An Amish Church Service

A week ago I was in Lancaster County for five days. On Sunday morning the people across the road from where I was staying were having church services at their home. I snapped pictures and clicked the camera as fast as I could. Below is the order of the beginning of every Sunday morning's Amish church service in Lancaster. It has been this way for generations and will continue unless the freedom of worship is taken from us in America.

The Bishop in the suit coat is waiting for the precise moment to the lead the flock into the shed where church services is going to be. The other two preachers follow the Bishop and the deacon brings up the end. Then it is time for the older men to line up and walk into the shed.

More people walk in services for they live within the neighborhood.

 Young girls arrive. One has a suitcase and takes it to the house. Either she is going some place else after services or at least needs a change of dress.

 The contrast. I wasn't aiming for the biker but am glad I got him.

 The young married men with small children follow...

 while more people keep coming.

 I think this little girl is at home here, because she acts like this is her home place.

 Little boys, but big and too old to sit with their Daddy. It varies within communities at what age their children start sitting with the boys and girls.

 After the little boys went into the shed, the girls came out from behind the house and walk single file into the shed.

 The tail end of the girls. They all more or less file in by age.

 After the all the married men walked in, this whole group of boys came from where ever the buggy's were parked and went into the barn.

 Up until now this section of the barn was full of married men and their little sons, but once they left for the shed the boys came and did what they needed to do before lining up and walking single file into the shed.

 And then when everybody is seated, the bishop announces that church service will now begin in the Name of the Lord. In some places the men will now take off their hats. At other places the men take off their hats as soon as they enter the shed. 

Then the Bishop, the preachers and the deacon get up and walk solemnly, single file into the house where a room is prepared for them to do whatever they do, generation upon generation.

 These three boys have a desire to be baptized, so for nine times they follow the ministers into the room that has been prepared for them to receive instructions on what it takes to become a Christian and how to be an up-building Amish person. Usually on the ninth Sunday of church services they are baptized. They are watched closely all summer long for any signs or evidence they are not ready to be baptized or become a member of the church.

And then the "Haus-doddy" or home owner sweeps up a bit, with the help of his little daughter.

After everyone was in and the barn swept, I sat on the outside and turned up my hearing-aids and listen to their singing. And time turned back in remembering... 

I have no regrets leaving all this behind, but I treasure it for it is my heritage...