We are called to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Christian Formation is an important task at St. John’s, and we do that in a variety of ways including short-term studies, multi-generational fellowship, and play and small covenant groups. The planning committee for Christian formation events meets at least once a year and would love to have you join us.
Note Writing – The note writing team sends notes and cards of love and consolation to members to let them know how much their friends at St. John’s care and pray for them. The card ministry consists of two teams. One team sends cards for the prayer ministry, and the other sends cards to shut-in and homebound members.
Coffee Hour – Various adult Sunday School classes provide refreshments for coffee time that happens in our Family Life Center between first service and Sunday school. The church provides the coffee and paper products and the Sunday school classes take turns bringing breakfast pastries, snacks and juice. Even if you do not participate in a class, we welcome any breakfast contributions.
Hospital Visitation – If a church member or friend is in the hospital the congregational team will visit to offer prayer, comfort and support. Communion is available if desired and can be arranged by contacting the church office.
Visitation Ministry – St. John’s has an active visitation team that offers visits, prayers and support to friends and church members who are home bound. Pastoral visits and/or communion are available by contacting the church office.
Rosebud Ministry – When a baby is born to one of our church members a rosebud is placed on the altar the following Sunday. The rosebud, along with a gift to the new parents, is delivered to celebrate the joy of a new child into our family of faith.
College & Graduate School Host – Ongoing contact and support with students.
TLC – The TLC committee provides meals for members who are sick, have experienced loss or have a new baby. Food for funerals are Wakes may also be available upon family request. This ministry is supported by Sunday school class, United Methodist Women, other small groups and/or Prime Timers.
Prayer Shawl Ministry – The purpose of the Prayer Shawl Ministry is to provide a concrete reminders that members of St. John’s are wrapped in the arms of prayer during hospitalization or difficult times.The handmade shawl is knit or crochet with a prayer in every stitch and becomes a source of connection to our St. John’s community for the recipients.
Blood Drive – St. John’s hosts a bi-annual blood drive during Sunday morning in the spring and fall. Our Lady of the Lake Blood Unit provides a Blood Mobile to service our church and community from 8 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. All blood donations received are credited to a St. John’s account so that blood is available to any member in need. St. John’s members must contact the church office to request the use of blood from our account.
Flower Ministry – Altar flowers that are given for Sunday worship services are made into smaller arrangements which are then distributed to hospitalized or home bound members.
Prime Timers – This group promotes a loving, caring, creative fellowship among the members of the church who are over 50 years of age. They reach out to our community of friends so that we are able to enjoy each other’s company and support while dining, traveling, attending events or simply engaging in lively conversation.
Emergency Call Back Plan – This is a plan to contact every St. John’s member in case of an emergency. A “calling tree” is developed and maintained by the Associate Pastor. The calls are initiated by the Senior Pastor or designee when an emergency is declared. The plan should be “tested” and updated annually.
Covenant Groups – Small groups meet weekly to share, pray and hold each other accountable in our Christian life. St. Johns offers men’s, women’s and college-age covenant groups. Contact us for more details.
Men’s Group – “How goes it with your soul?” is one of the many questions asked in our Men’s groups. Join this diverse group of men from all ages and backgrounds, as we pray, read scriptures and share our experiences of Christ’s leading in our lives. We meet Monday at 3 p.m. in the church Library and Friday at 6:30 a.m. in the church parlor. Join us at either or both! Contact the church office for more information.
Good Grief, St. John’s – How do we deal with the loss of a loved one? If you are someone struggling to find direction and hope in loss, you are invited to join us as we seek healing in community. Email Susan Johnston for details.
Wellness Covenant Group – Wellness Covenant Group is a faith-based, peer-facilitated group for individuals, families and caregivers living with afflictions of mind, body and spirit. All are welcome to participate, and the group meets Thursdays at 5 p.m. For more information please contact Jim Roberts at roberts.jpt@gmail.com.
Prayer Ministries – Prayer is an important and essential part of the life of the church. We are a praying congregation that prays regularly and weekly for members, friends, neighbors and people around the world. A list of all known prayer requests is compiled and distributed every Monday evening to more than 20 members and friends of St. John’s. Our pastors, staff and church have committed to pray throughout the week for the joys/celebrations and the concerns/petitions of our St. John’s congregation and its extended family and community at large. There are several ways to submit your prayer requests:
- Send an email to prayers@stjohnsbr.org
- Fill out a prayer request card and drop it in one of the offering plate or prayer boxes located in the Sanctuary and Education Building
- Call the church office at 225-766-4594
Spiritual Renewal Weekends – Many St. John’s members have attended 3‐day spiritual renewal weekends, such as Emmaus and Cursillo, and continue to stay active in those ministries. Louisiana United Methodist Cursillo is held several times a year at the Wesley Conference Center south of Alexandria. Walk to Emmaus is held twice each year in Baton Rouge. Cursillo and Walk to Emmaus exist to strengthen and encourage Christian faith and to energize leaders in the local church. These weekends seek to strengthen spiritual lives, answer questions of faith and doctrine and help others grow in faith.
Spiritual Direction – Each of us is on a faith journey. We may feel the desire to grow closer to God, to embrace God’s love more fully, to understand more completely God’s purpose for us, and have a desire to become more able to follow where God leads us. Yet, it is not always easy for us to do this on our own. Sometimes we may feel the need for a companion to help us on our journey. A spiritual director is a member of the faith community trained to listen to concerns, to help focus thoughts by asking probing questions, and who may suggest spiritual practices or readings. Working with a spiritual director may provide an opportunity to share your prayer concerns, talk about your relationship with God and work out plans for deepening that relationship in a safe, confidential setting. You may desire to work with a spiritual director on a long-term basis or for a specific concern in a more short-term way. Spiritual direction does not seek to provide answers but is a place in which gentle listening may open the door to God’s presence, discernment and direction. Spiritual direction sessions usually last one hour. Several St. John’s members have completed Spiritual Direction training through the Louisiana Conference of the United Methodist Church and are qualified to serve as spiritual directors. For more information about participating in Spiritual Direction or finding an individual Spiritual Director, please contact Pastor Lane.