What is the atmosphere like where you worship?

[Tommy999]

Just curious what the atmosphere and expectations are when you enter your house of worship…

For example:
Is the mood reverent and conducive to prayer and focus on God or is it a more social and friendly place where people are greeting and socializing with one another?

Is the atmosphere before the start of worship even relevant at all?

Background:
I grew up in an old an stately Presbyterian Church with stain-glassed windows and pipe organ.Once you came in and were seated, you were quiet until the start of the worship service. Some people prayed. It was a reverent atmosphere. If people communicated at all, it was usually by whispering in someone’s ear next to you. People socialized after worship concluded, and mostly outside the sanctuary.

In most of the more evangelical churches where I have attended as an adult, people socialize – sometimes as if you were in a restaurant – until the first greeting or hymn starts. It’s only at that time when people return to their seats and are quiet and attentive.

The main reason I mention this is that I like to arrive 5 or 10 minutes early and pray and prepare myself for worship. Sometimes I am interrupted by well meaning people who reach out to shake my hand or pat me on the shoulder and ask me if I am ok.

I am often distracted by people in front or in back of me laughing loudly or otherwise chatting up a storm about their families or the local sports teams.

Am I just an old fuddy duddy to expect a quieter worship environment when arriving at the sanctuary or is that an old-fashioned notion that has run its course? Unfortunately, I have a mid case of ADD which doesn’t help any. Your thoughts?

 

[pianistclare]

Lots of outreach to the poor.
LOTS

Many mission trips, feeding the children in the summer at the nearby trailer park, coats for the homeless, meals for the men at the night shelter, sewing bed pads for the cancer home patients, lots of programs for kids.

Mass is very easy going, not as reverent as I would like it to be, everyone knows everyone, and those who don’t are quickly introduced to EVERYONE.

If someone needs anointing because they are going under the knife, nearly the entire congregation stays behind after Mass to pray for the person while Father anoints.

Family atmosphere. Many picnics, dinners, breakfasts.

Wish the music was better, but being a professional musician it’s a bit hard for me to refrain from being critical.

 

[mjhudson]

Evangelical churches are BIG on socializing (Or fellowship, as our pastor often called it.) this has it’s pros and cons. Pros are that they usually form very tight communities that take care of each other. Cons are that you do lose that sense of reverence. Our church actually took a side room and made it a “Prayer Room,” where people who wanted to pray quietly before the service could. Not sure how often it was used, but it was a nice option to have.

I think the idea of worship has shifted over the years, and not for the better. (For context, I’m 20 years old, so I’m not exactly playing to type here.) The lyrics and songs have gotten simpler and less reflective, more “look at how Jesus saved me!” and less “look at God’s glory!” The idea of a quite, reflective reverent worship has been replaced by a vibrant, active worship. Both have their places, but I think the church would be better served if more reverence were reintroduced

To answer your question more directly: I think the atmosphere before worship can be an aid to worship, just as a rosary or a familiar hymn can be an aid, but it is not essential. For example: When I see a big cathedral with spires and stain glass windows, I am struck with awe, and that feeling of awe can help me transition into a feeling of reverence and worship of God. When I walk into a simple, plain evangelical church, I find it harder to enter into that state of mind of focus on God. It’s not essential, but I think a proper atmosphere is a great aid.

 

[brad90956]

The main reason I mention this is that I like to arrive 5 or 10 minutes early and pray and prepare myself for worship. Sometimes I am interrupted by well meaning people who reach out to shake my hand or pat me on the shoulder and ask me if I am ok.

I am often distracted by people in front or in back of me laughing loudly or otherwise chatting up a storm about their families or the local sports teams.

Am I just an old fuddy duddy to expect a quieter worship environment when arriving at the sanctuary or is that an old-fashioned notion that has run its course? Unfortunately, I have a mid case of ADD which doesn’t help any. Your thoughts?

I’m in my mid 40’s (is that fuddy duddy? ) and I’m the same way. When I kneel and pray before the start of Mass I don’t want to be bothered. I think it’s just respectful not to interrupt someone while they are praying. I know I would never do that. I would wait until they have finished before I talk to them or to say “hello”…something quick and quiet.

It doesn’t bother me if people are quietly talking around me while I pray but I think laughing and socializing loudly in the pews before Mass is disrespectful to others.

