Services & Music
Worship
Holy Communion, Rite Two is on Sundays at 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.
Morning Prayer from the Book of Common Prayer is on Mondays and Wednesdays at 9:00 a.m.
Evening Prayer from the Book of Common Prayer is on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5:00 p.m.
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On Sundays, join us in-person at the church or via Zoom ( contacting the office for a Zoom invitation).
Alternately you can view recorded Sunday services by visiting our YouTube channel.
Episcopalians (Anglicans) across the world, worship in many different styles, ranging from very formal, ancient, and multi-sensory rites with lots of singing, music, fancy clothes (called vestments), and incense, to informal services with contemporary music. Yet all worship in the Episcopal Church is based in the Book of Common Prayer, which gives worship a familiar feel, no matter where you go. At St. John's we are considered Broad Church which means that our worship includes elements of the ancient multi-sensory rites of the Church but in a much more informal atmosphere. Interested? There is more on this below the music section, keep scrolling!
Holy Communion, Rite Two is on Sundays at 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.
Morning Prayer from the Book of Common Prayer is on Mondays and Wednesdays at 9:00 a.m.
Evening Prayer from the Book of Common Prayer is on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5:00 p.m.
--
On Sundays, join us in-person at the church or via Zoom ( contacting the office for a Zoom invitation).
Alternately you can view recorded Sunday services by visiting our YouTube channel.
Episcopalians (Anglicans) across the world, worship in many different styles, ranging from very formal, ancient, and multi-sensory rites with lots of singing, music, fancy clothes (called vestments), and incense, to informal services with contemporary music. Yet all worship in the Episcopal Church is based in the Book of Common Prayer, which gives worship a familiar feel, no matter where you go. At St. John's we are considered Broad Church which means that our worship includes elements of the ancient multi-sensory rites of the Church but in a much more informal atmosphere. Interested? There is more on this below the music section, keep scrolling!
Music
Music at St. John’s currently includes organ, piano, classical/jazz guitar, song and, occasionally, hand bells. Our organist and choir director retired recently, if you are a trained musician and would like to apply for the position of Organist/Choir Master please see our job posting, and consider applying. This post will remain open until filled. Currently we have organist Robert McWithey, of Weaverville, twice a month and are accompanied by Jazz guitarist Mike Holstein and choir leader and pianist Katie Souva twice a month. They are all simply amazing and we are growing to love this Holy variety.
Special Music led services/events.
Our Organ
The organ at St. John’s is a three manual Rodgers Allegiant digital electronic instrument installed in 2007. Our current organist is Robert McWithey, who serves with us two Sundays a month.
Jazz Guitar and Piano
With the musical gifts of parishioners like Mike Holstein, Julia Duncan, Lisa and Jamie Melton, and Katie Souva who bless us with their talented prayerful music.
Handbells
We have 3 octaves of Malmark Bellcraftsmen hand bells.
Special Music led services/events.
- Our church presents a service of Advent Lessons and Carols, on the first Sunday of Advent, each year.
- We begin our celebration of Easter with the Easter Vigil, gathering before Sunrise to hear the history of our faith chanted in the Exultet while we sit in candle light awaiting the moment Christ's resurrection is announced with great fanfare as the sun rises.
- On 5th Sundays we our Eucharist is done in a contemplative style with instrumental music holding space for us so that we can simply "be" and rest in God's presence between readings and reflections.
Our Organ
The organ at St. John’s is a three manual Rodgers Allegiant digital electronic instrument installed in 2007. Our current organist is Robert McWithey, who serves with us two Sundays a month.
Jazz Guitar and Piano
With the musical gifts of parishioners like Mike Holstein, Julia Duncan, Lisa and Jamie Melton, and Katie Souva who bless us with their talented prayerful music.
Handbells
We have 3 octaves of Malmark Bellcraftsmen hand bells.
How we Worship
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Liturgy and Ritual
Worship in the Episcopal Church is said to be liturgical, meaning that the structure of our worship and the prayers that we pray don’t change greatly from week to week. This sameness from week to week gives worship a rhythm that becomes comforting and familiar to the worshipers. Our worship also follows patterns that have been used in Christian worship for centuries, and in countless places, so our worship anchors us to an ancient faith. |
If the customs and worship of The Episcopal Church are new to you, let the congregation carry you along in the liturgy, and know that we welcome your conversation and questions. Episcopalians are comfortable with a wide variety of physical expressions of devotion and adoration during worship. You may see people bowing, making the sign of the cross, sitting, kneeling or standing, or all three, throughout the service. You are free to participate in ways that you are comfortable. If you are not comfortable or able to kneel at the times indicated in the bulletin, please stand. If you are not able to stand, please remain seated.
If you have more questions, check out our Frequently Asked Questions page or contact our priest and just ask!