WORSHIP

Acolytes
Acolytes are any parishioners, age 8 and older, who assist the priest and lay ministers with our worship services. Their presence and ministry are key to our worship. Training is provided. This is an intergenerational opportunity for service.

Altar Guild
The Altar Guild is a gift of time and talent to serve God in His House at His Table. We are a group of cohesive, dedicated women and men who prepare The Lord’s Table each Sunday for the Eucharist and all other worship services. We have four teams that serve for one week in a four-week rotation and provide individual training. No experience is needed.

Children’s Chapel
Leaders and helpers are needed to present lessons, and songs, and share worship experiences during Children’s Chapel. Lessons and training are provided to volunteers.

Eucharistic Ministers/Lector
St. John’s is blessed with a dedicated group of men and women called to serve the chalice during Holy Communion. They also perform the duties assigned to a Lector and as such are called to read the lessons and psalms preceding the Gospel and may lead the Prayers of the People. Training is provided.

Eucharistic Visitor
The Eucharistic Visit or Home Communion is a pastoral ministry of the Episcopal Church. Those called to this ministry serve to bring the blessed sacraments, and the presence of God and the St. John’s family, to those who are ill or infirmed and unable to worship with us in person.

Flower Guild
The Flower Guild strives to glorify God with the beauty of fresh floral arrangements that are placed behind the altar for Sunday services. Volunteers create or coordinate an arrangement. Experienced members train new members. Flower Power is a ministry of the Flower Guild. Small arrangements are made from the altar arrangement and distributed to area nursing homes and other non-profits.

Greeters
Greeters warmly greet all worshipers as they come to services. Greeters try to make visitors feel welcome, encouraging newcomers to fill out a name tag and an attendance card. Greeters also provide information about St. John’s. Being a greeter is a wonderful way to get to know your current and future church family.

Holy Celebrations Team
Celebrate and have fun helping make our spaces more beautiful and meaningful for high holy days! This is a big team effort and we need both creative types and also those who can just help muscle it all together! Our goal is to immerse each worshiper in the beauty and uniqueness of special high holy days and seasons of the church year by supporting the creation of a sanctuary where all celebrate the transforming presence of God. We drape and veil the large cross, supply candles, flowers, and other special remembrances. Come help us prepare this holy ground!

Oblationers
Each Sunday, oblationers carry the cruets and the ciborium from the back of the church to the altar. This is a very easy contribution to the service and requires no time commitment outside of the actual service times.

Prayer Teams
Prayer is available for everyone/ all ages during communion at both services in the alcoves on either side of the altar. Join our team as someone who prays with those who need it. All ages are encouraged to use this important offering of confidential prayers.

Sew-ers and Pray-ers
“Joyous hidden service to others is an acted prayer of thanksgiving.” -R. Foster
There is such joy in creating something that represents the love of God and it is doubled when you give it away in His Name! Sew-ers make Chrismons, “Christ monograms,” which are traditionally white and gold designs signifying Christ and his work. These Chrismons are given to the homebound and to each family of St. John’s and their guests after Christmas Eve services as a reminder of God’s generous love. Any extra Chrismons are given to people attending the Blue Christmas service in December (wings are sewn on to these, a sign of those departed loved ones), the diocesan staff, and/or to people who attend Cursillo for the first time. As the sew-ers sew, they pray for the people who will receive the Chrismons. There will be times when we learn, sew, and pray together. If you like to sew or you want to learn to sew Chrismons, please join us!

Ushers
Ushers distribute the weekly bulletin when people enter the narthex. They also aid with seating for services, counting and collecting the offering, guiding the congregation to the altar for communion. Ushers help with the dismissal of church services and answer any questions about St. John’s.

AV Team
This ministry uses the A/V equipment, soundboard, and live stream equipment to run in-house sound and YouTube live stream of services for those who can not attend in person. Training will be provided.

Children’s Choir
St. John’s Children’s Choir learns to worship and praise God through singing, playing instruments, and having fun! The Children’s Choir is open to ALL children and youth in Kindergarten through 8th grade. We will sing at Sunday services and special events throughout the year.
Rehearsals: Wednesdays 5:30-6 p.m., Music Room

Handbell Choir
St. John’s Handbell Choir rings English handbells. We are open to all ages – no experience necessary! If you can count, you can ring! We participate in Sunday worship and special services throughout the year. Our music enhances worship with the beauty and peace of these delightful instruments.
Rehearsals: Sundays 12:30-1:45 p.m., Music Room

Worship Choir
St. John’s Worship Choir welcomes all voices and all ages to make a joyful noise! You will find our ministry to be welcoming, our music challenging and meaningful, and our fellowship fun, spirit-filled, and caring. We sing in services two Sundays each month and find joy in leading worship at St. John’s!
Rehearsals: Wednesdays 6:30-7:45 p.m., Music Room