Ministry
Outreach
Outreach isn't just a part of life at Annunciation. It's woven into the fabric of our life together as Christians. There are a number of ways to get involved
We offer other Seasonal Ministry Opportunities such as a Christmas giving tree program where families sign up through a local service agency for assistance. Our parish is assigned a number of families to provide Christmas gifts for them. Parishioners sign up to sponsor an individual or a family. We participate in gathering tons of food from a yearly private label food show in Chicago and deliver the food to Lake County for use at shelters and food pantries throughout the county. We are also building a ministry of visitation to the local VA hospital. Our offerings change and grow according to the passions of our people in response to the need that they perceive around them.
CROP Walk
Congrats, Annunciation! You “bore down” and raised $2,930 for this year’s Crop Walk. Unofficially, pledges and receipts totaled nearly $45,000 for this year’s walk; that means YOU raised 6.5% of the total. That’s AMAZING for a parish of our size! Since you rose to the challenge, you’ll see Packer Backer Jennifer in blue and orange on December 18th. The Haworth’s will also host a smack-down coffee hour on Pageant Sunday to express their gratitude for your outstanding generosity. Thank you Annunciation walkers, contributors, and canines for feeding the hungry of Lake County and our world! Goooooooooooooooooo Bears! 25 percent of all funds raised for the Northern Lake County Crop Walk stay in our community, feeding the hungry and serving the needy.
Sunrise Sunday Ministry
Every Sunday at 9:15 a.m., a team of people from Annunciation provide a church service for the residents at Sunrise Assisted Living on Hunt Club Road in Gurnee.
Food Pantry Sunday
is the first Sunday of each month. We make a special collection of non-perishable food and paper goods for donation to the Warren Township Food Pantry. Donations at other times are always welcome, of course!
Public Action to Deliver Shelter (PADS )
is the local outreach ministry for homeless people in Lake County. During the academic year, we prepare and serve a hot meal twice a month on the third Friday and fourth Monday starting at 3:00. We then deliver the meal to the local PADS site where guests enjoy a hot, healthy meal. During the summer, we prepare 70 bag lunches in lieu of the dinners and deliver them to the VA Hospital where they are handed out as needed.
Episcopal Relief and Development
provides emergency relief both at home and abroad in response to various disasters. Annunciation takes special collections for E.R.D. as needed.
Lake County United
is a broad based citizen organization that brings together faith and secular organizations into alliance for the purpose of pursuing common political interests focused at the local level. We support Lake County United with monetary donations, with time, and above all, with our presence. Since the projects that Lake County United undertakes evolve over time, there are a variety of ways for people of all ages to get involved.
Inreach
We have a number of groups that are started and maintained by parishioners who share a special interest. These include:
Coffee Hour
Members of the parish take turns hosting coffee hour after Sunday morning services. This ministry involves having coffee ready at the end of the service, providing snacks, setting up the tables, and cleaning up afterward. Coffee and paper-goods are provided and parishioners may be reimbursed for purchased snacks. All members are encouraged to take a turn. For information, contact Kim Fulton or sign up in the narthex.
Men’s Group
The purpose of the men's group is two-fold: We gather for fellowship and sharing of our life experiences from the unique perspective of men from Annunciation. Secondly, we reach out on occasion to perform service projects for members of our parish and the community at large. Meeting times vary depending on the activity. For more information, contact Davey Fulton and watch the Parish News for upcoming events.
Youth Groups
Junior Youth Group – 5th – 8th grade meets the second Sunday of the month - Printable Schedule
Senior Youth Group – 9th – 12th grade meets the third Sunday of the month - Printable Schedule
Both groups meet from 4:00 – 7:00 pm and dinner is included.
Book Groups
Because of its popularity, we now have two book clubs! Most months, both groups read the same book making it convenient to fit Book Club into your schedule. Occasionally, the groups read different selections. Book Club West meets on the second Wednesday of the month at 6:00 pm at Panera Bread in Gurnee. Book Club East meets on the third Wednesday of the month at 6:00 pm at Potesta's in Waukegan. We take turns choosing books and leading discussions. All women of the parish are invited to join. Look in the bulletin to learn the latest book selection.
Knitting Group
This group meets at the church on the fourth Wednesday of the month at 7:00 pm to have fellowship and work on knitting projects. Some members are creating prayer shawls to give away, while others are working on their own projects. In addition, members are willing to assist beginners in learning how to knit.
