Worship at St. John’s
Music
St. John’s Music program is very blessed with a strong musical tradition, excellent resident musicians, a magnificent and expansive pipe organ, and spectacular acoustic space. We celebrate the centuries-old tradition of Anglican music, providing support to our liturgy and celebrating the gifts of the spirit. Our music ranges from Renaissance masterpieces to the premieres of new works, composed especially for our ensembles. Our musical ensembles include the St. John’s Choir, two handbell choirs, and the Evensong singers.
In addition to an active program supporting worship, the music program hosts recitals, concerts, and programs throughout the year.
The St. John's Choir
St. John’s Choir upholds the rich legacy of Anglican choral music, while embracing a diversity of musical styles. Our inclusive ensemble is committed to high standards of musicianship, and warmly welcomes all voices, regardless of prior experience. Our primary purpose is to support and elevate our liturgical worship. Additionally, we strive to serve our community through concerts and other performances, strengthening our bond through the gift of music.
The St. John's Music Society
The newly-formed St. John’s Music Society frequently hold concerts in the main church. These are opportunities to highlight artists from the local and greater Colorado area, as well as national acts.
For more information on how to be involved and how to support guest artists, please contact principal organist Aaron Hirsch.
Join us for a service
A good way to experience our community is to come and worship with us at one of our services.
Sun.
Spoken Eucharist
7:30 a.m.
Sun.
Holy Eucharist
9:30 a.m.
Daily
Morning
Prayer
6:30 a.m.
Wed.
Contemplative Evensong
5:30 p.m.
Thur.
Service of Reconciliation
12:00 p.m.
Sat.
Bluegrass
Mass
5:00 p.m.
Sacraments
Eucharist
Eucharist is a Greek word meaning thanksgiving and has come to be the name of the service in which we share a meal of consecrated (blessed) bread and wine called Communion. The Eucharist is the central liturgy of the Christian life through which we share in the living presence of Christ. The bread and wine are consecrated as sacraments of Christ’s body and blood. The liturgy is divided into two parts: the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Table.
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The Liturgy of the Word focuses on Scripture. There are lessons from the Hebrew Scriptures (often called the Old Testament), the Psalms, and the Christian Scriptures (usually called the New Testament). These readings are followed by a sermon and a congregational response (usually the Nicene Creed, Prayers of the People, a confession, and the peace).
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The Liturgy of the Table focuses on the meal of bread and wine. There is a prayer of consecration, the Lord’s Prayer, the meal itself, a post-Communion prayer, and blessing. St. John’s has an open table policy, meaning that all are invited and encouraged to receive Communion.
Celebrating Eucharist is the weekly renewal of our baptismal life, receiving the life of Christ so that we might bring the blessings of Christ’s life to others in love and service.
Baptism
The Episcopal Church recognizes and provides for infant baptism and for the baptism of any person who desires to become a Christian. We at St. John’s are so glad you are exploring the sacrament of baptism, and we are honored that you feel drawn to have your child or yourself baptized in our church.
We offer baptism on these feast days of the church: All Saints on the first Sunday in November, The Baptism of Our Lord in January, The Great Vigil of Easter (the service on the Saturday before Easter Sunday), and Pentecost in May or June. We also offer baptism on the first Sunday in September.
Our baptisms typically occur at our 9 a.m. Sunday worship service, but arrangements can be made with the clergy for baptism at other times. A mandatory baptism prep class is necessary, so please work with a member of the clergy to schedule. Please fill out the form below and email to Lu Walters, no later than 30 days before the desired baptismal date.
Confirmation
Confirmation into the Episcopal Church is a rite in which one expresses a “mature commitment to Christ” and receives “strength from the Holy Spirit through prayer and the laying on of hands by a bishop.” Those interested in confirmation can be instructed in the Christian faith through an Inquirer’s Class which is offered at St. John’s periodically. Confirmation at the hands of our bishop occurs at a regional confirmation service or during a bishop’s visitation to a parish.
FUNERAL AND BURIAL ARRANGEMENTS
Arrangements for a funeral or memorial service may be made by calling the church office or contacting the clergy. These services may be held in the church or chapel. If you would like to inquire about purchasing a space in our columbarium, please contact our Parish Administrator.
HOLY MATRIMONY
The Sacrament of Holy Matrimony is both a joyous and solemn occasion during which vows are made before God and the company gathered in the church. Those interested in having their marriage blessed by entering into this sacrament are asked to speak with the clergy at least six months prior to their marriage to arrange a suitable date and schedule premarital counseling.
RECONCILIATION OF A PENITENT (CONFESSION)
Communal confession is said during a Holy Eucharist service before receiving communion, but private confession is also available. Reconciliation of a Penitent or penance or confession is the rite in which those who repent of their sins may confess them to God in the presence of a priest and receive the assurance of pardon and the grace of absolution.
The saying “All may, some should, and none must” is used in the Episcopal Church to describe standards around private confession. Unlike the Roman Catholic Church, the Episcopal Church does not require private confession, though it is freely available to those who wish it. Some prefer to make confessions during penitential seasons, such as Lent or Advent. Please talk with a member of the St. John’s clergy for further information or to set up an appointment.
SERVICES FOR THE SICK AND AT THE HOUR OF DEATH
Holy Unction (anointing) and the Laying on of Hands for Healing are available to those who are about to enter the hospital, those who have been admitted in an emergency, and those who are ill at home. Please call the office (303) 442-5246 to advise the clergy. If a parishioner is near death, the clergy can be called at any hour of the day or night to administer Holy Communion, absolution or last rites, if desired.
