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Churches and Worship
Christians worship in churches. They can be small or large, traditional or modern. Some Catholic churches may be grand cathedrals. Some Protestant churches can be humble white clapboard structures. Most churches will have rows of wooden pews or chairs for worshippers to sit in and a raised platform up front with an altar table where the priest or minister will prepare the communion meal. In Catholic churches the pews will have kneeling benches as the worshippers often kneel at certain times during the Mass. Many churches also have rails up front where the worshippers will receive the bread and wine of the Eucharist. Many churches have stained glass windows with images depicting scenes from various Bible stories. There is also usually a large cross or, in Catholic churches, a crucifix on the wall above the altar. Orthodox churches tend to have distinctive architecture typcial of the Eastern world including a dome. Inside there will be icons of Jesus, Mary and other saints and a wall that separates the altar space from the people.
The Sabbath
Most Christians observe the Sabbath on Sunday as a day of rest and worship. A typical Sabbath service includes singing of hymns or praise songs, readings from the Bible, prayers acknowledging sins and asking forgiveness, recitation of the Lord's Prayer (the "our Father") distribution of the bread and wine (communion meal), and a sermon, homily, message or lesson given by the priest or minister.
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