Most Americans have been inside a church at least once, for a wedding or a funeral. That doesn’t mean they knew what was going on. Here’s the short version, for the two kinds you’re most likely to visit.
Catholic Mass
Mass is the main Catholic service, held on Sunday and, in many parishes, Saturday evening. A New Haven parish says it plainly: anyone and everyone is invited.
It goes in order: songs and prayers, Bible readings, a short sermon called a homily, then communion, then a blessing. People stand, sit and kneel at set times. Kneeling is optional for you. Standing or sitting quietly is fine.
Communion is the moment people walk to the front. The Catholic bishops’ guidelines say that non-Catholics don’t receive it. You have two good choices. Stay in your seat and pray or simply wait. Or walk up with your arms crossed over your chest to ask for a blessing. Whether a priest offers that varies by parish.
A Protestant service
Protestant churches (Lutheran, Methodist, Baptist and many more) vary a lot. Expect songs, prayers, Bible readings, a sermon and an offering. Some hold communion every week, some once a month.
Who may take communion depends on the church. United Methodists have an “open table” that welcomes everyone. ELCA Lutherans welcome all baptized people, and guests who’d rather not can come forward with crossed arms for a blessing. Some churches limit communion to their own members. When in doubt, stay seated. Nobody will mind.
Do and don’t
- Dress: modest is appreciated. Many Protestant churches are casual. Shoes stay on.
- Don’t walk in or out during the sermon or the final blessing.
- The offering basket: you can simply pass it along.
- The sign of peace: in many churches people shake hands and say “Peace be with you.” Say it back.
Worried?
“Everyone is going up for communion and I’m not.” You’re in good company. Plenty of Christians sit some Sundays out too.
Try it on
If a stranger walked into your church this Sunday, who would sit next to them?