Church

What is Church?

The original meaning of "church," derived from the Greek word ekklesia, signifies "a called-out assembly" or "congregation" and is referred to usually a public congregation of people. Before the Christian era, ekklesia was used for civic assemblies of citizens. The New Testament (Bible of Christian and Catholic), adopted that word "ekklesia" to refer to the gathered people of God, a body of believers of Jesus Christ united in faith. So church essentially is bunch of people gathered together, no building.

But over time Church's meaning has changed to denote a Christian/Catholic worship building with bunch of people using that building in order to worship.

How do Christians worship in Church?

Catholic Worship Service is called mass since they observe Eucharist (Holy Communion). In the celebration of the Eucharist, bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit and the instrumentality of the priest.

The term "Eucharist" originates from the Greek word eucharistia, meaning thanksgiving. Congregation will go to front one by one and receive bread and wine (juice) from priest and then eat bread and drink wine (juice) and pray to Jesus Christ by themselves remembering Jesus Christ's life, death and resurrection.

Catholic churches has mass daily from one to several time during the day. Protestant Churches (like United Methodist) generally will only have mass or Holy Communion only once a month or on some special times like at World Communion Day.

Church Schedule and Accessibility

Catholic church's are open daily with daily mass. Additionally at catholic churches, a small chapel is open usually 24/7. In contrast to this, protestant churches are only open for public worship one or may be twice a week usually on Sunday only.

We are protestant Christian and we feel protestant Christians should also have daily public worship service, instead on only once a week, since not everyone can attend church on Sunday.

Church Service Structure

Most Church service last 45-60 minutes. It will have some songs, bible reading, Preacher's message, Churches announcement and several prayers dispersed throughout service.

After Church service, only at some churches, some church leader may approach you if you are a new comer but usually nowadays it is not done since some people may feel it intrusive. But you are welcome to approach anyone in the church to get more information or to speak to pastor etc.