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St John's Ministries Worship Ministries |
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| All Christians are called to ministry through their baptism, and each person within the Saint John's community is called to contribute to and partake of our parish life. The Saint John's Vestry and church infrastructure provide a broad-based opportunity for the effective integration of the multitude of talent and needs within the parish. We hope you find this literature informative. If you would like more information about an organization, ministry, or any aspect of Saint John's parish life, please contact the responsible person listed at the end of this Guide, or contact the Senior Warden at 658-4591 or e-mail pbousquet@cox.net. | |||||||||
| Acolytes | |||||||||
| The acolyte ministry provides an excellent opportunity for parish youth (and adults) to participate in Sunday worship. Acolyte is a Greek word meaning "one who follows." Acolytes assist the Priest during the service by caring for such duties as bearing the cross and torch and leading the processional and recessional, lighting and extinguishing the candles, receiving the offering plates, and assisting the celebrant ministering at the altar. Candidates must be baptized to serve in this ministry. There is no age limit for acolytes, and everyone serving in this ministry receives the parish-level training to perform his or her duties. Adults are also welcome to share in this ministry. Acolytes serve on a rotational schedule which is published quarterly. The Saint John's acolyte ministry enhances the worship of the entire congregation, and creates a deep and especially meaningful Christian experience for our young participants. |
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| Altar Guild | |||||||||
| The Altar Guild is a very caring and very blessed ministry composed of dedicated members who faithfully undertake the care of the altar and its appointments, as well as the Sanctuary. They attend to the vessels, linens, brass appointments, and vestments used in liturgy. Altar Guild members, who serve on a rotating schedule, prepare the altar and its appointments for the celebration of the Eucharist, baptisms, weddings, and funerals, clear away articles, and perform housekeeping after all services. |
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| Baptism | |||||||||
| Through the sacrament of Baptism we are made "members of Christ's Body, the Church, and inheritors of the kingdom of God." This sacrament is best celebrated within a regularly scheduled Sunday worship service (except during Lent and Advent) in order that the Christian community may welcome the newly-baptized and acknowledge its responsibility for the nurture of those being baptized. Parents and godparents (sponsors) will receive counseling by the Rector (or the Priest-in-Charge) in the meaning of the sacrament, their duties, and their responsibilities. Godparents must be baptized members of any Christian church who are actively committed to Christ and able to guide the spiritual development of the newly baptized. The Episcopal Church, and Saint John's, recognizes and offers both adult and infant baptism. To schedule a baptism, please contact the Parish Administrator. |
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| Book of Common Prayer | |||||||||
| The worship book of the Anglican Church since its inception in 1549. Commonly called the "prayer book," and commonly abbreviated as the BCP, the Book of Common Prayer is a collection of classic and contemporary prayers, devotions, services and psalms designed to allow the entire Church to worship in common union. |
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| Confirmation | |||||||||
| The sacrament of Confirmation is for baptized persons 16 or older who are ready and prepared to make a mature, public affirmation of their faith (in other words, to say for themselves what others may have said for them at baptism). Confirmation is the renewal of one's baptismal covenant, which allows Confirmation to become a very personal choice and to be exercised at a time when an individual feels especially committed to his/her spiritual journey as a Christian. It is a celebration of individual maturity and communal response. Through the bishop's participation in the rite, confirmands are physically connected to the Diocese, the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion, and are sacramentally united with the apostles, the universal Church, and with Jesus Christ. At Saint John's, Confirmation candidates must complete a year-long Confirmation Preparation Program which provides the candidates the opportunity to examine critically their baptismal vows, deepen their faith, and participate in Christian community as they prepare to be confirmed. Confirmation is not required for church membership, but it is a significant, public way for the candidate to affirm his/her connection to the church. |
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| Eucharistic Ministers | |||||||||
| Formerly known as Chalice Bearers, Eucharistic Ministers are baptized and confirmed members of the congregation who are trained at the parish-level and licensed by the Diocese to administer the chalice of wine during Communion. Eucharistic Ministers also lead the Prayers of the People during Sunday services. |
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| Eucharistic Visitors | |||||||||
| This ministry embodies and emphasizes the reality of the church as a community of people united by their faith in Jesus Christ. Wherever that community gathers, whether inside a cathedral, a church, a hospital, a forest, a nursing home room, a convalescent's or invalid's home, or anywhere, there exists the Church. The Eucharistic Visitor becomes an important pastoral and sacramental expression of the faith of community. Pastorally, Eucharistic Visitors, formerly known as Lay Eucharistic Ministers, represent the church to those who are visited by being living reminders that the sick and infirm are integral parts of the faith community, which is the Body of Christ. Sacramentally, they bear Christ's Body and Blood, His gift to humanity, to the sick and infirm. In a symbolic way, the Eucharistic Visitor carries the parish with him/her as a sign of the whole community's care, support and concern for the sick and infirm. Participation in this special ministry is by invitation of the Rector (or the Priest-in-Charge). Candidates for this ministry must be baptized and confirmed members of Saint John's; the recommendation of the Rector (or the Priest-in-Charge), parish-level and Diocese-level training (six hours), and licensing by the Bishop are also required. |
