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Facebook Livestream @ 10:00 AM

Worship service schedule

8:00 AM - Rite I

9:00 AM Coffee Hour

10:00 AM - Rite II

with Sunday School and Choir

Visit our virtual worship page for the Sunday Bulletin

Access Rev. Jill's Sermon Podcast here

YouTube Livestream @ 10:00 AM

Walk our Path - Join us THIS Sunday, Oct. 4 at 9:15 AM to walk the path in our field for Saint Francis Day. Be sure to bring your walking shoes.

Upcoming Events @ St. John's:

See Sunday's Lectionary here.

Arts & Crafts Showcase

Saturday, 10/3 @ 4 PM

Walk our Path

Sunday, 10/4 @ 9:15 AM

Pet Blessings

Sunday, 10/4 @ 5 PM

Parkinson's Support Group

Wednesday, 10/7 @ 1:30 PM

Pastoral Care Meeting

Wednesday, 10/7 @ 3 PM

Cafe, Bible Study, Healing Euch.

Thursday, 10/8 @ 10, 10:30 & 11:30 AM

Compline

Thursday, 10/8 @ 6:30 PM

Vestry Meeting

Thursday, 10/8 @ 7 PM

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Plan to join us Sat., Oct. 3 from 4-7 PM for a lovely evening with music, wine and appetizers as we marvel in the artistic gifts of our church family. A free-will offering will be collected.

In honor of the Saint Francis, please bring your pet (or a photo of your pet) to be blessed at our Blessing of the Animals. Dog, cats, bunnies, hamsters, birds, snakes – ALL are welcome with their humans! We are also accepting donations of used towels and blankets as well as new pet food and treats to be donated to the Brandywine Valley SPCA.

Reflections from the Rector

Celebrating Creation

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. Psalm 19:1-4

The Episcopal Church is liturgical: our worship flows from one 'season' to another and our liturgy reflects that. In Advent, we light candles on our wreath; in Lent we begin our service by praying the Ten Commandments and confessing our sins.

There's also an ecumenical church season called the Season of Creation. Each autumn, many churches and denominations around the world celebrate a time for renewing, repairing and restoring our relationship to God, one another, and all of creation.

Saint John's has participated in the Season of Creation for several years now during our second worship service during the month of October. Our hymns are ones that praise God's glorious creation (like "All creatures of our God and King..."). Our Prayers of the People focus on our relationship with our Mother Earth. Our Confession repents of the ways our actions have impacted our world. And on the first weekend of October, we always celebrate the Feast of Saint Francis, patron saint to all animals. This Sunday we will honor God in creation in several ways as we lift up Saint Francis.

Bring in a photo or toy of a beloved pet and place on our St. Francis altar in church.
At our 10:00 service, we'll open with a procession honoring all of creation - kids are encouraged to join us with their pets or stuffed animals!
At 9:15, I will lead a walk through our "New England" meadow.
Bring your furry family members at 5pm for a Pet Blessing on our patio.

I hope to see you at our St. Francis celebrations!

Blessings,

Rev Jill

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Growing

Trunk or Treat!
Sunday, Oct 25 11:30-12:30

Halloween fun for everyone! Kids can wear their costumes to worship and trick-or-treat in our parking lot. Adults can decorate your car’s trunk and pass out candy.

Please signup here or at the Welcome Center if you plan to host a trunk. ALL are welcome - invite your friends and neighbors!

Giving Train

Saturday, November 7 is our annual Giving Train 5 PM – 8 PM and it's sure to be a good time!

Tickets are available now here. The earlier you purchase, the more you save!

$40/ticket from Sept 28-Oct 30

$45/ticket after Oct 31

You should have received the Giving Train Mailing in your mailbox. Even if you are unable to attend our event, you can still support us! Click here to learn about what we are raising money for and to purchase tickets.

Seeking

Autumn Adult Formation

This fall, we’re going to offer a beginner’s Bible Study at Saint John’s on both Thursdays and Sundays (same class, different days).

And in Advent, Rev. Elizabeth will offer a course sharing her learnings of her Anglican Heritage pilgrimage.

How to Read YOUR Bible: Many Episcopalians want to read the Bible but don’t know where or how to start. This 4-week Bible Study is aimed at getting your more comfortable reading the Bible on your own.

Thursday offerings (10:30-11:15)
Cafe @ 10 AM & Healing Eucharist @ 11:30 AM

10/8 – Choosing a Bible: Translation, Study Bible & How to Use a Bible

10/22 – Overview of Hebrew Scriptures

11/12 – Overview of New Testament

12/10 – Reading the Bible for Devotions

Sunday Offerings (9:10-9:50)

10/11 – Choosing a Bible: Translation, Study Bible & How to Use a Bible

10/18 – Overview of Hebrew Scriptures

(no class on 10/25)

11/1 – Overview of New Testament

11/8 – Reading the Bible for Devotions

Pilgrimage into the Heart of Anglicanism

12/6, 12/13/ and 12/20

Holy Hikers: Revolutionary History

This summer as our country celebrates its 250th anniversary, we’ll do a series of HISTORIC Holy Hikes!

October – Retreat to Valley Forge

Saturday, October 17 at 9am

Meet at Washington’s Headquarters (1400 N Outer Line Dr, King of Prussia, PA 19406 MAP)

This 2.5 mile hike will cover wooded trails as well as the paved Joseph Plumb Martin Trail.

Serving

Coffee Hour Hosts NEEDED!

We currently have almost NO ONE signed up to host or sponsor coffee hour. PLEASE consider signing up. This is a fun thing for your whole family to do if you host, or an easy way to help the church if you sponsor ($30 donation.) Please sign up in the Parish Hall or online here.

Parkinson's Support Group

Wednesday, October 7

1:30 PM to 3 PM

Please feel free to come; open to the community; all are welcome.

More info here.

For more information - e-mail --darreeclark@gmail.com

Sat., Oct. 17
@ 9 AM

Road Cleanup

We will supply reflective vests, trash bags, and caution road signs as we collect trash along a a two-mile stretch of Concord Road, from Overfield Lane to Baltimore Pike. Friends are welcome! Please sign up here.

Community & Diocese Information

Join monthly ‘Vote Faithfully’ networking calls

Thursdays, Oct. 1, Nov. 5

1:30–2 p.m. ET

Join the church’s public policy and witness team on the first Thursday of each month through November for “Vote Faithfully” calls to support voter engagement in ways consistent with Episcopal values.

Hosts share resources and ideas to help congregations promote voting and civic participation while remaining nonpartisan.

The Oct. 1 call will feature Kent Anker, the church’s chief legal officer, addressing frequently asked questions about this year's election.

The diocese has created resources for churches and community members to understand their rights and protect vulnerable neighbors during times of immigration enforcement activity. Rooted in our shared faith and moral calling, these resources are offered to support peaceful protest and the protection of human dignity in the face of injustice. Resources available here.

Know Your Rights

Linked here are documents about what to do and not to do if approached by ICE in public, at your place of employment, and at your home.

Quick Links

Giving

Ministry Contacts

Memorial Trees

Submit a Prayer Request

Pastoral Care Needs

St. John's Episcopal Church

Usual Office Hours

Monday - Friday

9 AM - 1 PM

610-459-2994

SaintJohnsConcord.com

The Rev. Jill LaRoche Wikel, Rector