Does your church/faith celebrate daily services?

[Lily_Bernans]

Catholics celebrate the Mass daily.

They sure do.

I’d love to go daily, but I can’t always. It’s at nine in the morning, and sometimes I’m in class at that time. Thank goodness the Bible study classes and other things are in the evening.

We even celebrate “Midnight Mass” at ten, which I’ve been told is not all that unusual since people don’t like to stay up so late. I think as long as it’s after sunset it counts as the next day. Right?

Enjoy Super Tuesday, 7 Sorrows! I want to watch TV, but school is calling and this time it’s not even class, it’s my own dissertation, which I’m behind on. Have to get caught up this week.

 

[peter26]

Before I converted, I went to a CofE Evangelical church which offered a Book of Common Prayer service on Thursday mornings - some weeks Communion, some weeks Morning Prayer. Sometimes I would go elsewhere in the week to go to more services - I found that Anglican high churches often offer 2 or three services in the week, usually a simple Communion service not unlike a daily Mass. Anglican cathedrals and larger churches tend to offer at least 1 service a day, often more, but these are the only places you will typically find a daily service.

 

[Usige]

I hate not being able to be really precise here, but the answer is “it depends.” One large non-denominational church I attended did indeed have a “mini-service” on Wed. It had singing, a short sermon, prayers and prayer requests… in short everything that Sunday has only a different message, and fewer people.

This is probably a more confusing issue in non-liturgical churches, as the words can mean different things. So, for example, we have a church near us that has “worship service” on Wed. night. It is literally “just” a worship service with singing and prayer, not like a full sermon on Sunday. However, as I mentioned above there are churches that have similar services on Wed. as they do on Sun. For some of the “Christian churches” (that is a denominational name) around us they too have communion only on Sundays, so that would be a big difference for them; any other day of the week it is just a meeting without communion.

I’m sorry I can’t be more specific, it just varies so much from denomination to denomination. Sunday is always seen to be the main day (unless it is a denomination like Seventh Day Adventists who are Saturday Sabbath folks). If there are services on Wed. night they are different in some respect, maybe only in number attending and in length of time, and the mini-sermon won’t be the same as on Sunday…

Thanks for the reply, Kliska. It certainly makes sense that these individual communities don’t follow the same pattern. Without a central body to provide the structure I guess what is done is really driven by the desires of the community.

Would it be safe to say that services in each community are primarily driven by demand?

 

[Kliska]

Thanks for the reply, Kliska. It certainly makes sense that these individual communities don’t follow the same pattern. Without a central body to provide the structure I guess what is done is really driven by the desires of the community.

Would it be safe to say that services in each community are primarily driven by demand?

It can be driven by several things; tradition (), demand, make up of the congregation (there are some with lots of kids, or hardly any, or elderly, etc…), specialty of the pastor or other congregants, community need…

 

[jane_doe]

Thanks for the reply, Kliska. It certainly makes sense that these individual communities don’t follow the same pattern. Without a central body to provide the structure I guess what is done is really driven by the desires of the community.

Would it be safe to say that services in each community are primarily driven by demand?

I would say that ALL churches have services at times driven by the needs of the community. It would simply be poor stewardship to neglect the community’s needs.

 

[Usige]

I would say that ALL churches have services at times driven by the needs of the community. It would simply be poor stewardship to neglect the community’s needs.

While I would agree in general, some churches are limited in what actions can be performed on a given day. For instance a Catholic parish with a single priest would not normally offer both a morning and evening Mass on weekdays. This is because priest are normally only allowed to offer the Mass once a day. Their Bishop might give permission for 2 celebrations on weekdays or sometimes three on Sunday, but usually a priest will reserve their second Mass for funerals or weddings. Other churches will not allow services on weekdays.

What I was trying to understand is how much of it is driven solely by demand as opposed to what can and can’t be done. Since nondenominational communities are not governed by a central authority I was trying to understand what drives the content and structure of the services.

In otherwords could a preacher offer a daily prayer service even if only 1 or 2 were attending? Earlier comments spoke to a critical mass for services so I was trying to understand if the board or elders or other managing body can restrict services if they don’t think there is a critical mass.

 

[jane_doe]

This is because priest are normally only allowed to offer the Mass once a day. Their Bishop might give permission for 2 celebrations on weekdays or sometimes three on Sunday.

Catholics priests are only allowed to do Mass X amount of times? How is this (in regards to the permission)? Why is this?

What I was trying to understand is how much of it is driven solely by demand as opposed to what can and can’t be done.

