Archdale Friends Meeting

Archdale Friends Meeting

Sunday October 21, 2012 was the date when I first started attending Archdale Friends Meeting.  I had attended Cedar Square Friends Meeting and played banjo for their am service.  Then after attending that service it was off to Creekside Park for my cousin Kay's birthday party.  Before we left the party Faith and I were invited to Archdale Friends Meeting for refreshments and a renewal service (same as a revival service in other denominations) led by great preacher Ben Hurley.  That was a very special service for me.  I don't remember the topic of the sermon or the songs that were sung, but I do remember the feeling of warmth and peace that came over my body that night in that meeting house.  It felt to me like God was telling me, you belong here.  Ever since that night I have felt at home in that church.  David Mercadante, pastor of the meeting, is one the best preachers I have ever sat under.  He preaches from God's word each and every Sunday.  I very much enjoy his scripture filled, but practical sermons that he translates in such a way that his congregation can put them into practice in every day life.  Not only do I feel fed by the preaching, but also by the music.  Each week we sing the beautiful, old hymns that church congregations have been singing for a great number of years.  There is no more wonderful sound than a congregation or a choir singing Rock of Ages or Beulah Land to the powerful sound of a church organ!  One aspect of the Quaker worship service that I have come to enjoy very much are the times of "Open Worship".  Open Worship is a time for the congregation to reflect on the pastors sermon and to pray.  It is also called a time to "center down" and forget all the cares and worries in our lives so we can focus on our personal time with God.  If anyone feels led to stand and speak during this time then he or she is allowed to do so. The congregation of this church is also one of the friendliest I have ever encountered in any church I have been in.  Each and every member I have come in contact with is always so pleasant and cheerful when we pass in the halls of the church.  For this reason and others as well, I have found it very easy to become deeply involved in the ministry of the church.  One of the ways I contribute is through my God given musical talent.  God has blessed me so richly with my talent of playing the banjo, that one of the best ways I can show him praise and honor is to use my talent for him.  The last Sunday of each month in the fellowship hall there is an "Old Timey Hymn Singing" from 9 - 9:45 am where myself and other men in the church sing and play the hymns we have all grown up with.  It is now Sunday January 27, 2013 and I am proud to say that after my membership request is passed through the monthly meeting on the second Wednesday in February, I will officially be a Quaker and member of Archdale Friends Meeting!  I believe that I am following in God's will by attending this church for the fact that we are to go where we feel like we are being spiritually fed.  I want to thank God for sending me to a place where I can be fed by His word and I am so very blessed to have such a wonderful church family at Archdale Friends Meeting! God is good all the time and all the time God is good!