Sunday Evening Services

[faithinjesus]

Ok, so I have just finished reading the first 5pages of this discussion. What a challenge LOL

Anyways I can understand both sides. Here in Perth, Australia we have two services on Sunday and a Wednesday night bible study. Then I have bible school on Tuesday. I get sooooo exhausted from Sunday services. Mostly because I am out with friends and fellowshipping with youth from another UPC church on a Saturday. I am all for 2 services but alot of the time we dont do any fellowshipping in between.

This is a normal Sunday for me    1. Leave house at 8.00am
                                              2. Arrive at church at 8.30am and get ready for Sunday School (I teach every second week)
                                              3. When the pianist arrives at about 9am I go downstairs and go over the songs for the morning
                                                  (I play the drums every Sunday AM & PM)
                                              4. Then I pray at 9.30am and go up on the pulpit ready to start drumming.
                                              5. The worship service finishes about 10.30am and then I go upstairs and teach Sunday School.
                                              6. Then I finish cleaning up after the kids at about 12.30pm and get home at 1pm.
                                              7. I have a quick lunch and then I either organize the next SS lesson or catch a 2hour nap
                                              8. I get up about 4pm and run around getting ready for choir practice
                                              9. I arrive back at church at 5.30pm and have choir practice until 6.30pm.
                                            10. Then I practice the drums for the worship service for 15min and then the worship service starts at 7pm.
                                            11. It goes til about 7.45pm and then preaching finishes about 8.45pm.
                                            12. Then we go home to bed.

I love my Sunday night services but I am absolutely zonked on Monday mornings because my body has just had such an overload of church.

Somone posted a while back about the need for fellowship and how we seem to get all these young people in but why do we so easily and quickly loose them. You know why? Because if they dont have people in the church to fellowship with on a Friday and Saturday night, where are they gonna go? To nightclubs and out to the pub with workmates. I have personally experienced the hardships of not having fellowship, especially on the weekends.

Our youth group consists of about 5 people so we dont have many BUT that 5 can still make a difference. We dont have to be in church to feel encouraged. Some of the most intimate and amazing times I have had with people have been at someones house just sitting on the couch discussing topics. The other night I was sitting with friends and we were just discussing the world and the things that its going through at the moment and it was so interesting. We also talked about divorce and remarriage and where it all fits into the church and what is and isnt accepted. It was great to hear views of other people and look in the bible TOGETHER to find the answers.

I love just sitting with friends and discussing things. I also love going to youth group and picnics and just having plane FUN. I think we become so 'involved' with church and all of its 'amazing' programs that we forget why we are really there. Are we going to church to be involved in a program or an organization or are we there to worship God. I feel that sometimes I would just like to sit at home in a comfy chair and just read my bible. Sometimes that is one of the most growing times in our relationship with the Lord.

Anyways I could say heaps more but my fingers are tired from typing LOL

Ciao, Em

[Jennie-lynnie]

We only have one service on Sunday at 2:00pm. And I am STILL on overload!! Since I am in the music ministry I am expected to be there Monday night for prayer. Then music practice for 2 hours on Wed. night. Then we have church on Thursday. If I miss Wed. night practice I cannot play the piano on Sunday. They are also starting to crack down on people in ministry missing monday night prayer. I am only 19 years old, married with a 7 month old baby and am pregnant with my second. I have had all day sickness this entire pregnancy. Sunday I didn't want to go to church but my husband got angry and so I ended up going to please him. I was in the bathroom the ENTIRE church service getting sick!

Also my husband works third shift. So when he gets home at 7:30 am he goes to bed and get's up just in time for church. (mon. wed. and thurs.) And then when we get home it is time for him to go back to work!

I have been feeling so discouraged lately! I don't get to spend hardly anytime with my husband. Then when I miss church because I am at home throwing up for hours I lose my chance to play music. Which is something that God has given me for his glory! We never have time to sit down as a family and eat dinner. It's always grabbing some greasy fast food so that my hubby isn't late for work!

Someone please give me advice here! How do I manage to keep my house clean/dishes/laundry, take care of a 7 month old, throw up all day, go to church 4 days a week and 2 hours early on Sunday for music, eat dinner with my hubby, and spend time with my hubby?!?!?! I'm on TOTAL overload here! Ugh.



