Coming up at St. John's Church | | | |
Sunday, October 25, 2026
The Twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost
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.
Parish Hall
Available Live on Zoom
Bulletin
Food and Fellowship
11:45 a.m.
Parish Hall
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A Message from Patty Duffy
On Wednesday, I searched Sunday’s lectionary readings for a nugget to build this message around. In the Gospel I found a group of Sadducees asking Christ to identify the greatest commandment. Christ's response is "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind,...and the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself." The context of Christ’s pronouncement is a little disappointing. Those Sadducees who ask are only looking for an argument, not a way to improve their faith, and I really don't know what to say about that.
Today (Thursday), the lectionary’s gospel reading from Luke has a lawyer asking Jesus how to gain eternal life, and the lawyer receives the same answer Christ gave the Saducees, but follows it with the parable of the Good Samaritan, a story most of us are familiar with. The parable provides insight into what loving a neighbor as oneself looks like, and the bottom line is that it looks like showing mercy.
In this Christian life, it can be easy to think that part of showing mercy means fixing another person’s problems. While the Samaritan does a lot to help the wounded man, he leaves him the next day, leaving money for the man’s care with the innkeeper with a promise to pay the difference on his way back through town. We never learn whether or not the man recovers.
Instead of fixing the wounded man’s situation, the Samaritan does what he can to help. He has enough compassion to pity the wounded man and to stop to help. He seems to have extra time built into his journey or the freedom to delay his arrival to wherever he is going because, not only does he stop, he spends the night in a town he is merely passing through. It looks like the Samaritan has packed the equivalent of a First Century first aid kit, because he has bandages, oil, and wine for the injured man’s wounds. And, he has the financial means to put the wounded man up for more than one night at an inn. The Samaritan is merciful because he did what he can to help and then goes on about his business.
I once went to the rector of my parish about a mutual acquaintance who had gotten herself into a pretty big mess. I wanted to know what I should do to help. After asking a few questions to clarify the extent of my understanding of the problem, my rector told me that there wasn’t much I could do other than to pray for her and love her from a little more of a distance: “Experienced professionals are having trouble helping her, and you can’t change other people.”
Some years later when I trained Stephen Ministers to provide pastoral support to fellow parishioners, one of the most important lessons I was directed to impart was that Christian care mostly means listening support, prayer, and pointing someone in the right direction for professional help, if necessary. Provide the care and support; let God provide the healing.
I don’t know what the life of a First Century Jewish lawyer following the greatest commandments might have looked like. He would have been an expert at interpreting Mosaic law and the Torah, so I hope after hearing Jesus’s answer to his question that he went on to be as merciful as possible in his interpretations, and I hope that he got that eternal life was asking about.
I do know that if Christ says we are to love God with all our hearts, and minds, and souls, and to love our neighbors as ourselves, the Good Samaritan provides a pretty good model of how to do that. We also have a lot of good role models and resources in our midst to help us along the way. And what a relief to know that we don't have to fix anything; we need to show as much compassion and mercy as our time, resources, and prayers allow. Let God take care of the rest.
Peace,
Patty Duffy
Parish Administrator
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Church Services Will Be in the Parish Hall
We will gather for worship services in the Parish Hall for the next few weeks while the pipe linking the boiler to the church gets repaired.
To that end, we have made the following adjustments:
- Servers will neither robe nor process.
- Children will join us for the entire worship service.
- We will speak the parts of the liturgy that are usually sung.
- Food and Fellowship spreads will be simpler to facilitate the changeover from the church service to fellowship.
At the end of each service we ask that everyone help move chairs and set up the room for Food and Fellowship.
We look forward to seeing everyone during this opportunity to build community in a new way.
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Progress Report:Boiler Pipe Repair
Work continued this week and is expected to continue next week to lay and connect a new boiler pipe between the boiler house and the church.
We are grateful to archaeologist Andrew Veech for monitoring digging in the historic churchyard and to Property Chair Chad Doebler for overseeing the project.
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Adult Forum
Our current Adult Forum series, Episcopal 101, explores various aspects of what it means to be a member of the Episcopal Church, including Church worship, prayer, history, and governance.
This series provides the required preparation for becoming a member of the church through Confirmation, Reaffirmation, or Reception; however, those who want a refresher course or those who are merely curious are welcome.
Sundays
9:00 a.m.
Parish Hall
Nursery care is available.
