Ministries

Creating places for belonging, growth, and service.

Children's Ministry

We create nurturing places for our children and grandchildren to learn about the love of God and grow in grace. All adults working with children have been background checked and trained.

  • Children are welcome and wanted at all St. John services.
  • A nursery with toys and books is provided near the sanctuary, should you and your child need a moment away.
  • Every Sunday service at St. John has an interactive "Simple Sermon" at the front of the sanctuary. This paired-down, 2-minute version of the sermon is designed for children.
  • Children's lessons and children's church can be provided if enough children are present.
  • Special activities, including camp, are provided for children throughout the year.
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Youth Ministry

We have a growing youth group of middle school and high school students at St. John, who'd love to make some new friends.

  • Youth often lead elements of the worship service: prayers, offering, ushering, etc. Youth have also led in singing, preaching, and co-leading communion.
  • Monthly youth fellowship or service events are held during the school year, giving teens a chance to hang out, make new friends, and enjoy being with one another.
  • Monthly lessons are offered after worship to help youth explore the Bible, theology, and the riches of faith together.
  • We always make a way for our youth to go to camp each summer, enjoying the fullness of what church camp can offer!
  • An important milestone in each teenager's life for our church is confirmation. Learn more about the process here.

College Ministry

College is an overwhelming time: new experiences, new learning, new responsibilities. We nurture college students and give them places to rest, grow, and lead.

  • College students are invited to spend the hour before worship on Sundays in adult Sunday School, teaching the children (pursuant to a background check), or fellowshipping with church members over coffee and snacks.
  • A college Bible Study is in the works, giving options for college students to explore important issues and find community.
  • We support a campus ministry to Baylor called "Open Table". Find out more about them on their instagram page: @opentable.bu
  • College students are invited to serve where we serve and join as full, adult members of the church.
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Adult Formation

We're a curious and hopeful bunch, gathering in a variety of circumstances to grow and mature in our faith.

  • Weekly Adult Sunday School is offered throughout the year at 10 AM on Sundays. The group is led by Virginia Wuebker and follows The Present Word curriculum.
  • Every fall and spring our pastor leads a Wednesday evening study series, diving into Scripture, theology, or topics suggested by the congregants (usually with supper provided!)
  • We believe that worship is formation, and give adults many opportunities to lead in all aspects of the worship service.
  • Many other fellowship and service opportunities are offered for adults throughout the year.

Choir

Our Choir helps to lead worship throughout the year in joyful song!

  • The work of the choir is often concentrated to the fall, winter, and spring, taking summers off.
  • The choir is open to anyone who loves to sing: no age requirement, audition, or even specific ability to read music is required.
  • The choir often accents our special events as a church, such as Easter and Christmas.
  • Most weeks, the choir rehearses on Wednesday evenings after Adult Bible Study.
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Quilters

A weekly ministry of our church providing fellowship and opportunities for service to many of our retired members.

  • The quilting group meets Wednesdays from 10 AM - 1 PM to hand quilt blankets which have already been pieced together.
  • The ministry serves two purposes: fellowship and community for our quilters, and the mission impact made from the proceeds of selling their quilts.
  • Join us each week for fellowship, fun, crafts, and even a few snacks.

Women's Guild

As one of our primary mission organizations within the church, this group plays an integral role in our outreach efforts. Though the guild keeps its traditional name, membership is open to all people of all genders. An average monthly meeting of the Women's Guild includes:

  • A lesson, usually taught by the pastor, focusing on timely topics, Scripture, our music, or historic figures in Christianity.
  • An offering to support local and global mission efforts, the group then makes decisions on where to send their support.
  • Cards for our homebound members, reminding them that we care.
  • Snacks, which are served near the end, so that members can enjoy fellowhsip.
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Churchman's Fellowship

Meeting quarterly to manage the business and facilities of our local UCC-Affliliated Church Camp, The Master's Workshop, this group is open to all adult members of our church, despite its traditional, gendered name.

  • The group reviews the budget and facility needs of the camp, figuring out how to meet the needs of the children in our community.
  • You will see folks, aged 30-90 working together in a common goal.
  • Snacks are always served at the conclusion of the meeting.

Church Council

We are a congregationally-governed church. In between meetings of the church membership, smaller leadership tasks are delegated to a monthly council of seven dedicated church members and the pastor.

  • Membership is elected to two year, rotating terms, with at least one year off between terms.
  • The council oversees the day to day operations of the church, including finances and ministries, bringing important issues to the congregation.
  • The council elects their own leadership.
  • Minutes from the meetings are available in the assembly room after they have been approved.
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