Sorry for venting. LOL. Any advice/ and prayer would be greatly appreciated! *

[myhaloisintheshop]

Jennie when Clint and I married and was expecting baby number 2 I was in that exact spot.  It is very discouraging.  I was horribly sick and it seemed like everyone expected so much from me.

Ask for help.  Ask for someone to come over and help get everything "caught up" -- it helps soooo much.

[Melody]

Sister, the dishes can wait till you have a spurt of non-nausea.  Likewise with the laundry.  Use more paper plates and cups?  Other than that, just acknowledge that the 'wifely/motherly' expectation is unrealistic and do what you can.  It will not hurt your childrens' pysche to have a less kempt house, it will having an overexhausted mother though.  I don't know how your marriage is but the same should apply there. 

Maybe you could look into some aromatherapy things that fight nausea?  It may sound crazy but smells can effect our body a lot.  Used right, it can really help!

I don't know if those things are helpful Sister but you are wonderful, I just want to say that.  This is a trying time but don't let it diminish you.  I will be praying for you this week.

Many mothers take a break from church duties to tend to their family, have you considered that?  We all need time of refreshing where our responsibilities shift.  I took a break from church cleaning when I had my second child for a bit.  It's ok to do that, sometimes it's what God even wants.  Seek Him.

[Envelope]

Mellowyellow is right on!!  (as usual)..........   

Of course I am totally NOT in the ministry........I don't teach sunday school, I DO occasionally sing for alter service or for the Praise team on sunday night (It's not a REAL praise team, but it's the best our Home mission church can do!!) 

I can TOTALLY understand what you describe as a "crackdown" on the "ministry folk" simply because soooo many people just find useless excuses to miss prayer mtg/and/or church.  I truly think your minister would understand if he's unaware of your situation, but realistically, if he "lets one he'd have to let them all".  I cannot speak from the minister's behalf..........but Honestly I can understand his point of view.

One thing that REALLY helped me with fixing meals (I still occasionally do this) Is cook something up for the evening and put it in the refridgerator and then just re-heat in the microwave when it's dinner time.  that way, you can cook when you're not feeling horrid----in case you're feeling horrid later...........

My house is NOT spotless!!!  In FACT, it is indeed sometimes a DISASTER!!  I'm not bragging.....because I don't LIKE it being that way, but the HONEST fact about it.......is that I cannot do it ALL........All the time!!!!!  I do what HAS to be done.........like laundry, but sometimes the dishes DO wait..........and sometimes there IS clutter everywhere!!  I can clean for an hour and 2 seconds later it's destroyed by 2 toddlers!!!!  (I am Making them pick up some, because I want them to learn how to help out!!) 

There are DAYS when I've spent the entire DAY in the rocking chair rocking a sick child!!!  There's times when I've been toooo sick to do anything except lay on the couch and ONLY do the necessities such as feeding them or getting them a drink!!!

It helps because I have a GREAT GREAT husband!!  He is AWESOME when I've had the above described days!! 

sharon

[TiffanyJ]

Jennie I can TOTALLY understand where you are coming from. Me and my husband are sooo spent its crazy. As for me....I am the Music Director which includes haveing praise team practices and choir practices and I play the keyboard all the time, we teach sunday school on wed night...My husband is the youth leader and we try to organize an activity once a month for them. We are also both heavily involved in our childrens ministry dept which puts on a big crusade once a month. I go to the ladies meeting/prayer on Monday nights, outreach on Thursday nights ...both of these are only once a month,and ofcourse I work a full time job too. As for my husbands schedule he works at a bank, he's the youth leader, he drives the bus on wed night, teaches sunday school on wed night, comes for outreach, goes to the mens prayer/leadership meeting once a month, holds a Bible Study at a nursing home once a month, takes a college class one night a week, and his boss just recently told them they need to start getting out in the community more so he is going to have to join kiwanis which meets once a week. We are about to go insane and getting ready to have a baby!!! I have recently backed out of doing choir and childrens ministry just because I just can't do it. My dad is really wanting Josh to take more initiative so he could eventually be assistant pastor but its just crazy!!! How do you juggle a career, school, family, and a ministry. I think some people that don't do a lot just do not understand. I don't know about the other churches but in our church 10 percent of the church do the majority of the ministry and work of the church. I feel like Church is a job for us...and I shouldn't feel that way.

