Explain the sacrament hour

EveservantofGod · #1 (**permalink**) 11-28-2008, 07:15 PM

I have been attending the church for awhile now, but somewhat still confused about the 1rst hour during sacrament etc.. Is this 1rst hour more for news about the church, testimonies, etc? Most of the time when I hear people speak, do I rarely hear them bring up the bible, at least not as much as quotes from past presidents or from the bom. What is the main purpose for the 1rst hour?remember i came from a baptist church where yoy either had your Sunday School lesson in hour 1 ,then the sermon in hour 2 or vise versa.. is the bible scriptures suppose to be later on in other blocks?I know in the gospel class we're on the disscusion the the book of mormon & in RS it is Joseph Smith.

skalenfehl · #2 (**permalink**) 11-28-2008, 07:27 PM

Sacrament meeting is where some ward news and programs are announced before the meeting begins with a hymn and opening prayer. The main purpose of the meeting is for the members to strengthen each other with prepared talks depending on the theme that day/month (repentance, charity, the Savior, etc). The first Sunday of each month is reserved for testimony meeting, where the hour is spent by allowing all members to come to the podium to share faith building/strengthening experiences. The most important part of sacrament meeting is partaking the sacrament (bread and water), which is an ordinance where members renew their baptismal covenants with a focus of renewed strength with each coming week. Hope this clears up your question a bit.

EveservantofGod · #3 (**permalink**) 11-28-2008, 07:40 PM

it is understood, thanks. You see I have 4 children & try to make it to the first hour on time, but if anyone who has 4 children between ages of 4months to 9 yrs then running a little behind happens. I always sat there trying to figure out when they were going to give the message from the bible , where in reality later meetings either in 2nd hour or R.S. it comes.

Right now we just moved to Colorado from Texas so this Sunday I found a ward that meets close to us ,but is not the assigned ward, that is over an hour away. the LDS ward locator said that this one was the closet meeting house, so we'll see how it goes.

a-train · #4 (**permalink**) 11-28-2008, 10:33 PM

The importance of Sacrament Meeting is the sacrament. All the talks and announcements are really only side-items which pale in comparison to the importance, holiness, and sacredness of the Lord's Supper. This holy ordinance was instituted by the Saviour Himself among His disciples on the night of His prayer in Gethsemane before the day of His crucifixion.

It symbolizes the breaking of his body with the breaking of bread and the spilling of his blood with the wine or water. The partaking of these things demonstrate our acknowledgement of His Great Sacrifice and our willingness to take upon us the yoke of Jesus. It is a time of repentance and reflection not availed in any other ordinance and is to be the centerpiece in the habitual ritual worship of Christ in our lives.

We are instructed to bring our families together to sit in reflection of the Sacrifice of the Saviour and partake of His flesh and blood in this symbolic manner as often as weekly. It is a very biblical ordinance and I often read of it and the actual events of the crucifixion and prayer in Gethsemane while I partake of the Sacrament.

If we do not make this ordinance the reason for coming to the chapel on Sunday, we are going to miss out on the greatest blessings offered in so coming.

-a-train

georgia2 · #5 (**permalink**) 11-28-2008, 11:41 PM

Hi EveservantofGod,
I understand your question and confusion. I too was Baptist before becoming a member of the church.
I've been a member for over 30 years now and STILL don't like the sacrament meeting first! Agreed that when running a little late with all of the kids it causes more anxiety when you have to walk in to the main meeting disturbing the meeting already in progress.

