Coming up at St. John's Church | | |
Drowning of Pharaoh's Army, Koenig (20th Century)
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Sunday, September 13, 2026
Home Coming Sunday
The Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost:
The Second Sunday in the Season of Creation
Nursery available 9:00 a.m.- 11:45 a.m.
Adult Forum
9:00 a.m.
Parish Hall
Coffee Break
10:00 a.m.
Parish Hall
Holy Eucharist
10:30 a.m.
Livestream on YouTube
Children's Chapel
10:30 a.m.
Parish Hall
Food and Fellowship
11:45 a.m.
Parish Hall
Bulletin
Please note that this message might be clipped in some browsers. Please click "View entire message" in order to see the full email.
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A Message from Anthony
Dear St. John’s,
I have been more acutely aware of the changing seasons this year—not only in the natural world, but also in my life. I imagine it’s a combination of aging parents, a nephew (whose diapers I changed) is turning thirty next month, and my own body, complete with the unprovoked aches of aging. All of these serve as reminders of my own mortality and the slow shift of time—a shift that ironically reveals itself in sudden epiphanies that can leave us asking, “Where did all the time go?”
As Gretchen Rubin wrote, “The days are long, but the years are short."
I believe life not only mirrors the seasons, but also the climate crisis we face. Our current predicament did not happen overnight; rather, decades of ignorance, greed, denial, politics, and special interest groups led us to global heating. Likewise, whatever strained relationships we have, personal struggles we wrestle with, or character flaws we exhibit took a lifetime to reach their present state.
Perhaps that’s why, in this week’s Gospel reading, Jesus tells Peter to forgive “seventy-seven times.” Jesus recognizes that the inexhaustible grace we extend to others is the very same grace we require ourselves.
This “Season of Creation” reminds us that transformation rarely happens in an instant. Just as environmental restoration requires daily commitment, tending to our souls and our relationships demands patient, persistent effort. As the leaves begin to fall and the season turns, may we offer ourselves and one another the time, space, and boundlessness of God’s grace to heal, grow, and begin anew.
In Christ,
Anthony+
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Potluck Food and Fellowship this Week
As is our tradition on Homecoming Sunday, this Sunday's Food and Fellowship is Pot luck. The Fellowship Ministry will provide fried chicken. Please bring a big appetite and a side dish or dessert to share.
Sunday, September 13
11:45 a.m.
Parish Hall
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A New Season of Adult Forum
Adult Forum resumes in the Parish Hall at 9:00 a.m. this Sunday, September 13, with a focus on the Season of Care for Creation:
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September 13: “Creation Season: A Liturgical and Spiritual Introduction,” The Rev. Gregory Bezilla
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September 20: "Bible, Ethics and Creation,” Dr. Jacqueline E. Lapsley, President of Union Presbyterian Seminary and Professor of Old Testament
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September 27: "Landscape as Soulscape," Dr. Christine Luckritz Marquis, Associate Professor of Church History, Union Presbyterian Seminary
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October 4: “Reimagining the Churchyard of St. John’s: Sharing a Vision for Greening the Cemetery and Engaging Our Community." Participants will learn about St. John’s forthcoming application for a denominational grant to fund the planting of native plants, controlling storm water runoff, encouraging people to explore the church grounds and learn about its land, and connecting environmental justice to historical preservation.
Sundays beginning September 13
9:00 a.m.
Parish Hall
Nursery care is available.
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Children's Chapel
Children’s Chapel meets each Sunday in the Parish Hall during the first part of the service. Children join their parents in church during the offertory so that they can participate in the Eucharist.
For more information, contact the Rev. Maureen-Elizabeth Hagen.
Sundays
10:30 a.m.
The Parish Hall
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The Season of Creation Is Here
This fall, St. John's has joined churches throughout the world to celebrate a Season of Creation.
During this season our Sunday Worship incorporates liturgy that praises our Creator and expresses our care for Creation, and our educational offerings address topics related to caring for Creation.
The Season of Creation is a time to renew our relationship with our Creator and all creation through celebration, conversion, and commitment together. During the Season of Creation, we join our sisters and brothers in the ecumenical family in prayer and action for our common home.
Ecumenical Patriarch Dimitrios I proclaimed 1 September as a day of prayer for creation for the Orthodox in 1989. In fact, the Orthodox church year starts on that day with a commemoration of how God created the world.
The World Council of Churches was instrumental in making the special time a season, extending the celebration from 1 September until 4 October.
Following the leadership of Ecumenical Patriarch Dimitrios I and the WCC, Christians worldwide have embraced the season as part of their annual calendar. Pope Francis established the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation in the Roman Catholic Church in 2015, and in 2019 started celebrating the Season of Creation as well.
In recent years, statements from religious leaders around the world have also encouraged the faithful to take time to care for creation during the month-long celebration.
The season... ends 4 October, the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of ecology beloved by many Christian denominations.
Throughout the month-long celebration, the world’s 2.2 billion Christians come together to care for our common home.
--seasonofcreation.org/about
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We Miss You Peggy.
Get Well Soon!
The Rev. Deacon Peggy Newman had shoulder replacement surgery last week, and she is now home and beginning her recovery. She will be away from St. John's for at least three more Sundays. You will continue to see her name on the prayer list during September. Please continue to pray for her speedy recovery.
Thanksgiving for the Beginning of a Recovery
O Lord, your compassions never fail and your mercies are new every morning: We give you thanks for giving our sister Peggy both relief from pain and hope of health renewed. Continue in her, we pray, the good work you have begun; that she, daily increasing in bodily strength, and rejoicing in your goodness, may so order her life and conduct that she may always think and do those things that please you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
--The Book of Common Prayer, p. 460
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Shalom Farms Work Day
The St. John's community will volunteer at Shalom Farms Saturday, September 26, arriving at the Northside farm (1311 Westwood Ave, Richmond, 23227) by 8:45 a.m.