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| Family Sunday | |||||||||
| The first Sunday of every month during the Sunday School Year (September - June) is designated Family Sunday and provides an opportunity for Saint John's families to worship together as a family. Sunday School does not convene on Family Sundays. |
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| Funerals | |||||||||
| The Episcopal Church has an absolutely beautiful, dignified and meaningful burial liturgy, available to everyone. It doesn't matter who they are, whether they were faithful churchgoers or not. It doesn't matter how they died; it doesn't matter how much money they had. All are given dignity. All are escorted out of this world with beauty and grace. The service itself is a celebration of the life of the one who died, while still leaving space for grief and sorrow. We believe that all people are a gift from our Creator, and all people are received into the arms of our loving God when they die. That is why the church is decorated in the traditional Easter white, and the priest wears white vestments. The Paschal candle lit at baptism is also lit at funerals, tying together the cycle of life and death and life again. If you would like to arrange for a funeral for someone, please contact the Rector (or the Priest-in-Charge). Assisted by trained lay personnel, the Rector (or the Priest-in-Charge) will gently work with you to honor the life of the one you loved in the most appropriate way, whether that be a funeral or memorial service at the church, at another location, or something simple at the graveside or where cremains are distributed. |
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| Greeters | |||||||||
| Greeters are volunteers of Saint John's who meet and welcome the members of Saint John's and visitors as they arrive for services, hand out the Sunday Bulletin, answer questions, take attendance, assist with seating, collect and present the offerings during the service, and perform other duties that help the service go smoothly. Greeters play an important role in creating the "first impression" that visitors have of Saint John's. Greeters serve in two-person teams on a rotating schedule. |
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| Marriage | |||||||||
| If you desire to be married in Saint John's, please contact the Church Secretary who will arrange an appointment with the Rector (or the Priest-in-Charge). At that meeting, important questions are raised and resolved, and a wedding date is proposed. In accordance with Canon Law, the couple will also meet with the Rector (or the Priest-in-Charge) to receive premarital counseling. Canon Law requires that at least one of the parties has been baptized, and of course it is preferable if the couple is a part of the work and worship of Saint John's. Canon Law also requires that if one or both parties have been previously married and divorced, the permission of the Bishop is required for the proposed marriage in the church. The Rector (or the Priest-in-Charge) will subsequently give (or withhold) consent to officiate at the wedding. With consent, the details particular to each wedding may then be planned. Please note that during and after this process, the couple is expected to be faithful in their attendance at Saint John's services.If you are considering being married at St. John's, please contact the Parish Administrator. |
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| Music Ministry | |||||||||
| Music has always played an important role in the worship and liturgy of Saint John's, and the Adult Choir makes a vital contribution to the enhancement of the worship services. The choir is made up of dedicated musicians who love to sing praises to the Lord and share their gifts of music. The Adult Choir is responsible for leading the music at the 10:00 a.m. Sunday worship service, and presents a choral offering to reflect and enhance the teaching and readings of the day, helping the congregation to freely enter into the presence of the Lord. The choir also sings for all special services in addition to Sunday mornings. This ministry is under the leadership of a gifted Choir Director and an equally gifted organist, Jack Cook. Membership in the Saint John's Choir is open to any adults who love to sing. Rehearsals are on Sunday mornings at 9:00 a.m. Anyone interested in joining the Saint John's choir should contact the Choir Director. |
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| Readers | |||||||||
| Readers are volunteer members of Saint John's who are responsible for the public proclamation of Holy Scripture at the 10 a.m. Sunday service and other services, as required. Their ministry is to proclaim the appointed readings so that the congregation can hear clearly the Word of God. Readers serve on a rotating schedule |
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| Reaffirmation | |||||||||
| Reaffirmation is a rite, performed by the Bishop, for Episcopalians who are refreshing or renewing their membership in the church. The Reaffirmation Rite is normally conducted in conjunction with Confirmation and Reception. |
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| Reception | |||||||||
| Reception into the Episcopal Church is a rite for baptized persons who have made a mature public affirmation of their faith (i.e., been confirmed) before a bishop in another denomination. The candidate is presented to the bishop, who acknowledges their prior status and receives them into the Episcopal Church. The Reaffirmation Rite is normally conducted in conjunction with Confirmation and Reception. |
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| Sacraments | |||||||||
| According to the prayer book, sacraments are "outward and visible signs of inward and spiritual grace." Sacraments are physical actions that point us to deeper realities than we are able to experience with our five senses. The Episcopal Church recognizes two major, or "gospel" sacraments, and five minor sacraments, or sacramental acts. The two major sacraments, Baptism and Communion, are called gospel sacraments because Jesus told us (in the gospels) to do them until he comes again. The five sacramental acts (or minor sacraments) are Confirmation, Marriage, Ordination, Reconciliation, and Unction. |
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| Services | |||||||||
| The worship service at Saint John's is celebrated every Sunday at 10 a.m. This is a Rite II Eucharist service with homily and music. |
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