Worship with Us

Our Location

St. John’s is at 700 High Street, Worthington, Ohio 43085, on the southeast corner of the Village Green, at the intersection of High Street and Dublin-Granville Road (“161,” as it’s known around here).

Where do I park? What about handicap parking?

St. John’s parking lot is off Village Green Drive. From High Street, turn into Village Green Drive and head straight into the church lot. Handicap parking is available on Village Green Drive, in front of the church, right next to the ADA-accessible ramp into the building. Because Village Green Drive is a city street not owned by St. John’s, the spaces aren’t marked as handicap parking, but they are available for that purpose.

Which doors should I use?

On Sunday mornings, enter through the main church doors–the ones painted red–or the glass doors to the Atrium. The south doors, facing the parking lot, are kept locked to maintain security for our nursery.

For Children

Is there a nursery? What does St. John’s offer for children?

Yes, our professionally staffed nursery, located on the lower level, is available for infants through about age 5 from 8:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. on Sunday mornings. At the 9:00 service, kindergartners through fifth graders can go to Children’s Church after the opening hymn, and they rejoin their parents in time for communion. At 10:15, we offer Sunday school for kindergartners through fifth graders, while middle and high schoolers gather for Youth Roundtable. All paid staff and volunteers who work with children are Safe Church-trained, and parents may observe children’s and youth ministry at any time.

Will my kids be welcome in church if they’re not 100% quiet?

Children of all ages are always welcome in worship at both 9:00 and 11:15 services. Jesus told his disciples to let children come to him, and we strive to live out those words. St. John’s has a high tolerance for children’s noise: we think it’s the voice of God.

The Worship Service

Worship in the Episcopal Church follows ancient patterns laid down in the first few generations after Jesus. Our services include prayers that are printed in the bulletin for everyone to say together aloud or silently, songs that everyone can join in singing, instrumental and choir music that we listen to, stories from the Bible, and a sermon that interprets those Bible stories so they speak a word to people today. A printed bulletin gives you all the words of our prayers.

Episcopal worship may seem confusing at first. It is meant to be rich enough that we uncover new meaning each time we pray together, whether for the first time or the 10,000th; God continually reveals Godself to us through worship. Everyone is invited to participate in worship at their own level of comfort. If you get lost during the service, just breathe and let the rest of the congregation carry you.

A typical Sunday service lasts about an hour and 15 minutes.

Eucharist

What is Eucharist? Can I receive it at St. John’s?

Eucharist, also called communion, the Lord’s Supper, or the mass, is a sacrament. That’s church-speak for a ritual started by Jesus that we continue today as a way to encounter God’s love, mercy, and grace in our own lives. At the Eucharist, the priest and congregation pray over bread and wine to remember God’s saving action in Jesus Christ, then we eat the bread and drink the wine together. St. John’s celebrates Eucharist at Sunday services and also at the Wednesday morning service.

The Episcopal Church takes an open, welcoming stance to Eucharist: anyone who has been baptized, no matter what church they were baptized in or how old they are, is welcome to meet Jesus in the bread and wine. Episcopalians invite all baptized people to receive, not because we take communion less seriously, but because we take Baptism so seriously. Those who are not baptized, as well as baptized children who are too young to eat solid food, are welcome to receive a blessing from a priest rather than Eucharist.

FAQS

Is the church ADA-accessible? Do you have accessible restrooms?

Yes and yes! An ADA-accessible ramp into the building is at the front of the church facing Village Green Drive. We have an elevator that stops at all floor levels. The ADA-accessible restrooms are on the first floor, down the hall from the library and Kilbourne Hall. An all-gender, family restroom large enough to accommodate a caregiver is in the library; it is, unfortunately, not ADA-accessible. Inside the church, a space for a wheelchair is located right in front of the pulpit. Those who are hard of hearing are encouraged to sit near the front of the church, forward of the balcony. Along with the speaker system, our barrel-vaulted ceiling helps to concentrate and amplify sound. Those architects knew their acoustics in 1831!

What do people typically wear to church?

You’ll see a range of clothes: dresses, collared shirts and jackets, jeans, t-shirts, some shorts in hot weather. People tend to dress up a bit for Christmas Eve and Easter Sunday and dress down a bit in the summer.

Where are the restrooms?

We admit it: they can be difficult to find in our rabbit warren of a facility. Signs are posted around the building, or just ask an usher, greeter, clergyperson, or someone who looks like they know their way around. We’ll even show you to the secret downstairs restrooms where there is never a line.

Does St. John’s have a coffee hour? Does it last for a whole hour?

We do, and fortunately no one is expected to stay for a full hour (unless you want to, of course). Coffee, tea, juice, snacks, and fellowship are on offer between services, from 10:15 a.m. to about 11:00 a.m., in the Atrium.

I can’t have gluten, and alcohol is also a no. What about me?

Gluten-free wafers are always available; ask the priest for one when it is your turn to receive Eucharist. Drinking the wine is optional. Episcopalians believe that receiving either the bread or the wine confers all the spiritual benefits of communion, so it is fine to pass when the wine comes to you.

Who can I ask if I have more questions, before or after visiting?

Our priests, Gia and David, would be happy to talk with you. They’re always eager to meet up over coffee, tea, or ice cream.

Meet the Clergy

Plan Your Next Visit

See You Soon

Service Info

Sunday Services:

9:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist in the Nave with Children's Church, followed by Coffee Hour
10:20 a.m. Sunday School and Youth Roundtable (grades 6 - 12)
11:15 a.m. Holy Eucharist in the Nave, livestreamed on YouTube

About Us

© 2024 St. John's Episcopal Church | Worthington, OH | Ekklesia 360