[Envelope]

Tiffany you're so right about that 10% comment..........soooo true........

I guess even though my husband and I aren't in the ministry, we're still as involved with stuff as can be.

This winter with the first big snowstorm, my husband and Dad were the ONLY 2 (besides the pastor----who shouldn't HAVE to) to show up to shovel snow!!  I even helped for a few hours!! 

The second Ice storm, SAME as above!!!  Dad and Hubby showed up!! 

Third snow storm, my hubby was it!!  LOL

My husband goes across the street (our pastor has a second house.....that happens to be across the street from our house) and that's where the church van sits........and starts the van on Sunday mornings, so the lady doing bus route doesn't freeze (and to make sure it'll start as it is an older van).  It was SOOOO NICE to hear her tell us Thank you for doing that!!  I realize it's a small thing, but every little thing is important, even the unseen things...........

We're on the church cleaning list............(got more than we bargained for this past week, but I won't go into it here...) LOL............about every 5-6th week is our turn.  About 2-3 Wks it doesn't get done, because some certain people always "forget" it's their turn..............joy joy............

My husband and I are just the "behind the scenes" no glory, no nothing.........we just want to see God move in every service......We do NOT hang around for Hours of counseling at church........we just Go to church, worship, and try to stay out of the pastor's office kinda people..........LOL  Our pastor jokes he wishes he had 10 more couples just like us......

I have seen folks DRAIN a pastor...........so we just try to make his life easier.  Our pastor has to work a full time job (because our church is too small to support someone full- time.....)  He has enough stress at his Secular job!!

Anyway, it's alll WAY off topic......................LOL

sharon

[Raecheal]

Thank God for folks like you Sharon..  Every pastor wants more of them.

[Envelope]

Thanks Rae.............I wasn't looking for a compliment.....but thank you.......

We had fellowship dinner after church last night.........and it was GREAT!!  I got some much needed time with some GROWN UPS!!!  LOLOL

It was SOOO totally LATE when we got to bed!!  LOL, but so worth it!!!

sharon

I must admit, I've been LAX about prayer meetings, but I've made a new resolve, to try to ALWAYS go.  We'll see how that goes!!  I guess sometimes I've just felt like it wasn't worth the effort to drag my 2 kids to the church to pray when I'd end up constantly getting on to them about not playing and visiting, but I need to make a better effort!!

[Melody]

you all are getting to a big factor.  This was on mind this morning about this thread:

Faithfulness is a huge help in our lives.  Even when we don't feel spiritual, even if we're nauseaus, we can pray.  This is a powerful thing even though we aren't feelin it at the moment.  I encourage you Jennie, if you are struggling with this, and I don't expect a response because it's not my business, but if you are, out of all the house work and self maintenance, keep your prayers faithful.  Maybe you can't study much, but make sure you read every day. 

I have heard these things for years but there comes a time when you realize your salvation really is dependent on these things.

[TiffanyJ]

Well I was informed by my dad last night that he is stripping us of some of our responsibilities lol. He said that we do too much so we have to give up some stuff. Horrible thing is its hard to give up stuff...I have always done this cuz I am a pk....guess I always thought it was expected of me. Its hard to give up things that I enjoy so much plus worry that someone else won't put in the effort that you did....but I guess you have to. Other people need the opportunity to be involved in ministry. What drives me crazy is because we do so much my dad tries to put us on salary and I just can't do that...I guess because its my dad. I feel like people would say he is just paying us because we are family. I agree with Mellow. You have to set priorities for yourself. I sat down with my husband and both of us said the prayer meetings were number one because if we don't do that then God will never bless us, besides the fact that if you are going to minister to others you have to have some strength yourself. What do you have to give if you have no time of prayer and reading the Bible. The next thing on our priority list is outreach...reaching out to others ...the other stuff is just added stuff and we can leave some of it behind. You have to know what your boundaries are...if you keep pushing and pushing yourself you may not have a marriage...and if you don't have a marriage you may not have that effective of a ministry. Anyways thats my thoughts on the matter.