 

[Purgatory_Pete]

The mood is reverent and conducive to prayer and focus on God.
If someone wishes to talk with another it is done outside of the church,
Once we enter the Church the focus becomes each of us as individuals,
in private communication with God.
Pinching a line from Agent 86 Maxwell Smart.
AND… LOVING IT !
:tiphat:

 

[Neofight]

I used to have trouble with the “atmosphere”, until I got more disciplined in bringing myself into contemplative communion with God.

I’ve come to learn that “Atmosphere” is external, and therefore cannot be reverent or irreverent.

Reverence, is internal, and its presence is dependent on whether my heart is properly disposed for my communion with God.

So now, I can find the peace with the Lord regardless of the chaos around me.

 

[Reuben_J]

Just curious what the atmosphere and expectations are when you enter your house of worship…

For example:
Is the mood reverent and conducive to prayer and focus on God or is it a more social and friendly place where people are greeting and socializing with one another?

Is the atmosphere before the start of worship even relevant at all?

Background:
I grew up in an old an stately Presbyterian Church with stain-glassed windows and pipe organ.Once you came in and were seated, you were quiet until the start of the worship service. Some people prayed. It was a reverent atmosphere. If people communicated at all, it was usually by whispering in someone’s ear next to you. People socialized after worship concluded, and mostly outside the sanctuary.

In most of the more evangelical churches where I have attended as an adult, people socialize – sometimes as if you were in a restaurant – until the first greeting or hymn starts. It’s only at that time when people return to their seats and are quiet and attentive.

The main reason I mention this is that I like to arrive 5 or 10 minutes early and pray and prepare myself for worship. Sometimes I am interrupted by well meaning people who reach out to shake my hand or pat me on the shoulder and ask me if I am ok.

I am often distracted by people in front or in back of me laughing loudly or otherwise chatting up a storm about their families or the local sports teams.

Am I just an old fuddy duddy to expect a quieter worship environment when arriving at the sanctuary or is that an old-fashioned notion that has run its course? Unfortunately, I have a mid case of ADD which doesn’t help any. Your thoughts?

If you did not say, I thought you were describing what it is like before a Catholic mass.

I would be comfortable in such situation. My only obstacle would be in knowing that it is not a Catholic church/chapel.

The Holy Mass is where one would find the most reverent and holy atmosphere, very conducive for worship. Unfortunately in reality, the atmosphere is somewhat made more casual by people talking before the mass or trying to quieten down the children. Those are practical things but otherwise nothing could be more reverent than the mass as far as worship is concerned.

For that matter, one can choose to go to a smaller chapel or convent (the Carmelites are good ones) for quietness and less hustle in order to really bask in the Eucharistic celebration – where Jesus speaks the word to be heard and gives his own body and blood to be partaken.

 

[drac16]

When you enter a mosque, you’ll first notice shoe racks; everyone must take off their shoes and put them on a rack. We typically greet each other with the Islamic greeting, “Asalam alaykum”, which means “peace be upon you”. When you walk into the main prayer hall, you pray two units of Salah out of respect for Allah and His house. Men and women are segregated in mosques, so I sit next to other men.

The atmosphere is like a library inasmuch as you are allowed to chat with people, but try to speak in a low tone, so that you don’t distract other people. We tend to read to pass the time until the prayer starts. We sit on the floor, except for those who need to sit in a chair (for someone who’s old or injured). After the prayer is finished, you can do as you please. You can feel free to talk to people, perform optional devotional practices, donate money, read or meditate.

On Fridays, my mosque always has a man outside of the men’s prayer hall that’s selling fried chicken from Popeyes. It’s hard to focus on prayer when the sweet smell of fried chicken is permeating the whole room.

 

[LutheranScholar]

If you did not say, I thought you were describing what it is like before a Catholic mass.

I would be comfortable in such situation. My only obstacle would be in knowing that it is not a Catholic church/chapel.

The Holy Mass is where one would find the most reverent and holy atmosphere, very conducive for worship. Unfortunately in reality, the atmosphere is somewhat made more casual by people talking before the mass or trying to quieten down the children. Those are practical things but otherwise nothing could be more reverent than the mass as far as worship is concerned.

For that matter, one can choose to go to a smaller chapel or convent (the Carmelites are good ones) for quietness and less hustle in order to really bask in the Eucharistic celebration – where Jesus speaks the word to be heard and gives his own body and blood to be partaken.

