Liturgical worship is in some ways a dinner party. We gather, tell stories, share a meal, and are sent out. (Like dinner parties, sometimes that goodbye takes a while, thus the addition of coffee hour).
Worship at St. John’s is interactive and includes a large cast of volunteers. Our large choir leads the in beautiful song. Lay members read from scripture, lead prayers, serve at the Eucharistic table, and offer healing prayer.
All of us join together in prayer and song to worship God and encounter God’s beauty and presence in this place.
In addition to Sunday worship, we gather for special services each year. These include:
CHRISTMAS – On Christmas Eve an early family service and a later candlelight one. On Christmas Day a simpler but still celebratory service.
ASH WEDNESDAY – For prayer, confession, and to be marked with the sign of the cross
MAUNDY THURSDAY – To remember Jesus’ Last Supper and his commandment that we love one another, as he’s loved us.
GOOD FRIDAY – To mark Jesus’ death and commit to taking up his cross.
EASTER VIGIL – To retell the story of Christ’s redemption and celebrate with much fanfare the first moments of his resurrection.
COMMENCEMENT WEEKEND – When the center of town is packed for the Williams College Commencement, we join our brothers and sisters from First Congregational Church for a service out by the Clark Art Institute’s reflecting pool. This 8am service allows time to attend Commencement or head home before the traffic jams begin.
VESPERS – A simple, contemplative service of Evening Prayer on the third Thursday of each month that features chant and song and the highlighting of a saint who’s gone before us.
CONTEMPLATIVE PRAYER – Every Thursday afternoon a small group gathers for for a service of simple prayers and an extended time of silence, in which to listen for God’s voice.
