St.
John's Reformed Church is a dynamic and exciting church. We Glorify God
as together we work, play, learn, and worship. We find joy in life through
our Lord, Jesus Christ. We seek to share that joy with others.
Some
of our activities are described in the following paragraphs. Because we
are an active and dynamic church, our activities and schedules are constantly
changing to keep pace with the changing needs of our community. Regardless
of our changing time, however, one theme remains: We seek to proclaim the
love of God in Christ to a world that needs the Gospel.
Worship
The
worship of God is central in the life of each Christian. The cornerstone
of St. John's life together is our gathering each Sunday for worship. All
of the members of St. John's are expected to join together in worship and
praise of our Lord. We welcome friends from the community to join us in
the worship experience. Nursery is provided at each morning worship and
transportation is provided to those who express a need for it. Our worship
is inspiring as we are led in our praise by pastor, choir and upon occasion
lay liturgists.
Communion
is held the first Sundays in October, November, December, January, February,
March, April and/or May, and June, a Sunday in late July and on Maundy Thursday.
In
addition to our commitment to provide worship every Sunday morning, we have
annual worship services as well. These include: a Christmas Eve Candlelight
Service, an Ash Wednesday Service, a Maundy Thursday Communion Service with
either Tenebrae or Seder Supper, a Good Friday Service, an Easter Sunrise
Service, and a Thanksgiving Eve Service. A Healing Service and Prayer Services
are also provided during the years.
Our
worship is rounded out by special worship services such as weddings and
funerals where we seek to celebrate the love, power, care, and compassion
of God at significant times in the lives of individuals.
Education
The
heart of our education program is our Sunday School where we provide
Christian teaching to all ages from three to adult each Sunday morning
from the Sunday after Labor Day to the second Sunday in June. Classes
begin at 9:30 A.M.
Confirmation
classes for youth and membership classes for adults run for six weeks
as needed. We also have a Bible Study that meets each Thursday year
round at 7 P.M. and other opportunities for study as announced.
St.
John's Library provides a resource for individual study in the areas
of Bible, theology, inspirational writings, fiction and many more areas.
Resources not only include books, but filmstrips and videos as well.
Finally,
our major source of communication is our Newsletter. It is published
monthly except for July and August when there is one midsummer edition.
Through the Newsletter, information is provided by each organization
of the church to inform and encourage one another. Special features
include a message from the pastor, committee reports, which describe
ways people are or may be involved in the life of the church, and a
calendar of the up coming month's events.
Outreach,
Fellowship & Service
Our
Women's Guild for Christian Service and Women's Morning Circle are
groups of concerned women of St. John's who meet to plan and carry
our much good work at St. John's. They put together Food Sales,
dinners, and other Fund Raising events. The Youth Group is made
up of young people from grades 7-12 who, as in the Guild and Circles,
come together for service, fellowship, education, and sharing.
Among
the opportunities we have for fellowship are PotLuck Dinners. Every week
after worship we have a coffee hour when we can share our lives with one
another.
All
of these activities are open to nonmembers as well as members; nonmembers
are encouraged to participate. Some activities and sponsorships are designed
with nonmembers particularly in mind. These include: Boy Scouts who meet
in the basement on Mondays. In addition to the other missions which we support,
we provide scholarships to help St. John's young people attend college and
camperships which enable church and community children to attend Fowler's
summer camp program in Speculator, New York.
Support
The
great number of activities, services and events which we carry out
at St. John's are made possible through people who selflessly give
of themselves in many areas behind the scenes. Administrative coordination
and attention are given to innumerable details related to our facilities
located on West Main street in St. Johnsville, our finances, and
our routine functioning. All of this is overseen by an eight member
Consistory functioning through its committees. By the Grace of God
and the dedication of His people we are able to accomplish much by
the power and abilities He has given us.
Are
you called to be part of the family of God? YES, you are!
This
is the Good News that we proclaim and we invite you to share with us in
the worship, learning, outreach, and support of the ministry of God through
our Lord Jesus Christ. You are called. Come be a part of God's plan!
