Welcome to St. John’s. Whether you have visited us in person or are just exploring that possibility by visiting this website here first, we are glad that you have found us. As someone considering what life at St. John's is like, you are likely to have many questions. Here are our answers to Frequently Asked Questions.
What happens on Sunday morning?
St. John’s comes alive each Sunday morning! Our services begin year around at 8:00 with a traditional service that is more contemplative than other offerings. In the fall and winter, breakfast is served every Sunday from 8:30am to 9:30am in Magill Hall. With the exception of summer, Sunday School for all ages then meets from 9:30am to 10:15am. A festive service of music, preaching and communion follows at 10:30. Adult and children's choirs provide musical leadership for the 10:30am service.
We celebrate The Holy Eucharist during each Sunday worship service. All who seek a relationship with Christ are invited to receive Holy Communion.
During the summer, our worship times change. The 8:00 service remains but the later service begins at 10:00. Currently, there is no Sunday School during the Summer months. The dates of our summer schedule are announced on our homepage.
When you arrive at St. John’s, you will be greeted by a member of the Vestry, the governing board of our church, or by another member of the congregation. Ushers will also greet you and help with seating. They will also give you a bulletin. This bulletin directs you to readings in the Book of Common Prayer, to hymns in The Hymnal 1982 and the hymnal supplement, Wonder Love and Praise. It’s also a wonderful resource for upcoming events.
Toddlers and older children begin worship with their families in the church, and may leave at the sequence hymn for Children's Liturgy in the Chapel. They return at the peace so they can continue participating in the liturgy. Parents whose children are younger and in the nursery for the early part of the service often leave after at the peace and bring their children into church for Communion. As full members of Christ’s Body the Church, children are always welcome for the entire service.
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How do I receive Holy Communion?
All who seek a relationship with Christ are invited to receive the Holy Eucharist. The bread is received in your open palm. The wine is administered from a common cup known as a chalice; please assist the chalice bearers by guiding the cup to your lips. If you have children with you, help them as well. Children appropriately receive communion. If it is your tradition for children to receive a blessing, simply help them cross their arms over their chest as a sign to the priest. Any person who crosses their arms over their chest receives a blessing at the communion rail.
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What do you offer my children?
On Sundays from 9:30 a.m. to 10:20 a.m. (during the school year), children in Pre-School (ages 3 and 4) through the fifth grade participate in Godly Play, a Montessori-based approach to Christian formation. Located in the newly-renovated Children's Education space, the Godly Play classes focus on our sacred stories in the Bible, the sacraments of the Episcopal Church, and the traditions of the Christian year.
In addition St. John's offers Coming To Communion a class designed for children in first through fourth grades who want to learn more about the sacrament and what it means in our tradition. This class is in no way a requirement to take communion.
On Sunday morning during the Liturgy of the Word children ages Pre-K through grammar school depart at the Sequence Hymn for their own sermon in the chapel. They then rejoin the parish family in the church at the Peace. In addition, Spirit Bags are provided in the church to help them appreciate worship at their level. The bags contain a children's bulletin, simple coloring sheets related to the church season, puzzles related to the day's gospel reading, and crayons.
Our choirs for young people are part of the Royal School of Church Music program. Children begin by participating in a Training Choir, where they learn to sing as well as to develop skills necessary to participate in worship services. When they are ready the children become full members of the Treble Choir. Children in the Treble and Training choirs usually sing in church twice a month.
The St. Cecilia Choir is a group of older elementary, middle school and high school girls who sing interesting and challenging 2 and 3 part music. They sing two or three times a month with the Treble and Training Choirs, with the full Parish Choir, and with a small group of women from the Parish Choir.
Our Christian formation program for youth is divided into two groups: Junior Youth for students in grades six through eight, and Senior Youthfor students in grades nine through twelve. This program combines Sunday morning church school, evening youth groups, confirmation preparation, summer mission trips, and acolyte ministry. Various social and service activities throughout the year have been planned, and they are publicized on this page, in the parish newsletter, and through direct mailings to our youth.
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How do I get more involved at St. John's?
Just let us know! We are always excited when people want to explore their faith among us. We have many activities as a church family and unique weekly and/or monthly activities for men, women, seniors, teenagers and younger children. Check out the opportunities listed on this website or call the church office for more information about any area of ministry.
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How do I join St. John's?
Call Kristina Driver, Executive Assistant to Program Staff, at (434) 528-1138 or kristina@stjohnslynchburg.org if you wish to be recorded as an active member of the church. If you were an active member of another church or parish prior to coming to St John's, then we will need the contact information for that church. Lynne will contact them, officially request that your membership be transferred, and confirm that transfer with you.
Confirmation classes are offered prior to the Bishop's regular visit to St. John's. The bishop's visitation occurs about every 18 months. The confirmation class is designed for anyone 16 years old or older who would like to know more about Christianity and the Episcopal Church. Confirmation is expected of adult members in good standing. While no longer the doorway to receiving Holy Communion, this rite allows one to enjoy the fullest degree of membership in the Episcopal Church. Confirmation also is required for one to be elected to the Vestry or to the Diocesan or General Conventions.
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What do we do if we want to get married at St. John's?
If you desire to schedule a wedding at St John's, please set up a meeting with a priest to begin the process. Either the bride or the groom will need to be a baptized member of the church. Professional counseling with a priest or a professional therapist will be required. A wedding booklet that details the process of hosting a wedding a St. John's, lists the expenses, and answers most of the questions is available by contacting the church office.
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What do we do if we want to get our child baptized at St. John's?
Baptisms are scheduled through our membership secretary, Lynne Cope, (434) 528-1138 or kristina@stjohnslynchburg.org. Upcoming dates for Holy Baptism include:
- Pentecost, May 11, 2008
- All Saints’ Sunday, November 9, 2008
- The Baptism of Our Lord, January 11, 2009
- Easter, April 12, 2009
- Pentecost, May 31, 2009
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Whom do I call with questions?
We urge you to meet our clergy, staff and vestry. They can answer any question you might have.
You may contact the church office at (434) 528-1138 to discuss any specific questions you may have or to set up an appointment with one of our clergy.
