What happens in church?

Answer 1

This depends on the denomination of the church in question.

In a Catholic church you generally find a main altar (and some times smaller side altars in side chapels). A tabernacle (this is usually set into the wall and is like a safe) which holds the transubstantiated bread which usually has a sanctuary lamp near it (this is generally covered by a red glass cover). There will usually be a lectern from which the lessons are read and the sermon is delivered. There is actually a chair near the altar which is called the priests or presidential chair. There will usually be a bible somewhere to be read. Often in a catholic church there will also be a series of fourteen pictures on the walls depicting the steps of Christ's passion, these are part of a semi-liturgical devotion known as the Way of the Cross. There will also generally be a large candle stick near the altar, this is the Paschal candle, and it is lit during baptisms and confirmation and during the Easter season. There will often be candle sticks on the altar, these are used during the mass. There may also be icons (usually of the Virgin Mary) with candle stands in front of them where the faithful will burn candles in their devotions to which ever saint. Alternately there may be statues of various saints which are also items of devotion of the faithful. All catholic churches are also required to have a crucifix (a cross with the body of Christ depicted on it). There is often a font also on display in churches (this is the large open bowl in which children are generally baptized.)

Anglican or Episcopal churches are very similar, however they may not have statues or may have fewer of them, and their sanctuary lamps generally hang from the ceiling. They are also more likely to have a plain cross rather than a crucifix on or near the altar. Lutherans are also similar to this, however they may be more sparse again and not have even a tabernacle or sanctuary lamp.

I cannot answer as much about the more Evangelical Protestant Church however from what i have seen, they tend to have little more than rows of pews, a lectern, a table and maybe a cross along with possibly a choir section behind the lectern.

Answer 2

a church is were you worship God.

there are many churches out there. Penicostal, baptist, catholic, nazerine and many other.

I go to Family Worship Center in lakeland, flordia. It's awesome. Maby you can consider going there.

Answer 3

services vary between denominations of the church. my church is pentecostal so i will give you an average Sunday morning at mine.

Before church, people will gather in the foyer, maybe get a coffee or tea at the church cafe'. in some churches, a prayer meeting will run before the service, this is usually for members of the church who are doing something that morning (such as musicians, kids church volunteers, hosts, bookshop volunteers, people at the information desk or just anyone who does anything in the church). in the prayer meeting, the members will pray, just for the service, for any needs in the church and just for God's guidance and presence for the service, this is nothing major, just a 5-15 min thing.

then the service will start. usually the start of the service consists of 4 - 6 worship songs, half fast, half slow. these aren't like old hymns or anything. there is a band on stage (drums, keyboard, Guitars, bass, and singers) and they'll lead the church in worship. the songs we play are usually modern planetshakers or hillsong songs or various other christian artists.

after the worship bracket, usually the offering is taken up, a member of the church may share a short message on offering. (offering is just members of the church giving to God/the church. a little bucket will come round the seats and you just put in whatever you feel. there is no designated amount you should put in, you don't have to put anything. offering is a personal thing between you and God, no one sees how much you put in either, its more an anonymous thing).

the pastor/preacher (who doesn't wear a robe or anything, just slacks and a shirt) will then come up and give the announcements (usually just events happening in the church, prayer requests etc.) and then begin his/her sermon. the sermon is just a message from the preacher, prepared during the week. of course the sermon varies from week to week, but usual sermons consist of messages that will help Christians become more Christ-like. for instance, becoming more faithful, putting your life in God's hands. The sermon can be anything though, whatever God places on the preacher's heart.

after, the preacher may close in prayer, just a short and simple prayer. and that's it. the band may come up and sing another fast song here. after the service, people will just talk in the foyer grab a coffee or tea, talk with each other and that's about it.

i know that in movies and the media, church looks like a boring place where the ceiling is 1000ft off the ground and there are statues of Jesus and Mary looking down on you. and there is a priest in a robe at the front telling you how God is angry at you because you have sinned and all that. but church is nothing like that. its the most welcoming place. my church is a modern building, the pastor doesn't wear a robe, there are no statues, no candle's and no pews (we actually have cinema seats) and our God is a loving God who is quick to forgive and slow to get angry.

God bless.

Answer 4

A church normally has a Bible, a lectern or pulpit, and benches or chairs. Originally people sat on the floor. A cathedral was simply a church with a chair. The preacher or bishop would speak while sitting on the chair. Those simple things are the basics. Roman Catholics add art work much faster than Protestants. Normally there is a table for communion. There may be an altar rail where people can kneel to take communion. The pews may have kneelers. They may have holders for books. The windows may have stained glass. There may or may not be statues.

Answer 5

Typically on Sunday people gather together to pray, sing, and learn from The Bible. Some churches will include baptism and communion/eucharist as well. Other events that often happen inside a church include weddings and funerals.