In the Life of the Church

A Word About Liturgy and Devotion

At St. John's, we embrace both the traditional, time-honored ceremonies of the Church and the need for change in the living, growing Body of Christ. In our corporate worship, in the devotional life of individuals and groups in the parish, and in our building itself you will find clear signs of our commitment both to our catholic heritage and to spiritual renewal.

PRAYER is offered in a style which may be unfamiliar to you. Most of the prayers are relatively short and are prescribed by the Church. Some prayers are offered by the congregation as a dialogue between minister and congregation. Some prayers are offered by the priest alone, singing and with hands stretched upward and out. In this manner the priest offers prayer to God in the name of the congregation as its authorized and ordained representative.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INCENSE, a symbol rich in layers of meaning, is used in our celebration of the Holy Eucharist on important festivals such as Christmas and Easter. The use of incense is traditionally said to "solemnize" the celebration of the Liturgy. As the incense rises, so too may our prayers and praise rise.

 

 

 

 

 

The Rite of RECONCILIATION (also known as Confession) is available to all members of the Church. This is not a public service of the Church, but is scheduled as a private encounter between the penitent and God with the priest present as witness and guide. Confessions are usually heard in the Church building, during times when other services are not occurring. In the Episcopal Church, the rule of thumb regarding participation in the Rite of Reconciliation has always been: "all may, none must, some ought". Those availing themselves of this opportunity for the first time would be well advised to contact the priest in advance, if at all possible. This will allow time for spiritual guidance and reflection in preparing to make a "good confession".

Devotion to the BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, (a practice popular since ancient times) is publicly acknowledged at St. John's. A statue of Mary is located in the Reserve Sacrament Chapel at the northeast corner of the nave, and one can often see a number of candles burning on the table next to the statue. These have been lit by persons offering special thanks or seeking the special intercession of Mary. Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary is not required of anyone in our parish; but the opportunity for that venerable practice is offered to all.

The STATIONS OF THE CROSS, the fourteen plaques and adjacent crosses lining the walls of the nave (the area where pews are located), are a reminder to us of the agony and shame our Lord endured on our behalf. These images are held before us lest we forget, or try to minimize, the crucifixion sacrifice that preceded the resurrection glory. During the season of Lent (prior to Easter) special devotions are offered on Wednesday evenings which center on these Stations of the Cross.

HOLY WATER (Baptismal Water) is present at the entrances to the building either in the Font or in a container known as a stoup. The presence of this water is a reminder to each of us of our own Baptism. Some worshippers, upon entering or leaving the building, dip their fingers into the water and make the sign of the cross upon themselves with this water, making the connection to baptism readily apparent.

When we celebrate Baptism in this parish, the priest sprinkles the congregation with Baptismal Water taken directly from the font. This action serves as a reminder that in Baptism we have all been cleansed from sin and joined to Christ and his Church.

The clothing - VESTMENTS - worn by the clergy and lay assistants during the Liturgy is the same as that associated with celebrating the Liturgy from ancient times. These vestments make clear that attention is due not to the persons who oversee the service, but to the ministries that these persons perform on behalf of the congregation. The variety of color is used seasonally (each one being associated with a particular time in the Church year).

Recognizing that the Church is the Body of Christ - a living, growing, and changing organism, St. John's is committed to the renewal and involvement of all members of the Body:

LAY PEOPLE exercise active public leadership both in worship and in the government of the parish. Women and men alike minister as acolytes and as members of the Vestry (the governing body of the parish); both may serve as Church School Teachers, Ushers, Lectors (Readers), Chalice Bearers, members of the Altar Guild, and Lay Eucharistic ministers who take communion to the sick and shut-in.

CHILDREN participate fully in the Church's worship. Children are welcome at any of our three (3) Sunday worship services. Children who are at least seven (7) years old are eligible to serve as acolytes at all services. The 9:15 Am Sunday service is our Children’s Chapel service and part of our Church School Program. This liturgy is a "teaching liturgy" that is specifically designed for children, with age appropriate readings and homilies, and an attractive assortment of percussion instruments which are used during the hymns and songs. At the end of this Eucharist, the children go with their teachers to their classrooms and continue their learning in our atriums using the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. This program is a Montessori-based curriculum. For more information, please see our web page on Education. From the moment of Baptism, infants and children of all ages may receive Communion. To enrich their understanding of Holy Communion, a Solemn Communion Retreat is part of the 6-9 year old Church School curriculum. Their delight and enthusiasm at the Holy Communion reminds us of the child-like joy that God wants all people to enjoy in his Presence.