The Messenger E-News

Livestream @ 9:30 on Facebook

ONE Sunday worship service

9:30 AM Rite II

10:30 AM Coffee Hour

Visit our virtual worship page for the Sunday Bulletin

Access Rev. Jill's Sermon Podcast here

Livestream @ 9:30 on YouTube

Thanks to all who helped make the Parish Picnic a great success! More photos here.

Blue Rocks Game TONIGHT!

If you haven't yet gotten them, you may pick up your tickets at the church office, M-F 9am-1pm. If you have not purchased tickets and would like to join Saint John’s at the game, you may call Carly Jensen 302-472-5712 and tell her you want to join the Saint John’s group in Section H on June 6 at 6:30pm. Sit where is most convenient for you.

And wear your Saint John's t-shirt!

Growing

WOW Gathering:

June 18 @ 7 PM

Flower Arranging with the Millers - cost is $25 - you'll learn how to arrange and care for fresh-cut flowers and go home with a gorgeous arrangement!

Holy Hikers:

Saturday, June 28 @ 9 AM

Join us at Pocopson Park (477 Locust Grove Rd, West Chester); Mark Mowrer will be our host. Directions from Saint John's: Take route 1 south to route 52 north. Continue 2.3 miles to roundabout and take second exit (straight) on to south Wawaset Road. Go 0.3 miles to first left, turn into parking lot. Bring water. Mark's cell 484-999-7949.

Reusable Insulated Water Bottles for $20!

Proclaim your love of Saint John's with this fabulous insulated water bottle! The Green Team is having a water bottle fundraiser. You can order your Saint John's logo water bottles now and pickup at church. Click here for ALL the details and to order.

Seeking

Come, Holy Spirit!

This Sunday we will celebrate the Day of Pentecost, a special feast day that some call the "Birthday of the Church" (and celebrate with birthday cake!).

Pentecost occurs 50 days after Easter (hence 'pente') and is the Greek word for one of three major Jewish pilgrimage festivals, Shavout which honored the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai (the other two pilgrimage festivals were Passover and Sukkoth or Booths).

For the Christian Church, Pentecost is the day when Jesus's promise of the gift of the Holy Spirit is fulfilled, when the Spirit rests like tongues of flame upon the apostles. The author Luke describes this event in Acts 2, a powerful moment when the apostles then are able to speak in foreign languages, sharing the Good News of the Resurrected Jesus to which thousands respond by being baptized.

Speaking in tongues is but one gift of the Holy Spirit. There are many others noted in the Bible, such as Paul's list in his second letter to the Corinthians which lists gifts such as wisdom, faith, healing, and miracles. John's Gospel describes the Holy Spirit with attributes of Comforter, Teacher, and Advocate.

Throughout the summer, we are in the season of Pentecost, the season of the Holy Spirit. What ways is God's Spirit speaking to you this summer? May God's Spirit enliven your faith, strengthen your witness, and bring you comfort and peace.

Blessings,

Rev Jill

Summer Office Hours & Volunteers

As we get into the summer months, just a reminder that while we try to maintain our normal office hours of M-F 9 AM - 1 PM, with our small staff & vacation schedules, this isn't always possible. You may want to call before coming over to be sure someone is here. If you'd like to volunteer to help fill in the gaps, here is the signup. Thank you!

New Altar Vases In Memorium

We are purchasing and engraving new pewter vases for the altar in memory of Barrie Parker. If you would like to donate toward the vases, please note ‘Barrie’ on the memo of your check or online donation.

Thank you!

Serving

Now Serving Twice Each Month!

Chester Eastside Meals

Saint John's has been sponsoring one evening meal each month at Chester Eastside for 3 months and the need for this outreach is growing: Saint John's will be adding a second meal each month! We will now serve meals on the 3rd and 4th Thursday of the month beginning May 15! If you would like to be a part of this outreach effort and serve as a volunteer, please let Rev Jill know. If you would like to support our sponsorship, please make a donation listing "Chester Eastside" in the memo line of your check or online donation.

Save the date: Red Cross Blood Drive Tues., August 26: 2 PM – 7 PM

Coffee hour hosts needed: this is a fun job you can do with your whole family. Signup here or on the clipboard in the Parish Hall.

Parkinson's Support Group

Mark your calendars for our next Support Group:

July 2 @ 1:30 PM to 3 PM More info here.

Please feel free to come; open to the community; all are welcome. For more information - e-mail --darreeclark@gmail.com

Diocesan & Community News

Checkout the Diocesan 2024 year at a glance below.

Interfaith Book Trail is a program through Interfaith Philadelphia for children (3rd-6th Grade) to introduce them to faiths other than their own. Through visits to different houses of worship, storytelling, activities, and sharing, students make friends from neighboring faith communities and learn about one another’s traditions.

Each session includes:

- A story from the host faith community

- Snack time

- Art activity

- Reflection on the five Passport to Understanding practices: Be Curious, Welcome In, Venture Out, Stand Tall, and Stand With.

Our Next Program is:

June 16 - 20, 2025, 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM at Reformation Lutheran Church in Media

Opportunity to Host a German High School Student

If you might have interest in hosting a student from Bavaria during the 2025-26 school year, email Sherry Thompsen for more information. She and Phil are long-time friends of the family of Niklas, who will be an 11^th grader. He’s been told by the organization he applied through that they have a shortage of host families – so kids are encouraged to ask people they know in the U.S. to “spread the word.” Nikky’s English skills are quite good. He would ideally like to stay with a family that has kids, but he’s open to any type of family. He is a top student and loves playing sports and music. Feel free to pass this along to anyone else you know who might have interest. Thank you!

Caring for All Creatures

We believe it is crucial that everyone has access to veterinary care so their pets can live happy, healthy lives. On 6/14, the diocese and St. John's at Diocesan Center, along with a very generous veterinary clinic and the LIFE Foundation, will be offering vaccines, microchips and free pet supplies and food. Details.