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting chat link
Meeting ID: 899 6708 1876
Passcode: 484317
One tap mobile
+13052241968,,89967081876#,,,,*484317# US
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Altar Guild Meeting this Saturday
Everyone's Invited
The Altar Guild will meet Saturday, October 24, at 10:00 a.m. in the Parish Hall. If you are interested in preparing the altar for weekly services and special occasions such as weddings and funerals or if you enjoy arranging flowers, the Altar Guild is a team you'll want to join, so plan to attend.
For more information contact our new Altar Guild chair, Kathleen Burden.
Congratulations, Kathleen! And thank you so much Sarah File for years of enthusiastic and super-organized service as the team's chair.
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Men’s Bible Discussion
All men of the parish are invited to attend the next Bible discussion Saturday, August 30, at 9:30 a.m. in the Parish House Library. For more information, contact Charles Lee.
Saturday, October 24
9:30 a.m.
Parish House Library
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Remember Loved Ones
Who Died This Year
On All Saints' Day, one of the ways we honor the saints of God is through the remembrance of saints departed during the past year.
If you would like to include loved ones who have died since last All Saints’ Day (November 1, 2025) in the prayers for the departed on All Saints’ Sunday, November 1, please complete this form no later than Tuesday afternoon, October 27.
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Inviting Your Nominees for November Saints
When we are baptized into the Body of Christ, we become part of a community. We realize we cannot follow our baptismal promises on our own; we need others to help show us the way. Some of these models live among us; others died centuries ago. They are all part of the Great Cloud of Witness, aka Saints.
Throughout November we will highlight these saints, letting people know more about them.
We will disseminate them on the Facebook page all month long.
Here's how you can help: Submit the name of someone who has helped you understand what it means to follow Jesus. Then provide 1-3 sentences about why you chose this person. For example: "I have chosen Francis of Assisi because he lived a life of simplicity in harmony with nature. He showed me the importance of honoring God's of creation and being a peacemaker." I will do the rest.
Please send your nominees to Maureen Hagen by October 28.
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Fancy Me Mad
This Saturday
Join St. John's Church Foundation for an evening stroll through the graveyard, where you will meet fascinating spirits telling their fascinating stories.
Click here for details and to purchase tickets.
Saturday, October 24
6:30 - 9:00 p.m.
Historic St. John's Church
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A Big Irish Thank You
St. John's Church Family,
The members of the Finance Subcommittee wish to thank you for volunteering during the 40th Annual Irish Festival. We are belatedly following up to inform you that your participation helped raise more that $3,000. St. John's will use these funds for church operations and outreach efforts.
Thank you for your support.
Regards,
Sue Schutt
Lora Toothman
Vevlyn Wright
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Electronic Access to the Bulletin
We now offer access to the service bulletin via a QR code that you can access in the hard copy of the bulletin or by asking an usher. This trial effort to conserve paper and to provide individuals with the option to enlarge the bulletin text on their devices will run through the end of the year.
Especially if you are interested in enlarging the text of the bulletin, consider bringing your tablet to church with you.
Electronic versions of the bulletin are also available in the Thursday and Sunday emails and on our website.
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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, November 15
4:00 p.m.
Parish House Library
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The Smiths Invite You to Thanksgiving Dinner
The Smith family would love for you to join them for Thanksgiving dinner this year. Dinner will be served around 4:00 p.m., and if you need a ride, they are happy to provide one.
RSVP here, or call 651-245-4874.
Thursday, November 26
4:00 p.m.
David and Sherry Smith's Home
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Photos and Photographers Needed
Do you have recent (2026) pictures of the St. John's community? Do you or a family member enjoy taking photos with your camera or phone? Would you like to take photos at future events? Please contact Patty Duffy to share your photos and offer your talents.
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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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Remember the Ladies!
St. John’s Church Foundation presents a gender-reversed production of their Liberty or Death reenactment. Women drawn from Richmond’s vibrant theatre and film community portray nine delegates to the Second Virginia Convention, including George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Richard Henry Lee, and, of course, Patrick Henry.
Click here for details and to purchase tickets.
November 21 & 22
Historic St. John's Church
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Meetings Next Week
Archives Work--Tuesday, October 27, 10:00 a.m., Parish House Archives
Stitch and Chat--Tuesday, October 27, 10:00 a.m., Parish House Library
Staff Meeting--Tuesday, October 27, 1:30 p.m., Parish House Library
Choir Practice--Thursday, October 29, 6:00 p.m., Parish Hall
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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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Prayers at the East Altar
If you need individual healing prayers, proceed to the East altar directly after taking communion where a prayer minister will be waiting to pray with you.
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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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