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Sunday, March 2, is the

Last Sunday after the Epiphany

Service at 10:00 AM, Holy Eucharist

Find this week's readings in the bulletin.

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

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. Join us in this celebration sponsored by St. John’s Choir!!! Sign up is in the Parish Hall.

Lenten Possibilities for Holy Observances in your home

There is only one church season in which the faithful are specifically invited into a holy observance. That season is Lent. Beginning on Ash Wednesday, March 5, Lent invites us to reflect on the times we have failed to love God, others, and ourselves. After conscious reflection, we are called to return to God. Many resources are available to assist individuals, families, and congregations in the work of Lent. Each resource below is a creative entry point into a meaningful Lent. Click on the links to access the content.

1. Sign up to receive a daily email containing a Lenten meditation offering from Episcopal Relief and Development.

2.Sign up to receive text messages of gratitude for 40 days from United Thank Offering.

3.Join a Lenten Zoom Book Group, organized by United Thank, gathering Tuesdays at noon, March 11-April 8. The book is The Ungrateful Refugee: What Immigrants Never Tell You by Dina Nayeri. Click here to register

4. From best-selling author Kate Bowler, sign up to participate in Bless the Lent we Actually Have. Each day for 40 days, you will receive daily email prompts inviting you to reflect and bless our imperfect lives.

Sip Study and Snack with us!!!

Join us for a Lenten Book Study of In God’s Presence: Theological Reflections on Prayer by Marjorie Hewitt Suchocki. Find your copy online, new or used. Or contact the Bookstore of Gloucester and ask them to order you a copy.

The book group will meet from 4:00 to 5:15 on the five Mondays in Lent (March 10 to April 7) in the Thompson Room. We will read two chapters per session. Join us as we seek to unlock the mystery of prayer, and in doing so, embrace the profound connection that unites us all. Invite a friend who might benefit from a discussion on the benefits of prayer! Please call the office to sign up: 978-283-1708, or email Marge.

Prayer for Before You Read the News

If you are feeling overwhelmed by the daily news, you may be comforted by this prayer, written by Irwin Keller, Rabbi, Teacher, Writer, Hope-Monger. It begins with a prayer for before you read the news, then a prayer for after you read the news, then a suggestion for a closing action. Check it out. You can also read Rabbi Keller's blog post regarding this prayer here.

St. John’s Parish Retreat is scheduled for Friday March 21 through Sunday March 23 at St. Margaret's in Duxbury. This quiet retreat will include one meeting at the beginning to review expectations for retreat and one meeting at the end to gather the fruits of our retreat. The cost will be $225 per person and includes meals with the sisters. Scholarships are available.

To sign up, please bring to the church office a check payable to St. John’s Church along with a filled-out registration form. Email Kim Prentice to request a form or ask any questions.

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.

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

Music Notes 

Music always helps us in transitions. As we come to the end of the Epiphany season and the beginning of Lent, one hymn in particular helps us to transition from one season to the other on Transfiguration Sunday: “Alleluia, Song of Gladness.” The text of the hymn uses words such as song, anthem, choirs, and sing. These words point to the importance of music in expressing our joy through Christ.

In stanza one, we will be singing the anthem of ALLELUIA ever dear to choirs on high, eternally.

In stanza two, we are mourning exiles by Babylon’s waters, even though we have joyful mothers bringing Jerusalem’s jubilee.

In stanza three, we are given a hint that we should not be singing ALLELUIA during Lent: Alleluia cannot always be our song while here below.

In stanza four, we look at the time after Lent: our hymns we pray with longing, to keep glad Easter with the faithful saints.

All of Sunday’s music will reflect the last Sunday of Epiphany, with the singing of Alleluia at every turn, to mark our Christian journey to Lent. It is always a joy to hear you, the congregation of St. John’s, sing our hymns and songs of gladness.

Your Friend,

John Churchwell

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

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

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

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

Choral Evensong - Wednesday, March 12, 6:00pm

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

Home of Connie DeSimone

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

Home of Rev. Marya DeCarlen

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

Home of Rick Britton

Choral Evensong - Wednesday, 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 Sunday - 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.

March 2, 2025

The Last 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: Clay Gordon Woodgate, 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