Sunday, June 8, 2008

Meeting Schedule

I posted about this on my regular blog, but decided I would include a modified version here.

Here is the schedule for our church meetings:

First Hour: Sacrament Meeting

During this hour, the Priesthood blesses the sacrament and administers it to the congregation. We then have speakers from the congregation give talks on gospel subjects. On the first Sunday of the month we have what is called "Testimony meeting". During the talk portion of the meeting, instead of assigned speakers, any members who desire are allowed to come to the pulpit and express their testimony about the Gospel. We also have hymns, or special musical numbers, all of which are asked to be ones that promote a reverent feeling.

Second Hour: Sunday School

This is the hour that I teach the adult Sunday school class, and the youth and children go to their own classes. Each year we focus on a different book of scripture. This year we are studying the Book of Mormon.

Third Hour: Priesthood/ Relief Society

During this hour, the men and women split up. The men attend "Priesthood meeting" where they take care of any Priesthood business, and they also are taught a lesson.

The women attend Relief Society where we also talk about any Relief Society business and are taught a lesson. The lessons for men and women are the same, and currently we are studying the lives of the Prophets. This year we are studying about the life and teachings of Joseph Smith.

Our services are a bit more relaxed than some of the more formal services of other churches. Sometimes we have crying babies, or fussy children among us, but we feel it is important that they be there too. We might seem a little bland when compared to the Charismatics, but we strive for a peaceful, reverent environment. Ultimately, our purpose in going to our Sacrament meeting is to renew our baptismal covenants by taking the Sacrament. The Sacrament is the focus of all of our meetings, but the worship is an internal process.

Once, when the disciples asked Jesus where He lived, His response was, "Come and see". For those who wonder what our worship services are like, I would respond similarly, "Come and see". You will find a link to the left for a meeetinghouse locator.

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