Before the Divine Service starts, after we’ve had our " Lutheran coffee," I like to go in and join a few other pew sitters in saying silent prayers before the organ gets going. The atmosphere is very conducive to private meditation and prayer. The altar rail, where we kneel before receiving the Holy Sacrament, provides a sense of anticipation that we are about to receive the Body of Christ and the Blood of Christ. I would say that the sense of atmosphere is first and foremost reverent. There are times, rarely, when there might be minor distractions that quickly dissipate and the feeling of reverence takes over. Once the Divine Service begins, there’s the sense of community and liturgy. At the confession and absolution at the very beginning, there is a sense of tension being released and after the Words of Institution are said, there is a sense of anticipation.

The Message ( homily or sermon) is always based on the readings appointed for that particular Sunday and the references and applications to our lives can be described in meticulous detail. A lot of it is singing. The hymns are beautiful prayers put to music and the older ones have retained melodies that are distinctly Germanic or Scandinavian. The sense of beauty in worship is very nearly palpable. Sharing the peace kind of strengthens the sense of community, as does reciting the Nicene Creed. When it is over and we are sent off to love and serve the Lord and one another, I just get the feeling of my " spiritual battery" being recharged.

 

[mommy_k]

Before mass, most people have out rosaries or are praying quietly. It is a beautiful church, with ornate style, and this adds to the atmosphere of reverence too. Our pastor is a kind and old school priest, and everyone loves and respects him.

 

[adamhovey1988]

Humid Sub-tropical:thumbsup:

 

[Isca]

My church isn’t usually full, but it’s welcoming. It’s a big, Victorian building, very traditional with beautiful stained glass and marble carvings. It’s quite quiet before Mass begins - not silent, but not distracting.

The full lights are only switched on as Mass begins, so in the winter months it’s pretty dark in there, too! And it’s not too warm in winter, because as in many old churches the heating system isn’t really that effective.

 

[RPRPsych]

Generally quiet and reverential.

The only exception to that is that since it’s a basilica (pics here) we do get occasional waves of tourists armed with their cameras. Even they aren’t really noisy, but the movement can be distracting at times.

Interestingly, even though the Masses are all in the Ordinary Form (), the altar and altar rails are still perfectly suited for the celebration of an Extraordinary Form as well () Sort of like the best of both worlds, really.

 

[Tommy999]

Lots of outreach to the poor.
LOTS

**Many mission trips, feeding the children in the summer at the nearby trailer park, coats for the homeless, meals for the men at the night shelter, sewing bed pads for the cancer home patients, lots of programs for kids. **

Mass is very easy going, not as reverent as I would like it to be, **everyone knows everyone, and those who don’t are quickly introduced to EVERYONE.

If someone needs anointing because they are going under the knife, nearly the entire congregation stays behind after Mass to pray for the person while Father anoints.

Family atmosphere. Many picnics, dinners, breakfasts. **
Wish the music was better, but being a professional musician it’s a bit hard for me to refrain from being critical.

Hi Clare,
Those things I bolded are very admirable qualities to find in any local parish or congregation. Sounds like you have a very nice parish. That is similar to mine in many ways. Very nice folks with hearts of gold who care about others around them and in the community.

My local church was very reverent and quiet on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, but there were signs put up at the entrance on those occasions appealing for everyone to be quiet and reflective as they entered and before the service started, which was like I wish it was all the time.

 

[Tommy999]

Evangelical churches are BIG on socializing (Or fellowship, as our pastor often called it.) this has it’s pros and cons. Pros are that they usually form very tight communities that take care of each other. Cons are that you do lose that sense of reverence. Our church actually took a side room and made it a “Prayer Room,” where people who wanted to pray quietly before the service could. Not sure how often it was used, but it was a nice option to have.

I think the idea of worship has shifted over the years, and not for the better. (For context, I’m 20 years old, so I’m not exactly playing to type here.) The lyrics and songs have gotten simpler and less reflective, more “look at how Jesus saved me!” and less “look at God’s glory!” The idea of a quite, reflective reverent worship has been replaced by a vibrant, active worship. Both have their places, but I think the church would be better served if more reverence were reintroduced

To answer your question more directly: I think the atmosphere before worship can be an aid to worship, just as a rosary or a familiar hymn can be an aid, but it is not essential. For example: When I see a big cathedral with spires and stain glass windows, I am struck with awe, and that feeling of awe can help me transition into a feeling of reverence and worship of God. When I walk into a simple, plain evangelical church, I find it harder to enter into that state of mind of focus on God. It’s not essential, but I think a proper atmosphere is a great aid.

