Order of St. John

Service Recognition Awards Initiatory Degree The Initiatory Degree is awarded in the Spring to Candidates of the Order of St. John who have demonstrated a desire to faithfully serve by completing training attending general meetings of the Order serving as scheduled at services of St. John's Lutheran Church; and completing at least six months of service.

Holders of the Initiatory Degree are considered to be Full Members of the Order, entitled to all rights, privileges, and duties thereto pertaining. Holders of this degree may

• hold any office in the Order, except that of Provost
• serve at Special services of the Church, including ecumenical events; and
• vote on all business before the Order.

Degree of St. John

The Degree of St. John is conferred in the Spring upon Members of the Order of St. John who hold the Initiatory Degree and who have demonstrated a desire to faithfully serve by

• attending additional training for specialized duties
• participating in general meetings of the Order; and
• serving at 12 or more scheduled Sunday services, and at least 3 special weekday or high festival services of St. John's Lutheran Church.

Holders of the Degree of St. John are Full Members of the Order, entitled to all rights, privileges, and duties thereto pertaining. Holders of this degree may

• hold any office in the Order including that of Provost
• assist in coordinating new and less-experienced servers; and
• vote on all business before the Order.

Honorary Degree of Arch Acolyte

The highest recognition to be conferred upon Members of the Order of St. John is the Honorary Degree of Arch Acolyte. This honorary degree is conferred upon faithful and dedicated Members of the Order of St. John who hold the Degree of St. John, are in their junior or senior year in high school, and who have faithfully served the congregation by

• helping to train other Members of the Order
• participating in general meetings of the Order
• having an exemplary attendance record without unexcused absences; and
• serving at 36 or more scheduled Sunday services and at least 12 special weekday or high festival services of St. John's Lutheran Church.

Holders of the Honorary Degree of Arch Acolyte are ex officio officers of the Order, entitled to participate in the planning, deliberations, leadership, and guidance of the Order.

Centurial Service Award

The Centurial Service Award was established by the Order in 1983 to remember the 500th birthday of Martin Luther, born in the year 1483 AD, and to honor Members of the Order who have performed as altar servers at St. John's Lutheran Church on more than one-hundred occasions.

Because this award reflects a Member's diligence and willingness to seek additional opportunities to serve, such as when substituting for others, every Member of the Order is eligible for this recognition and is encouraged to seek its high goal. Only eighteen Members have been honored with this award since its inception in 1983.

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