A Eucharist question.

[Laurasia]

Hello everyone.

I was wondering if Catholics were the only denomination that has the Eucharist at every Mass/service? When I was a child I attended a Methodist church, but only seem to recall having the Eucharist once a year. (Probably around Easter.)

Anyway, I've been called back to Christianity after being gone for over 13 years. The first Mass that I went to was a Roman Catholic one, because I felt the need for Confession & the Eucharist. However, the Catholic church just seems too strict for me. (No offense meant to anyone.)

The problem is though, that I still feel a strong yearning for the Eucharist at Mass/services. Since I don't have any experience with any churches, other than the above mentioned denominations, I decided to ask if there are any other denominations that also have the Eucharist at every Mass/service.

Sincerely,
Laurasia

[Iosias]

Hello everyone.

I was wondering if Catholics were the only denomination that has the Eucharist at every Mass/service? When I was a child I attended a Methodist church, but only seem to recall having the Eucharist once a year. (Probably around Easter.)

Anyway, I've been called back to Christianity after being gone for over 13 years. The first Mass that I went to was a Roman Catholic one, because I felt the need for Confession & the Eucharist. However, the Catholic church just seems too strict for me. (No offense meant to anyone.)

The problem is though, that I still feel a strong yearning for the Eucharist at Mass/services. Since I don't have any experience with any churches, other than the above mentioned denominations, I decided to ask if there are any other denominations that also have the Eucharist at every Mass/service.

Sincerely,
LaurasiaYes...we Break the Bread every Sunday morning :clap: We are (Plymouth) Brethren :)

[inHisgrip]

I ahve been to a couple churches that do, one was a non denom and one was a Assembly of God.
I think most non denom churches only do about once a month, however each church is different and you would probably have to check some out to know for sure.
My church does about every 4-6 weeks, but my small group does 1-2 times per month.
In Him

[Laurasia]

Hello AV1611 & inHisgrip. :wave:

Thank you both for your replies. It's good to hear that I have some variety to choose from.

Hmm. A Plymouth Brethren? I have never heard of that before. I'll have to start looking into that some more. I think that we do have an Assembly of God in town, I'll have to try them sometime. This Sunday, I'll be going to a non-denominational service for the first time. So, we'll have to see how it goes.

I've been praying for God to help me find which church He wants me to belong to. Perhaps He wants me to just continue going to various different churches. LOL! It can't hurt anyway. :P

Sincerely,
Laurasia

[Bevlina]

Maybe it would be better to really understand what Holy Communion means Lausaria. The Catholics observe it as a sacrament because the taking of Holy Communion is a very sacred thing. Many people today in other denominations (no offence to anybody here)
take it too lightly. And that includes the Assemblies of God.
I left the catholic church many years ago, and have been to many others, but, in no other church have I found the true worship given to God as done by the catholics.

And, although I may disagree on some things they believe in, I often still go to mass.
There is no perfect church on earth.

[Laurasia]

Hello Bevlina.

I know what you mean. And that is basically why I am so hesitant about trying other churches. I am afraid that they will not be structured enough to fit my tastes. Or that there won't seem to be as much reverence among people.

It's really hard to explain. (And I'm not meaning to insult anyone with any of my views. :)) I think that I may actually be looking at Catholicism in the wrong light. You see, whenever I think of a "good Catholic" I tend to think of a very strict, no-room-for-compromise person. I now realize that's a false assumption. That there are different "levels" of belief within Catholicism. (I hope that made sense. :blush:) ~Big hugs~

Sincerely,
Laurasia

[Bevlina]

I know exactly what you mean Laura, and you'll find no more satisfation outside the catholic church than you did while in it. I haven't! And believe me, I have tried and tried. Now, I just go to mass to worship but know nothing about the depths of the Catholic religion. I don't say 'The Rosary". But, I did go to a Catholic Convent High School away back in time, when mass was said in Latin, we could only have water or soup before going to mass because we could not have anything to eat prior to having Holy Communion. When we had to go to confession before Holy Communion. When we were not permitted to read the Bible.
Today, things are so very much different in the catholic church. But, the reverence is still given to the taking of Holy Communion. And, that's how it should be. Today, Catholics read the Bible, and they are very much aware that there is no mystery about anything. That Reverence to God is most important.
Whichever church you go to honey, you must blossom. Can you blossom as much outside the catholic church as in it?
Yes, you can go to this church and that church, but, is it going to help you in your walk through life to abandon what you have?
In the Catholic Church you can still read your Bible. You can still pray the words you want to pray and not words made up by man. You will not be worshipping saints or Mary. But, you will be made very much aware of the holy life they led, of the sacrifices they made. And, you will be made very much aware of the love they had between themselves and people in general.
I'm not telling you to stay in the catholic religion, and I'm not telling you to leave. Just pointing out that we are all equal in the sight of God, no matter which church we belong to.
If I were you, I'd just have a talk to God about this matter because whichever church you go to, you will still, in God's eyes, be looked upon as one of His Children.
And, Jesus will still hold you in the Palm of His Hand.
Please remember that Catholics also believe in the Fruit and Gifts of the Spirit the same as the Assemblies of God do,and any other church (although there are many churches which do not believe in the Gifts)
Their worship hymns are the best ( to me anyway!) and, to be perfectly honest with you Laura, I have been to many churches, including the A.O.G. and Apostolic - and never found the revererence there as given by the catholics in a catholic church.

