Tempe – it’s on the other side of town from me, and it’s a long drive – but if I did live here I would seriously consider making this church my regular. If I should be in town again for any reason, I would be happy to stop by.
Did the service make you feel glad to be a Christian?
Yes.
What one thing will you remember about all this in seven days' time ?
‘Land of Rest’, ‘How Can I Keep From Singing,’ and the joy that was so clearly evident in this service.