Sojourners in Spirit - Women's Group
Sojourners in Spirit is the name of our parish women's group. Women are warmly invited to attend on the third Monday of the month from 6:30-8:00. Our goal? Fellowship, plain and simple, by "talking about things that matter". Each month is a new topic, so women can jump in at any time. For questions, please see Maggie Attiyeh or Anne Wolcott.
Sunrise Sunday Ministry
Every Sunday at 9:15 a.m., a team of people from Annunciation provide a church service for the residents at Sunrise Assisted Living on Hunt Club Road in Gurnee.
Participating in Worship
Annunciation offers may opportunities for parishioners to participate in the services either behind the scenes (Altar Guild, Altar Flowers & Sanctuary Candles) or during the service (Choirs and Worship Ministries).
Altar Guild
New Altar Guild members are always welcome! The altar guild is responsible for the care of all the vessels used when we offer the Eucharist. We wash and iron vestments, arrange flowers for Sunday, and polish and dust whatever needs cleaning. Our work is usually done on Saturday mornings, but that can be adjusted to comply with your schedule. Contact Jennifer West for more information. Current Altar Guild schedule
Altar Flowers and Sanctuary Candles
The cost of altar flowers and sanctuary candles is covered by donations that people make as a memorial or thanksgiving. You can sign up for a particular Sunday on the charts on the wall in the narthex. Then simply make out a check or put cash in an envelope with a note saying that the money is intended for flowers or candles. Flowers cost $20.00, and sanctuary candles cost $3.50. Your gift will be noted in the weekly bulletin.
Worship Ministries
A number of ways exist for you to take part in the worship services. Training is provided for all of the ministries listed below, and everyone is invited to participate in one or all of them. Sign-ups will be posted twice a year so that you may participate. Contact Susan O’Morchoe or the church office for more information. If you are currently serving, you may access the server schedules here. (link to attached 8:00 am & 10:00 am schedules)
• Ushers / Greeters The ushers are known as the “meet and greet” ministry. Ushers are often the first people encountered when someone enters the church for worship. They provide each person with a weekly bulletin, they designate people to bring up the gifts during the service, and they maintain a general awareness of any needs that may develop during the service. Contact Bill Attiyeh for training or information.
• Readers Two or three people read the lessons of the day to the congregation. One reader reads the first lesson, which is from the Old Testament; a second reader reads from the New Testament; and a third reader leads the congregation in the prayers of the people. Readers are encouraged to practice at home so they will be familiar with the text before the service. The lessons are available through the parish website: www.annunciationgurnee.org/links
• Acolytes Three or four servers make up the altar party in addition to the priest and deacon. They assist the priest and deacon during the service. They wear vestments and participate both in the processional at the beginning of the service and the recessional at the end of the service. Cynthia Mellen, Acolyte Mistress, will have scheduled training throughout the year.
• Lay Eucharistic Ministers These are non-ordained persons who are trained and mandated by the bishop to administer the chalice of wine during Holy Communion. One or two may assist during the service. Lay Eucharistic ministers normally wear vestments for the service. Cynthia Mellen trains the Eucharistic Ministers. Training is scheduled throughout the year or on a one-on-one basis when needed.
Choir
Annunciation is often known for our love of music. We have a congregation that enjoys raising their voice in song from the pews. In addition, we have three choirs that add vibrancy and depth to our 10:00am and holiday worship services.
Adult Choir
practices every Thursday at 7:00 pm and Sunday’s at 9:30 am. If you’d like to attend Adult Forum, you may still participate in choir. No form to fill out. No previous experience needed. Just stop by any Thursday night. There is no age requirement for Adult Choir. If older youth feel they have outgrown the Youth Choir, they are welcome to add their voice to the adult choir. Adult choir takes a break from Thursday practices June – August. Occasionally, the Annunciation choir will partner with other church choirs in the area for larger musical offerings.
Children & Youth Choirs
Children’s Choir is made up of younger children who may or may not be able to read. The only requirement is the desire to sing and the ability to stand still long enough to practice!
Youth Choir consists of older children. Not just girls! Anyone is welcome. Participants may or may not have previous choir experience and do not have to be able to read music. However, more detailed, age appropriate music is chosen for this group.
Both choirs meet briefly after the 10:00 am service and provide music for services a few times a year, notably the 4:00 pm Family Christmas Eve service and Easter Sunday. Practice begins Sunday, September 18th.
