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Sunday, January 26 is the

Third Sunday after the Epiphany

and the Annual Meeting.

Service at 10:00 AM, Holy Eucharist

Find this week's readings in the bulletin.

Plan to attend church service THIS Sunday, January 26 at

10:00 am and stay for the

ANNUAL MEETING!

The community will receive and review the annual reports,

elect new vestry members and approve the 2025 budget.

You can download, print, review and reflect on the 

Annual Report Covering Activities and Events of 2024.

Please review:

the warrant, the list of nominees and the meeting agenda.

You may join the meeting via Zoom. See info below.

After the Annual Meeting,

please stay for a potluck brunch! 

Zoom Instructions for Annual Meeting

January 26, 2025

People can join the meeting via Zoom in several ways:

Click this link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87820012187?pwd=NpNPE1ztL3lBEznAwzjGK2G1I2Wrms.1

Meeting ID: 878 2001 2187

Passcode: 592846

Or, open the Zoom app and enter the Meeting ID and passcode above. Or on your phone, dial (646) 558-8656, then enter the Meeting ID and passcode above.

The Zoom app is available free on the Web at https://zoom.us/download, and in the Apple and Google app stores. Download these instructions.

During the season of Epiphany, as is tradition, home blessings are offered for parishioners. It is an opportunity to invite friends and share food, a simple eucharist and conversation; while visiting each room and offering a special blessing with asperges (water and pine needles). OR…it is an opportunity to simply bless each room without others and refine the home blessing to your needs and desires. At the end of the blessing I will chalk 20+C+M+B+25 your door representing the year 2025 and the three magi (Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar) who following the star to Jesus, brought him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. These letters also represent the Latin blessing “Christus mansionem benedicat,” which means “May Christ bless this house.”  The blessing of one’s home, is not blessing the building, but the “home” in which you live with God. The blessing highlights the loving embrace of God in your home. Thank all of you who will open your homes to me and to the Holy Spirit as we honor and celebrate together, your transitions. Please contact the office if you would like to arrange a blessings of your home.

BRRR! It's Cold Outside! Winter has set in for real, and the need for nourishing and comforting food is very much in the picture. The list of clients at The Open Door continues to grow, and the donations of food items are most welcome. This week, items needed include: pasta, chicken soup, oatmeal, cooking oil, and breakfast bars. Many thanks.

Music Notes 

African American gospel songwriter Doris Mae Akers (1923–1995) wrote our Offertory Hymn, “Lead Me, Guide Me along the Way,” this hymn is in our Wonder Love and Praise Supplement. She has written some of the most notable gospel songs of the second half of the twentieth century including “There’s a Sweet, Sweet Spirit in this Place” (1962) and “Lead Me, Guide Me along the Way” (1953). Born in Brookfield, Missouri, one of ten children, Dot Akers, as she was known by many, demonstrated her interest in music at the young age of six, teaching herself to play the piano by ear.

Like many gospel songs, “Lead Me, Guide Me” seems to have been disseminated first as a recording; in this case, a 78-rpm recording by Brother Joe May and the Pilgrim Travelers (1954) with the song “Just Call His Name” on the reverse side. The refrain recognizes that life is a journey, a common theme in hymnody.

In “Lead Me, Guide Me,” Jesus is our companion. Stanza 1 acknowledges our need for Christ’s “strength and power” during our “weakest hour.” In stanza 2, “Satan and sin” attempt to lead us away from the “paths of righteousness.” In stanza 3, the poet confesses that she is “lost” without Christ’s “hand” and “blind” without “thy Light to see.” The theme is reinforced by the last line of each stanza, “Lead me, O Lord, lead me,” which segues beautifully into the refrain.

As we have our Annual Meeting, this gospel hymn is an informal fit for our journey together at St. John’s.

Your Friend,

John 

A number of you have asked about how to contribute to help victims of wildfires in California… Here are some resources:

Episcopal Relief & Development is working with local diocesan partners to assess the needs of evacuees and provide support in the coming days. As the scope of the disaster continues to unfold, we need your help. Please make an urgent gift to our Wildfire Response Fund now. Emergency responders are still working to contain the 100 mph wind-fueled fires that are consuming land, homes, places of worship, parks and businesses all across Southern California. Already five people are dead and 130,000 had to evacuate their homes – many of whom no longer have a home to which they can return.

