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Sunday, February 23 is the

Seventh Sunday after the Epiphany

Service at 10:00 AM, Holy Eucharist

Find this week's readings in the bulletin.

On Saturday, February 8, the vestry of St. John’s Gloucester, newly formed for 2025, gathered for a day-long retreat at St. Paul’s Lutheran in Lanesville. We were energized by the presentations given by Sarah Grow regarding stewardship and development and by Don Crane regarding vitality and parish growth. We look forward to working together and were inspired by the scripture from Galatians 6:9: "Let us not get tired of doing good. At just the right time, we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't give up.”



Vestry members shown are: Warden Patricia Anders, Sarah Larson, the Rev. Marya DeCarlen, DeeDee Bedford, Maryann Tapiro, Rick Britton, Barbara Soreng, Warden Katharine Newhouse, Lindsay Smith, Geoff Pope, Sue Lupo and Doug Parsons. (Karen Kasper, not pictured)

In early January, long-time parishioner Henry McCarl died. See his obituary here. On Sunday, February 23, all are welcome to join in the Thompson Room after the service for sharing and prayers.

In addition, a memorial service for Hank will be held at St. John's on Friday, May 16, at 3:00 pm.

The annual meeting left some business unfinished, so St. John's will have an ANNUAL MEETING PART 2 on Sunday, March 2.

Please read and review the Warrant

and the List of Wardens and Officers.

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner - Tuesday, March 4

The name “shrove Tuesday” comes from the word “shrive” which means to confess one’s sins and receive absolution from a priest. The tradition of making pancakes on this day is believed to have originated in medieval England as a way to use up  rich and indulgent ingredients like eggs, milk, sugar and maple syrup before the fasting begins. Shrove Tuesday, often referred to as Pancake Day, is a Christian tradition that marks the day before the start of Lent. It’s a day of preparation and feasting before the 40 day period of fasting and reflection leading up to Easter.  

The cold and snowy weather has had an impact on all of us, and the need for healthy food for the clients of the Open Door continues. This includes items that are part of preparing healthy meals. This week, the following would be most appreciated: cooking oil, flour, oatmeal, bread mixes, and chicken broth.

Stand Up for Love

Last Friday, the Stand up for Love event, sponsored by the Associated Clergy of Cape Ann, was held at Grant Circle. People gathered on Valentines Day to stand up for all people in God’s Kingdom, immigrants and refugees, transgender people, the poor and the marginalized who are at the center of the Gospel story. Their struggles reveal to us the Kingdom of God. 

Lenten Compline Services

Compline is a brief, luminous service that marks the close of each day and welcomes the quiet of nighttime in praising the source of light and life. We will follow the service “An Order for Compline” in the Book of Common Prayer of The Episcopal Church ending with the Night prayer from the New Zealand Common Prayer. All participants will be asked to bring a candle.

This March and April, St. John's will be offering three compline services at parishioners' homes. A meal will be served at 6:00 pm and the service will begin at 7:00 pm. You may join for one or the other or both. Please sign up in the Parish Hall or call the office at

978-283-1708, or email Marge.

• March 19, Home of Connie DeSimone
• March 26, Home of Rev. Marya DeCarlen
• April 2, Home of Rick Britton

Stop neglecting to show hospitality to strangers, for by showing hospitality 

some have had angels as their guests without being aware of it.

---Hebrews 13:2

Role of Congregation in Welcoming Newcomers

Newcomers are gifts to congregations. They bring fresh expressions of God’s image before us and challenge us in often needed ways. They represent potential new partners in care and accountability. They remind of us of why it’s essential that our church exists. If we delight in their presence, invite them with intentionality, and watch how their belonging to God and to our congregation moves us ever closer God’s call for us, well then, HALLELUJAH!! 

If you see someone you don’t know, introduce yourself and greet them! If you see someone standing or sitting alone at coffee hour, join them! And….Thank you!!!!!

Music Notes 

Why do I feel discouraged? Why do the shadows come? Why should my heart be lonely and long for heaven and home?

These words come from the hymn His Eye Is on the Sparrow, music by Charles H. Gabriel (1856-1932), words by Civilla Dupree Martin (1860-1948). His Eye Is on the Sparrow, arranged by Carolyn Hamlin (b. 1937), will be this Sunday’s Postlude on the Fisk Pipe Organ. Civilla Martin was the daughter of James N. and Irene Harding Holden, and was a schoolteacher. She was born in Nova Scotia and died in Atlanta, Ga.

Civilla Martin describes the context out of which the hymn was born: “Early in the spring of 1905, my husband and I were sojourning in Elmira, New York. We contracted a deep friendship for a couple by the name of Mr. and Mrs. Doolittle—true saints of God. Mrs. Doolittle had been bedridden for nigh twenty years. Her husband was an incurable cripple who had to propel himself to and from his business in a wheelchair. Despite their afflictions, they lived happy Christian lives, bringing inspiration and comfort to all who knew them. One day while we were visiting with the Doolittles, my husband commented on their bright hopefulness and asked them for the secret of it. Mrs. Doolittle’s response was simple: ‘His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.’ The beauty of this simple expression of boundless faith gripped the hearts and fired the imagination of Dr. Martin and me. The hymn ‘His Eye Is on the Sparrow’ was the outcome of that experience.”

The next day she mailed the poem to Charles Gabriel, a famous composer of gospel songs, who wrote a tune for it.

The themes of solace in spite of sorrow, and a profound sense of being under the watch-care of Jesus, who is a “constant friend,” offered the African-American community comfort during the Civil Rights movement. The refrain seals the theme by offering an apology for singing—“I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free”—words that would speak to everyone, but especially African Americans.

