Our mystery visitor will attend a different Sunday church service

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Our mystery visitor will attend a different Sunday church serviceeach month. The comments are meant to offer helpful insights.
Church: Meridian Avenue Baptist
Address: 200 N. Meridian
Minister: The Rev. Jim Zier
Sunday worship: 10:30 a.m.
Members: 120
Denomination: American Baptist
Meridian Avenue Baptist Church was organized in 1925 with 54charter members. It was established as a mission of West SideBaptist Church, with its first meetings held in a small white-framebuilding on the corner of First Street and Meridian Avenue. Thecurrent brick sanctuary was dedicated in 1952.
American Baptists, like other Baptist groups, grew out of a commontradition begun in the early 17th century. That tradition hasemphasized the Lordship and atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ,believers' baptism, the competency of all believers to be in directrelationship with God and to interpret Scripture, the importance ofthe local church, the assurance of freedom in worship and opinion,and the need to be Christ's witnesses within society.
American Baptists became known as Northern Baptists in 1845 whenthe issue of slavery prompted a separation into Northern andSouthern Baptist groups. Northern Baptists were renamed AmericanBaptists in 1950.
According to its Web site, the mission of Meridian Avenue BaptistChurch is "exalting God, edifying believers, and evangelizing theworld." Each week the church offers Christian education, Biblestudy, choir practice, and activities for children and youth. Thereis a contemporary worship service the second Saturday of eachmonth.
Welcome: Before I entered thesanctuary, an usher greeted me warmly andhanded me a bulletin. As I sat down, a congregant in the pew behindme introduced herself and welcomed me. Another congregant soon madeher way to me, welcomed me and introduced herself. She invited meto fill out the visitor card and drop it in the offering plate.During the time of greeting, several people introduced themselvesand shook my hand. After the service, one of the congregants againsaid she was glad I had come. She invited me to return the nextSunday for worship and also Sunday school.
First impressions: The solid-brick church with stained-glass windows sitting on thecorner of an established neighborhood conveys tradition andstability. Inside, tokens of tradition remained, with familiarchurch architecture, padded pews and a predominantly oldercongregation. But evidence of contemporary Christian culture wasalso present -- from the upbeat contemporary song on tape beforethe service began to a bright yellow drum set sitting on theplatform in front of the church.
There was also a colorful nautical display covering the front areathat included a ship's wheel and sail, stuffed parrot, inflatedpalm trees, beach balls, lifesavers, nautical rope coil and smallwooden cross draped with white fabric. I mentioned to one of thecongregants that I liked the display, and she shared that itrepresented the upcoming vacation Bible school theme.
The congregation represented a mix of ages, from toddler to age 70and above. Dress was Sunday summer casual.
Worship format: Traditional Baptist format, with prelude, opening hymn, time ofgreeting, invocation and call to worship, hymn, prayer, missionmoment and presentation of gifts and offerings, music by choir,children's moment, hymn, prayer, special music, Scripture, message,hymn and altar call, benediction. This is one of the few altarcalls (inviting people to come forward for church membership,baptism or other spiritual needs) that I have witnessed since Ibegan visiting churches in the area.
Music: The congregation uses "The Celebration Hymnal," but most peoplefollowed the words displayed on the overhead screen. Three songleaders led the congregation in most of the music, accompanied bypiano, organ and guitar. Another congregant led the church in oneof the hymns; he also played oboe before the service began. Specialmusic was presented by the choir and later by a congregant onguitar.
Sermon : The Rev. Jim Zier presented a message on "Seeing Yourself and Godin the Psalms," using Psalm 1:1-6 as his reference. He contrastedthe God-centered life with life apart from God. A bulletin insertincluded the Scripture and space for sermon notes.
Overall strengths : Smaller, established congregation that is biblically grounded andChrist-centered, engages members to use their individual gifts inministry; friendly and welcoming.
For more information: Call316-943-2397 or visit .