Actually the Bishop of each ward has the option of whether to have sacrament first or last. Trying to understand or figure out what is going on by your experience in the Baptist church is what is confusing. You have to realize that the sacrament meeting is not the same as the Baptist worship hour or "preaching" as we called it. Even though the Lord's Supper, as the Baptist call it, and the sacrament seem the same, they are understood in a totally different way. It took me YEARS AND YEARS to realize that the partaking of the sacrament is actually a recommitment to follow Christ as we promised to do at our baptism. As we say amen, and take of the bread and water we have the opportunity to repent of sins of that week, repent, and be made as clean as we were on our baptism day. Of course this has to be done with a pure and honest heart while truly trying to overcome whatever temptations or problems that cause us to sin. SO, this is what is considered the most important meeting of the week. Baptist have "revival" twice a year if i remember correctly, LDS'S have revival each week! When i finally grasped the important and meaning of the sacrament it was truly liberating, and joyous! This is what gives us the opportunity to truly become better and better each week, month, year! Then after we are refreshed and renewed we get to go to Sunday school and Relief Society to learn adn strengthen ourselves for the battle that will resume as we return to our daily lives. This is why it is so important for us to try to be at sacrament each week!
Hope this Baptist to Baptist chat has helped a little.

mnn727 · #6 (**permalink**) 11-30-2008, 07:59 AM

Partaking of the Sacrament is what the first hour and 15 minutes is all about.
We have no readings from the Bible as some other Churches do, we have no Sermon given by the preacher.
We start with announcments and then sing a hymn and have an opening prayer. We then handle any ward business and then prepare for the sacrament(sing a hymn, while the sacrament is prepared, bless and pass the bread and water)the sacrament is meant to renew our Covenants with the Lord. After the sacrament selected people wll give talks on a gospel topic selected and assigned in advance. we then close with another hymn and a prayer.

Rico · #7 (**permalink**) 11-30-2008, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by georgia2

I've been a member for over 30 years now and STILL don't like the sacrament meeting first! Agreed that when running a little late with all of the kids it causes more anxiety when you have to walk in to the main meeting disturbing the meeting already in progress.

Try coming into sacrament meeting early. Just because it starts at a certain time, it doesn't necessarily mean you have to be there at the precise time, you can be early.

If you plan on being there 20 minutes early, the little things that always come up with kids won't delay you. Once you get to the church, you can find a way to help out. We are usually at the ward 30 minutes early and that means the kids can help hand out the hymnals. My nephew can help greet people at the door when they come in, etc. It's also time for reflection before the sacrament starts. If you are rushing to get in, it can be hard to reflect on the solemn nature of the sacrament.

skylercollins · #8 (**permalink**) 11-30-2008, 08:45 PM

As for Sunday School, this year it's been a study of the Book of Mormon. Next year it will be Church History and the D&C. It cycles every year through the Old Testament/Pearl of Great Price, the New Testament, the Book of Mormon, and then Church History. Then it repeats every 4 years.

georgia2 · #9 (**permalink**) 11-30-2008, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rico

Try coming into sacrament meeting early. Just because it starts at a certain time, it doesn't necessarily mean you have to be there at the precise time, you can be early.

If you plan on being there 20 minutes early, the little things that always come up with kids won't delay you. Once you get to the church, you can find a way to help out. We are usually at the ward 30 minutes early and that means the kids can help hand out the hymnals. My nephew can help greet people at the door when they come in, etc. It's also time for reflection before the sacrament starts. If you are rushing to get in, it can be hard to reflect on the solemn nature of the sacrament.

Agreed this is a good idea and should be the goal. BUT, with kids you never know what is going to happen each week. Especially when we recognize that the only one we truly have control over is ourselves! Whether an active couple is taking their family to church or a single mother, the woman is usually the one who is the main person assisting and directing the kids in getting ready. And truly hard when it is a single mother, or one who doesn't have the support of her husband.

My kids are grown and I'm usually there at least 15 minutes before the meeting begins. This is also because our meeting begins at 10:00. If it were at 9:00 I think I would still have problems even without any kids!

Rico · #10 (**permalink**) 11-30-2008, 09:37 PM

Exactly, when you've got kids, you got to be prepared. If your goal is arriving at sacrament meeting at 10am, then any delays and you won't make it on time, or you will be in too much of a rush. How much better to set a goal of 940 and trying your best to make it by 940 every Sunday. A little delay won't make you late. It allows parents to budget in time on Sunday morning for such things as slow eating kids, lost socks, kids that don't want to wake up, etc.