Your Friend,

John Churchwell

Prayers in memory of Hank McCarl - February 23 during Coffee Hour

Mini-Annual Meeting - March 2, during the worship hour

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper - March 4, 5:00pm-7:00pm

Ashes To-Go on Middle Street - March 5, 12:00pm – 1:00pm

First Sunday in Lent & Imposition of Ashes before Worship - March 9

Compline - March 19, 6:00pm Meal, 7:00pm Compline

Home of Connie DeSimone

Compline - March 26, 6:00pm Meal, 7:00pm Compline

Home of Rev. Marya DeCarlen

Compline - April 2, 6:00pm Meal, 7:00pm Compline

Home of Rick Britton

Choral Evensong - March 12, 6:00pm

Choral Evensong - April 9, 6:00pm

Palm Sunday - April 13, 10:00am

Maundy Thursday and Agape Meal - April 17,

6:00pm Meal, 7:00pm Service

Good Friday Reading of the Passion - April 18, 11:00am

Easter - April 20, 10:00am

Morning Prayer - April 27, Jason Kinchen, Officiant

"May The Fourth Be With You" Silent Movie Concert

May 4, John Churchwell, Organist

Sign-Ups

Altar Flowers

Flowers beautify the Sanctuary of our church, and are a gift which honors God’s creation. A contribution to the flower fund is a meaningful way to honor or remember a loved one. After worship, the flowers offer further blessings to people in special circumstances as they are delivered by members of the flower team with a note of encouragement. Cost:$35

Sanctuary Light

If you look up while seated in our sanctuary you will see a candle suspended in water near our high altar. It is called the Sanctuary Candle and it is a symbol in the Episcopal Church of the Light of Christ. Our light was designed and made by sculptor John Fleming, formerly of Rockport, whose work you may see in the Franze Denghausen Room in the Rockport Library, and possibly at the Rockport Art Association. It burns continuously as a reminder that consecrated bread and wine are always present and available for people in special circumstances. It is also a reminder that God is always with us. In the Jewish tradition, the lamp is known in Hebrew as ner tamid, which translates to eternal light or flame and also symbolizes God’s eternal presence. A contribution to the sanctuary lamp fund in honor of a saint who has gone before us, is a way to link their heavenly life with yours. Cost: $10

All offerings will be mentioned in the bulletin and noted before the Eucharistic prayer.

Coffee Hour

Coffee Hour is an extension of the Eucharistic table and helps us come together in fellowship. We appreciate your support and dedication in making this ministry a warm and welcoming experience for everyone. Currently there are four teams serving on Sunday mornings. If you’d like to join a team of 2-3 people or create a new team, please email Marge or call the office at 9781-283-1708.

Action Lunches returns in the spring.

February 23, 2025

The Seventh Sunday after the Epiphany

10:00 AM

Download the bulletin to see who is participating in the liturgy.

CONTACT MARYA (Priest-in-Collaboration) at mdecarlen@comcast.net or 978-590-1642

St. John's Intercession List: Colette Doyle, Continued Peaceful Negotiations with Israel and Palestine, in the Midst of the Cease-fire with Hamas, Carmine Gorga, Fozzie Hill, Dolores DeRuscio, Lois Lupo , Steve Jencks, Ben, Rosie, Reverend Stephen Woods, CoCo Baxter, Francisco Lococo, The People of the Middle East, Jim LaBelle, Eric Leibowitz, Ruth and Gabriel Leibowitz, Anna and Isabelle, Ondine, Don Baker, Mandy, Marjorie Frontiero, Hope, Brie-Anne Martel, Patty Reed, Marjorie Fergusson, Laurie Menard, Jeremy, Lucy,  Gaëlle K., Sean G., Josh R., Sean, Alexis Morris, Charlie Bishop, Sarah Clifford, Ace Torrence and Family, Jacoby, Jay Featherstone, Isabelle Higgins, Christopher Antonuk, Miranda Featherstone and Family, Marsha White, Claire Stahler, Carole Secrest, Chris Klosterman, Sereda Feener, Alex Furth, Simeon Teitelbaum, Miriam Teitelbaum,  Len Berry, Ellen, Wayne Martin, Ernie Runnells, Jack Ketchopulos, Michael Rocha, Liana and Joe Webb, Linda, Malcolm Henderson, Emelia Currier, Danny, John Fleming.

Contact prayer list manager: Joan Gorga 978-283-5926 or jmgorga@yahoo.com

Please notify Joan Gorga if there is any change with the people on this list. Thank you.

WEEKLY CALENDAR

Sundays               

• 9:00-9:30 am Choir rehearsal (Sept. through June)
• 10:00 am Sung Eucharist

Mondays             

• 9-noon Church open for prayer and meditation
• 9-noon Ms. Fixits Women gathering to tend to the fabric of the church

Tuesdays

• 9-noon Church open for prayer and meditation
• 4:30 pm Women's Cursillo Reunion Group (1st and 3rd Tuesdays)

Wednesdays

• 7 am Men's Bible Reflection, (Bible study) 
• 9-noon Church open for prayer and meditation
• 10 am to 2 pm Thrift Shop and Regal Rummage Open
• 7 pm Fish City AA

Thursdays    

• 9-noon Church open for prayer and meditation
• 7 - 8:30 pm Parish Choir rehearsal (Sept. through June)
• 7:00 pm AA

Fridays

• 10 am to 2 pm Thrift Shop and Regal Rummage Open

Saturdays             

• Action Shelter Lunch-Making, Carolyn Stewart
• 10 am to 2 pm Thrift Shop and Regal Rummage Open
• 7 pm Big Book AA