Worship

Please join us at the intersection of life and hope for services held every Saturday at 5:00pm and Sunday at 10:30 am. We also have special services on Christmas Eve, Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, and Good Friday.

The Saturday evening service is more of a contemporary service.

The Sunday service is a traditional non-denomination service. On selected Sundays and special times of the year you will hear our Praise Team sing during worship.

In each service there is a time for sharing celebrations and concerns (news from the pews), pastoral and congregational prayer.

Music Team Members include:

• Jennifer O'Brien, pianist and worship leader (Saturday)
• Jeanie Jones, pianist/organist and Praise Team leader (Sunday)
• Julie Silfvrberg, pianist/organist (Sunday)

A nursery is provided for children birth through pre-kindergarten for the Worship Services and Adult Sunday School.

Definition – What is an acolyte?

An ACOLYTE is defined as, “One who assists the Celebrant in the performance of liturgical rites.”  That is just a fancy way of saying, someone who helps in the worship service.  Some acolytes in other churches help in many different ways; for example they may carry in a cross or a Bible, help prepare for communion, or help the worship leader in other roles.

Our acolytes help in two important ways:

1. They present the symbolic “Light of Christ”
2. They set the example for other worshipers, and establish a reverent setting for the worship service.

Symbolism – What does it all mean?

The image of fire or light is used many times throughout the Bible referring to God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.

God appeared to Moses – The angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire within the bush.  Exodus 3:2

God appeared to the Israelites – By day the Lord went ahead of the in a cloud to guide them on their way, and by night a pillar of fire to give them light.  Exodus 13:21

Jesus Christ – Then Jesus again spoke to them saying, “I am the light of the world, he who follows me will not walk in darkness.”  John 8:12

Holy Spirit – They saw what appeared to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.  Acts 2:3 

As the Acolyte brings the flame into the sanctuary and light the candles, it reminds us that Jesus Christ is here with us.  We always know that, but to have something that we can see in front of us is a comforting reminder.  So our Acolytes are bringing in the Light of Christ to be present with us.

As the Acolyte comes up to extinguish the candles at the end of the service and takes the flame back out with them, this reminds us that :

1. As we leave the church, the Light of Christ goes with us.
2. We should always take the Light of Christ to share with everyone we meet.

This is a very important visual reminder of the warm presence of Jesus Christ with us always.  It is a key symbol in the worship service (if you’ve noticed, we always have candles lit at the front of the sanctuary).  For some people a candle flame can be very calming.  For others it gives an atmosphere of solemn reverence and helps them prepare themselves for the worship experience.

Held on the first Saturday and Sunday of each month, and on special church holidays.

Who can participate?

Anyone who holds faith in Jesus Christ as their personal savior and the Son of God can participate in Holy Communion at Antioch. Church membership is not required.