8am I Holy Eucharist
9am I
Holy Eucharist
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Forum:
The Way of Love - Pray
10:00am I Sunday school
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Holy Eucharist
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10am I
The Way of Love - Pray
PRAY: Dwell intentionally with God daily
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He was praying in a certain place, and after he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.” – Luke 11:1
“Lord, hear our prayer.” - Book of Common Prayer
Jesus teaches us to come before God with humble hearts, boldly offering our thanksgivings and concerns to God or simply listening for God’s voice in our lives and in the world. Whether in thought, word or deed, individually or corporately, when we pray we invite and dwell in God’s loving presence.
For Reflection and Discernment
- What intentional prayer practices center you in God’s presence, so you can hear, speak, or simply dwell with God?
- How will (or do) you incorporate intentional prayer into your daily life?
- With whom will you share in the commitment to pray?
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Flu and Coronavirus Update for Sunday
In light of this season of flu and coronavirus, we at St. John's have implemented some precautionary measures to help keep us all as healthy as can be. During The Peace, we ask that you gently bow to one another while wishing your neighbor the peace of Christ. At Communion time, we will only serve bread at the Communion rail. If you wish to risk taking a sip of wine from the chalice, there will be a chalice station close to the piano and one close to the harpsichord, both of which will be outside of and away from the Communion rail. There will be no intinction offered.
If you receive the bread alone, you have fully received communion. At the door, as you depart, the clergy will greet you without shaking hands. Hands carry germs. We care very deeply for the health and well being of everyone and thereby institute these liturgical practices until such time as they are no longer needed.
Please remember to wash your hands frequently. There are bottles of hand sanitizer all around the Church for your use. On the back pew is information from the CDC about other ways to keep yourself as safe as possible. Please help us to help each other stay safe.
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Special Update from Bishop Carlos
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This weekend we received the tragic news from Bishop Carlos in Mozambique of a minibus accident. The victims of the crash were members of the diocese and were on their way to Bernard Mizaki Birth Place Sanctuary at Guambene in the Province of Inhambane. The bus transporting them had fifteen seats and had a flat tire blast, overturning several times and killing three women and one child instantly. The remaining people were all injured, and four of them were severely injured with one dying later at the hospital and raising the total number of those killed to five. Bishop Carlos and the Diocese made great efforts to bring the deceased back to Maputo. The bus belonged to one of the parishes in Maputo. Bishop Carlos and others are helping the family members with arrangements for memorials and burials.
All of the injured have been discharged from the hospital except for one who is still under intensive care. The pilgrimage event drew more than one thousand participants, and all others have now arrived home safely. Please pray for their community and all those who have been affected by this loss.
In light of this tragedy, we will be taking a special collection on Sunday to help the bereaved families and those injured. If you would like to make a donation, checks can be made payable to St. John's Episcopal Church, with a clear notation either in the memo section or with an attached note that the donation is for Mozambique.
Thank you again for your prayers and for your assistance, and we will continue to keep you posted as we receive news.
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Reminder for Saturday, March 14 & Monday, March 16
For those who have signed up for the Discernment workshops on Saturday, March 14th and Monday, March 16th, please meet the discernment team in the undercroft for further instructions.
If you have any questions or concerns, please email the discernment team,
[email protected].
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Reminder for Sunday March 22 & March 29
Beginning next week our March services will look a little different due to the Discernment workshops!
On Sunday, March 22, we will have an 8 AM Holy Eucharist, 9 AM Liturgy and Discernment discussions with light lunch following, and no 10:45 Holy Eucharist. On Sunday, March 29th, we will have an 8 AM Holy Eucharist, Discernment discussions pre-empting 9 AM service and refreshments following, and we will have a 10:45 AM Holy Eucharist. Childcare will be available on these two Sunday’s.
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…”love your neighbor as yourself.” - Leviticus 19:18
Join us on Wednesdays, March 4 through April 1
Soup Supper, 6 p.m.
Lenten Program, 7 p.m.
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Wednesday, March 11 - Rabbi Marci Bellows, Beth Shalom Rodfe Zedek, Chester
Rabbi Bellows shares with us her perspective on the rise of Anti-Semitism in our world and in our local area. Come and be enlightened about the sorrow and fear that comes out of anti-Semitic actions and words.
Wednesday, March 18 - The Rev. Tracy Johnson-Russell, Rector of St. Monica's Episcopal Church, Hartford
Tracy is one of the founders of the Greater Hartford Interfaith Action Alliance (GHIAA) and a leader in the Faith Based Initiative (FBI) of Hartford. She has started a program for children in Hartford's North End called
My Place Hartford. Come and hear her experience of loving neighbor where she's planted.
Wednesday, March 25 - Valarie Stanley, Senior Warden at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, New Haven
Valarie is a longtime faithful member of St. Luke's and is part of the core leadership team of ECCT's Racial Healing, Justice and Reconciliation Network. The people of St. Luke's and Trinity-on-the-Green are working toward reconciliation from years ago acts of racism and separation. Come and learn about the St. Luke's story as one of the oldest African American Episcopal Churches in the U.S.
