Episcopal Church of St. John the Baptist - York, PA

   Worship:

Worship is central to the life of our community. It is the reason we exist. For almost 250 years the people of St. John’s have maintained a rhythm of worship and praise of God. At our best, we are an oasis of God’s love in a confused world, a beacon of Christ’s light within our city, a dwelling place for the Kingdom of God. It is our worship life together as the body of Christ that undergirds us, that gives strength and meaning to all of our church activities. If we do nothing else, it is our highest calling to gather together in praise and thanksgiving to the God who gives us life.

Jesus promised that whenever two or three are gathered together in his name that he will be in the midst of them. Everyone is invited and welcome to come and gather at St. John’s as we worship in the name of Christ.

 

 

   

   Worship Services at St. John's

7:30 a.m. Service of Holy Eucharist

Rite I

St. John’s early service is a said service, having music only on Easter Sunday. The Holy Eucharist is always celebrated and always according to Rite I. This dignified and simple celebration has a strong group of regulars for whom this is their primary worship experience. It is a service in the tradition of Anglican worship whose hallmarks are reverential quiet, and personal devotion.

10 a.m Service of Holy Eucharist

Rite II

Our later morning service is a gorgeous blend of music and Prayer Book worship. This service is usually Rite II, except for the season of Lent when we use Rite I. Choirs sing or play every Sunday.

10 a.m. Wednesday morning Service of Holy Eucharist with Unction.

A quiet service of Holy Eucharist with special prayers for healing is held every Wednesday at 10 a.m. in the chapel. We read every name on our prayer list and offer to God our intercessions for ourselves and our world.

   Nursery care

For all ten o’clock Sunday morning services of Holy Eucharist, there is nursery care available in the Education building, located right next to the Church on the north side. The nursery is open from 8:30 until 11:30 on Sunday’s, so that parents and older children may attend Christian formation classes. This is a safe, child friendly environment with several attendants, the primary attendants being themselves grandparents. There are toys and games for children of younger ages, and a separate room for babies equipped with cribs and diaper changing areas.

St. John's is a community that worships together in the tradition of the Episcopal Church according to the rites and sacraments of The Book of Common Prayer. The community gathered in worship is a source of nourishment and strength as we are fed by both Word and Table. In our tradition, the laity serve as ministers of worship services in a variety of ways:

Lectors read the lessons from the Bible during the Liturgy of the Word. They also lead the congregation in the Prayers of the People where we offer to God our intercessions and thanksgivings.

Eucharistic Ministers assist the clergy by administering the cup of wine at Holy Communion and helping to clear the altar prior to the post-communion prayer and blessing.

Acolytes are younger people who assist in worship by performing such functions as carrying the processional cross; lighting and extinguishing candles; holding candles at the reading of the Gospel; and helping at the presentation of the bread and wine during the Offertory.

Ushers and Greeters are the "first line of hospitality" on Sunday mornings. They welcome people to the church, provide direction and assistance when needed, collect the offering at the Offertory, and direct traffic to and from the altar rail during Communion.

The Altar Guild assists the clergy in preparation for worship. Members of the Altar Guild are responsible for the care of the church linens, hangings, vestments, and traditional decorations for special services. They are charged with the care of the altar and its preparation for worship.