Time and Talent Descriptions
| ACOLYTE |
| young people in grades 6 thru 12; serve at assigned worship services 6 to 8 times per year. |
| ADULT EDUCATION LEADER |
| serve as one of the leaders for adult education. Lead discussion according to schedule. |
| ADULT HANDBELL CHOIR |
| high school young people and adults. Weekly rehearsal. Ring at one of the traditional services several times each year and at special services. |
| ADULT VOCAL CHOIR |
| high school young people and adults. Weekly rehearsals. Help lead Sunday worship at one of the traditional services as well as at special services. |
| ALTAR GUILD |
| members serve for an assigned month three or four times per year and assist at special seasonal celebrations; prepare chancel area for worship (paraments, flowers, etc.) Training provided. |
| CHILDREN’S WORSHIP BAGS |
| manage the care of the children’s worship bags with supplies from the resource room once a month. |
| CHRISTIAN EDUCATION COMMITTEE MEMBER |
| assist in developing, coordinating, promoting, and supervising all aspect and programs of congregation educational ministry for all members. 1 mtg. per month. |
| CHRISTIAN SERVICE WORKSHOP |
| sponsored by WELCA (St. John’s Women of the ELCA); meets the first Tuesday of each month except July, August, and January from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Blankets are knotted and donated for distribution through Lutheran World Relief (LWR). |
| CHURCH MAILINGS |
| assist in assembling the newsletter once a month; assist in assembling special materials and/or mailings upon request. |
| CHURCH PICNIC PLANNING |
| help plan food, beverages, prizes, and activities for the summer church picnic. Meets 2-3 times in late spring/early summer to plan the picnic held in July or August. |
| COMMUNION ASSIST. |
| post-confirmation young people and adults; distribute the wine at communion services. Serve 12 to 14 Sundays per year. |
| CONFIRMATION MINISTRY ADULT GUIDE |
| no teaching; adults serve as a mentor for a group of 4‑5 confirmation students; facilitate discussions. Approximately 2 Sunday-night classes/month. Training provided. |
| CONGREGATION COUNCIL |
| members elected by the congregation at the annual meeting; have general oversight of the life and ministry of the congregation; evaluate its life and ministries in light of its mission and goals; seek to involve all members in worship, learning, witness, service and support; oversee and provide for the administration of the congregation to enable it to fulfill its functions and perform its mission. Meets the second Tuesday of every month at 7:00 p.m. |
| COOK FOR DINNERS |
| cook for church fellowship dinners or special events. |
| COOK FOR GIFT EVENTS |
| cook or donate food for a Growing in Fellowship Together/parish life event (examples are a cookout on the church lawn, a Christmas event, or a breakfast) |
| CRADLE ROLL MINISTRY TEAM |
| assist other team members in supporting expectant and new parents with their child’s faith development. Meetings as needed. |
| DAYBREAK – MEAL PREPARATION |
| plan, cook, and serve one meal or dessert for the 4th Thursday each month. |
| DECORATE FOR EVENTS |
| help to decorate the parish hall or other church rooms/hallways for an event such as an Easter egg hunt, Fall festival, movie night, Christmas activity, or Vacation Bible School (different theme every year; past themes have included beach, science lab, and outer space) |
| EVENT VOLUNTEER |
| pick a shift to help at a GIFT/parish life event such as an Easter egg hunt, movie night, bowling outing, and church picnic. Possible tasks to choose from might include room set-up, greeting and directing participants, making announcements, helping with a game or activity, or organizing prizes. |
| EUCHARISTIC MINISTRY VOLUNTEER |
| take communion to homebound members. Training provided. May require 2-3 hrs. once a month for visits. |
| FAMILY WORSHIP VOLUNTEER |
| families present the gifts of bread and wine during the offering. Families (adults and children) serve as Advent Wreath candle lighters in the season of Advent. |
| FELLOWSHIP HOURS (2nd Sunday) – BAKE |
| bake/donate cakes, cupcakes, and other baked goods for fellowship hours on the second Sunday of the month. |
| FELLOWSHIP HOURS (2nd Sunday) – SERVE |
| prepare donated baked items to be served; assist with coffee and cold beverage service. |
| FELLOWSHIP HOURS (Other) and GATHERINGS – BAKE |
| bake/donate cakes, cookies, cupcakes, and other baked goods for informal fellowship hours held on various Sundays throughout the year, or for special events, children’s activities, GIFT/parish life activities, etc. |
| FELLOWSHIP HOURS (Other) and GATHERINGS – SERVE |
| prepare donated baked items to be served; assist with coffee and/or cold beverage service. |
| FINANCE COMMITTEE MEMBER |
| manage and oversee the financial affairs of the church. Responsible for monthly reporting of financial status to the church council; preparation and presentation of the annual budget; ensuring bills are paid in a timely manner and applicable funds are forwarded to the Synod; providing for an annual audit of the church financial records; reviewing insurance coverage to make sure it is adequate; review investments. |
| FLOWER DELIVERY |
| deliver the Sunday flowers to hospitalized and homebound members and friends. |
| FOOD BANK TEAM WORKER |