Our Outdoor Labyrinth
For its centennial in 2003, St. John’s completed an expansion to accommodate its growing parish. The church constructed a labyrinth at the edge of Pine Street to welcome the community onto the grounds at St. John’s and into the love of God. Under the inspired leadership of Anne Farr Butterfield, the labyrinth was completed in September of 2004.
St. John’s labyrinth is a seven-circuit version of the classic Chartres style, in which the pathways turn at points yielding a cruciform pattern. It is surrounded by 76 half-rounded memory stones sponsored by parishioners with sayings, images, scriptures, and memorials of their choosing.
The labyrinth pattern was created with inlays of buff-colored stones in a patio of red Colorado flagstone. Specialized tooling and templates invented by parishioner, Sandy Butterfield, were used with the expert skill of Randy Brady of Creative Landscaping to create this remarkable stonework.
The memory stones were designed, and their images sometimes drawn, by Anne Butterfield, and they were engraved by Anthony Deorio of Longmont Memorials. Every person touching this project gave gifts of faith, vision, sacrifice, and creativity.
Through God’s planning, the labyrinth’s construction phase fell between the initial ground blessing officiated by the Rev. Nancee Martin-Coffey and her visit to Jerusalem. The central rosette symbolizes Jerusalem. The pattern of the labyrinth emerged into view in the seven days between the fall equinox and the full moon. The first memory stone requested by a sponsor reads. “Marked As Christ’s Own Forever,” and the last memory stone reads, “And God Saw That It Was Good.” For these blessings, we are deeply grateful.
Centering Prayer
Centering Prayer is a method designed to facilitate the development of contemplative prayer. Utilizing the books and videotapes of Fr. Thomas Keating and other teachers of contemplative practice in the spiritual journey, we study contemplative prayer in the Christian tradition, practice Centering Prayer together, and support one another in the ongoing spiritual journey. In association with Contemplative Outreach of Boulder County, we have the opportunity to participate in conferences, workshops and retreats locally. as well as at St. Benedict’s monastery in Snowmass, CO. We welcome all to experience this ancient practice used by the Desert Mothers and Fathers and in monasteries for centuries.
St. John’s is fortunate to have a contemplative prayer room, located in the northwest corner of the main sanctuary building and accessed by the main east door of the sanctuary (overlooking the labyrinth) and walking up the left-hand aisle past the pulpit.
Fr. Thomas Keating
The Tuesday Morning Centering Prayer group meets from 9 to 10:30 a.m. in the contemplative prayer room. New members and visitors are valued and welcomed; however, we request and definitely recommend that you first email Eben Carsey.
The Wednesday Centering Prayer group meets from 6:15 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the chapel after Contemplative Evensong. All are welcome, you don’t have to a attend Evensong to attend the Centering Prayer Group. For further information, please contact The Rev. Michelle Danson or Justin Saxby.
The Thursday Morning Centering Prayer group meets from 6 to 6:25 a.m. by Zoom and is followed by daily Morning Prayer. Please contact Bob Morse for more information.
To get a list of other centering prayer groups in Boulder County and to get on an email list for county centering prayer workshops and retreats, please email Eben Carsey.
For more information and resources for the practice of Centering Prayer, please go to the Contemplative Outreach International website. For information about programs of Contemplative Outreach in Colorado, please visit the Contemplative Outreach Colorado website.
Yoga in the church
Yoga in the church is suited to all ages and ability levels!
Led the second Monday of the month by Kundalini Yoga Teacher Jacob Rudolph, these yoga classes will be fun and joyful opportunities to liberate suppressed energies–like fear, anger, and hopelessness– and grow spiritually. Through the Presence of Christ and methodology of Kundalini Yoga, attendees will deeply de-stress as well as open up to their highest potential. Those interested in furthering their healing journey through the mind, body, and the path of the heart will find themselves right at home at Yoga in the Church.
Attendees will need to bring their own yoga mat and blanket– a cushion for meditation too, if desired. All water bottles must have closed lids and all minds must have open ones. These classes will be accessible to anyone, regardless of physical ability.
Note: The experiential phenomenon that the yogis have called “Kundalini” for thousands of years is exactly the same experience as what the Christians describe as “the Presence of the Holy Spirit”. Thus, Kundalini Yoga could just as accurately be called Holy Spirit Yoga! It is a powerful tool for deep transformation and is highly complementary to Christian spiritual thought.
Classes will feature prayer and meditation, kriya (exercise sets), beautiful music, mantra (sacred chants), pranayama (breathing exercises), as well as singing and dancing. Classes will also include a long relaxation with the gong to restore the soul and bring ease to the body and mind.
Additional support and funding for Yoga in the Church has been provided by Sikh Dharma of Colorado. St. John’s is a proud supporter of interfaith collaboration and is grateful for their generous support.
To learn more about Kundalini Yoga, please visit 3HO.org or email Jacob directly at with any questions, requests, or concerns.
Click here to pre-register for the monthly events!
Kundalini Yoga Teacher Jacob Rudolph brings years of yogic and spiritual practice to St. John’s. Motivated by a deep longing for Truth, Jacob has turned to the practices of prayer, contemplation, meditation, yoga, sacred sound, and committed spiritual study. Of primary influence has been the path of Devotional Nonduality, outlined by the teachings of Dr. David R. Hawkins. Additional influences include mentor Akasha Shakira Devi, his Jewish upbringing, the Gong Avatar Academy, A Course in Miracles, the teachings of Kundalini Yoga, Lorna Byrne’s Angels in My Hair, Jungian psychology, Paramahansa Yogananda, Sri Anandamayi Ma, Reiki healing techniques, Sufi poetry, To-Shin Do martial arts, and years of study in classical music. He has deep respect for all the major religions and their respective saints and sages, but he bows to the exquisite grace and love of Jesus Christ, who is his Lord and Savior.
