Worship at St. John’s
“St. John’s Episcopal Church is a worshipping community called by Christ to grow spiritually and to nurture that growth in others.”
– St. John’s mission statement.
Worship is at the heart of our community, where we come together in faith to praise God, seek spiritual renewal, and find strength in shared prayer and sacrament.
Whether you are a longtime member or visiting for the first time, you are warmly welcomed into our sacred space. Join us as we lift our hearts in worship, celebrate God’s love, and grow together in faith.
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Rooted in Tradition
Our worship follows the Book of Common Prayer, first published in 1549 and adapted over the centuries to meet the needs of changing times and peoples. This liturgy connects us to the earliest forms of Christian worship, offering a sense of continuity and grounding.
While our worship may feel complex at first, many find it profoundly fulfilling. It addresses timeless questions while embracing the complexities of modern life, making it as relevant today as it was in ancient times.
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Holy Communion
Central to our worship is the celebration of Holy Communion, or Eucharist, a Greek word meaning “thanksgiving.”
The Church teaches that through our prayers, the bread and wine are made holy and become the body and blood of Christ. This transformation represents a sacrament: “an outward and visible sign of inward and spiritual grace.”
All baptized persons are welcome to participate in the Eucharist.
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Incarnational Worship
Our worship reflects the incarnational nature of the Christian faith, celebrating the good news of God becoming embodied in Christ.
We use real elements like bread, wine, candles, flowers, and music to enhance the worship experience.
Mistakes are part of the human experience! Don’t worry if you sing a wrong note or mispronounce a word.
We also engage our bodies in worship—crossing, greeting, bowing, sitting, standing, and sometimes kneeling. Feel free to follow along as you feel comfortable, and consult the italicized instructions (rubrics) in the bulletin or the Book of Common Prayer for guidance.
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Worship + Beauty
Beauty is at the core of our worship experience:
The beauty of sacred prayers
The glow of stained glass and candlelight
The richness of sacred music
The profound mystery of our faith
Episcopalians are known for creating beautiful worship spaces and experiences, and we invite you to join us in celebrating this sacred beauty.
Worship Schedule
SUNDAY SERVICE
Regular Schedule (September - May)
8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite 1
A quiet service lasting about forty-five minutes that includes scripture, sermon, traditional prayers, and Holy Communion. This service includes hymns once each month.
9:00 a.m. Morning Prayer via Zoom
An online prayer service lasting about forty-five minutes that includes scripture, sermon, prayers, and music. Join the service or download the worship bulletin.
10:15 a.m. Holy Eucharist
The parish’s primary worship service lasting a little over one hour that includes scripture, sermon, prayers, and Holy Communion in modern language along with music led by our choir.
SUNDAY SERVICE
Summer Schedule (June - August)
9:00 a.m. Morning Prayer via Zoom
An online prayer service lasting about forty-five minutes that includes scripture, sermon, prayers, and music. Join the service or download the worship bulletin.
10:15 a.m. Holy Eucharist
The parish’s primary worship service lasting a little over one hour that includes scripture, sermon, prayers, and Holy Communion in modern language along with music.
TUESDAY
5:30 p.m. Evening Prayer in the Chapel of the Resurrection.
THURSDAY
12:00 p.m. (noon) Holy Eucharist in the Chapel of the Resurrection.
ONLINE PRAYER + WORSHIP
The IndyDio Virtual Abbey offers Morning Prayer each day at 8 a.m. (in English) and 8:30 a.m. (in Spanish) and Compline each evening at 8:00 p.m.
The Daily Office Online offers Morning and Evening Prayer resources including live, online prayer each morning at 9:00 a.m.
Music at St. John ‘s
Music is an integral part of our worship and spiritual life.
It enriches our services, elevates our prayers, and unites our congregation in a shared expression of faith.
Whether through traditional hymns, choral anthems, instrumental pieces, or original works by local artists, music helps us connect with the divine, offering a powerful and joyful way to experience God’s presence.
The Music Committee is a group of parishioners who are interested in supporting the role and place of music as ministry in and of our congregation.
The committee acts as a facilitator of the programs which bring the joy of music to our worship, adult programs, and shared fellowship. The committee helps with parish outreach through the offerings taken at Evensong services which highlight a community service program. This group of individuals also acts as a sounding board and resource for the Director of Music.
The committee’s membership is open to any member of the parish, regardless of whether or not you are an active member of the music program.
The Music Committee
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Adult Choir
The Adult Choir leads worship at St. John’s through hymns, anthems, and special programs, offering a welcoming space for singers of all backgrounds.
With a diverse repertoire spanning centuries, the choir provides music for Sunday Eucharist, Holy Days, Evensong, and concerts supporting community programs. Rehearsals are Thursday evenings.
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The St. John's Quimby Organ
In celebration of the installation of St. John’s 2018 Quimby Organ and thanks to a number of generous gifts, St. John’s established the Annual Anniversary Organ Recital.
Past recitals include:
2025 Ryan Chan, AGO 2024 Competition Winner
2024 Michael Bennett, Director of Music, St. John’s Episcopal Church
2023 James O’Donnell, Organist Emeritus, Westminster Abbey
2022 Richard Elliott, Principal Organist, The Mormon Tabernacle
2019 Todd Wilson, Professor, Cleveland Institute of Music