/christian/ - Christian Discussion and Fellowship

>>643716

I was in a spot similar to this when I recently started going to an apostolic church. Do as much as you can to follow along with movements of people in the congregation if you want but don't go full LARP mode, you're right that everyone knows you are new but the most important thing to remember is that they do (or should) want newcomers in the church, this is a sign of a healthy, growing community. If I were you I would try to arrive early to get ahead of the crowd and find a place in the back wherever you're comfortable and observe the worship during the liturgy, do this until you understand why things are going the way they are and soon you will be an active member of the church. Don't worry about sticking out. A healthy church would love to welcome a new face.

Go in and do the gestures like everyone else. You won't look weird trust me, people will look at you anyways because your new so it's nothing unusual. Don't worry man God bless.

>>643716

Also, if you can, contact the priest or a deacon to meet with them sometime. They would love to speak to you about the different aspects of the divine liturgy

>>643716

>because the church is really tiny and I feel like everyone will stare at me.

Nah man, just go, itt's great and you'll love it and feel great too. Just do what everyone else does, you'll learn it in time.

Hey don't worry man same, there's a serbian orthodox church that's a 20 min drive away from me that i've been wanting to get to. To see how they work, but im also nervous around new people cause ehh, to me people i know we're all unique but that comes with differing motives from people. But don't worry about it man, it's what's good to god that matters.

>>643716

No one cares, act normal, and over time you will become normal.

Being normal is the highest of all virtues.

>>643729

Uh if you live in the west, be careful. We kind of bombed the winnie the pooh out of them and they're the kind of people who hold grudges for a thousand years. Some of these people had to scrape their burned kids bodies off the floor with a spatula, they may act civilized and respect your laws, but they will never see you as a friend.

>>643716

The first time I went I didn't do anything except say the prayers I knew, stood when others stood, and faced the direction that others faced. I didn't even try the sign of the cross or blessing myself upon entering the sanctuary. So don't worry my man, go and enjoy the service, even if you don't take part in it yet.

>>643716

Most likely the preist will approach you before the liturgy and say hi to you. Just do your best to introduce yourself and you will be fine amigo.

>>643716

>so maybe that will come across as LARPing

Nobody thinks like that in real life.

>>643753

> Being normal is the highest of all virtues

What? No. Both great evil and great virtue are abnormal.

>>643732

Why so hostile?

>>643716

The last thing - go there, and talk to the priest after. While the Liturgy is going, try to do what everyone else does. No problem if you don't get something right, just make sure you're not doing "nothing" in a disrespectful way. Other than that, there'll be no problem.

I can imagine that people are very glad that others found Christ, be that orthos, Catholics or who ever else that is Christian. That has nothing to do with LARPing. LARPing is when you act as if you were a Christian, "deus vult"-style, while advocating for the genocide of people. Wanting to genuinely find Christ and celebrating His sacrifice is not LARPing. It's what Christ told us to do.

>19 Then he took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 20 And he did the same with the cup after supper, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.

Dw brah, everything's gon be fine. God bless you on your journey to Him and have a great Liturgy, friend !

>>643942

Because insecure faggots like OP are just as narcisistic as facebook normies.

They are just narcisists and insecure at the same time. These people actually think strangers notice and will remember they fats mantits popping out. No one will.

>>643953

>says the "man" posting sodomite cartoons

>>643716

So, how did it go OP?

>>644294

That's the question we're keen to know, indeed

I was in a similar situation some time ago. As you get comfortable with the service you realise that there is very little you could do to make yourself look like a fool because of two reasons:

1) there are little to no rules on when to do prostrations and the sign of the cross for example

2)people there are immersed in the practice and won't care about you that much

>>644294

>>644307

OP here, sorry it took a bit to get back. So I chickened out on Sunday, and felt horrible about it. However, I did finally muster the courage to go to Vespers and it was great. I can't believe I was so afraid over nothing. Everyone was nice and my social anxiety melted away. I am definitely going to return. It is ridiculous how some us are so used to being neets that we are afraid to set foot in church.

>>645670

Glad to hear it went okay. Never let social anxiety be your master.