Do you attend a formal worship service?

Congregation in church - Our church had a hymn sing last month which was well attended. I snapped a picture of the sanctuary as it was filling. The blue shirts are worn by members of our choir.
@susieq223 (3742)
United States
October 5, 2007 8:39pm CST
I go to church every week for several reasons, but one is I enjoy being with other people who have beliefs similar to mine. I consider my church friends as part of an extended family. I know many people feel they don't have to go to church to be religious or to worship. They will say they can worship outdoors or by watching a television show. My week just isn't complete unless I go to church. I know some is habit, but it also has a lot of meaning to me. In this picture we are having a hymn sing--no sermon, just music. I enjoyed this service very much. What do you think about worshiping with others?
4 people like this
11 responses
@AmbiePam (85660)
• United States
6 Oct 07
I enjoy the fellowship as well. I'm like you in that my week doesn't feel complete unless I go to church. And it's not because we've been 'conditioned' as some would say, but it's because I genuinely delight in sharing such a bond with other people who understand what makes me go on with times are tough, what makes us get up in the morning when we don't think we can. Up until I got really sick, I was at church on every service, and revivals. I can't do that now, but I look for ways to make a difference in the limited capacity that I have. I just feel so blessed by my church that I'd like to return the 'favor.' Every Sunday morning I wake up anticipating the service ahead. It doesn't hurt that the preacher is awesome (he's my dad), LOL.
2 people like this
@susieq223 (3742)
• United States
7 Oct 07
I'd say you do have an awesome preacher! I think as I get older and I am not able to do as much as I used to, that God is telling me to slow down and spend more time with him. I know what you mean about looking for ways to make a difference. One of our church members always sends cards to people on their birthdays, anniversaries, etc. She isn't able to get out of her house much, but she hasn't missed my birthday or anniversary for the last 6 or 7 years! Another lady who is housebound does the telephone prayer chain for the church. God can always find the right thing for the right people, can't He?
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (85660)
• United States
7 Oct 07
Yes, it is.
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (85660)
• United States
7 Oct 07
Why my fingers didn't type Yes, He can, I don't know. : )
1 person likes this
• India
6 Oct 07
yes, i try to go to church every sunday possible, however now for the past year I have been unable to find a church that offers mass in a language I understand owing to the fact that I have left home and come a long way off to complete my education. but whenever I do make it back home I always do go to church
2 people like this
@susieq223 (3742)
• United States
7 Oct 07
I am not a Catholic, so I may be asking a dumb question, but isn't mass much the same in any language? (I know the homily isn't.) In the past I did attend a Catholic church with some friends--and they were still doing the services in Latin then. (Now you have an idea of my age!) If you had your prayer book you could kind of follow along? It is hard and lonely to be in an area with another language. I hope you do not get too lonely. Welcome to myLot.
• India
7 Oct 07
i always knew u were an angel :)
1 person likes this
@melody1011 (1663)
• India
6 Oct 07
I go to church once a week on a saturday. I do enjoy services with my friends around but prefer to stay in the background. I participate with my whole heart but not necessarily with my whole body
2 people like this
@susieq223 (3742)
• United States
7 Oct 07
God sees the heart.
@luzamper (1357)
• Philippines
6 Oct 07
According to the Holy Bible, Christians are brethren in Christ and their Father is God. They are the family of God. They are commanded to assemble during the first day of the week and there they have fellowship. They sing, pray, study the Holy Bible, they have giving, and they take the Lord's supper.
2 people like this
@susieq223 (3742)
• United States
7 Oct 07
I, too, believe that Christians should attend church weekly. It is important for many reasons. Thanks for your reply.
@thefortunes (2367)
• Netherlands
6 Oct 07
Hi SusiQ, I think it's great addition to enjoy going to your church each week. And as you pointed you consider the fellow memebers your friends, and this is absolutely how it should be. I am not going to any services here due to the fact that there is no such a church here, but do my own "services" at home the best way I can while observing the ceremonies. TheFortunes
2 people like this
@susieq223 (3742)
• United States
7 Oct 07
How sad that there is not such a church near you! I hope that changes or that you can find a group of people to be with one of these days. Glad you still worship, though.
@icycute (47)
• Philippines
6 Oct 07
its fun,,i go 2 church every sunday,,and im happy in serving God,im d drummer of our church,,im happy in serving God,im encouragimg oders also 2 go to our church,,pls dont 4get God dat is wat im telling dem always,,
2 people like this
@susieq223 (3742)
• United States
7 Oct 07
I think it is wonderful that you use your drumming talent and ability in the church! Welcome to myLot and thanks for the reply.
@lingli_78 (12822)
• Australia
7 Oct 07
yes i am... i also go to the church every sunday and i completely agree with you... my week is also not complete without going to the church... i just love the congregation, the worship, the sermon and the fellowship... and it gives me the strength to go through another week... :-)
1 person likes this
@susieq223 (3742)
• United States
7 Oct 07
It does for me too. I'm glad you have a good church to attend.
@jillbeth (2705)
• United States
6 Oct 07
I think we need fellowship with other Christians to grow spiritually, but it doesn't necessarily have to be in a formal church setting. I had been attending regularly for a while but haven't gone for a while, I need to start going again.
1 person likes this
@susieq223 (3742)
• United States
7 Oct 07
Being with other Christians certainly helps me to grow and helps keep me on the right track! I do encourage you to start again. If you don't have a church "home" then visit some. Thanks for the reply.
@TerryZ (22076)
• United States
6 Oct 07
Hi susieq! Oh yes this is very nice indeed. I use to go to church every sunday when I was very young. You know the whole thing sunday school.LOL Making my first holy communion. Everything that we do when being a nice catholic girl.LOL I dont go to church anymore I pray from the comfort of my home now. Its alot better for me. But everyone worships differently dont they?
@susieq223 (3742)
• United States
7 Oct 07
The important thing is to maintain that relationship with God. I know there are many people who don't or perhaps can't go to church. That is between them and God. I don't judge. Yes, there are many different ways to worship and I have had some wonderful moments outside of a church building.
@gtargirl (5376)
• United States
28 Oct 07
Hi SusieQ, my church is about 70 miles from my house (we live in the desert) but we go every Sunday morning and evening. I used to drive there on Thursday evenings for my son's youth group. He's graduated to the highschool group which meets Sunday nights. Life is sooooo much simpler now. One time I got lazy and stayed home and you're right, the week felt very blah. I love to worhip with my church family and I am looking forward to Christmas because we have a Christmas Eve worship service at 11:00pm. Sweet! Have a wonderful weekend.
1 person likes this
@susieq223 (3742)
• United States
1 Nov 07
You are faithful to drive so far to go to church, not just once a week but often more! Thanks for the reply.
@THKOhio (329)
• United States
6 Oct 07
Yes, I attend worship services at my church. I go to Sunday school and church nearly every Sunday morning. I enjoy being with other members of my church family for fellowship and learning. I agree with you, that it gets the week off to a much better start for me.
1 person likes this
@susieq223 (3742)
• United States
7 Oct 07
Congratulations on getting your star! Thanks for the reply.