(1) There shall be at least 4 terms of court annually in every county, held at the times designated by the judge or judges of the circuit. The court in its discretion may hold special or adjourned terms.

    (2) All causes, matters, and proceedings pending at any court term which is not held because of the absence of the circuit judge are continued until the next term. All persons bound by recognizance or otherwise to appear during such court term shall appear at the next term, and all such recognizances shall continue in force and be as binding and obligatory on the parties thereto as if no failure of a term had occurred, unless a new recognizance, approved according to law, is entered for such appearance.

    (3) Whenever the judge of any circuit or superior court fails to attend a court session, the court shall stand adjourned until a judge authorized to hold court is in attendance. The judge authorized to hold court has full power to hear, try, and determine all causes, matters, and proceedings lawfully brought before him within the jurisdiction of the court. Notwithstanding any formal adjournment, the courts shall on all regular dates be deemed to be in actual session from the first day of any term until the first day of the next succeeding term. Judges of circuit courts may hold court for each other.

    (4) The court may hold evening and weekend sessions.