Special Services

Holy Baptism

Baptism is how all Christians are initiated into the life of the Church and into the Body of Christ. Through Baptism we share in Christ’s death and in his resurrection from the dead. Holy Baptism informs us about our Covenant with God. Baptism is meant to be a public act in which the congregation welcomes the newly baptized into the community as all present make or re-affirm the vows of the Baptismal Covenant. Normally, Baptism is administered Sunday morning during the Holy Eucharist at 9:00 a.m. or 11:00 a.m. The clergy will meet with the parents and godparents in advance to discuss both the ceremony and the great significance of Baptism. 

The church sets aside certain days as especially appropriate for Holy Baptism: Easter, Pentecost, All Saints’ Day, and the Feast of the Baptism of our Lord. Baptism, however, is not limited to those days. Should anyone desire additional information about Baptism, please contact the Parish office or the clergy. 

Marriage or Blessing of a Relationship

The Celebration and Blessing of a Marriage is a sacrament of solemn joy requiring extended conversation and preparation under pastoral direction of the clergy. If you would like to inquire about or reserve a date for a marrige service, please contact the parish office at 202-338-1796. You may also review the attached Marriage Booklet (pdf) and complete the required information.

Renewal of Marriage Vows

Couples often seek to reaffirm their commitments. Reasons for doing so may vary: special anniversary, celebrating a special time in a relationship or reconciliation after a period of challenge. The clergy are always willing and available to discuss such a service to be performed in the church, chapel, home, or other venue. 

Lent and Holy Week

The Church Year contains many feasts and observances on days other than Sundays. Special services are held on Ash Wednesday as Lent begins. Holy Week, the week preceding Easter, begins with the Liturgy of the Palms on Palm Sunday. During Holy Week itself, in addition to daily Eucharist, there are liturgies on Maundy Thursday: a Lamb Feast, Holy Eucharist, stripping of the altar, and a procession to the Chapel. There the Blessed Sacrament will be in repose in a beautiful garden-like setting where parishioners will keep vigil into the night. On Good Friday an ecumenical service (sponsored by the Georgetown Clergy Association) is held in one of the Georgetown churches at noon. The traditional liturgy from The Book of Common Prayer provides the basis for a service at 6:30 p.m. held in our own Chapel of the Carpenter. 

Christmas Pageant

The Church School children participate in the Christmas Pageant at the 4:00 p.m. service on Christmas Eve in the church. A rehearsal for this pageant is held the Saturday or Sunday before Christmas Eve, and another one just before the service itself. The Christmas pageant is one of the true wonders of Christmas at Saint John's.

The Blessing of the Animals

On the first Sunday of October, Saint John's welcomes the larger community and their "variously-footed" friends to our front lawn. Representation at this event spans a wide gamut: members of Saint John's, those who may just be walking by, cats, dogs, birds, the occasional horse, fish, and a wide array of other examples of the life preserved by Noah and his family on the ark. This is held near the Feast of Saint Francis, who gloried in God as experienced in "all creatures of our God and King."