I'll ask you a little question if that's OK? Do you think God is going to ask us what religion we were when we get to heaven if we believe His Son Is Jesus Christ? Catholics believe this too you know.
So - pray about this honey - in your own words. And pray to God, in the Name of Jesus. ;) :hug: :hug:

[Iosias]

Some links with compliments :)
http://withchrist.org/MJS/pbs.htm
http://www.brethrenonline.org/
http://www.gospelhall.org/index.php?option=com_minibb&action=vtopic&forum=7
http://www.gospelhall.org/index.php?option=displaypage&Itemid=93&op=page&SubMenu=
http://www.gospelhall.org/index.php?option=com_minibb&action=vthread&forum=10&topic=301

EDITED: As I was looking around the last link I found this:
http://www.gospelhall.org/index.php?option=weblinks&Itemid=4&topid=0

click on the bit about Jim McMaster! I thought...'that looks familiar' and lo and behold...its where I will be going tomorrow! :clap:

[Laurasia]

Hello Bevlina & Av1611. :wave:

I thank both of you for your words of encouragement. You have both given me quite a bit to think about.

And, yes, I will continue to speak with God about what He wants me to do. :crossrc:

Sincerely,
Laurasia

[LegomasterJC]

That's true God won't ask what Religion we were. He will either say he knows us or that he does not.
That one thing about only eating soup and water before mass doesn't make sence to me. The bible says to eat at home and not to eat the bread of communion because you are hungry.

[Bevlina]

Lego - we are going back many years with the permission to only eat soup before taking the Eucharist at Mass. And, to be honest, that little fast before taking something as holy as Communion did us all good! Believe me - we weren't hungry when we went to mass as kids!! Lol!
Today - things are so much different in the Catholic church! Mass here can be at 7.p.m. or, 11 a.m. and although I have no idea whatsoever as to the depths of the catholic teachings, I do know everyone has a good meal before going to service and taking Holy Communion!
Laura! I'm proud of you! :hug:

[LegomasterJC]

That's good to hear.

[LegomasterJC]

That's good to hear. I'm Glad that there are Catholic churches that still follow the Bible's teachings. In Brazil many of the Catholic churches have gone way off and worship the saints. There's also much witchcraft down there.

[Laurasia]

Hello Bevlina.

Well, I've been speaking with God & everything just kept coming back to "stay where you are comfortable". Now that I understand that the Catholic faith is not as set-in-stone as I once thought, that is where I am truly comfortable.

Therefore, I again attended the local Catholic church. I really am comfortable there. The priest is a wonderful man. Very kind & understanding. He has been helping me to sort out the rubbish that was pushed onto me by another Catholic church in my past. (Long story.)

I received the Eucharist again, which always makes me feel very giddy & spirit-filled. :amen:

I've even been thinking about the possibility of going through my Catholic Confirmation. (I backed out of it when I was a child. Again because of some rather unhelpful clergy in another church.) I wasn't ready, at that time to commit my life to God. I wasn't able to stand in the church & lie to God's face. I am beginning to feel though that I may be ready to take that step now. I'll be continuing to pray & speak with God & Jesus regarding all of this. :crossrc:

Sincerely,
Laurasia

[Bevlina]

Oh Laura I'm so happy you listened to God and have gone back to the catholic church!
Yes indeed, stay where you are comfortable! And our Father has given you a lovely priest to guide you. No,no, the catholic church today is very, very open, honest and loving. I left it, went to the Church of Christ, became a mormon, went to the Assemblies of God and the Apostolic and never once did I feel as comfortable as I did in the catholic church.
In our catholic church now (and the catholic is the one I attend when I go to church)
the Uniting Church Minister even attends mass at times! And, some of the catholics go down to the Uniting Church to attend a service too!
You will absolutely blossom if you stay comfortable and at ease with the church.
I'll be the first to say I may not agree with some catholic things, but, where LOVE is, God is there. ;) :hug:

[Bevlina]

That's good to hear. I'm Glad that there are Catholic churches that still follow the Bible's teachings. In Brazil many of the Catholic churches have gone way off and worship the saints. There's also much witchcraft down there.

Lego - I feel sure the catholic church will soon sort things out in Brazil if they are worshipping the saints there. Catholics do not worship Mary, or the saints.
No, no. They HONOUR them. In the eyes of Catholics, GOD is the one we worship, and JESUS as His Son who is Our Lord.

Indeed the catholics DO follow the Bible. It saddens me to hear things have strayed so far in Brazil.

People have said some very bad things against catholics. They have even stated they are not Christians. Nothing is further from the truth. Indeed, it was the catholic church which first taught me that Jesus is Lord. And, He is even addressed in common language as Our Lord.

I speak as one who lives near a small country town in Australia. And, believe me, the bias against the catholics here is not nice.
In days gone by they have smashed the tombstones erected to their dead and desecrated graves. Done terrible things.
I believe it is a most maligned church and it is up to us to pray to God, our Father for direction in all things.
I have attended other churches - but there is no worship given so sweetly as in the catholic church. They don't need big lighting, big noisy bands, nor do they preach about giving money to them, they do not need vast expensive sound equipment, they don't jump around and act on hype. All they do is from the heart, with friends surrounding them.
And God looks upon the heart - not which church a person goes to - but, the heart.