I haven't been to church in decades. Always wore a suit and tie, is that still expected?
I have one suit I haven't worn in 15 years,I'm sure it doesn't fit. Would slacks and a shirt
with a collar be ok?

I will be completely alone this year. Son in the Air Force in Okinawa, daughter lives in Mississippi.

Remaining family in North Carolina and California. It's okay, though...I don't really like them anyway.

For me, the worst part is that I had to put my dog down yesterday morning. She had been with me for 14 years, and came down with kidney disease.

I will go looking for another pup or two after Christmas.

quote:

Originally posted by ridgerat:
I will be completely alone this year. Son in the Air Force in Okinawa, daughter lives in Mississippi.

Remaining family in North Carolina and California. It's okay, though...I don't really like them anyway.

For me, the worst part is that I had to put my dog down yesterday morning. She had been with me for 14 years, and came down with kidney disease.

I will go looking for another pup or two after Christmas.

I lost my Boxer Shelby a few years ago. I still miss her terribly.

quote:

Originally posted by Schmelby:
I haven't been to church in decades. Always wore a suit and tie, is that still expected?
I have one suit I haven't worn in 15 years,I'm sure it doesn't fit. Would slacks and a shirt
with a collar be ok?

I looked at several churches in your area and read through their statements of faith and listened to parts of sermons and I would suggest this church.
https://www.providencebiblefellowship.com/home

If this church is anything like mine, I'm sure they would love to have you. You could even use the "I'm new" section to ask any questions beforehand.

As far as dress goes, if you go to a church that is worried about how you look find a new church.

quote:

Originally posted by BlackTalonJHP:

quote:

Originally posted by Schmelby:
I haven't been to church in decades. Always wore a suit and tie, is that still expected?
I have one suit I haven't worn in 15 years,I'm sure it doesn't fit. Would slacks and a shirt
with a collar be ok?

I looked at several churches in your area and read through their statements of faith and listened to parts of sermons and I would suggest this church.
https://www.providencebiblefellowship.com/home

If this church is anything like mine, I'm sure they would love to have you. You could even use the "I'm new" section to ask any questions beforehand.

As far as dress goes, if you go to a church that is worried about how you look find a new church.

Thank you Mr. BlackTalon. When you join a church do they still expect you to tithe? I've been unemployed
for a year. no income, no insurance. I'm depleting my savings. When I got baptised as a kid the first thing
they did was give envelopes with my name on it to put in the offering basket. I didn't even have a job.
I heard stories of Elders telling members they were not giving enough money. I drove a 15 year old Ford,
The Preacher bought a new Caddy every two years. Kind of turned me off.

As was previously mentioned… no church you want to be affiliated with has a “dress code” or *requires* tithing. Especially from a new visitor. Church is pretty casual these days in my opinion. The Bible church my family goes to is quite laid back. My bet is that they will be thrilled to have you.

Since my wife and best friend passed over 5 years ago and I suffered a stroke on the second anniversary to the day of her death three years ago (from which I’m still having issues) I’m quickly getting to the point I effng hate holidays (not the faith based part…but the whole expectation of “fun” during the holidays part and you are derelict in your duties as a family member if unable to participate)…my family is 125 miles away with ongoing health issues themselves and they have total understanding…I guess it’s an “inside personal kinda thing”…Holidays were a big deal for my late wife and I and nowadays it seems to be just me and my pupper Addie and the texts of “happy Thanksgiving” or Merry Christmas”…bottom line, ENJOY you family and never take them for granted!!!

quote:

For me, the worst part is that I had to put my dog down yesterday morning. She had been with me for 14 years, and came down with kidney disease.

I am so sorry to hear of this…you are in my thoughts and prayers…it’s hard to lose a close friend of many years

quote:

When you join a church do they still expect you to tithe?

The elders of the church shouldn't know how much money everyone gives individually since that detail isn't necessary in budgeting, etc. Many churches don't pass offering plates so it's a little less obvious who gives. As far as giving in general, tithing would be based on your earnings and if you don't have income you wouldn't tithe. For guidance on giving see 2 Cor 9:7.

As far as pastors and wealth, typically mega churches have this problem but it can happen in fairly small churches without decent leaders and internal controls. Our head pastor's vehicle is over 20 years old with 220,000 miles on it. No Cadillacs in our parking lot.

quote:

Originally posted by Schmelby:
I haven't been to church in decades. Always wore a suit and tie, is that still expected?
I have one suit I haven't worn in 15 years,I'm sure it doesn't fit. Would slacks and a shirt
with a collar be ok?

Slacks and collared shirt is more than fine.

A new church near me recently opened their first building after years of renting space in a school auditorium. I decided to check it out since it's less than a 5 minute drive versus my current 25 minute drive. I was overdressed wearing Dockers and a button down shirt. That church was more blue jeans and polo shirts.

I've long thought that if ever I found myself truly alone in this world, I would join a church. Though I am not a Christian, I understand the teachings of the church and would not challenge doctrine.

True Christians will accepts you as one of their own.

For anyone reading this- I realize it's not the same thing as direct human contact, but behind each of these posts is a human being, a real person. So, if you feel like talking about it, others will hear you.

quote:

Originally posted by YooperSigs:
Will be home alone and perfectly fine with it. Not truly alone, the cat will be keeping me company.
Police work pretty much killed off any real enjoyment of holidays anyway.

Thank you for being an LEO. I keep ten dollar gift cards to Subway in my wallet. When I come across
a local officer or a State Trooper I give them one. If I was an LEO I would be very careful where I eat.
But Subway makes your sandwich right in front of you.

I won't be alone, there will be two other people at work too.

Thanks, Schmelby!

Might be alone but that's only because I'm coming down with the crud. Pop passed away 2 months ago so it's going to be a different Christmas whether I can see mom and my sisters or not.


Dan

Other than a couple Christmas’s early on I’ve been alone for the holidays since the divorce 12 years ago. And most of the rest of the year as well. The last couple years I struggled to get the kid to visit at all. I’ve seen him 4 weekends this year, I’m told that’s normal for a teen.

I generally do ok with being alone, but it gets to me at times. I get lonely. I have a coworker who tells me I should find someone to take care of me for when I get old. I’m not getting married just to not be alone. It does get old though.