Parish of St. Michael's - Episcopal Church in Pacific Palisades Pastoral Fund On Tuesday, January 7, the church staff, school staff and students of St. Matthew's Episcopal Church evacuated their campus. As of January 9, the church buildings were still intact, but three church residences were lost. But an estimated 75% of the church members lost their homes. Now the church is collecting funds to support members of the Pacific Palisades community impacted by the fire. To make a donation, click here. To learn more about this church, see their Facebook page.

Hours and locations of local warming centers

for those in need:

Grace Center (264 Main St.)

• Open 8 AM–4 PM (Mon-Fri) & 11 AM–4 PM (Sun).

Rose Baker Senior Center Gloucester (6 Manuel F Lewis St)

• Open 9 AM–4 PM (Mon-Fri).
• Welcoming everyone, including non-members, who need to

escape the cold.

The Open Door (28 Emerson Ave.)

• Check their Facebook page for Warming Station schedule.

Sawyer Free Library (21 Main St. 2nd Floor)

• Call 978-325-5500 to find out if this Warming Station is open.

Tuesday, January 28 from 7 to 8pm at the Ken Olsen Science Center at Gordon College. Painter, teacher and author Bruce Herman will talk with his friend and colleague Bill Cross about his new book: Makers by Nature: Letters from a Master Painter on Faith, Hope and Art. To learn more about the book or to order a copy, check it out on Amazon. **Shop local! Consider ordering from the Gloucester Bookstore.**

Letter from Episcopal Church leaders on Trump administration immigration executive orders

Dear People of God in the Episcopal Church:

Yesterday, Donald Trump was sworn in as president of the United States. We pray that he and all of our elected officials will, in the words of the Book of Common Prayer, have the wisdom and strength to know and to do God’s will and be filled with the love of truth and righteousness.

Even as we gave thanks for a peaceful transfer of power, we learned from news reports that the new presidential administration has issued a series of executive orders that are a harbinger of President Trump’s pledge to deport undocumented immigrants at a historic scale, restrict asylum, and direct other immigration actions. We read this news with concern and urge our new president and congressional leaders to exercise mercy and compassion, especially toward law-abiding, long-term members of our congregations and communities; parents and children who are under threat of separation in the name of immigration enforcement; and women and children who are vulnerable to abuse in detention and who fear reporting abuse to law enforcement ... Read the rest of the letter here.



Watch a video of the January 21, 2025 sermon by The Right Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde in the National Cathedral.

"Unity is a way of being with one another that it encompasses and respects our differences, that teaches us to hold multiple perspectives and life experiences as valid and worthy of respect that enables us in our communities and in the halls of power to genuinely care for one another even when we disagree ..." Watch the whole video here.

If you feel inspired to send support to Bishop Budde,

you may send her a note here:

Right Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde

St. Albans Episcopal Church

3001 Wisconsin Ave NW

Washington, DC 20016

Should you need assistance offering a simple message of support, here are words you can draw from:

Dear Right Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde,

Your prophetic voice speaking truth to power during Washington National Cathedral's Service of Prayer for the Nation on Tuesday, January 21st has helped me in my own discernment of my Christian journey, in this moment. Your direct plea to Donald Trump calling for mercy for our LGBTQ, immigrant, and otherwise marginalized people in America echos our gospel this Sunday from Isaiah: "I have come to proclaim good new to the poor, release to the captives, freedom to the oppressed.”  As a follower of Jesus, committed to walking the way of Love, I stand beside you in public support. 

With deep gratitude, (your name)

Additionally, here are some next steps for those unsure where to begin during a time when the task seems overwhelming:

• Join me in working with the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition. I signed up to volunteer and to be an advocate for the rights of those trans, nonbinary, and gender expansive community members in Massachusetts. Learn more here.

• Raise your voice to oppose mass deportations and protect refugees. Episcopal Public Policy Network makes it easier with their resources here.

• Help ensure immigrant and refugee friends, relatives, congregants, neighbors know their rights. The Massachusetts Immigrant & Refugee Advocacy (MIRA) Coalition has great information, training, and posters here.

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. 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.

January 26, 2025

The Third 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: 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