Want to go to church for first time.

I feel a little strange about posting this, but I know y'all are a supportive bunch....

I have this strange urge to go to church and try it out one time. I was baptized Roman Catholic, but never grew up as one. In fact, I don't know much about religion (which I regret) - it is sad to say I don't even know the differences or key beliefs of the different kinds! But something about the peace I feel when I enter a church attracts me to it. It takes my worries away and allows me to escape my life in a sense. I don't really know what I believe in - I just would like to see what going to church is like. I was thinking of trying out one of the only Catholic churches in my town this Sunday. The service starts at 10:30 am. I was wondering what kinds of things I can expect and how long the services typically last (as I have to stop in by work after...)? Thanks!

Original Post by vidaloca:

I feel a little strange about posting this, but I know y'all are a supportive bunch....

I have this strange urge to go to church and try it out one time. I was baptized Roman Catholic, but never grew up as one. In fact, I don't know much about religion (which I regret) - it is sad to say I don't even know the differences or key beliefs of the different kinds! But something about the peace I feel when I enter a church attracts me to it. It takes my worries away and allows me to escape my life in a sense. I don't really know what I believe in - I just would like to see what going to church is like. I was thinking of trying out one of the only Catholic churches in my town this Sunday. The service starts at 10:30 am. I was wondering what kinds of things I can expect and how long the services typically last (as I have to stop in by work after...)? Thanks!

My church service was anywhere from 2 to 3 hours. Expect to be there for a very long time. I hated how boring church was as a kid.

Catholics are fast.  They get done and over within an hour.

Original Post by jewelsmcblah:

Catholics are fast.  They get done and over within an hour.

This has been my  experience as well.

 

To the OP: if you wish to learn about a lot of different religions, you might look into attending a Unitarian Universalist church.

What denomination you choose is somewhat a matter of style and comfort level on your part, as well as finding a church that is truly seeking God.

I would recommend looking for a church that fits your style and comfort level. That would include things like style of music, style of service outside of the music, and a warm and caring group of people that you can feel comfortable with.  Music can be anything from very solemn and traditional to very modern.  Service styles are anything from very liturgical (ceremonial, composed of following defined rites within the ceremony - Catholic churches tend to be liturgical) to very loose and open (pentecostals tend to be on this end), with everything in between.

I would look for a church where the people are very welcoming and caring, and the services challenge the congregation both to seek God and also to make a positive difference in the community and the world.

I hope that helps.  Feel free to send me a message if you are interested in exchanging some thoughts back and forth (for whatever value my comments might have) on some possible churches that might be of interest to you.

I have attended a Catholic Mass once.  I was a little confused about all the ritualistic parts--when you were supposed to stand and what you were supposed to say at all the various parts.  But, I found the people in the congregation to be very nice, understanding, and willing to help me along when I didn't know what I was supposed to do.  It was a very pleasant experience overall.  Most people were dressed up, but this was at in a college town, and there were also many students dressed in jeans, etc.  The music was contemporary, but I think this is not the norm in Catholic churches (like I said, this was student congregation.)

I think it's great that you want to try out church--I know religion has really brought me a lot of peace in my life.  You probably already know that there is a huge variety of service styles and various beliefs among all the various denominations.  Some are very casual, others very ritualistic.  My church (the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) is formal in some ways (we dress formally for church, for example) but casual in others (no set prayers, very little ritual, in fact we have a lay clergy).  Not to be preachy or pushy in any way, but if you are interested in learning more about my church, I encourage you to look at www.mormon.org. It is truly the best part of my life.

Most importantly, I encourage you to really listen to your heart and try to develop a personal relationship with God.  Even if you're not sure you believe in God, even just a desire to believe is a good starting place.  Plant the seed in your heart and see if it will grow. 

If service starts at 10:30, it will probably get out about noon.  It is summer so there won't be a full congregation as many people take the summer off.

Dress casually as many churches don't have A/C and it can get warm and stuffy.

Expect to be welcomed and asked a few question as in any church they all know each other if only by sight and will want to welcome and show interest in a new comer.

There will be communion, which you can just sit back and watch as you probably haven't had a first communion yet.

Bring a dollar or two for the collection plate.

There will be standing and sitting and kneeling, just follow everyone else.

Sit with someone that seems friendly and let them know before the service that you haven't been to church for a while and they will help you to follow the service.  ie which hymn or prayer book to use.

Most churches will hand out a program when you enter that has an outline of what will happen with the readings and the hymns.

Check out a few other churches in your area.  Find the one that you feel comfortable in.  Some are very conservative and other are more modern and relaxed.

Churches are very different to each other... if you want to get an idea about what to expect, some of the local churches might have a website you can look at to read about them. If you feel like going to a service, go ahead and try it. Methodist services are an hour long, Catholic and Episcopalian services are similar... they tend to have a fairly set formal structure so they know exactly how long everything's going to take and that's what they do. I've never been to a Catholic mass, but I've been to the Episcopalian church and they're very similar - very formalised and ritualistic, and rather confusing for an 'outsider' who isn't familiar with the structure of the liturgy. But if you don't know when to sit/stand/cross yourself etc, you can just follow along with everyone else and nobody will notice.

Pentacostal, 'fundamentalist', baptist and similar services are a lot less formal and structured, and they can go on for HOURS. They're an interesting experience as long as your backside and legs are able to take it. They also tend to involve a lot of fire-and-brimstone-style preaching... a good preacher is very fervant and inspiring, but at the same time, if you don't believe in that stuff, it can seem like a characiture(sp?) and be off-putting instead.

One idea - if you'd like a SHORT service to dip your toe into the water, try to find a church that has more than one service in the morning - they have to get the first one finished in time for the second one to start! Also, some churches have more than one service to accommodate different styles of worship - often a 'traditional' service (with hymns and robes and stuff) and a 'modern' one with modern Christian music and less ritual. The content of the sermon/message will be the same for both, just the 'trappings' are different. So if you try a service and you think 'this is weird' or don't like it, don't be afraid to try a different one next week.

The Roman Catholic churches here are done within 45 minutes. They're also not what I would recommend if you're just trying to try out a denomination, but that's just me.

I converted, & my Lutheran services last about an hour.

Wow you guys! Thanks for all the tips and advice! It was REALLY helpful - I have taken it all into consideration! And now I am super excited about tomorrow.

I do agree you should just follow everyone else except when it comes to getting communion. If you were baptized but did not go through the rite of first communion then you don't get up to take the wine and bread.

All you do is stand up and let out whoever needs to go and then sit back down. When I was diagnosed with Celiac's Disease I had to stop taking it and that's what I did.