Religious services; how long?

[Moonmom]

As part of an assignment for one of her college courses, my daughter had to attend a church service at any church of her choice. Well, she picked one and asked me, (good ole Mom), to go with her.
We went yesterday, the service began at 10:45.. and finished at 2pm. We pulled out of the parking lot at 2:10. Wow... Now, it's been a long time since I've been to any kind of church service; (except funerals and weddings); I had expected it to last maybe an hour or so.
Was this unusually long? Or common?
For those that normally go to any kind of religious services how long do they last? Are they longer during Lent?

Thanks!
Linda

By the way.. I feel really dumb asking this..so I appreciate no flaming me for not knowing this!!

 

[diznygirl]

Our church presented the people who will be baptised at Easter - Adult religious education students - at mass this weekend and that made it longer then usual with the prayers for them, etc. But not THAT long! Yikes!

 

[pixiemomma]

The Episcopal service I went to as a teen was about 45 minutes long. The later service lasted about 1 hour probably due to the fact there were more people recieving communion and they bring all the children up to be blessed as well.

 

[Bob Slydell]

What denomination was it?

The typical Catholic Mass is about 45 minutes to an hour. A long service might last an hour and 15 minutes.

 

[kpm76]

Yikes, that's a long time!!! What type of church was it? Our Catholic Mass lasts about 40 minutes......

 

[Miss Jasmine]

I attend a non-denominational Christian church. Our service usually last and hour and a half. The first 20 to 30 minutes is singing (praise and worship). Then another 10 minutes or so with greetings, announcements, and tithing. The rest is the sermon and altar call.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Most typical here, Catholic, about an hour.

 

[Disney Doll]

Catholic here...about an hour, give or take 10 minutes if the priest is a fast talker or there's no organizt!!!!! A long Catholic Mass is usually a vigil Mass, such as one would have at easter or on Christmas Eve. They do a lot more, so they can last 2 hours or so. Much more than 2 hours would be unusual for an RC Mass.

Other denominations, I don't know. I work with many women who are Pentecostal, and they sometimes indicate that their services can last several hours.

 

[SleepyMom]

We attend a Lutheran church and the regular services are at 8:30 am, with Sunday School starting at 9:45 and the second service starting at 11:00 am. So they usually run about and hour and 10 minutes.

Our services for Lent on Wednesday evenings are supposed to be 45 minutes... we'll see

 

[lbgraves]

I have never been to a service that lasted that long. I would hate to have to deal with the kids after an hour.

 

[Aidensmom]

I go to a non-denominational Christian church, our service is about an hour and fifteen minutes long. Our pastor's wife sits in the front row and starts pointing at her watch if it looks like he is going to run over.

 

[Nancy]

Another Catholic here. The longest masses I have ever attended were on Christmas, Palm Sunday and weddings, but hose are usually no more then 1 hour. Normal mass time runs 45 minutes or less, depending on sermon and the priest. Our masses are scheduled so close that they really can't run over or else you would have people leaving one mass and coming in for the next one. They like to give a bit of time for the building and lot to empty out between masses.

 

[diznygirl]

Did you accidently sit through two services?

 

[Mercy]

I attend an Assem. of God church, our service runs from 10:15 to about 12:00, so about and hour and 45 min.

 

[SC Minnie]

Ours is right around and hour.

Around here and AME Zion service can be 2-4 hours long.

 

[4GBLC]

Don't ask me I'm Pentecostal. I have seen church last all day long. From 10:45 to 2:00 would be getting out early for us.

 

[Bob Slydell]

Our pastor's wife sits in the front row and starts pointing at her watch if it looks like he is going to run over.

This is why (among other reasons) Catholic priests should be allowed to be married.

 

[Nala56]

Mercy, I grew up in the A/G church, there isn't one where we live now so go to independent christian church. We really like it but miss my old church. My gr. grandfather, and grandfather were a/g pastors. My uncle is a/g pastor in california.

Our service starts 10:45 and we out around noon.

 

[trip]

Did they feed you lunch?

 

[minkydog]

Holy cow I wouldn't be able to hold my bladder that long. I go to a Baptist church and we're almost always out at 12, on the nose.