Note: there is “can’t” because it’s physically impossible, and “can’t” because of permission and other issues.

Since nondenominational communities are not governed by a central authority I was trying to understand what drives the content and structure of the services.

For nondenominational churches it’s usually simply what the community needs.
Other churches (like the Mormon church) do have rules and guidelines which also must be abided by (in addition to serving the community).

In otherwords could a preacher offer a daily prayer service even if only 1 or 2 were attending? Earlier comments spoke to a critical mass for services so I was trying to understand if the board or elders or other managing body can restrict services if they don’t think there is a critical mass.

The “critical mass” approach is simply a matter of trying to use limited resources to the best ability. For example, a priest could do a service for just one person, or visit a hospital, work on a sermon, or so many other things.

As to who decides it this priorities, it depends on the church structure (this is very variable) and largely on the local priest—how does he feel his time is best used?

 

[Kliska]

In otherwords could a preacher offer a daily prayer service even if only 1 or 2 were attending?

For us it wouldn’t be “could” they, but would they. Usually a preacher can organize and hold services for whatever they want, within reason of course.

 

[jane_doe]

Curiosity question for Catholic folks here: how many people are in your parish (both on the rolls, and in the typical Sunday pews) and how many are at a typical weekday Mass?

 

[Padres1969]

While I would agree in general, some churches are limited in what actions can be performed on a given day. For instance a Catholic parish with a single priest would not normally offer both a morning and evening Mass on weekdays. This is because priest are normally only allowed to offer the Mass once a day. Their Bishop might give permission for 2 celebrations on weekdays or sometimes three on Sunday, but usually a priest will reserve their second Mass for funerals or weddings. Other churches will not allow services on weekdays.

What I was trying to understand is how much of it is driven solely by demand as opposed to what can and can’t be done. Since nondenominational communities are not governed by a central authority I was trying to understand what drives the content and structure of the services.

In otherwords could a preacher offer a daily prayer service even if only 1 or 2 were attending? Earlier comments spoke to a critical mass for services so I was trying to understand if the board or elders or other managing body can restrict services if they don’t think there is a critical mass.

You’ve actually prompted me to want to ask follow ups from folks of the varying denominations and individual churches represented here.

What is the typical mass/service schedule at your church on a given Saturday evening/Sunday in particular? How many masses/services are typical?

To answer my own questions by way of example/comparison, my individual Episcopal Church holds 4 masses/services on Sunday typically. An 8am Rite II spoken mass, an 10:30am Rite II Choral mass, a 1pm Spanish mass, and a 5pm Evensong. And starting in a few months they’ll be adding a 5:30pm mass on Saturday evenings as they’re moving the old 12 noon Saturday Eucharist to the Saturday vigil time.

Second question would be what is the least your church will minister to at a given service? As Usige asked, is there a lower limit?

To again answer my own question, at our church the limit is 2 for a Eucharist. The priest and at least one other person attending the service. The priest will perform the mass up to the Eucharist him/herself if no one is attending. The non-Eucharist services have no lower limit beyond the priest.

 

[ComplineSanFran]

The larger Episcopal churches, especially the Cathedrals, have daily Morning Prayer, Eucharist, and Evening Prayer or Evensong. I love popping into Evensong when the boys are singing.

 

[jane_doe]

What is the typical mass/service schedule at your church on a given Saturday evening/Sunday in particular? How many masses/services are typical?

Each congregation has 1 Sabbath service, typically on Sunday (sometimes Saturday’s in Jewish and Arab dominated areas). Now, each church building will have multiple congregations are housed there, there will be services at 9, 11, and 1, but you’re supposed to go to your assigned congregation.

Second question would be what is the least your church will minister to at a given service? As Usige asked, is there a lower limit?

If a congregation gets too small (consistently <100 people there every week) then they’ll combine it with a different congregation. Conversely, if a congregation gets too large (>200 each week), they’ll split it into two.

 

[Kliska]

What is the typical service schedule at your church on a given Saturday evening/Sunday in particular? How many services are typical?

Non-denominational protestant example;

Sundays: 9:30am Bible study, 10:30am Service, 6pm Shortened Service (different than the morning service)

Wed: 6:30 pm prayer ministry

Second question would be what is the least your church will minister to at a given service?

2? lol Seriously though if the pastor was there and another person, that’d probably be the minimum.

 

[jane_doe]

Each congregation has 1 Sabbath service, typically on Sunday (sometimes Saturday’s in Jewish and Arab dominated areas). Now, each church building will have multiple congregations are housed there, there will be services at 9, 11, and 1, but you’re supposed to go to your assigned congregation.

