Worship

Celebrations of Holy Eucharist

8:00 a.m. Rite I in the Church
9:00 a.m. Rite II in the Church
11:15 a.m. Rite II in the Church
5:30 p.m. Rite II in Carter Chapel

Childcare is available Sunday mornings from 8:15 am to 12:45 pm

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Weekday Worship

Daily Eucharist Monday through Friday:
12:10 p.m. in Carter Chapel, with healing service on Wednesdays.

Morning Prayer Wednesdays only
7:15 am in Carter Chapel

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Westminster Oaks Services

1st Wednesday of Each Month
12 noon - Lunch in Magnolia Room;  3 pm Eucharist in Frances Chapel

3rd Wednesday of Each Month
11 am - Eucharist in Health Center, Ivy Porch, on first floor

Bus to St. John's each Sunday
8:15 bus for 9:15 am service;   4:45 bus for 5:30 pm service

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Baptisms

In keeping with the tradition of the Episcopal church, both adults and children of all ages are baptized. Baptisms take place during corporate worship at the Great Vigil of Easter, the Day of Pentecost, the Sunday after All Saints’ Day, the Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord (First Sunday after the Epiphany), or otherwise as scheduled by the Rector.

Contact the clergy of St. John's for the next baptismal date and further instruction.

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Weddings

The Book of Common Prayer calls Christian marriage a "solemn and public covenant between a man and a woman in the presence of God." The covenant relationship between husbands and wives is to mirror the same kind of loyal, unswerving, and faithful love that God has for his people, as revealed by Jesus Christ. Therefore, Christian marriage is an exclusive and permanent relationship modeled after Christ's total self-giving to us.

By solemnizing your marriage in the church you are making a "faith statement" that you desire to enter such a covenant relationship before God and in the presence of God's people. On your wedding day you stand before the altar and commit yourselves to each other for the rest of your lives, stating your intention to live your married life within the community of the church. At this service you are inviting God's life and love to be at the center of your marriage, blessed by our Lord Jesus Christ, whose grace and love can sustain you in your life together.

The discernment process may begin as early as one year, but no later than four months, prior to a proposed wedding date.

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Burial of the Dead

An Episcopal funeral is, above all else, a service of worship to Almighty God, which will involve thanksgiving to God, not only for the life of the deceased, but for the love God has shown to us through Jesus Christ, and for the promise we have as Christians that “neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” In planning this worship service the following customs are observed:

• Please notify a member of the clergy as soon as a death occurs. A priest will meet with you to make funeral arrangements and provide counsel as needed.
• The liturgy of the Burial of the Dead in The Book of Common Prayer (page 469 or 491) offers both Rite I (traditional language) and Rite II (contemporary language).
• During the service the coffin or urn, if present, is covered by a special cloth called a pall or an American flag. No items are placed on or near the remains, i.e. pictures or flowers, The pall is removed just prior to the removal of the coffin from the church for transport to the cemetery. If a flag is used, it will be removed at the graveside
• The Paschal Candle burns at the head of the coffin.
• Appropriate readings, music and the homily will be discussed and determined with the assistance of the priest that will preside.
• Holy Eucharist is encouraged to be a part of a Christian burial service.

For additional information, contact the Rector’s Assistant (222-2636, ext. 22).

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St. Agnes Altar Guild

Members of this guild work in teams to carry out the very important ministry of preparing the altar for all services. Members also assist in the care of vestments, linens, silver, brass, needlepoint, and other appointments.

Acolytes

The ministry of Acolyte is a wonderful way for youth, grades 6-12, to be actively involved in a leadership role in the worship life at St. John’s. Acolytes perform a wide variety of jobs in our worships services, ranging from carrying torches, banners and processional crosses, to assisting at the altar during Holy Communion.

Acolyting is a fun and exciting ministry, but it is also very challenging, and carries with it a tremendous amount of responsibility. Acolytes must commit to gaining a solid knowledge of the liturgies of the church. This is evidenced by the ribbon program, in which youth study altar terms, parts of the church, vestments, and elements of the liturgy, in order to gain ribbons that determine in which positions they will serve.

Acolytes, as leaders of worship, are responsible for seeing to it that everyone in the congregation experiences worship that glorifies God. Acolytes do this through leading by example (participating in worship themselves) and by not drawing attention to themselves.

If you are interested in the Acolyte Ministry, please contact the church office at 222-2636