教堂—Church

I attend church on Sunday every week because I want to worship God and receive spiritual guidance in my life. I usually sit in one of the middle pews in the church. One of the members gives the invocation, or opening prayer, to begin the service. During the service, the minister usually gives a spiritual sermon to encourage members of the congregation to change their lives. He reads from the scriptures¹ and shares inspirational stories. An offering plate is passed around to collect donations from the congregation. At the close of the meeting, another member offers the benediction², or closing prayer. My religion gives me hope in spite of the challenges in the world today.

1 scriptures   

经文，圣典( scripture的名词复数 )； 经典

参考例句：

• Here the apostle Peter affirms his belief that the Scriptures are 'inspired'. 使徒彼得在此表达了他相信《圣经》是通过默感写成的。
• You won't find this moral precept in the scriptures. 你在《圣经》中找不到这种道德规范。

2 benediction   

n.祝福；恩赐

参考例句：

• The priest pronounced a benediction over the couple at the end of the marriage ceremony.牧师在婚礼结束时为新婚夫妇祈求上帝赐福。
• He went abroad with his parents' benediction.他带着父母的祝福出国去了。