Our Ministries
In the Lord’s prayer, we pray, “your kingdom come, your will be done.” God’s dream isn’t just about what happens at some future time; it is within and among us (Luke 17:21). We are invited to live the will of God both in our personal prayer and belief and in the way we live out our faith in the wider world. For many of us, servant ministry is already an integral part of our daily lives, such as when we care for neighbors, family, and friends. As we gather as the Body of Christ in this congregation, we are entangled with the life of the divine both in what we do and in who we are. There are many ways to be involved in what God is doing here at St Andrew’s on Hampton Street and beyond. To connect with any of our Ministry leads, contact the Church Office.
Ways to Serve
Worship:
While it is true that the service is led by the clergy in most cases, the entire congregation is central to making worship happen.
Lectors/Readers: This parish is truly blessed to have readers devoted to proclaiming scripture with care and conviction. In addition to reading the Old Testament and Epistle during our 10:00 am service, lectors participate in special services such as Advent Lessons and Carols, the passion narrative on Palm Sunday, and the Easter Vigil. New additions to the lector roster are always welcome. The lector schedule is created around our lector's availability. We are fortunate to have a deep bench that can accommodate any changes that may arise.
Ushers: Working in teams of two, greeting worshipers as they come into church and helping during the service with the offering, Communion, attendee count and other tasks. After the service, one of the Ushers assists with counting the collection along with a Vestry member. Assignments are made monthly via email sign up. Ushers also serve in special services during the Christmas season, Lent and Holy Week, plus funerals.
Altar Guild: The Altar Guild is an essential in-house ministry whose members care for the candles, linens, and sacred vessels used during the celebration of Eucharist. The Altar Guild also prepares the sanctuary for baptisms, weddings, and funerals. Members of the Altar Guild serve with their hearts and their hands to ensure the beauty and tradition of worship.
Flower Guild: The Flower Ministry at St. Andrews provides arrangements for the Sanctuary to enhance worship on Sundays and other special occasions. Arrangements are sponsored by members and friends of the congregation and created by trained ministry members. The suggested donation is $50.
Choir & Musicians: All singers are welcome to join the choir. Choir rehearses on Thursday evenings and warms up on Sunday mornings. Click here to learn more. Instrumentalists are welcome to join our music ministry for special offerings throughout the year.
Acolytes & Fireflies: St. Andrew's children can participate in services monthly as fireflies (ages 4 and above) and acolytes (ages 10 and above). Right now we are offering this ministry on the first Sunday of the month during the program year, unless otherwise noted. Fireflies are robed and carry battery operated candles during the procession.
Teams:
Property Committee: St. Andrew’s Property Committee provides guidance to our Vestry on property maintenance and capital projects. Recent projects include replacing the ceiling in the church school rooms and replacing the side aisle copper roofing in the church sanctuary. Parishioners recently came together to refresh the paint in the church school rooms.
Grounds Crew: St. Andrew’s property occupies a full city block and forms a cherished green space in the heart of Highland Park. The grounds crew works to maintain this space year round, including an annual spring yard clean up.
Outreach: Our outreach ministries team fosters relationships with local and international ministry partners and supports them with volunteers, donation drives, and financial contributions. Click here to learn more.
Connecting with Each Other:
Christ’s love and care for us is limitless, and we seek to build a community as strong as the body of Christ beyond just Sunday morning.
Hospitality: Our hospitality team provides food and beverages for coffee hours, receptions, parish meals, and events like the Shrove Tuesday Mardi Gras Pancake Supper and the East End Lenten Dinner series.
Home Eucharistic Visitation: A Eucharistic Visitor is a lay person who is sent by the congregation to share communion with those who are unable to join us on Sundays. Of course, the rector also makes regular home and hospital visits as well.
Parish Cares Ministry: This ministry sends cards to our parish members to help celebrate birthdays and anniversaries or just let them know we are thinking of them and praying for them.
Prayer Requests: As a congregation, we hold each other in our prayers. When any member of the parish has a special prayer request, it is added to the weekly service bulletin's prayer list. To request an addition to the prayer list, please contact the Parish Secretary.