Hi

I don't know about every church's offering, but at ours giving money is completely your choice and I know that especially on your first day no one would think anything of you not putting money in it. The way it works for us is about halfway through the service they pass the offering plates down the rows, and people put money in it to go toward whatever the church needs it for. Sometimes its for missions trips or retreats or sometimes it can just be for repairs that need to be done around the building. But it's always made very clear that guests don't need to put any money in unless they want to, I'm not sure about other churches though, I know some do make people feel more pressured to give money. I hope you find a church that you like as much as I like mine and I hope you'll feel comfortable. If you dont, dont let that discourage you, keep trying different churches until you find one you really like. OH yeah, there are lots of people with different kinds of disabilities at my church and no one thinks anything of it.

newyears2005 did not want to look 'out of place' so these were just a couple of suggestions that I thought would help. Of course, only Christians are commanded to give as they had prospered.(1 Cor.16:2)

newyears2005 said:

Hi, I did go to church today. It was different. They started it off with like a rock concert for like 30 minutes. After that the people gave money and then a guy got up on stage and he gave a speech. The speech was based from the Bible. The paragraph he used was in chapter John and in section 5. It was about Jesus healing a disabled person, like me! He couldn't walk but Jesus made him walk. Is it possible that I can walk if I do what Christians do? After the speech, the guy passed out crackers and some kind of juice, I didn't take it because I didn't know what it meant and I didn't want to do anything wrong. Then after the cracker stuff, the guy asked if people would want to come up and accept Jesus, whatever that means. Do I want to accept Jesus? Is that what it's all about? Well, after the guy asking the people to come up thing, the church ended. I went to talk to the guy and I told him I wasn't a Christian like one of you told me to. I couldn't believe he didn't freak out because I wasn't "one of them." He told me to schedule an appointment with him this week, which I will do tomorrow. Everyone was nice and they were understanding that I couldn't stand up during the rock concert. I think I will go back next Sunday, which the guy invited me. The guy also told me to take a Bible from the chairs, which I did. He told me to read John. But, the thing is, there are 4 Johns, what one do I read?

What was the crackers and the juice thing all about? Also, what is this "accept Jesus" stuff? Why do you sing at church? Are there people in wheelchairs that go to church? What do I do to my girlfriend because she got angry at me that I went to church? I think these are the questions I have right now.

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That's wonderful that you went to church. Good for you!

Read the Gospel of John, which is the fourth book in the New Testament (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John). These four books tell about the life of Jesus Christ from 4 different witnesses. They are similar, yet different in some of the stories they tell. I would also suggest you read Romans.

The "crackers and juice" is Holy Communion. This is explained by Jesus in the Gospel of John. The bread/cracker represents Jesus' body and the grape juice is represents his blood. This is hard to explain at this point, don't worry about it. You did the right thing by not participating in it. It's for believers only. Not to make it sound exclusive, but this is for your good. Ask the pastor to explain it when you meet with him.

Singing in church is a form of worship. We're expressing our thanks and awe of God. You can also do this in private, but when believers come together, it's a chance for corporate worship.

There are people in wheelchairs and all different situations who go to church. It sounds like this church was very welcoming and accommodating to you. That's the way it should be. They are there to serve you.

I'm sorry that your girlfriend was unhappy with your decision to go to church. Did she have a bad experience in the past with church? Tell her that wasn't God and she shouldn't draw her conclusions about God based on certain people in church. Unfortunately, not every Christian is Christlike. Maybe you could bring her with you when you meet with the pastor.

Sorry for babbling on. Hope I've helped a bit. Feel free to ask more questions.

God Bless You,

WashedClean

Don't worry. He shouldn't pressure you. Tell him you're just starting to explore Christianity. Ask if they have an Alpha course. This is a course for people trying to find out more about Christianity.

Just relax and ask any questions you want. You may want to write them down so you don't forget.

Remember, it's not a test. Just listen with an open mind and heart. Ask God to reveal Himself to you.

This is so exciting. Please write back and let us know how it goes. I'll be praying for you!

Well...I would start by church shopping...you might want to call up the church and find out if it has 2 services or just one. and then, once you check it out by actually going one sunday...I would listen to the service for sure...but also check out the people. Are there a lot of old, old people there? Young people, young couples? Middle aged? You want to look for a church that has a good spread, but also has something a bit more for your age group. It is good to have programs specifically for your age, but also mixed...(cause you can learn a lot from the elders...)and the pastor should teach in a way that you can understand...now, this may be the hard part. Get to talk to some of the people...make sure that this is an environment that you would be comfortable hanging out in and participating in and growing and learning about this new world of God and Jesus. God bless dear friend!

I would like to invite you to attend a Catholic Mass. It will be quite different from your experience this last Sunday. You can follow along in the missalette, readings and when to stand, sit or kneel are in the misalette. You should not partake of Holy Communion because you are not Catholic. I hope you can make it and I will be praying for you.

Well, I'm sure the pastor you talked to would be happy to help answer all of your questions. The Bible really is from God. He had lots of different people help write the Bible, but it all came from Him. It is to help us all understand God and His love for us. I don't think he literally means you have to give up everything, but you have to trust Jesus with your life and live it for Him. That just means you will try your best not to sin ( but you still will, everyone does ) and you will spend time praying and reading your Bible. It also means you can't put anything else above your relationship with God, so He has to be more important than material things or other people. You'll understand once you start to have a better relationship with God. OK, this is something you'll want to talk to the pastor about, but I'll try to help. Jesus is God and human at the same time, it's kind of confusing to understand. God loves everyone and wants us all to go to Heaven, but because everyone gives into temptation and sins, that would mean no one could go to Heaven. Jesus was kind of like a sacrifice. He gave up a throne in Heaven to come live a human life. Not only that, but he never sinned his whole life. He healed a lot of people, like the one you heard about at church, and he taught everyone about God. Then, when he was killed on the cross, since he was perfect he could be a sacrifice for every sin that ever was or will happen. This meant that anyone who asks God to forgive their sins and believes in their heart that Jesus died for them can now go to Heaven.
I hope you will find answers to your questions, don't be discouraged if it is hard at first. Also, make sure you understand about Jesus and God before you become a Christian. Good luck, I'll keep you in my prayers!

Good job explaining biblebabe!

What the pastor is saying about "giving up everything" means that we are to deny ourselves daily and live for Jesus. Like biblebabe said, our material possessions mean nothing compared to having Jesus as our Lord, Master and Savior.

Did the pastor explain sin and your need to be saved? This must come first. Unless you believe you're separated from God by your sins, you will never have saving faith in Jesus.

Jesus said "I am the way, the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father but by me". He is the only way because no other "religion" makes atonement for man's sin.

Definitely call him and ask these questions. Did he help you at all? Have you read any of the Bible yet?

Praying for you...