If a congregation gets too small (consistently <100 people there every week) then they’ll combine it with a different congregation. Conversely, if a congregation gets too large (>200 each week), they’ll split it into two.

Edit: this 100-200 people is a typical amount just based upon logistical ease. There are congregations in remote areas which are much smaller.

As to the actual number of people required to serve Sacrament (aka the Lord’s Supper) is… 3 male church members??? Something like that. But serving to such a smaller number would be very unusual.

 

[7_Sorrows]

They sure do.

I’d love to go daily, but I can’t always. It’s at nine in the morning, and sometimes I’m in class at that time. Thank goodness the Bible study classes and other things are in the evening.

We even celebrate “Midnight Mass” at ten, which I’ve been told is not all that unusual since people don’t like to stay up so late. I think as long as it’s after sunset it counts as the next day. Right?

Enjoy Super Tuesday, 7 Sorrows! I want to watch TV, but school is calling and this time it’s not even class, it’s my own dissertation, which I’m behind on. Have to get caught up this week.

I wish I could go daily too, but I have to take my grandson to school in the morning and my granddaughter is one now and can be very loud when she decides to start vocalizing.
It is days like this I really miss having the 24 hour news cycles!
Good luck on your dissertation!

 

[Tommy999]

You’ve actually prompted me to want to ask follow ups from folks of the varying denominations and individual churches represented here.

What is the typical mass/service schedule at your church on a given Saturday evening/Sunday in particular? How many masses/services are typical?

Second question would be what is the least your church will minister to at a given service? As Usige asked, is there a lower limit?

At my local church, typical schedule includes three services on Sunday: 08:00, 09:15, and 11:00. The 08:00 and 09:15 are traditional (09:15 with orchestra), and the 11:00 consists of contemporary praise songs for music and musicians with acoustic guitars, etc. Most middle age and older folks go to either the first or second.

More of the younger folks attend the 11:00 service. The pastor wears full vestment in traditional services and usually just a nice shirt and slacks at the contemporary service.
We’ve been to all three to try them out but like the traditional with orchestra the most.

All of them are pretty full, so if there is a lower limit they never come close to it. However, there are many older folks who feel it’s their duty to come whenever the doors are open, so when there is an ice storm, etc, the pastoral staff tends to cancel services to encourage those people to stay home and be safe.

 

[spedteacherita]

One thing I’ve always felt about the Catholic Church (at least in the Latin Rite) that is a strength, even long after I left the church, is that Catholics offer a daily mass (or at least more than just Saturday evening/Sunday). I know however that many other Christian denominations and near Christians don’t offer some kind of daily service. I also know that some are exceptions to the general rule, and do offer some form of daily service.

I was curious however for all that are willing to share, does your church offer some form of daily service.

From experience and talking to my own church’s leadership that within my own church it varies. Some Anglican churches only offer Sunday services, others like my own church offer one or more daily services. Specifically mine offers a morning prayer service and a daily Eucharist 6 days a week, and an evening prayer service on weekdays.

I’ve never experienced this within the Lutheran churches I have attended but, locally, I believe our Episcopal church has extra services throughout the week.

Rita

 

[arthra]

Baha’is offer daily prayers but not in congregation…that is, our obligatory prayers are a spiritual obligation for each Baha’i to pray in private and there is a choice of which prayers to recite. One is called the long obligatory prayer that is offered every twenty four hours; another is offered three times a day morning, noon and evening; a third is a short obligatory prayer offered from noon till sunset.

 

[Alex_H]

I forgot to answer the OP!

Mormon congregations only hold Sabbath Day services on the Sabbath. There are other activities which do occur on frequent basis though–

For high schoolers, there are religion classes every school morning that students are generally excepted to attend. This, one top of 3 hour Sunday Services, and mid-week youth activities results in busy schedules.

For many universities, there is a church right off-campus in which free religion classes are offered throughout the week (during the day and evenings). Generally it is the young adults which attend, but they are open any age. This church building is also always open, with prayer rooms, hang out rooms, kitchen, etc.

Mormon temples are opened throughout the weekdays and Saturday for performing religious rites, study, and contemplation. Participating in such services is prized.

My mom converted to Mormonism before she turned away from religion entirely. I was just a baby at the time but she did talk about those three hour services! lol

 

[Alex_H]

The church where I go to, the Chapel is open every weekday from 7 am to 4 PM. Daily mass is offered also.