My first time ever going to a church service...

troubled mind

I took a walk this morning and ended up going to the service at the church down the street . I have always been curious as to what it would be like . Funny I was really scared someone from the hall would see me go in . It was really an awesome experience. Everyone greets those sitting around them. Big plus they had karaokee type singing ,hahaha, a moniter had the words on it everytime they sang which was ALOT . There was a band too. Kids and babies were in attendance with the parents , I thought kids all had to go to sunday school. The teens in attendance actually enjoyed themselves (some were wise cracking and one fell asleep but no one reprimanded them to hell for it ). The Pastor invited anyone to come forward and pray with him , they knelt down ,some with their arms on another , and the prayer was very touching . They included by name sick ones , and ones under going difficult times. It brought tears to my eyes. They had several in the audience give different readings , a skit by a young person, and then a message about the book of Romans. Jesus was difinitely glorified . Those in attendance did not look down their noses at anyone else . People were HAPPY to be there and refreshed afterwards. So different than a boring sunday Kingdom Hall meeting . Communion was a bit awkward everyone got up except me , but it was okay . It was so great to go in dressed casual and comfortable too !

Double Edge

Well, seems like you just cross a huge hurdle. Congrats.

People were HAPPY to be there and refreshed afterwards

And that is the BIG difference. "Refreshed".... what a great word. That's exactly how I feel after a good church service...like my batteries are recharged for facing the next week.

troubled mind

It was nothing like the witnesses always portray church . Each step I take to shake off the old feelings that I am some how not allowed to make my own choices.

JWdaughter

A good bunch of people who serve God and love each other is a wonderful thing. . .and not as rare as the Org. would have you think.

Shelly

esw1966

Congratulations for crossing another hurdle!

It does seem rather scary at first. I remember feeling tingly and wanting to get out!

But I have come to LOVE going to church now! It sounds similar to yours. There is a band with drums and guitars and other instruments. The music is wonderful.

The pastor gives the BEST sermons I have ever heard! SO relevant and sincere and hopeful! NOTHING as was portrayed at the kh. What church SHOULD be.

I consider this the greatest gift I could give my jw daughters. I hope they see it as I do one day!

My favorite pastors are downloadable at: http://cornwallchurch.com/ and http://www.marshillchurch.org/

They are not what you would have expected as church to be as a jw. It is WONDERFUL!

Honesty

It was really an awesome experience. Everyone greets those sitting around them. Big plus they had karaokee type singing ,hahaha, a moniter had the words on it everytime they sang which was ALOT . There was a band too.
Kids and babies were in attendance with the parents , I thought kids all had to go to sunday school. The teens in attendance actually enjoyed themselves (some were wise cracking and one fell asleep but no one reprimanded them to hell for it ). The Pastor invited anyone to come forward and pray with him , they knelt down ,some with their arms on another , and the prayer was very touching . They included by name sick ones , and ones under going difficult times. It brought tears to my eyes. They had several in the audience give different readings , a skit by a young person, and then a message about the book of Romans. Jesus was difinitely glorified . Those in attendance did not look down their noses at anyone else . People were HAPPY to be there and refreshed afterwards. So different than a boring sunday Kingdom Hall meeting . Communion was a bit awkward everyone got up except me , but it was okay . It was so great to go in dressed casual and comfortable too ! troubled mind

It doesn't take long to figure out who the JW's god is when you go to church and find out you have been lied to for years through the pages of the Watchtower.

ozziepost

It doesn't take long to figure out who the JW's god is when you go to church and find out you have been lied to for years through the pages of the Watchtower.

O, how true that is!

I remember when......

Mrs Ozzie and I had converted to christianity (from dubdom) and we decided we would like to fellowship with other xtians - but where were they?

We eventually decided on a particular church, but I remember we sat outside in our car for wehat seemed like eternity plucking up courage - such was the fear that the Borg had instilled in us.

When we eventually got inside, we found that it was a different world! Love, unity, praise, worship etc - struth, all the things that we realised were missing from our Kingdom Hall!

BTW we haven't stopped going to one church or another ever since and now are both very active in one that has a particular reasonn for being a needle to the WTS

daydream1900

well i think its the same as when ya first go to the hall! i go to the memorial every year and ya can guarantee there is a huge crowd around me i hate that! i say to my mother if they all come at me I'm going! i just sit there beetroot red with all these faces i don't know looking at me! i could have done with that attention 10 years ago in my old congregation when i was just about to jump ship!

Just as I am

Oh, I was sweating bullets the first time entering a church...imagine that after 18 years out! What brainwashing I had (I was born to 2nd gen. JWs and spent the first 18 years of my life in H--L). After each subsequent visit to various churches, it got easier. I finally attended a church 2 years ago that is much the same as the ones described above and more. I LOVE it! And my teens can't get enough! The strongest feeling I have with this new family is JOY--indescribable JOY! Hallelujah! And they love me.....

Just as I am

hmike

An enjoyable thread to read. If you haven't done so and are able, maybe you could let the pastor know how it was for you, even if you do it anonymously.

My first time ever going to a church service...

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