What is going on at Agape on a Sunday morning?
Where? Open Bible Church, 130 N. Hill Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91106
What? On Sunday morning, we come together to seek the one and only God with all of our hearts.
On this morning, some of us dress up - most of us dress casual. It does not matter to us what you wear - as long as you are willing to ‘put on Jesus’ when you walk into the room.
We do have coffee. We do have snacks. We do have nice people hanging out. Taste and see that the Lord is good at Agape!
Bring your kids - we have a good, safe place for them as well.
What comes first?
Adult Sunday School - 8:30 a.m.
Come and join us as the incredibly gifted Rhea Sideropoulos teaches us about the Parables in this 8 week series. Learn Biblical truths that you can apply to your daily life.
Sunday Worship Service - 9:30 a.m.
We Pray - for 15 minutes, before the Worship Service begins, we pray and praise God.
We Sing -
Praise music delivered by various anointed Worship team members lead off our Sunday service. During this tome we celebrate God’s goodness, reflect on His bigness and open ourselves up to the movement of the Holy Spirit. Most of us stand - but some of us do not. Most of us sing loud even - Some of us lift our hands - a few of us dance a little. There is a place for all sorts of worship at Agape.
We Pray and Learn -
Following the singing one of the pastors will come forward, lead the congregation in prayer, release the children to their own worship and then offer a 30 minute message based on the Bible. Right now, Henry Sideropoulos is taking us through a series on the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. Come and learn what your gifting is and how to use it as God intended.
We Personally Respond -
After the sermon, there is a 10-15 minute time set aside for ministering to each other and to respond to the movement of the Holy Spirit. This is the part of our service where the leaders back away from the microphone and ask God to do His transformative work within each and every person in attendance. We usually turn on some quiet music and invite everyone to make an offering of their whole selves to God. We do have church leaders up front who are available to pray with you if you like. If you want to off load your sins, release guilt or shame, let go of heavy burdens, ask for God’s help, meet Jesus, get some wisdom, find healing or ask a question, caring and discreet community members will listen to you and help you with what you need. Or you can just remain seated and enjoy the rare experience of an unhurried peace that comes when we sit quietly before a loving God.
We Give Back to God -
During this time our ushers move from row to row passing the plate so that everyone has the opportunity to celebrate the act of ‘giving back to God’s Kingdom’ through tithes and offerings.
First Sunday of the month is Communion Sunday
On Communion Sunday, we celebrate the Lord’s Supper together at the end of the service. After the sermon, time is given for personal evaluation and confession, and then one of the pastors gives specific instruction to the congregation. Everyone is then invited to come forward to receive the communion elements.
What is the point of Communion?
As a church we remember Jesus’ sacrifice and thank God for the new covenant that has been offered to us through the broken body and shed blood of His Son. This is a sacred time where we repent of our sin, seek forgiveness and re-focus on our Lord and Savior.
What is our method?
We have two pastors or leaders standing in the front of the sanctuary - each holding bread and a cup filled with either juice or wine. When an individual is ready, they come to one of these Communion stations, tear off a piece of the bread, dip it into the cup of juice/wine, eat it and return to their seat for personal prayer.
Second Sunday of the month is Birthday Sunday
At Agape, we love to celebrate. So, on the second Sunday we celebrate the birthdays of those whose earth-arrival falls within that month. How do we celebrate? We sing to you. We give you a pointy hat. We cut a cake. We have a little party after the service.
Don’t miss the candles that could be lit for you!!!
