Ministries

This area of church life includes planning and scheduling congregational events, hospitality, and other fellowship activities that bring the faith community members closer together to share in the love of Christ.

• AGIFT: What “A GIFT!” The Adults Gathering in Faith Together is a social ministry that gathers monthly to promote intergenerational fellowship and fun. The mission is to enjoy life and develop deeper personal relationships with fellow disciples.
• Book Club: If you enjoy a good page-turner and want to discuss what you’ve read, this is the group for you! The Book Club meets on the first Wednesday of each month to discuss the commonly selected read.
• Fifty Plus: Age has no limits for activities! The Fifty Plus group keeps actively planning and participating in trips to lunches, dinners, theatres, and other excursions. Enjoy the golden years on the go!
• Ladies Aid: Going strong for nearly a century and a half, the Ladies Aid Club proudly claims to be St. John’s longest continuous ministry. The group gathers monthly on the second Wednesday to play cards and other games, and plan special activities to benefit the church community.

This area of church life includes managing the administrative, financial, and physical property management of the ministry campus, such as budgeting, communications, information technology, stewardship, and maintenance of the facilities.

• Administration: Some of the most important activities take place behind the scenes. We welcome volunteers to help with periodic clerical help, IT knowledge, inventory management, and publicity outreach.
• Finance: A congregation has similar needs as a small business or charitable organization with money matters. If you have expertise in areas such as accounting, banking, finance, insurance, or real estate, your skills can be part of your ministry.
• Money Counters: Every week a small group of volunteers gather to count, reconcile, and record the generous offerings we receive. Can we count on you to help with this valuable task?
• Personnel: We value our dedicated staff. One of the gifts we can offer them is the opportunity to review issues and challenges with objective outside leaders. Our personnel committee also provides wisdom regarding the latest trends in the human resources field.
• Property and Grounds: Curb appeal is often the initial impression of our ministry. Our Property and Grounds volunteers help maintain our facilities’ attractiveness and safety. Roles can be as simple as watering and weeding gardens to overseeing architectural and construction projects. We welcome any assistance you can provide.
• Stewardship: We encourage everyone to thank the Lord by sharing their gifts, time, and talents. The Stewardship Committee helps identify ways to encourage members of our faith community to recognize their values and inspire using those gifts to serve the Lord.

This area of church life includes advocacy of the Gospel through community outreach, support of local charitable efforts, community faith-building, and global charitable efforts.

• Discipleship/Evangelism: Discipleship is being disciplined in our faith practices. Our Discipleship Committee gathers on the first Friday of each month to discuss how we share our faithfulness in the glory of God. Come join us and share your vision of faith!

This area of church life includes social ministry efforts such as collecting food and other non-perishable goods for those enduring food insecurity, clothing and other articles for the needy, school supplies for students in need, and other outreach programs in cooperation with our partner agencies.

• Food Pantry: Jesus calls us to serve others. What better way than to help those less fortunate than ourselves? You can volunteer at our food pantry, which is open Tuesday and Thursday between 10:00 and 11:30 AM.
• Thrift Shoppe: Our Thrift Shoppe connects us with our surrounding community. We accept donated clothing and other household goods. Additionally, we need volunteers to help collect, organize, and assist in running the shop. The hours are 10:00 – 2:00 PM on Mondays and Saturdays.
• Community Supper: The Community Supper prepares and serves to-go meals for the needy in our community every Friday at 5:00 PM. If you have a compassionate heart, and maybe a skill in the kitchen, this is a rewarding ministry. Please consider volunteering your time.
• Social Services: The missions and ministry needs throughout our community and the world are plentiful. Our social services committee helps guide efforts to contribute to various causes and the needs and interests that arise. Where can you serve God?

This area of church life includes our premier daycare and early childhood school program, childcare, Sunday School, First Holy Communion instruction, confirmation, youth ministry, and adult Bible study.

• Bible Study: Our Bible Study group meets on Mondays beginning at 10:00 AM. The topics range from studies on particular Bible books, and characters, and assigned lectionary readings for upcoming worship services. You are welcome to come to any session.
• Confirmation: The confirmation program is a two-year study on faith formation, geared toward students in 7th and 8th Grade. The class usually meets on Sundays following the worship service.
• Preschool: Please visit our Preschool’s website at www.stjohnspreschoollindy.org for information on our early education program.
• Sacrament and Faith Preparation Instruction: We hold instructional classes for Holy Baptism, First Communion, New Members, and Pre-Marital Planning. Please contact the church office if we wish to participate in any of these planning sessions.
• Sunday School: Sunday School is available for children ages 3 through 12 and is offered September through June. The program begins during the 9:30 AM worship with an opening Children’s Message among the entire congregation. Then, the students depart to learn beloved Bible stories, Lutheran identity, and the love of Jesus. They return before the conclusion of worship to participate in the dismissal. Typically, on the first Sundays of the month, the students may remain with the congregation and participate meaningfully throughout the liturgy.
• Youth Services: Our youngsters are the future of the church. We stress the need to provide them with a loving place that demonstrates God’s grace and helps develop a faith formation that will be compatible with our secular society that encapsulates their daily lives. Activities, events, and outings are planned throughout the year for our youth.

This area of church life includes planning liturgies, special worship services, and events centered around God’s Word, Sacraments, and sacred music. Pastoral Acts, such as Baptisms, Funerals, and Weddings, reaffirm the presence of Christ.

• Acolytes and Crucifiers: We invite youngsters to participate as worship leaders by serving as altar servers (acolytes), and others as Crucifers – what an honor to carry the Cross during worship!
• Altar Guild: The solemnity of preparing the altar and caring for its linens is a holy honor. We welcome you to join this ministry group to serve our Lord.
• Assisting Ministers: The worship assisting ministers help the presiding minister during the liturgies, primarily through leading prayers and preparing the Lord’s Table for Holy Communion. It is a blessing to serve in this role.
• Choirs: We praise the Lord through Word and Song. Our choirs make our worshiping experience rewarding. If you enjoy singing, please join one of our choirs. Our junior, cherub, and senior choirs practice either before or after our 9:30 AM Sunday worship services.
• Lectors: The readers during our worship services are blessed to share our scriptural lessons during the liturgy. It is a holy experience to personally share the Word of God with the worshiping community. Please consider volunteering your voice.
• Ushers: Do you have a warm, inviting personality? If so, God needs you to serve as an usher! Please consider helping welcome visitors and guiding worshipers during our liturgies. This is a valuable ministry many find spiritually rewarding.
• Worship Planning: Throughout the church calendar year, there are changes in worship liturgies, and personal desires for baptisms, funerals, weddings, and other observances. The pastor welcomes assistance in collaborating with others to provide spiritually fulfilling experiences during worship.