Very well put. MJ. I also look at a reverent atmosphere as an aid to worship.

 

[Tommy999]

I’m in my mid 40’s (is that fuddy duddy? ) and I’m the same way. When I kneel and pray before the start of Mass I don’t want to be bothered. I think it’s just respectful not to interrupt someone while they are praying. I know I would never do that. I would wait until they have finished before I talk to them or to say “hello”…something quick and quiet.

It doesn’t bother me if people are quietly talking around me while I pray but I think laughing and socializing loudly in the pews before Mass is disrespectful to others.

I think we are on the same wavelength on this subject, Brad.

 

[Tommy999]

The mood is reverent and conducive to prayer and focus on God.
If someone wishes to talk with another it is done outside of the church,
Once we enter the Church the focus becomes each of us as individuals,
in private communication with God.
Pinching a line from Agent 86 Maxwell Smart.
AND… LOVING IT !
:tiphat:

Yes, very nice. I wish mine was a little more like that.

 

[Tommy999]

If you did not say, I thought you were describing what it is like before a Catholic mass.

I would be comfortable in such situation. My only obstacle would be in knowing that it is not a Catholic church/chapel.

The Holy Mass is where one would find the most reverent and holy atmosphere, very conducive for worship. Unfortunately in reality, the atmosphere is somewhat made more casual by people talking before the mass or trying to quieten down the children. Those are practical things but otherwise nothing could be more reverent than the mass as far as worship is concerned.

For that matter, one can choose to go to a smaller chapel or convent (the Carmelites are good ones) for quietness and less hustle in order to really bask in the Eucharistic celebration – where Jesus speaks the word to be heard and gives his own body and blood to be partaken.

Thanks for sharing how it is at your Mass, Reuben.

 

[Tommy999]

When you enter a mosque, you’ll first notice shoe racks; everyone must take off their shoes and put them on a rack. We typically greet each other with the Islamic greeting, “Asalam alaykum”, which means “peace be upon you”. When you walk into the main prayer hall, you pray two units of Salah out of respect for Allah and His house. Men and women are segregated in mosques, so I sit next to other men.

The atmosphere is like a library inasmuch as you are allowed to chat with people, but try to speak in a low tone, so that you don’t distract other people. We tend to read to pass the time until the prayer starts. We sit on the floor, except for those who need to sit in a chair (for someone who’s old or injured). After the prayer is finished, you can do as you please. You can feel free to talk to people, perform optional devotional practices, donate money, read or meditate.

On Fridays, my mosque always has a man outside of the men’s prayer hall that’s selling fried chicken from Popeyes. It’s hard to focus on prayer when the sweet smell of fried chicken is permeating the whole room.

Thanks for sharing how it is at your mosque, drac16. Very interesting.

 

[Tommy999]

Before the Divine Service starts, after we’ve had our " Lutheran coffee," I like to go in and join a few other pew sitters in saying silent prayers before the organ gets going. The atmosphere is very conducive to private meditation and prayer. The altar rail, where we kneel before receiving the Holy Sacrament, provides a sense of anticipation that we are about to receive the Body of Christ and the Blood of Christ. I would say that the sense of atmosphere is first and foremost reverent. There are times, rarely, when there might be minor distractions that quickly dissipate and the feeling of reverence takes over. Once the Divine Service begins, there’s the sense of community and liturgy. At the confession and absolution at the very beginning, there is a sense of tension being released and after the Words of Institution are said, there is a sense of anticipation.

The Message ( homily or sermon) is always based on the readings appointed for that particular Sunday and the references and applications to our lives can be described in meticulous detail. A lot of it is singing. The hymns are beautiful prayers put to music and the older ones have retained melodies that are distinctly Germanic or Scandinavian. The sense of beauty in worship is very nearly palpable. Sharing the peace kind of strengthens the sense of community, as does reciting the Nicene Creed. When it is over and we are sent off to love and serve the Lord and one another, I just get the feeling of my " spiritual battery" being recharged.

Thanks for describing the atmosphere at a Lutheran service in such vivid detail, LutheranScholar. It’s like I was there with you as I read it.