Worship
Worship of God is the center-point of our lives as individuals
and of our life as a community.
and of our life as a community.
| Weekly Schedule of Services | ||
| Sunday Services | ||
| 8:00am | Holy Eucharist | |
| 9:15am | Holy Eucharist – Family Worship | |
| 10:30am | Holy Eucharist | |
| Weekday Services | ||
| Tuesday | 9:00am | Morning Prayer and Book Study |
| Wednesday | 9:30am | Morning Worship |
| 7:00.pm | Evening Worship | |
- Church School for our children follows the 9:15 service each Sunday
- Choir practice is scheduled each Sunday beginning at 9:15am
- The choir part is of the 10:30am service each Sunday.
At St. John's, the service of hearing the Word of God and receiving the Holy Communion is generally referred to as the Liturgy - a word which means "the work of the people." However, one will likely hear other names for this service, too: the Holy Eucharist, the Lord's Supper, or the Mass - a traditional and appropriate term. It is a catholic term universally understood by Christians to refer to this service The formality of our worship finds its structure in The Book of Common Prayer. This book serves as the basis for the worship in every congregation of the Episcopal Church. However, each parish may approach the details of ritual and ceremony differently. St. John's uses many of the options offered in the book. Still, the general pattern of worship and the texts used in worship are consistent from parish to parish, no matter where one is worshipping.
We believe that the Sunday Liturgy is fundamental to our life, both as individuals and as a faith community. Regular worship is at the center of our common life. Our services offer many features which help to bring us closer to God:
Biblically Based - The Liturgy of the Word in each service consists of four scripture readings: one reading from the Old Testament, the Psalms, the New Testament, and the Gospels. In addition, much of the rest of our service is taken directly from the Bible. Eucharistically Centered - We recall Jesus' command at his last supper with his disciples to "Do this in remembrance of me" as we regularly receive Holy Communion; our central act of corporate worship is the Eucharist.
Liturgical in Nature - Words, actions, music, and visual symbols combine to express our understanding of God's presence in our world and in our lives.
Overview of Sunday Service
As we worship, we present our lives—our doubts, uncertainties, triumphs and hopes— and offer them up to God in praise and thanksgiving. On Sunday, our primary worship, which we call liturgy, is the Holy Eucharist, sometimes called Holy Communion or the Mass. In the first part, The Liturgy of the Word we concentrate on hearing the Word of God as written in Holy Scripture. Lessons from the Old Testament or Hebrew Scripture, the Epistles or Letters of Paul and the early apostles, and from the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) are heard. These readings are not arbitrarily chosen, but are ecumenical (prepared by scholars from a variety of major denominations) and are appointed to be used throughout the Episcopal Church according to a calendar called the Lectionary.
In addition, we offer prayers, we hear the Word of God interpreted in a sermon; we confess our faith and pray for the needs of the world; and we confess our sins and receive the grace of forgiveness. One of our Sunday services includes the choir which leads the congregation in hymns and psalms under the direction of our organist.
The second half of the liturgy, the Holy Communion focuses upon the altar and the celebration of the Holy Communion. We do this in obedience to our Lord's command at the Last Supper: "Do this in remembrance of me" - words that we still use faithfully in every celebration.
The elements of bread and wine are distributed to God's People as they either stand or kneel. We believe that, when we gather around the Holy Table to share a simple meal of bread and wine, we re-member the Body of Christ. All baptized Christians are invited to come forward and receive the Sacrament - regardless of denominational affiliation.
How one can be involved in the administration of St. John’s?
- Acolytes: Acolytes are lay persons (children and adults) who assist in worship by performing such functions as carrying the processional cross, lighting and extinguishing candles, carrying candles at the reading of the Gospel, and assisting the priests at the offertory and preparation of the altar. Contact person for this ministry is Lora Messer.
- Altar Guild: The Altar Guild serves God in the sanctuary and at the altar. Members make ready the things necessary for celebrating the Eucharist and other observances. They care for the vestments, linens, and vessels used at all worship services. Contact person for this ministry is Lora Messer.
- Greeters/Ushers: Greeters/Ushers are a group of friendly, outgoing people who welcome everyone to Sunday services and help introduce newcomers to others. Greeters/Ushers help seat visitors, collect the Sunday offering, assist in guiding people to receive communion, and offer other information to visitors as needed. Contact person for this ministry is Bruce Ray.
- Lay Readers: Lay Readers are trained and authorized by the Rector and licensed by the Diocese to read the lessons, serve at the altar as chalice bearers, and conduct prayer services according to the Book of Common Prayer. Contact person for this ministry is Lora Messer.
- Chalice Bearers: Chalice bearers assist the clergy in leading worship by leading prayers and assisting at the Lord’s Table during Holy Eucharist. Participation is by invitation of the rector. Candidates attend training sessions and are licensed by the Diocese. Contact person is Pastor Terri.
- Lay Eucharistic Visitors: Persons identified by the priest/parish with a vocation to visit the sick/infirmed and who are authorized to bring Holy Communion to homes, hospitals, nursing, and health care facilities. Persons are trained and licensed. Our deacons provide pastoral support in this area.
- Choir: The choir is under the direction of Mr. Thomas Secor. This group practices each Sunday prior to the 10:30 service. The choir participates in the 10:30 liturgy most Sundays. Contact person for this ministry is Tom Secor.
