For more information on any of these opportunities to assist in worship, contact the church staff.

Acolytes

About 45 acolytes, from fourth graders through high school seniors, form six teams, each with an adult mentor and youth captain. Acolytes serve at 10:30 a.m. worship on Sundays and for other special services. They are the hands and feet of the worship team, assisting clergy and laity during the service, carrying church symbols, lighting candles and assisting with communion.  acolyte schedule

Altar Guild

Altar Guild members are women and men who work closely with vergers, deacons and priests to prepare the altar and church for services. The Altar Guild cares for linens, communion vessels, liturgical hangings and candles used in services. Members prepare the church for baptisms, weddings, funerals and other holy festivals. St. John’s has three Altar Guild teams, each serving for two weeks, in a six-week rotation.

Choir

Members of the adult choir offer music to enhance the liturgy of the 10:30 a.m. service on Sundays, January to June and September to December, as well as special services during Lent and at Easter and Christmas. Choir members rehearse 7:15-8:45 p.m. Wednesdays and sing a variety of anthem styles. Additional opportunities for sharing the gift of music are available from time to time, with choirs for children and youth, handbells, and instrumental solos and ensembles.

Eucharistic Visitors

Lay members licensed for the ministry of Eucharistic visiting take communion from worship services at St. John’s to parishioners who are in the hospital, nursing care or homebound. They offer a brief service, extending worship and the bonds of community to those unable to attend.

Greeters

Greeters help people feel welcome at Sunday morning services; they typically serve in one-month rotations. Their special ministry is to assist guests and newcomers who are not familiar with the church.

Intercessors

An intercessor offers the Prayers of the People at the 10:30 a.m. worship service on Sundays, bidding prayers for those who are ill and in nursing care, members of the military and those who have died. They also offer thanksgivings and prayers for our church, community and the world.

Lay Readers

Generally called “lay readers,” they serve in specific roles as lectors and Eucharistic ministers. Lectors read the Old Testament lesson and lead the congregation in the Psalm. Eucharistic ministers serve the chalice and may also read the Epistle lesson and prayers. After additional training, lay people may also be licensed for other worship functions, such as conducting morning and evening prayer.

Nursing Care Services

Each month, several parishioners offer worship services at local nursing care centers. Volunteers take on various roles, greeting attendees, reading lessons, leading music and extended our reach to those unable to attend.

Ushers

Ushers help with seating, hand out bulletins as people enter for the service, pass the offering plate and direct the congregation to receive communion. Ushers also tidy up the pews after Sunday morning worship services. Two people serve as ushers for each Sunday morning service, typically in one-month rotations.

Vergers

Although their most obvious role is escorting the procession at the 10:30 a.m. worship service each Sunday, vergers’ primary duties are behind the scenes. Vergers assist the altar guild and others in preparing for services, assist clergy and laity during communion, and are present to be sure worship flows smoothly.  verger schedule