Altar Guild
The Altar Guild has the ministry of preparing and maintaining the vessels and vestments used at the altar during service. We care for the Sanctuary and its furnishings, in support of the sacramental and liturgical life of the parish, under the direction of the Rector.Members are trained and assigned to a rotating team that is responsible to have everything ready for all the services during a given week. At. St. John’s this includes preparing the Altar for the Wednesday morning Healing Rite I service, the Informal Eucharist on Wednesday evenings and both Sunday morning services. The Altar Guild also gets the church ready for funerals, weddings, and other special services. At St. John’s we have 5 altar teams with 4-5 women on each team. Nancy Fetter is head of Altar Guild.
We welcome all parishioners to participate in this ministry.
Vergers
A verger is a committed lay minister within the Church who assists the clergy in the conduct of public worship, especially in the marshalling of processions. The office’s title comes from the ceremonial rod which a verger carries, a virge from the Latin virga, which means “branch, staff or rod.” The office of verger has its roots in the earliest days of the Church’s history. The contemporary office of verger is experiencing a rapid expansion with the Episcopal Church, and this office has been newly introduced to St. John’s Worship Committee by Father Tom. Vergers assist in the ordering and conduct of the Church’s liturgy. They can relieve the clergy of the burden of liturgical detail so that the clergy can concentrate on their priestly duties to preach the Word and administer the Sacraments. At present, St. John's has five volunteers who can serve as a Verger.
Acolytes
In the Episcopal Church, altar servers are called acolytes and must be 10 years old or older. Acolytes assist in worship by carrying a processional cross. lighting candles, holding the Gospel book, holding candles or “torches”, assisting the priest or deacon in set up and clean up at the altar, and in many other tasks. Acolytes wear robes that differentiate them from the clergy, lay Eucharistic ministers or the choir. The primary roles in which an acolyte may serve in the service are as a crucifer, one or two; a torch, one or two; carrying the Gospel Book in the procession and as a flag bearer for special services. If you’re interested in your child becoming an acolyte, please contact one of our two acolyte directors: Guy Williams (763-7589) or Arden Gaddy (799-4253)
SPIRITUAL MINISTRIES
Holy Eucharist with Prayers for Healing
Wednesday at 10:00 a.m., side altar in the church.
Jesus told us to pray for healing in his name. We do that at our Holy Eucharist Wednesday at 10 a.m. With the laying-on-of-hands, we pray for spiritual or physical healing for ourselves and for the needs of specific friends and relatives. It’s a very special service for those who attend.
Lay Eucharistic Ministers
Lay Eucharistic Ministers (LEM’s) are lay people who are licensed by the bishop according to the canons of the church. They act under the Bishop’s authority and assist the celebrant in distributing the Sacrament. At St. John’s, LEM’s also assist in the service by reading the lessons and the Prayers of the People.
Lay Eucharistic Ministers are scheduled to serve on a monthly rotation.
Lay Eucharistic Visitors
These ministers visit the sick and shut-in members of St. John’s with Holy Communion. are . They must also be licensed by the bishop according to the canons of the Church and acting under the Bishop’s authority through the office of the Rector or Priest- in-Charge of the local congregation.
PRAYER MINISTRIES
-INTERCESSORS
St. John's prayer ministry includes the Intercessors and Prayer Chain Our intercessors are headed by Ellie and Karl Wolf. Each intercessor serves on a weekly rotation schedule. They are always avail- able at the side altar to pray with members of the congregation during and after Communion at the Sunday services.
-ST. JOHN'S PRAYER CHAIN
The prayer chain is headed by Susan Butler and consists of other volunteers who are willing, at a moment's notice, to call others on the Prayer Chain with an important/urgent prayer request. The Prayer Chain is a vital organization in the life of the Church. In this ministry, volunteers follow strict rules of confidentiality. These individuals are often referred to as "prayer warriors." They take this ministry seriously and are diligent to respond to a call for prayer as soon as possible.
Pastoral Care
As Christ’s disciples, we seek to extend Christian compassion and love to congregation members through various ministries.
- Visit the ill at home or in the hospital.
- Visit assisted care facilities.
- Maintain contact with those unable to attend church.
- Comfort the bereaved.
- Serve as liaison during funeral services.
- Provide meals to new birth families.
- Knit prayer shawls and distribute to those in need.
- Liaison with Hospice.
- Work with clergy to bring Pastoral Care where the need is greatest.
From birth to death, the Pastoral Care Commission is an outward and visible sign of St. John’s love and concern for our parishioners during special times. Ministries include meals for new parents, food at home or a gathering at the church for the bereaved, visits to those who are inbound, communion to the inbound or those recuperating from illness or injuries, and the greeting card ministry. A new charge for the commission is developing an "in-reach" ministry to members who seem to be dropping back from participation in worship and other St. John’s ministries.
The Commission is looking for individuals to help with the growing ministry. Please contact Harriet Schroeder ( 632-9417) or Eddie Lawler (791-4200) if you would like to join us.
Altar Flowers
It’s Good to Say "Congratulations, " or "Thank you, " to the special people in your life, or to memorialize a loved one. One way to do so is by providing the altar flowers one Sunday. After the last service, the flowers are taken to an inbound member of the parish or one who has been "under the weather ".
Call or email Linda Stuart at the Parish Office (762-5273 or stjohn@stjohnsepiscopalchurch.net) to make this loving gesture, then order from the florist of your choice. Sundays are reserved in the order requested. No flowers are needed for Sundays in Advent and Lent.
Prayer Breakfast
Thursdays, 7:00 a.m. Elebash Hall. At the Prayer Breakfast prayers are offered for all concerns. The scripture readings for the coming Sunday follow, with reflections on how they speak to our daily lives. Plus, we feed you! Thursdays, 7:00 a.m. breakfast, 7:25 a.m. prayer and study begin.