The ministry of the church is often done in small groups whose activities
in various ways carry out the mission of the church.
WORSHIP ACTIVITIES
Altar Guild
When one enters the church prior to worship, they will find all in readiness.
There is a group who have accepted the task of making sure all is ready. The
Altar Guild is a group of women who prepare the bread and wine for Holy
Communion, put the proper paraments in place, make sure the candles are of
sufficient length, keep track of the various supplies, and launder the used
linens. The importance of this dedicated group is realized when on a very rare
occasion there is a slip up.
The only reason there are only women is that so far men have not wanted to be
a part of this group. I suspect tradition has something to do with it. There is
no upper age limit, and the lower limit is simply set at the point of
responsibility.
Acolytes
An acolyte is a worship assistant. The office of acolyte dates back to at least
the third century A.D. Of course, in those days, acolytes were all boys. Today
it is our belief that both men and women can serve the Lord in public worship.
In our congregation acolytes range from 13 years of age up to and including
adults. There is no restriction as to gender or upper age. Some of the duties
include lighting and extinguishing the altar candles, assisting with communion,
and receiving the offering.
Communion Assistants
Communion assistant is an office that goes back to the beginning of the church.
When Holy Communion is offered at St. John's, there are two people who assist
the pastor. One pours the wine, the other distributes and collects the
individual glasses. Not only do these people, both men and women, contribute to
the smooth flow of worship, but they also find it to be spiritually significant
for themselves.
Ushers
Some larger congregations have both greeters and ushers. We are a small church,
so when worshipers arrive they are greeted by our ushers. To see a smiling face
when one comes through the door sets a tone of peace that we would like to think
continues all through the worship The usher not only greets those coming through
the door but offers them a bulletin, which acts like a program. They dispense
information to visitors and seek to be helpful in whatever way may be needed.
During the worship they receive the offering and present it before the Lord.
Music Program
Music is a language that speaks to the soul more than any other. It is important
to us to have enough variety in musical styles so that the soul is nourished.
The main forum for spiritual nourishment is worship. The choir is an important
part of our spiritual journey, providing leadership as well as inspiration.
The choir operates on the principle that we have been called, not to perform a concert, but to make a joyful noise to God. It is a small group of people who enjoy singing and sharing their love of music with others. Musical ability optional. The choir meets for rehearsal Wednesday evenings at 7:30 PM from September through June, and is led by Carol Mehring, a talented and creative musician who uses both the organ and keyboard.
FELLOWSHIP ACTIVITIES
Ladies Aid
The Ladies' Aid meets for lunch at noon on the first Thursday of each month.
They trace their origins back several generations, and thus are one of the older
groups in the church. Their purpose is fellowship and carrying out tasks that
contribute to the life of the congregation.
EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES
Sunday Church School
The Sunday Church School meets Sunday mornings from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. from
September to June. Children from 3 years of age to adult gather to explore
building the relationship called faith. Age appropriate material is presented,
which is designed to peak one's interest. Sunday Church School does not replace
the worship service. Parents are encouraged to make Sunday Church School a
family affair.
Grief Support Group
Life is not all gain. Sometimes we experience loss. When that loss is a loved
one, how does one continue the journey of life without being destroyed? The
Grief Support Group, which meets the fourth Thursday of each month at 7:00 pm,
tries to give those who have suffered the loss of a loved one the support they
need to get through the trauma. For that is what loss is, a severe trauma to the
system. The group offers hope and shares information, stories, and expectations
about the process of grief. There are 4 tasks which one must accomplish in order
to move through grief.
1. Accept the reality of the loss.
Loss is a hard thing to accept. There is a certain unrealness about death which confuses the mind, leading one to think they are in a dream, and will wake up and everything will be OK. Working through that dream-like status and accepting the reality is a task of grief.
2. Experience the pain and other emotions.
Loss hurts. There is a strong tendency to want to get rid of the pain immediately. Well meaning people will offer drugs, the bereaved may turn to alcohol, or they may simply turn off. All they have accomplished is to add to the pain. The quickest way through the pain is to recognize that yes it hurts, but that is OK. To try to medicate the pain away only postpones the healing. There are sometimes other emotions, like anger, guilt, fear that will hinder the healing unless they are dealt with.
3. Adjust to life on the other side of loss.
The loss is real. How will one live without the loved one? New skills must be learned. Relationships with friends will have changed. The house will be more empty. Hopes and dreams will have to be redone. Plans for the future will need to be redesigned. As one had to adjust from not having the loved one in their life, so one must adjust to no longer having the loved one present.
4. Reinvest emotional energy.
So much of one's emotional energy revolved around the one who has died that one feels either helpless or hopeless or both. The task of grief is to reinvest that emotional energy in other areas. One must find a new reason to get up in the morning, a new reason for living. This is as much a spiritual journey as an emotional one.
The Grief Support Group helps each other to work through the tasks of grief. Tears often flow, and pain is often expressed. Understanding is offered from those who have also lost. They have walked the walk. There are no fees or charges. The welcome mat is out for anyone who is seeking some support in their time of grief. Either call or email the church so that we may look for you We sometimes have a bit of refreshments. And as Tom Bodet says, "we'll leave the light on for you."