Services started at ten; there was a Bible class with everyone together, but there's not really much separation from the main service so it all ran together. Then there was the usual: singing, praying, sermon, communion, announcements, etc. Most of it was translated into English by Tizo (Beth's husband).
The service took about two and a half hours, and afterwards, the children rejoiced because usually it's closer to four. I'm not sure quite how that's possible, but then again there is the Bible class lesson, the sermon, and the communion mediation which is basically another sermon (even today in a rather short service the scriptures and reasons behind communion were thoroughly reviewed), and translating makes everything twice as long.
There is an interesting tradition here in Tanzania that I've never seen before: at the end of the service, instead of dismissing and everyone standing around inside, everyone keeps singing the last song as everyone files out. The first person out stands at the door, and as each person exits, they shake his or her hand and then stand next to them. The line forms a big circle around the churchyard as everyone shakes everyone's hand and then joins the end of the line. Now, I know it wouldn't work in a very large congregation, but it was nice that everyone (even small children) had the chance to greet every other person. We kept singing the chorus over and over until everyone one was out and we were all in a circle outside, and then we were dismissed, and the normal standing around talking after service happens outside. I do wonder how this tradition changes come rainy season.
Also, here's your Swahili word for the day: kanisa. As you can see from the sign over the door, kanisa means church.
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