Worship Ministries

The Altar Guild prepares the church (particularly the altar) and chapel for all worship services, including weddings, funerals, baptisms, and special feast days. The Guild ensures that each occasion is celebrated visually and in a way that is sacramentally appropriate to the church season. There are five teams, each team serving every fifth week.

Our Acolytes consist of Youth in grades 5th through 12th. They serve as Crucifers (the lead crucifer assists the priest with the elements at the altar), Banner Bearers, and Torch Bearers during worship.

This ministry is for those who love to create beauty and work with natural arrangements. Members prepare the church with flowers and greenery for worship, weddings, funerals, and other Holy celebrations, including Christmas & Easter. The arrangements reflect the occasions and church seasons.

LEMs serve as chalice bearers during the Eucharist. They also serve as a lector and an acolyte to the priest at the 8:00 am Sunday service.

Lectors read the scripture passages at both the 8:00 and 10:00 Sunday services—once or twice every four to five months.

Ushers welcome worshippers with bulletins, introduce newcomers, answer questions, and guide people during our worship services. They also take up the offering and deliver flowers to shut-ins and parish members.

You don’t need any special skills to be part of this ministry, just enthusiasm and a desire to serve. Members are trained to operate our livestream services for the 10:00 Sunday service. This ministry allows those who cannot attend in person to still join our community for worship.

Newcomers and long-time parishioners alike love to be greeted by a smiling face on Sunday mornings. If you have a gift for making people feel welcomed, consider joining the happiest ministry at St. James’s—our Greeters. You’ll be a resource for visitors and the first warm, “Hello!” of the day to everyone else.