| serve on St. John’s team in food distribution at the Allentown Ecumenical Food Bank on the mornings of the 3rd Monday and Tuesday of each month and on the 5th Monday of the month (for those months that apply). |
| FUNERAL LUNCHEONS (SET UP/SERVE) |
| help set up and serve luncheons in the parish hall after a funeral. |
| GIFT EVENTS PLANNING |
| “Growing in Fellowship Together” (formerly parish life). Assist with selecting and planning seasonal family activities, social events, outings, or other gatherings such as Easter egg hunt, Christmas event, IronPigs game, movie night, mixers, outings, bus trips, etc. |
| GREETER |
| serve approximately 2 or 3 times per year at either the 8 or 10:30 service. Welcome members and visitors in the narthex on arrival and greet on departure from worship. |
| INSTRUMENTALIST |
| provides special music for worship. |
| MUTUAL MINISTRY COMMITTEE MEMBER |
| evaluate and monitor the ministry of the pastor and staff members and function as liaison between staff and congregation. 8 meetings per year; 90‑minute meetings. |
| NURSERY CARE |
| adults or high school students to serve during the 10:30 service, approximately 2-3 times per year. Ages of children are infant up to age 5. |
| OFFICE WORK |
| assist with general office work at St. John’s and/or the Synod Office. Answer phones, enter computer data, or miscellaneous clerical duties. Training provided. |
| PARISH NURSE HEALTH MINISTRY TEAM |
| assist in providing skilled or unskilled nursing care for church/community health care clinics at the church, e.g., blood pressure screening clinic. We help to instill a culture of health and wellness. |
| (“POF”) ST. JOHN’S PEOPLE OVER FIFTY-FIVE |
| provides fellowship for members age 55 and above; meets the second Tuesday of each month, September thru June. Meetings consist of a program and light lunch and fellowship. |
| PRAISE BAND |
| youth and adults. Provide instrumental and vocal music for the alternative worship service on Sunday morning. |
| PROPERTY COMMITTEE MEMBER |
| responsible for the planning, administration, care, maintenance, repair, inventory, replacement, protection, and use of all church property. |
| PROPERTY WORK DAY VOLUNTEER |
| volunteers help with general sprucing up and minor repairs of the property twice a year (spring & fall). |
| READER |
| reads lessons and Psalm at worship on Sundays and other special occasions. |
| SEASONAL DECORATING |
| help decorate for special church seasons (Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, Pentecost) |
| SERVE DINNERS/SPECIAL EVENTS |
| serve as waitress/waiter at church dinners or special events. |
| STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE MEMBER |
| responsible for providing an ongoing, year-round program of stewardship education; responsible for encouraging and facilitating financial giving and challenging all members to offer their time and talents in support of the work of the church. Approximately 10 meetings per year. |
| SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER |
| team teach in each class from nursery (3 yr. olds) thru grade 12 on Sunday mornings (9:15-10:15) September thru May; teachers work out teaching schedule. |
| TAPE MINISTRY |
| help tape and mail recordings of St. John’s worship services twice a month to homebound members upon request. |
| TELEPHONE CALLER |
| phone members of the congregation to invite them to an event, program, or to communicate information or special needs. |
| USHER |
| serve on teams for a month-long period 4 times per year at either the 8 or 10:30 a.m. service, or serve as an alternate usher for special occasions. |
| VBS CREW LEADER |
| serve as a mentor for a group of 4-5 children. Attend planning session before VBS. |
| VBS STAFF MEMBER |
| serve as a member of VBS support staff. Attend planning session before VBS. |
| VBS STATION LEADER |
| lead one 20-min. activity in a station each day. Attend planning session before VBS. |
| VISIT HOMEBOUND MEMBERS |
| on a routine basis, visit as a team in the homes of homebound members. |
| WEDDING SERVICE COORDINATOR |
| work with brides and grooms who reserve wedding dates with the office to finalize details of their weddings, in accordance with church practice. Assist pastor and wedding party at wedding rehearsal and on day of wedding. Serve as liaison between church staff and wedding party/families. Extend a welcoming presence and hospitality to wedding professionals and participants. |
| (WELCA) ST. JOHN’S WOMEN of the ELCA |
| the official auxiliary of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America; main purpose is to aid the local and national church in its ministry to others through education (monthly program), Christian service, |
| fellowship, and financial aid. Meets the third Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. (Sept. - June). |
| WORLD HUNGER APPEAL COMMUNICATOR |
| keeps the concern of world hunger before the congregation using various provided resources; once a month for 1 hour. |
| WORSHIP & MUSIC COMMITTEE MEMBER |
| assists in planning worship services. Supports all areas of worship through coordinators. Reviews worship materials for possible use. |
| YOUTH GROUP |
| attend spiritual, social, and service activities. |
| YOUTH MINISTRY ADULT ADVISOR |
| plan and organize spiritual, social, and service activities for the youth. |
St. John's Lutheran Church I 501 Chestnut St. Emmaus,
PA 18049 I phone (610) 965-9885 I
fax (610) 965-6065 l Contact
Us