Why do you go to church? Whats it for? What do you do? Do you go to hell if you dont go?
2007-05-02 17:11:28 · 27 answers · asked by Nanook~Maybe I need a longer Name?~ 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Nanook:
1) I go to church because I believe the Bible is the word of God and scripture admonishes us not to forsake the gathering of believers. I enjoy worshipping God with my fellow Christians and hearing my Pastor preach on the Word.
2) Going to church gives me an opportunity to pray collectively with other believers, pray for other believers, and praise God with other believers.
3) I celebrate the Lord's presence among His church, I am blessed to be among my fellow brothers and sisters and I am enriched by hearing the Word of God
4) When I was pregnant, there were a few Sundays that I had to miss church because I was in so much pain. I do not think that you will go to hell for missing church. But, I do think that God looks at the heart of the person and whether their motive is to please and glorify God and ultimately accept Jesus Christ.
I pray this helps you understand that as a christian I do love going to church on Sunday.
In Jesus' name.
2007-05-02 17:18:40 · answer #1 · answered by princess_t_princess 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It depends on what church it is. The liturgical churches, like the Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic and Anglican (at least the High Church part/Anglo-Catholic) all have Mass. In the Western church it goes like this, (which is from the Episcopal Church, but much the same as the others):
We have some music, an opening hymn. The priest and altar party come in down the center of the church...
Someone reads from the OT, NT, we all say one of the Psalms, there are maybe 2 or 3 more hymns here and there, we say the Nicene creed, we pray for those in need (Prayers of the People) and then the priest reads from the Gospel. Then the priest gives a sermon. Then we kneel and ask forgiveness from God for our sins. The priest gives absolution. Then we greet the people around us with the sign of peace, usually a hand shake or hug. Then the canon of the Mass/Eucharist begins. The priest acting as Christ asked the Holy Spirit to come upon the bread and wine and turn it into the body and blood of Christ. Then we go up and kneel and receive the bread and wine. We have private pray for a few minutes after this. Then more prayers as a group, thanking God and asking Him to send us out into the world to do the work He has given us to do. Then another hymn as the priest and altar party walk back out, there is a final blessing from the priest at the back of the church, some organ music, as we leave that part of the church. After the formal service we can if we wish go downstairs for 'coffee hour' where we visit with each other over coffee and some snacks, usually sweets.
Why? Because Jesus told us to "do this in memory of me". And it is our oblation to God to worship Him and as part of keep holy the Sabbath. Also one is not a Christian 'alone', but as part of the 'Body of Christ' which is the church. We are to come together once a week to worship God as a family, called a parish. Individually we can do or not do private devotions during the week. Some do, some don't. That is up to the person.
No we do not go to hell if we do not go. Our God is a God of Love and forgiveness, not a God of harsh laws and punishments. Going to church gives us strength and support and fellowship with others of our faith.
2007-05-03 00:22:10 · answer #2 · answered by tonks_op 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If a Christian goes to Church at any time for any reason other than to Worship and bring Honor and Glory to the Lord ; and to show their thankfulness and appreciation for His Grace and His Mercy upon us , then all other reasons for being there are the wrong ones` !!!!............It is your choice to go to hell or not . If you have heard the Gospel preached , and you have ignored the message of Salvation , and you do not ask Jesus into your heart to save and deliver you from the sins` of the world , then hell is your only option !! You must be saved to see heaven , Period ! Just attending Church without being saved will not get you into heaven !!
2007-05-03 00:51:47 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Come to church and find out, my friend!
By the way, it's not just on Sundays, you know. Make some phone calls; chances are you can find some kind of Christian activity going on most any time. God bless you!
2007-05-03 00:28:28 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I go to Sunday School to hear the Word and discussing it with fellow believers in Sunday School.
Then I go to the Sanctuary to sing praise and worship songs with the body of Christ. It is very uplifting. When we praise God and focus on Him, it releases so much of what you have been carrying through the week.
Afterwards we hear a sermon by our Pastor who is very into demonstration preaching, so you won't get bored or fall asleep in this church.
We have the children do things, and sometimes the Youth group runs the service. Lots of talent out there. We pray for one another for those who have needs and we have altar call.
You don't go to Church because you are afraid to go to hell, you go because you want to be in the presence of the King of King and Lord of Lords. You give thanks for all He has done for you.
2007-05-03 00:23:42 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Frankly, I seldom go to church because I feel that it is a waste of my time. Not that it is a waste to worship God (I do that all the time..every day) but to pretend to worship by doing all the traditional stand up/sit down/say this/say that thing that makes up a good many of the churches. I believe that a person needs to have a very personal relationship with God on a daily and continuing basis. He is part of everything I do, whether it is at work, here at my computer or while I'm gardening...He is there with me.
I am aware of many peoples feelings that church is a must, and I won't condemn them for their beliefs, but for me it just doesnt work.
2007-05-03 00:18:48 · answer #6 · answered by Poohcat1 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
This is what Catholics do when they go to Church.
In talking or thinking about the Mass, first attention should be given to the Eucharistic Prayer, This, the center of the Mass, is that part when the Church recalls Jesus Christ, does again what the Lord did at the Last Supper, and prays with Him to the Heavenly Father.
Introductory Rites
We enter the house of the Lord in praise - Entrance Procession
We approach the Lord in humility - Penitential Rite
We praise the Lord - Glory to God in the Highest!
Liturgy of the Word
We listen to the Word of God - Scripture Readings
We respond to the Word in faith - Responsorial Psalm
We hear the Good News proclaimed - Gospel
We are encouraged to lead a Christian Life - Homily
We profess our beliefs - Creed
We pray for the needs of all peoples - General Intercessions
Liturgy of the Eucharist
We bring and offer our gifts - Presentation of the Gifts, Prayer over the Gifts
We praise the Lord - "Holy, Holy …" - Eucharistic Prayer
We welcome Jesus in his sacramental Presence - Consecration
We remember our loved ones, living and dead
We affirm our faith - "Amen"
We proclaim the mystery of faith and unite in prayer - The Lord's Prayer
We extend the peace of Christ to fellow believers - Sign of Peace
We express our unworthiness and beg for peace - "Lamb of God…"
We receive Jesus in the Eucharist and give thanks - Communion
Concluding Rite
We receive the final blessing - that the Spirit be with us
We are challenged to live the Mass - "Go in peace to love and serve the Lord."
We respond generously - "Thanks be to God."
In a nutshell we pray, worship and renew ourselves as community when we go to church.
Peace and every blessing!
2007-05-03 00:28:07 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I go because my church is a wonderful bible teaching church and I like studying the bible with a person (my pastor) who has been teaching it all his life. We also worship in prayer and in song, the church is alive in Christ and I love the fellowship of other believers. I always look forward to it.
2007-05-03 00:46:50 · answer #8 · answered by Esther 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I go to church to worship my creator. Some people just go to gossip and there are some hypocrites but it really depends on what church you go to. Church is meant for worship and for Christians to fellowship with other Christians. You do not go to hell if you don't go to church. You go to hell if you reject Jesus Christ.
2007-05-03 00:16:32 · answer #9 · answered by brunette 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
We go to worship the Lord. It's for Jesus, and us. We sing,pray,Some dance,Some get saved, we listen to the Preacher, we worship the Lord. No, we won't go to hell if we don't go to church, but the Word says to fellowship with your brother's and sister's in Christ. Their are many home bound people that just can't go to church, so they worship at home. GOD BLESS
2007-05-03 00:26:13 · answer #10 · answered by Brilliant 1forHIM 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