Church service

[A][2] In some Christian denominations, church services are held daily, with these including those in which the seven canonical hours are prayed, as well as the offering of the Mass, among other forms of worship.

Quakers and some other groups have no formal outline to their services, but allow the worship to develop as the participants present feel moved.

[6] As recorded in the gospels, Jesus met together with his disciples to share teachings, discuss topics,[7] pray, and sing hymns.

"[9] In Numbers 28:1–10 and Exodus 29:38–39, "God commanded the daily offerings in the tabernacle to be made once in the morning and then again at twilight".

[9] In Psalm 92, which is a prayer concerning the observance of the Sabbath, the author writes that "It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to your name, O Most High; to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night" (cf.

Since the Apostles were originally Jews, the concept of fixed prayer times, as well as services therefore which differed from weekday to Sabbath to holy day, were familiar to them.

Pliny the Younger (63 – c. 113), who was not a Christian himself, mentions not only fixed prayer times by believers, but also specific services—other than the Eucharist—assigned to those times: "They met on a stated day before it was light, and addressed a form of prayer to Christ, as to a divinity [...] after which it was their custom to separate, and then reassemble, to eat in common a harmless meal.

Similarly, the liturgical year from Christmas via Easter to Pentecost covers roughly five months, the other seven having no major services linked to the work of Christ.

[24] Prior to the worship service, adults, children and young people receive an adapted education, Sunday school, in a separate room.

[28][29] The use of social media such as YouTube and Facebook to retransmit live or delayed worship services, by Internet, has also spread.

[31][32] In some churches, a special moment is reserved for faith healing with laying on of hands during worship services.

Unprogrammed worship is based on waiting in silence and inward listening to the Spirit, from which any participant may share a message.

Many programmed meetings also include a time during the service for silent, expectant waiting and messages from the participants.

[45] A number of websites have been set up as "cyber-churches" to provide a virtual worship space free to anyone on the internet.

Church services are often planned and led by a single minister (pastor) or a small group of elders or may follow a format laid out by the dictates of the denomination.

Depending on the church, a public invitation follows whereby people are encouraged to become Christians, present themselves as candidates for baptism or to join the congregation (if members elsewhere), or for other purposes.

But some churches eschew this practice in favor of voluntary anonymous donations for which a box or plate may be set up by the entrance, or return-address envelopes may be provided that worshippers may take with them.

[31][32] On occasion, some churches will also arrange a second collection, typically occurring after Communion, for a specific good cause or purpose.