Wedneday, April 1 - St. John's members involved in ECCT's Racial Healing, Justice and Reconciliation Network
Come and be part of exploring the question, So What? After hearing more about loving your neighbor, so what do we do individually or collectively as a community to love our neighbors, no matter who our neighbor is?
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Our special offering envelopes for Easter flowers and music is upon us! If you choose to make a gift, please let the church office know if you are doing so in memory of a person, in thanksgiving for a person, and/or a special event. Also, please let the church office know if this contribution is for Easter flowers and/or Easter music by writing it on the envelope or by including a note. The deadline to hand in your offering for recognition in the Easter bulletin will be Sunday, April 5th.
If you misplace your envelope or don’t find it in your March newsletter, these offering envelopes will also be on the back pew in the church on Sundays — or stop in to see Chelsea!
If you choose to mail in your contribution, please send it to
P.O. Box 422, Essex CT 06426. Thank you!
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Palm Sunday Procession
On Sunday, April 5th, weather permitting, we will once again process down Main Street following the bagpiper. We will need the assistance of the children to help distribute our jellybean bags to our friends in Essex. We will gather at the park across from the street at 9:00 am. Following the procession, we will head into the church for the Palm Sunday liturgy. All are welcome!
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Stations of the Cross
Once again, we will be taking the Stations of the Cross to the streets (weather permitting) will be starting in the sanctuary at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, April 10th. We will again be seeking group participation and an open mind. So bring your sense of adventure and comfortable walking shoes as we recreate Jesus' final steps on this earth. If the weather is unfriendly, we will take an alternate indoor journey. All are welcome. See you then!
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After the Last Supper, when Jesus was praying in the Garden of Gethsemane, he asked his disciples to wait and watch with him. Being weak and human, they kept falling asleep; Jesus asked, “Could you not stay awake with me one hour?”
Our Maundy Thursday Vigil offers time to reflect on these words, as you pray and sit peacefully in the nighttime quiet of our beautiful church, and keep watch with the Reserved Sacrament. If you would like to sign up for a one-hour time slot, please visit the sign up sheet in the Narthex or Parish Hall. Watchers arrive a few minutes before their time and knock at the front door of the church. The previous watcher will let you in. (More than one person may sign-up for each time slot.)
Should you have questions, please feel free to contact Allison Fresher at 860-463-6965 or Carol Richmond at 860-767-3979. You may also email Allison at
[email protected].
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SE Region & Diocesan Opportunities
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8th Annual Spring Training & Gathering
Saturday, April 18th, at 9:00 AM
Berlin High School, Berlin CT
Tickets: $15-$35
This year's workshop participant will be able to attend three different workshops and one lunch wave. Workshop topic areas include Christian Formation, Communication, Connecting & Collaborating, Essential Parish Operations, Leadership, Passion & Call, Pastoral Care, Season of Racial Healing, Justice & Reconciliation, Social Justice & Advocacy, Spiritual Practices, and Worship. All workshops run for 75 minutes.
Also, don't miss out on this year's early bird discount ($15) for registration, which ends on March 21st!
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Did You Miss Last Week's e-Epistle?
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If so, click the link below to catch up and not miss anything significant happening at St. John's!
Or to find out where you are on the service schedule!
You can also check out this week's lectionary readings!
To check out past sermons!
Online Monthly eNews SE Region Sign-Up
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St. John's Episcopal Church Calendar
To view all upcoming offerings, events, and church meetings,
click here
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Tuesday, March 10
Soup Kitchen: 5:00 PM
Building and Grounds Meeting: 7:00 PM
Wednesday, March 11
Holy Eucharist: 9:00 AM
Contemplative Prayer: 5:00 PM
Lenten Supper: 6:00 PM
Thursday, March 12
Staff Meeting: 1:00 PM
Executive Committee Meeting: 6:30 PM
Discernment Meeting: 6:30 PM
Choir Rehearsal: 7:00 PM
Saturday, March 14
Discernment Discussions: 9:00 AM
Men's Discussion Group: 9:00 AM
Sunday, March 15
Holy Eucharist: 8:00 AM
Holy Eucharist: 9:00 AM
Forum: Way of Love - Pray: 10:00 AM
Holy Eucharist: 10:45 AM
Monday, March 16
Discernment Discussions: 6:00 PM
Tuesday, March 17
Soup Kitchen: 5:00 PM
Wednesday, March 18
Holy Eucharist: 9:00 AM
Habitat for Humanity Meeting: 2:30 PM
Contemplative Prayer: 5:00 PM
Lenten Supper: 6:00 PM
Thursday, March 19
Staff Meeting: 1:00 PM
Discernment Discussion - Essex Meadows 4 to 6 PM
Vestry & Recruitment Team Training at the Commons: 6:15 to 8:15 PM
Discernment Meeting: 6:30 PM
Choir Rehearsal: 7:00 PM
Saturday, March 21
Men's Discussion Group: 9:00 AM
Sunday, March 22
Holy Eucharist: 8:00 AM
Discernment Discussions & Liturgy: 9:00 AM
Tuesday, March 24
Soup Kitchen: 5:00 PM
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