Worship Ministries
In a thriving church, there’s room for everyone to participate: to enjoy relationships with other members of the community and to offer one’s time and talents in the ministries of the church.
In this directory, you’ll see descriptions of many of the church’s ministries. Some assist with Sunday worship, others provide outreach or hospitality. Use the expanding menus below to learn about all of the ways you can get involved at St. Luke’s.
Music
Purpose: To provide Choral Worship maintained by a choir of volunteers and professional leaders. The Friends of Music supports this ministry and also the Concert Series. All information is provided in the annual Music List available in print or on the church’s website.
Requirements to get involved: A brief audition with the Director.
How often a person would serve, or the time commitment is: A firm commitment every Wednesday (7:00-9:00 pm) and Sunday mornings at 10:15 am for the 11:00 am Eucharist; as well as 3:30 pm for Choral Evenson at 4:30 pm, on the 3rd Sunday of the month.
Contact person: Russell Jackson, russellj@slecsa.org,
210-828-6425, x255
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The Office of Evensong has its roots in the monastic tradition when monks would sing the liturgical hours throughout the night and day. Archbishop Thomas Cranmer combined the Magnificat from Vespers with the Nunc dimittis from Compline, and this was a foundation stone of the Anglican Choral Tradition. Over the centuries many composers have written specific pieces for these texts along with Choral Responses and the Psalms for the Day. There is a line in the Book of Common Prayer (1662) that reads: In quires and places where they sing, here followeth the anthem. The anthem would be something appropriate to the season and would act as a meditation or inspiration to the listener. Third Sunday of each Month at 4:30PM, October through May. Click here to learn more.
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Worship Volunteers
Purpose:
- Take care of the sacred vessels and linens.
- Prepare for services of worship.
- Provide necessary articles to be used at the Eucharist.
- Attending to the housekeeping of the sacristy.
Requirements to get involved: All persons who have been confirmed or received in the Episcopal Church, regardless of gender, background or age, are welcome to join.
Time commitment is: The Altar Guild does not have regular meetings. We try to meet a couple of times during the year, usually a potluck type affair, to give us a chance to socialize, discuss questions, and welcome new members.
There are no special skills needed to do this work, just a willingness to be behind the scenes, helping to prepare our common meal. When you think about it, the work of the Altar Guild is a set of quite humble tasks – pouring some wine, setting a table, washing dishes. And yet it is so important to our lives as Christians. There is a quiet sacredness to this work.
The Altar Guild is divided into 4 teams, each serving once per month. During the months with 5 Sundays, each Team serves one extra Sunday (typically once per quarter). The Altar Guild also serves during Holy Week, Easter, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services, weddings, funerals, and/or other special services during the year. There is plenty of room for newcomers, men or women.
Contact person: Nancy Hawkins, nchawk62@gmail.com
Purpose: The ministry of ushering is a crucial part of worship because it is one of the most visible ministries in the church. In Christ, you have received God’s unconditional love, and, in Christ, you are called to extend that same unconditional love to others. Although an usher’s love is no stronger than the love found in the whole congregation of the body of Christ, nevertheless the usher performs a major role in ensuring that people see and experience that love.
The usher duties can be summed up in a few words:
- Make people feel welcome at church.
- Assist with people management during all services especially during communion.
- Assist with seating, collecting offering, and maintaining a safe environment.
The heart of an usher is the heart of a servant, and he does his work for his Lord Jesus (Colossians 3:24). A church usher has a true love for the people of the church and a desire to promote an atmosphere of reverence and worship in the house of God. An usher’s theme verse could very well be Psalm 84:10, “I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.”
Requirements to get involved: Your willingness to be the face of St. Luke’s. We serve as ushers for all who attend church. Ushers need a warm heart and ability to keep time. The schedule of the service is a well-timed event with ushers serving at various parts of the service.
How often a person would serve, or what the time commitment is: Ushers serve one weekend a month for just one service and meet semi-annually for training.
