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Worship at St. John's
Worship Schedule
Sunday:
8:00am - Holy Eucharist
10:30am - Holy Eucharist (nursery care available)
Wednesday:
Noon - Holy Eucharist
6:00pm - Holy Eucharist
How to be involved in Worship:
Acolytes
"Crosses, torches, vestments, choirs,
assorted acolytes and servers, all serve to move
the congregation of believers out of
secular time and space into sacred time and space."
(Cf
"A Sermon for the 3rd Sunday in Lent A" by
Kathie Sandmaier)
Acolytes - In contemporary Anglicanism, a general term which covers not
only servers, torchbearers, and lighters of candles but also crucifers,
thurifers, and banner-bearers. Acolytes are mentioned as a minor order
(along with porters, lectors, and exorcists) as early as a letter of Pope
Cornelius to Fabius of Antioch in 252. They were also mentioned in
Cyprian's writings. They assisted deacons or subdeacons at the preparation
of the table. Later they carried candles in processions. In Rome they
carried fragments of the bread consecrated at the papal Mass to other
churches. In the late middle ages, when candles began to appear upon
altars, they lighted the altar candles. Eventually lay servers or
sacristans performed duties earlier associated with acolytes, and the
order of acolyte was normally conferred upon a candidate for priesthood in
the course of his training. The minor orders were not perpetuated in
Anglicanism. Some of the duties earlier performed by persons in the minor
order of acolyte were taken over by lay clerks. In the later nineteenth
century the clerks were suppressed and their duties were largely taken
over by lay "acolytes" and sacristans or altar guilds. See Minor Orders.
(Cf. A New Dictiol1OJJ'for Episcopalians)
Servers or Acolytes - are
representatives of the congregation who take part in processions
(bearing the censer, the processional cross, torches, bam1ers, books)
and assist the clergy in various ways to facilitate the services
.
lighting and extinguishing candles,
.
incensing the clergy and people,
. assisting at the preparation of the table and at the ablutions,
.
carrying extra incense or books or other
items which might be needed in the rites).
(Cj A Manual of Ceremonial for the New Prayer Book,
by Marion J. Hatchett. Sewanee: St. Luke's
Journal of Theology, 1977. p.17)
We currently are blessed in having this role be an intergenerational
ministry with three adults and young adults who serve as Acolytes or
Servers; and are always open to welcome new people into this great
ministry of hospitality. If interested, please contact the parish office
at 793-9575.
Altar
Guild
The Altar Guild prepares the
church for worship and celebration. Members are scheduled for weekly
services as well as preparations for baptisms, weddings, funerals and
other special services.
This ministry also includes care and cleaning of linens, brass, silver,
and glass receptacles as well as upkeep of the Sacristy, Sanctuary, and
Baptistry. New cabinets and drawers for linens are on our "wish list" as
the clergy vestments are now stored downstairs.
Membership includes Betty Donaghy, Janet Cosenza, Marcia Hoffman, Charlotte Jacqmain,
Sue Luxton, Pat Lynes, Kathie Smith, and Jan Young. Recruiting
new members continues to be a priority.
Greeters/Ushers
Although it is easy to see the ongoing duties performed by this group,
this is our hospitality team-most often providing the first impression to
first-time attendees at our services. Our Junior Ushers are in the 4th or
5th grade age group. Currently, we have thirty-two adults who serve as
Greeters/Ushers and two Junior Ushers; there's always room for more! Please contact the
parish office if you are willing to offer a small part of your time to
this important ministry.
Lay
Eucharistic Ministers
Lay Eucharistic Ministers or Chalice Bearers are people who have been
licensed by the diocese to administer the chalice at Communion. As the Hr.
Stephen Moore points out in his book, Church Words, "The
opportunities for lay liturgical ministry in the 1979 prayer book were
greatly increased. This opening included the administration of the chalice
at Holy Eucharist by licensed lay persons in the absence of sufficient
deacons or priests' (Cf BCP, p.408)." Lay Eucharistic Ministers may
assist at the liturgy by also serving as a server / acolyte and/or lector.
St. John's is blessed to have over ten Lay Eucharistic Ministers who
assist at the Eucharist. If you are interested in learning more about how
to become a Lay Eucharistic Minister, please contact our Rector, The Rev.
Darren Elin by email at darrenelin@eastmich.org or call him at the
parish office 793-9575.
Lectors
Lectors are those who assist at the Eucharist by reading one or more of
our Bible readings for the service. While considerably different from the
traditional role of the traditional "Lay Reader," lectors today receive
training in the parish and the ministry has become intergenerational with
a number of our young adults serving alongside our adult lectors. This too
is a ministry that is always open to new people. Currently we are blessed
with eight Lectors. If interested in learning how to be a lector, please
contact the parish office at 793-9575.
Lay
Eucharistic Visitors
Similar
to our Lay Eucharistic Ministers, Lay Eucharistic Visitors are
assistants who are licensed by the diocese to bring Communion from our
Sunday Holy Eucharist to those who could not attend our service because
of being ill or infirmed. This role is also an important part of our
Pastoral Care Team and by its nature requires specialized training and
support. Currently St. John's has two active Lay Eucharistic Visitors
with several more who remain licensed. If you are interested in learning
more about how to serve in this way, please contact our Rector, The Rev.
Darren Elin or email him at darrenelin@eastmich.org or call the
parish office 793-9575 |
