WORSHIP celebrations at Hyattstown are the center of our spiritual life together. We take very seriously the concept of the "priesthood of all believers" and our laypeople, adults, youth, and children take visible roles in the leadership of our worship.
The Liturgists: Laypersons serve as the liturgists, or readers, of the scripture lessons and prayers at every celebration. On special occasions, such as during the Lenten season, Holy Week, and Advent/Christmas, we will enjoy several liturgists at our major celebrations.
In the Christian Church, the value of every person is emphasized. Our children take visible roles in our worship. They serve as acolytes, lighting the candles and assisting in worship. We have had a Children's choir and we hope to form a new one in the future.
Elders in the Disciples Church are laymen and laywomen elected to help preside over and to serve Holy Communion. They also share in the spiritual leadership of the congregation with our pastor. They both write and say the prayers at the Holy table. The pastor is the celebrant of Holy Communion, but he is always assisted by Laypeople.
Deaconate Men and Women are laypersons elected to serve communion and function as servants in the worship celebrations.
Both Elders and Deaconate serve as the Official Board, the policy making body of the congregation. This Board, which meets on alternate months, appoints committees to do the work of the Church and plan special events. The pastor is an administrator of the Board's policy, but the executives of the Board are laypersons.
We have an Adult choir, which presents anthems during Holy Week, Lent, Advent, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, as well as on other special occasions.
SPECIAL worship celebrations include Christmas Eve celebrations at 7:30 P.M. and again at 11:00 P.M. We also have Thanksgiving Eve services and special services during LENT and HOLY WEEK.
The other character of our worship is that all services center in the celebration of Holy Communion. We practice an open table, and anyone who believes in Jesus Christ is invited to share the sacrament with us, regardless of their church affiliation.
Revised: Sunday, January 23, 2005 12:31 PM