Contact person: Roberta Kidder, ushers.slec@gmail.com
The mission of the St. Francis Guild is to serve Christ by decorating the Church to the glory of God for Christmas and Easter.
We are a group of women and men from the church who also sponsor the Palm Cross Workshop before Palm Sunday. We meet in homes or at church four times a year for planning and fellowship.
A subgroup of the Guild makes Chrismons, symbols of Christ, to decorate our Christmas trees, to present to families of new babies and to the homebound at Easter. Chrismons are sold at Church before Christmas and Easter and proceeds go to the Church. Chrismons are also sold at certain St. Luke’s Episcopal School events and the proceeds (less 10% for supplies) go to the School.
We invite all who are interested in decorating the church on special occasions, learning how to make palm crosses or Chrismons, or to be in fellowship with other Christian members to join the guild.
Contact person: Ann Mewborne, emewborne@satx.rr.com
Purpose: The Eucharistic Minister administers the chalice during the celebration of the Holy Eucharist at most worship services and also assists in the worship services by reading the lessons and prayers. This special ministry is one of service to God and our fellow parishioners.
Requirements to get involved: A servant’s heart and a desire to be an integral part of the worship experience at St. Luke’s.
Time commitment: There are four EM Teams (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) at St. Luke’s. Each Team serves one Sunday each month at all 4 services (8:00 am, 9:00 am, 11:00 am, and 6:00 pm). Additionally, there are typically 4 months per year that have 5 Sundays; so, each Team will serve one extra Sunday one month per year. There is also the opportunity to serve during Holy Week, Easter, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services, some funerals, and/or other special services during the year.
Contact person: Curt Mowen, ccmowen@outlook.com.
Purpose: The Acolytes play an integral part of our worship service by assisting clergy so that worshipers may celebrate the Holy Eucharist and other rites of the Church with reverence and dignity. When serving, they actively assist the celebrant in the worship of God. This very important role is vital to the church, the priest, and the people of God.
Requirements to get involved: 4th through 12th grade. Those interested in joining the Acolytes should contact Michael or Nancy to schedule training time throughout the year.
How often a person would serve: one time per month
Contact persons: Michael Mortensen, michaelmort@att.net and Nancy Hawkins, nchawk62@gmail.com
Purpose: Providing video streams and on-demand recordings of services that occur at St. Luke’s church. There are many members of this community who worship from home by choice or necessity. Our livestream team makes sure everyone is able to connect with St. Luke’s, even if they are remote.
Time Commitment: Sundays at 10:15 am to set-up, operate, and break down livestreaming equipment, ending approximately 15 minutes after the conclusion of the 11:00 am service. Two Sunday services for training then one Sunday a month afterwards.
Contact person: Victor Eichhorn, victore@slecsa.org,
210-828-6425 x205
Hospitality Volunteers
Purpose: To provide refreshments on Sunday morning after the 11 am service.
Requirements to get involved: Willingness to bring refreshments on Sundays. You choose which Sunday works for you from a list of sign up dates on the sign-up board in the parlors or sent to you from the Hospitality Ministry co-captains. They provide different types of baked goods, fruit, veggies and the like. Coffee, water & lemonade are set up by the Sextons and served in the South Parlor.
Contact persons: Katherine Hampsten, katherine.hampsten@gmail.com
Purpose: The intent of the Greeter Ministry is to welcome newcomers and church members before and after the 9″00 am and 11:00 am services.
Requirements to get involved: Your main responsibilities in this role are to position yourself around the welcome stand in the Narthex and greet newcomers as well as helping direct people to after-service activities.
How often a person would serve: We are asking that greeters be willing to serve one Sunday a month at either the 9:00 am or 11:00 am service, be in the Narthex 10-15 minutes prior to the service, and 10-15 minutes after the service. The time commitment should not exceed 30 minutes a month, and all the resources you need to be successful in the role are housed in the drawer of the greeter’s (welcome) stand – church map, booklet of ministry group offerings, list of events, etc.
Contact person: Jessica Koontz, jex14k@gmail.com