The morning will begin with an educational tour providing an overview of the farm's crops and its programs that promote a just food system.
Afterward, participants will help out around the farm with tasks that could include planting, harvesting, mulching, weeding, cleaning, sorting, or packing produce. The visit will end at noon.
We invite all parishioners aged 6 and up to join. There is space for 12 volunteers. Please contact Victoria Hauser.
Saturday, September 26
8:45 a.m.
Shalom Farms Northside Farm
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Annual Blessing of the Animals
Your pets are invited to our annual celebration of the Feast of St. Francis Sunday, October 4, at 4:30 p.m., when they will receive their annual blessing in honor of the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi.
All creatures are welcome; no exceptions. Snacks and refreshments will be available for everyone.
Please leash or cage your pets, and invite your friends and neighbors to bring their pets, too.
Pet Supply Drive
We are collecting pet supplies for Richmond Animal Care & Control (RACC). Suggested donations include canned cat food, dry dog food, milk bones, mylar cat toys, and nylon dog leashes.
Please place your donations in the designated boxes in the Parish Hall beginning Sunday, September 20, or bring them to the animal blessing.
Pet Necrology
If you have lost a pet since our last animal blessing, please click here to add its name to our pet necrology, which we will read during the Blessing of the Animals liturgy.
Sunday, October 4
4:30 p.m.
Churchyard
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The Rosette String Quartet Says
Kevin Puts Is So Hot Right Now
Rosette’s ninth So Hot Right Now concert series features the music of Kevin Puts. The series will include seven performances in seven different venues across Richmond. The premier concert will be at St. John's Church.
Click here for more information.
Sunday, October 4
7:30 p.m.
St. John's Church
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First Fruits Food Pantry Donations
The Outreach Team accepts donations for the Peter Paul/St. Peter's food pantry each Sunday.
Leave your donations at the back of the church or in the designated collection boxes in the Parish Hall.
Items needed: peanut butter, jelly, ramen noodles, canned vegetables, instant oatmeal packets, and granola bars*.
*ONLY supply these specific items, please.
To provide hands-on help, Peter Paul’s food pantry machine needs volunteers to:
· order online from Feed More and coordinate food pickup with Kroger
· pick up food at Feed More and Kroger
· help clients fill out Feed More applications
· add clients' names to the online Feed More system
To learn more about volunteering, please contact Chimere Miles.
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Help Make our Property Welcoming
on Sunday Mornings
St. John’s need a group of volunteers to maintain and beautify the grounds and church exterior in preparation for Sunday morning services.
Weekly Chores:
- Blowing leaves and other debris off the sidewalks in the churchyard and on Broad Street
- Removing cobwebs on the front of the church, Parish Hall doors, and the elevator
- General sprucing-up
These tasks are best done on Saturdays, but Fridays work as well.
As Needed: Weed-whacking grass
Sign up at the Parish Hall bulletin board to help.
Contact Paul Broughton for more information.
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GIFT Women’s Ministry
Growing in Faith Together (GIFT) is a monthly women's group for those whose faith and spiritual journey is shaped by unexpected, life-altering circumstances.
The group is self-led, and members rotate leading each 90-minute session as they create, reframe, and/or reclaim their personal faith experience in community.
To learn more, please contact Peggy Newman.
Sunday, September 20
4:00 p.m.
Parish House Library
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We Need Licensed Eucharistic Ministers
Licensed Eucharistic Ministers (LEMs) are confirmed members of St. John's Church who serve wine at the altar during the Eucharist. They receive training from a member of the clergy and are licensed by the Diocese of Virginia. If you are interested in training to be a part of this ministry, please contact Rev. Anthony.
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For Newcomers Who Want
to Make It Official
If you are new to St. John’s and interested in becoming a member through Confirmation of your Baptismal Vows or Reception from another Christian denomination, or, if you're just curious to know more about Episcopalianism, please consider taking this class that introduces participants to the history, traditions, and practices of the Episcopal Church while preparing them for the rites of Confirmation and Reception. Please let Patty Duffy know.
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Meetings Next Week
Archives Work--Tuesday, September 15, 10:00 a.m., Parish House Archives
Stitch and Chat--Tuesday, September 15, 10:00 a.m., Parish House Library
Staff Meeting--Tuesday, September 15, 1:30 p.m., Parish House Library
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Altar Flower Commemorations
We encourage everyone to remember or honor loved ones and special anniversaries and events by sponsoring the flowers at the altar for a specific Sunday. The cost is $55.
Sign up and pay for flower commemorations here.
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Many thanks to those who have made their pledge to support the mission of St. John’s in 2026. To date, we have received pledges from 63 individuals or families, totaling $254,273, which is 92.46% of our 2026 pledge goal of $275,000.
If you have not pledged for 2026, but will continue an existing automatic deduction from your account in the same or a different amount, please let Patty Duffy know. Of course, pledge cards can still be returned, or you can make your pledge online through the link below.
In His love,
Jeffry Burden, Stewardship Chair
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Prayers at the East Altar
If you need individual healing prayers, proceed to the East altar directly after taking communion.
You may also submit your prayers in writing by filling out the prayer request form in your bulletin and putting it in the offering plate. Prayers submitted in writing can be anonymous.
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Eucharistic Visits
We invite those who wish to have communion brought to their homes to contact Rev. Anthony.
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A Note about Pastoral Appointments and Emergencies
To schedule an appointment with Rev. Anthony, click here. You will hear from him within 24 hours.
And if you learn of a pastoral issue concerning one of our parishioners, please reach out to Anthony as well.
If you have an emergency, please contact Patty Duffy at 649-7938, and she will ensure a more immediate response.
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