Mystery Worshipper: blueshawk
Church:
Christ Church Anglican, Wyoming
Location: Michigan, USA
Date of visit: Sunday, 31 May 2026, 10:30am
The building
The congregation relocated to this location six weeks ago and are renting this former reformed Christian church whose congregation has combined with another reformed community. The exterior is showing its age, both the original building as well as the additions. There is a lovely exterior courtyard in the building which was created when offices and a long ramp for handicapped access were added. The sanctuary is a mix of stylistic elements, mostly defined by simple detailing and a color palette of light blue and white. The style contrast can be seen in the traditional religious cylindrical lights which hang from a ceiling of acoustical tiles between painted glulam arches with an awkwardly large HVAC ceiling plenum running the length of the sanctuary. The chancel area has a lovely draped altar table in front of three white crosses mounted on the wall.
The church
The church was planted in 2021 at the height of the Covid pandemic and has been on a journey. This is their third location (the building they started in was destroyed by fire), and what started out as a congregation of 50 has grown to over 200. There is a good mix of different ages, with young adults and young married couples noticeably present, and a harbinger of a vibrant and healthy community.
The neighborhood
The church is located in an established suburban community along a road that has a mix of small businesses and homes.
The cast
There were multiple clergy in vestments as well as parishioners who were part of the processional. The rector gave the message while the associate rector read the Gospel and along with other clergy prepared and led communion. The parishioners read the scripture, led prayer, performed the music, and helped distribute communion. There was no choir.
What was the name of the service?
Trinity Sunday.How full was the building?
The sanctuary was mostly full with late arrivers sitting in an overflow area to the side.
Did anyone welcome you personally?
I arrived ahead of the service, and while I was standing in the narthex, a young woman, the wife of a deacon, introduced herself and was very engaging. She both asked and answered questions and shared the history of the church and its journey.
Was your pew comfortable?
It was a traditional wooden pew, with the level of comfort shared by pews in most Protestant churches.
How would you describe the pre-service atmosphere?
Most people arrived before the start of the service and were in conversation. That stopped immediately when the service began and people turned to face the processional.
What were the exact opening words of the service?
‘Please rise for the singing of our first hymn.’
What books did the congregation use during the service?
The Book of Common Prayer (2019) was used in conjunction with a handout that had the order and music of the service. New International Version Bibles were also available during the service.
What musical instruments were played?
Piano and solo acoustic guitar, which added to the sense of peace during the service.
Did anything distract you?
Apparently the youth group meets during the service directly below the sanctuary, and their amplified music competed with the service at the beginning and end. This was a much greater distraction than the small children who remained in the service with their parents. There was a whispered conversation during the sermon in the pew behind me, which I can only hope was a discussion of the topic. The good distraction was noticing how focused and reverent the congregation was during the service.
Was the worship stiff-upper-lip, happy clappy, or what?
The worship had its formal elements, which included a wonderful reading of the Gospel from the center of the congregation, and a communion celebration that reminded me of Catholic churches I’ve been to. But it was relaxed as well, with parishioners in the processional in t-shirts and sandals, and the Benediction song written by the guitar player and taught to the congregation. I’d characterize the service as happy upper-lippy.
Exactly how long was the sermon?
Approximately 21 minutes.
On a scale of 1-10, how good was the preacher?
8 — The content was wonderful, although at times the presentation had an academic flavor, which was not unexpected, as the preacher is working toward finishing his doctorate. It was always fresh and the preacher felt present, like in a conversation. Often he led into his points with a smile, like he enjoyed the truth he was sharing.
In a nutshell, what was the sermon about?
It was Trinity Sunday, so the scriptures from the lectionary and in the sermon focused on the Trinity. The foundation was the trinitarian nature of God, that he lives in community in himself in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and that truth is at the heart of our faith. The encouragement was that we need to find our place in Christ in that truth, and live out the love of God who lives in love in community with those around us, and to invite others in.
Which part of the service was like being in heaven?
As someone who comes from the non-liturgical background of mainly non-denominational churches, I loved how reverent and focused the community of believers were during the service. Parishioners who had a part in the service bowed before the altar, and sharing Communion felt like a service in itself. Coming from a church that practises closed communion, I appreciated the words that the Lord’s Supper was open to all those of faith who have been baptized, and that it was not the supper of the Anglican denomination or their church community.
And which part was like being in... er... the other place?
The distractions mentioned above worked to obscure the good that I experienced, but they were only temporary. There was an awkward portion for a break in the middle of the service to greet one another – that as a newcomer felt long. I exchanged some pleasantries with the nice lady directly in front of us, but then stood in the pew for a bit. I should have gone down the aisle to meet others, but instead, after a while, I engaged the lady in front of us again.
What happened when you hung around after the service looking lost?
I talked with someone in the pews near us and checked out the bulletin board in the narthex, but then made my way out past others having conversations.
How would you describe the after-service coffee?
If there was after-service coffee, it wasn’t apparent or announced.
How would you feel about making another visit (where 10 = ecstatic, 0 = terminal)?
8 — Today it would be 8, but I’d like to visit again and see what changes they make over the course of a month. I can see that being part of this community would be a spiritually healthy way to follow Jesus with others.
Did the service make you feel glad to be a Christian?
Yes, there was life to the worship and the community, and every part of the service pointed to the reality of the faith.
What one thing will you remember about all this in seven days' time ?
I’ll remember the sense of holiness in the service and reverence in the community. You could see it on people's faces, and in how people acted.