Minstries

Here are a few of the ministries you can find at Saint John's Church

Altar Guild

The altar is the center of the Church's life and the main concern of the Altar Guild. Each Guild member works as the priest's partner in making worship run smoothly. Our members prepare and clean up for all services at all the altars in the Church. This means a daily Service Monday through Saturday, and two Services on Sunday. Funerals, weddings, Holy Week services and any other special Service must be staffed. Members also launder all altar linens, press vestments, care for all the sacred vessels, mend linen and vestments, houseclean the sacristy when necessary and do anything else pertaining to the preparation and/or preservation in the places where our congregation worships. The Guild has approximately 12 members divided into teams. Each team is responsible for the Sunday and weekday Services for one week a month. Meetings are held twice a year. Anyone who is a Parish member and attends workshop on a regular basis is eligible to become a member. New members must undergo some training.

Altar Servers

Altar Servers at St. John's are lay boys and girls, men and women who have been trained to serve in some liturgical capacity for a Sunday morning Eucharist. A monthly schedule is prepared and mailed to all who are scheduled that month. Altar Servers are scheduled once a month on the average. The various types of Altar Servers and their criteria for selection are:

Position /Criteria for Selection

Torchbearers /Anyone in Grades 2 through 5
Acolytes/Anyone in Grades 6 through 12
Thurifers/Selected from Acolytes
Adult Acolytes/Adults willing to serve at 8:00 a.m.
Eucharistic Ministers/Appointed by Rector and licensed byBishop
MC's/Appointed by Rector
Lesson Readers/Anyone willing and able

Bible Study

Study of Holy Scripture is an important part of life as a Christian. Increasing knowledge and understanding helps individuals to discern the role of Christ in their daily lives. This group meets Wedensday evenings in the library. New participants are always welcome.

Columbarium

In the ennclosed breezeway of Saint John's, there is a columbarium where cremated remains may be interred. Eligible for plots are those persons (and their immediate families) who are or were lay members of St. John's Parish or any priest and their immediate family. The present fee for a plot is $275. Money received goes into the ColumbariumFund used for maintenance.

Christian Education

The center of church life is to educate our children to know that Jesus is living and active within them. Our programs are centered in scripture, tradition, and reason. The educationprogram brings children together each in prayer, music and developmentally appropriate curriculums that enhances their understanding of Jesus Christ. Our program is open to children ages 3 through high school. We begin at 9:00 a.m. in the Parish Hall.

Children's Chapel

Children from ages 3 through 2nd grade begin at the 10:15 Sunday Eucharist with their families and leave for chapel during the Gospel hymn, following the young crucifer of the day. In chapel, we begin with the Our Father, while holding hands in a large circle. We take a collection to be brought up to the altar. Each Sunday, we learn a lesson of the Gospel, in a variety of interesting and age appropriate ways. We sing enthusiastic Christian songs for children.

Greeters and Oblation Bearers

Greeters are the first people parishioner and visitors meet upon entering the Church. Everyone is welcomed with enthusiasm and made to feel a cherished part of the parish family or an important visitor to our house of worship. Greeters also serve as a source of information – especially for newcomers who have come to learn more about the Church and may not be familiar with the facility or programs available to them.

Oblation Bearers, or gift bearers, represent the parishioners in bringing the host and wine to the altar during the service. Their role is an integral part of the Eucharist liturgy.

Each participant receives a description of duties and responsibilities before serving the Church in these roles.

Laymen's League

The group is open to all men of the Parish. They meet each Monday of the month. Meetings are held in the Parish Hall starting a t7:00 am for breakfast followed by scripture reading and prayer. There is no formal agenda or officers...just an informal gathering for the men of the Church to get to know each other and enjoy the time together.