Members of our congregation have many opportunities to take part in various aspects of our worship services. We love to see our community involved.
Altar Guild
As the center of the Church’s life, the altar is the main concern of the Altar Guild. Guild members work with the priest to make sure services run smoothly. Duties include preparation and clean-up of all altars for all services (daily Monday through Saturday, two services on Sunday, as well as funerals, weddings, Holy Week services and any other special service).
Members also launder all altar linens, press vestments, care for the sacred vessels, mend linens and vestments, and house clean the sacristy when necessary.
Members of the Guild divide into teams, and each team is responsible for the Sunday and weekday Services for one week a month. Guild meetings are held twice a year. Any Parish member who attends workshop on a regular basis is eligible to become a Guild member. New members must undergo some training.
Altar Servers
Altar Servers at St. John’s are lay boys and girls, men and women who have been trained to serve in some liturgical capacity for a Sunday morning Eucharist. On average, Altar Servers serve once a month. All servers scheduled for a month will be notified via a monthly schedule that is sent out. The various types of Altar Servers and their criteria for selection are as follows:
Torchbearers: Grades 2 through 5
Acolytes: Grades 6 through 12
Thurifers: Selected from Acolytes
Adult Acolytes: Adults willing to serve at 8:00 a.m.
Eucharistic Ministers: Appointed by Rector and licensed by Bishop
MC’s: Appointed by Rector
Lesson Readers: Anyone willing and able
Greeters and Oblation Bearers
Greeters are tasked with enthusiastically welcoming all who enter the Church by making Church members and visitors alike feel cherished and important to our house of worship. Greeters also serve as a source of information, especially for newcomers who may not be familiar with the facility or available programs or who are eager to learn more about the Church.
Oblation Bearers, or gift bearers, represent the parishioners in bringing the host and wine to the altar during the service. Their role is an integral part of the Eucharist liturgy.
Each participant receives a description of duties and responsibilities before serving the Church in these roles.