[Mrs.Wilson]

We have an afternoon service because the building we are renting shares a parking lot with the church next door to us.  So, the parking lot is always too full for us to use it for Sunday morning or evening.  We have bible study Thursday nights, taking turns each week at different houses of the saints.  And we have Daughters of Zion the first Monday of every month at one lady's house.  lol Needless to say we have a very small church right now.

[Melody]

Needless to say we have a very small church right now.

Cherish that.  At every phase there is something special, being small allows for an incredible intimacy and unity if people are really trying. 

[Tricia Lea]

I know this is an old thread but I seen it being viewed and well.....


Our church is now considering going to afternoon services only, due to the cost of gas.
  I was wondering are any others going that route now?

[Melody]

there are so many Tricia!  There are so many advantages, like meetings and practices before and after aren't so early and late.  More people like to visit when they don't know the value of what they're coming for yet is worth getting up early.   Instead of getting up at the crack of dawn, rushing around for you and your family, you can actually have breakfast together- as a family.  It's sweet, sometimes that's the only day folks have and church should be conducive to family, because our families are already conducive to church!

I went to a church that changed to those times and we went to a church who already did that, it made way for so much more fellowship, and better Monday mornings...lol

[MsJennJenn]

I dunno- as tired and exhausted as I am on Mondays- I wouldnt trade my two-service Sundays for anything. I get SO much more on Sundays having 2 services then I think I would if we only had one.
I absolutly LIVE for BOTH Sunday services!

[Backseat Radio]

I wish sometimes that there was a decent apostolic church in this area that had afternoon services.  The 2 in this area that I know have afternoon services aren't above board.

[MelodyB]

I dunno- as tired and exhausted as I am on Mondays- I wouldnt trade my two-service Sundays for anything. I get SO much more on Sundays having 2 services then I think I would if we only had one.
I absolutly LIVE for BOTH Sunday services!

I agree with Jenn. I dont want to have just afternoon services.

[Babs]

only thing that bothers me about afternoon services and i may have said this earlier dont remember, but the lost folks know services have always been morning and nights, and to me if the church never is open when sinners can find it open then we are only catering to the saints.

there was a church in houston i attended, and they went to afternoon services, and they got a letter in the mail from someone who had gone by the church for several weeks and it was always closed, they were raised in church but had left when they left home, then at a point in their life they wanted to find God again, the church wasnt there.

otherwise i dont care what time of day i have church i can worship morning noon or night

[Backseat Radio]

I do think if a church is going to change service times they should plainly advertise that the service time has been changed because of things like that.  I don't mind what time a church holds services.  What annoys me is when the sign or advertisement in the paper says one time and when I show up there's no service and  no forseeable reason for there not to be service (like bad weather).

[Melody]

I agree BSR, there should be service times on the door or church sign anyway.  I can't imagine someone coming by a church for weeks and not calling at any point. 

I found that when I really give my all in the morning service, I am literally exhausted at the pm service.  It's not a matter of spirituality, I mean literally physically.  God moves in a such a powerful way, and the preaching is so deeply wonderful, that I'm just still in awe, still taking in the AM- like all day.  Otherwise you kind of have to pace yourself cause you know you're coming back, or by the night time service, you worship- but you are too wore out, emotionally, and physically to do it all over again.   I wondered for a while if it was too much to give and receive so much in one service but it's NOT.  Your brain is full, you are still savoring what was preached in the AM.  That's me though, I don't deny I'm weird...lol   

[Sis]

The sign thing is difficult for those of us who are renting space. We only have one service now, and I wish it was in the afternoon. But the pastor's wife wants to have it in the morning then have the rest of the day to themselves. *Shrug* Many times if I don't feel too great in the morning, I'm ok by noon. Would love to have 2 pm services, since we already only have one.

[Backseat Radio]

Even an advertisement in the newspaper about the service time change would be better than nothing as far as getting the word out.

[Sis]

Not for those of us who read the paper a week later. And some of us have trained ourselves to ignore the ads.

[Backseat Radio]

not everyone ignores the ads.  I very commonly go through the religion section in the saturday paper to see whats happening in churches around my area.  Also when I'm looking for a church to visit I don't call them up to ask about service times.  I go to the paper, to the phone book, to their website, or drive by and look at the sign  outside the church to find out what time their services are cause one of the things I want to know is do they keep those things updated.