Mystery Worshipper: Amanda B. Reckondwyth
Church:
Heritage Presbyterian, Glendale
Location: Arizona, USA
Date of visit: Sunday, 20 April 2025, 6:00am
The building
The congregation was formed in 1981 and met at first in the former home of G Robert Herberger, a local businessman, philanthropist and patron of the arts, and his wife Katherine, who donated their house to the church. Today that building still serves as the church’s education and administration headquarters. The present church structure dates from the mid 1980s and is in a simple contemporary style. This morning’s service was held outside in the memorial garden. Communion elements had been set out on a small table. I did get to see the inside, though – a rectangular room with conference room style chairs facing a platform on which rested a simple communion table, the pulpit, and both a grand piano and upright piano. Tables and chairs were off to the side, and a kitchen area was in the back.
The church
Their website states: ‘We are ordinary people serving an extraordinary God.’ There are men’s and women’s fellowships and small groups called ChristCare that meet in parishioners’ homes. There is a prayer shawl ministry and Bible study both in person and online (they call the online ministry Wired Word). One service each Sunday is also broadcast via YouTube. There is also a late Sunday morning online fellowship (quoting from their website) ‘to give folks attending in-person worship time to go home and join in if they wish.’
The neighborhood
They are located on 59th Avenue just north of Bell Road in this northwestern suburb of Phoenix. The area is primarily middle class residential with businesses mixed in. Several good restaurants, including the Black Bear Diner (American diner comfort food with an upscale flare), Cucina Tagliani (Italian), and Tim Finnegan’s (Irish), are nearby, as well as a cake shop with the marvelous name of Nothing Bundt Cakes.
The cast
The interim pastor, wearing a blue dress with white leaf patterns and a white sweater.
What was the name of the service?
Easter Sonrise Service followed by breakfast.How full was the building?
Twenty-five chairs had been set out. There were 14 people in attendance – mostly older women. No young people.
Did anyone welcome you personally?
A lady asked, ‘Are you here for the Sonrise Service? Welcome!’ A gentleman asked how I had found them. Just about everyone said hello, welcome, although some limited their greetings to people they knew.
Was your pew comfortable?
Metal folding chair with padded seat – comfortable enough.
How would you describe the pre-service atmosphere?
People greeted each other as they arrived. A recording of a soloist singing Leonard Cohen’s ‘Hallelujah’ was played – well, one version of it anyway. Cohen himself wrote about 75 different versions.
What were the exact opening words of the service?
The interim pastor said, ‘Well, I timed it perfect, so we’re going to get started.’
What books did the congregation use during the service?
None.
What musical instruments were played?
A boom box, over which was played a recording of a choir accompanied by orchestra. They were quite good – I asked afterwards who they were, but no one seemed to know. I thought they might be the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.
Did anything distract you?
I can honestly say there were no distractions.
Was the worship stiff-upper-lip, happy clappy, or what?
It was a very simple but sincere home-grown service. After the interim pastor’s welcoming remarks, we were invited to sing ‘All creatures of our God and King’ along with the pre-recorded choir if we knew the words – otherwise we were asked simply to listen. The interim pastor read John 20, the account of the Resurrection, followed by some devotional words. Then she read Luke 2:1-16, the Incarnation story. She tied the two together by saying that they both took place ‘early in the morning, when people least expected it.’ She also read several other passages from scripture as well as several devotional paragraphs. She spoke the words of institution over the communion elements and then distributed them to everyone while we remained seated. Communion was in the form of a small loaf, which she broke and from which morsels were torn off, and wee cuppies of grape juice. The service concluded with a prayer and an invitation to breakfast.
Exactly how long was the sermon?
There was no sermon. Instead, the interim pastor invited us to ‘listen to the birds and watch the sunrise.’
Which part of the service was like being in heaven?
Just at the moment when the interim pastor spoke the words of institution, the rising sun finally broke over the horizon and bathed us in light and warmth.
And which part was like being in... er... the other place?
Only that so few people were in attendance and that they all appeared to be past their prime.
What happened when you hung around after the service looking lost?
We were invited inside for breakfast. One lady sat at my table and we had a very lovely conversation. But breakfast was slow in coming out – several ladies busied themselves in the kitchen area getting things ready, but I grew tired of waiting. There had been no collection, so I made an excuse to go out to my car and left the Mystery Worship Calling Card on my chair as I left.
How would you describe the after-service coffee?
I fixed breakfast for myself upon arriving home. Having broken fast, I sat down at the computer to prepare this report.
How would you feel about making another visit (where 10 = ecstatic, 0 = terminal)?
10 — I’m not sure I’d make it my regular church. It’s a small congregation, definitely on the elderly side. But they seemed like a lovely bunch of people, and the service was sincere and heartfelt although simple and plain.
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 ?
The sun rising at the moment of consecration.