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Sunday, March 9, is the First Sunday in Lent.

Service at 10:00 AM, Holy Eucharist

Find this week's readings in the bulletin.

Time to spring forward!! Sunday, March 9 is the start of Daylight Savings Time. Set your clocks forward an hour before you go to bed on Saturday.

Thank you to the choir for organizing the Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper! We had people visit us from Rockport, Ipswich, and Gloucester! Our master pancake flipper, Chuck Everett, was focused on his delectable duty, supported by a staff of many servers and cleaner-uppers! Speaking of cleaning up, the dishwasher stopped working midway through the clean-up. This meant that although the stacks of pancakes disappeared, the stack of dishes did not. What reflective opportunity to start Lent!!!!

Thanks to all who stopped by to receive ashes to go on Ash Wednesday. Forty-three people visited St. John's from as far away as Danvers, Magnolia, Beverly and Rockport, and the Rev. Marya DeCarlen and the Rev. Ali Lutz imposed ashes to those who arrived by foot or just drove by.

It was a perfect start to the season.

Coming Up! Choral Evensong

Wednesday, March 12m at 6:00

Members of St. John's choir invite you to Evensong on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, at 6:00pm. Evensong is a historic Anglican service of music, liturgy, and meditation. A festive reception in the parish hall will follow the service. 

Imposition of Ashes: All are invited to come to the altar on Sunday, March 9, between 9:30 am and 10:00 am (before the service begins) for the imposition of ashes.

Blessing the Dust - For Ash Wednesday

All those days

you felt like dust,

like dirt,

as if all you had to do

was turn your face

toward the wind

and be scattered

to the four corners

or swept away

by the smallest breath

as insubstantial—

did you not know

what the Holy One

can do with dust?

This is the day

we freely say

we are scorched.

This is the hour

we are marked

by what has made it

through the burning.

This is the moment

we ask for the blessing

that lives within

the ancient ashes,

that makes its home

inside the soil of

this sacred earth.

So let us be marked

not for sorrow.

And let us be marked

not for shame.

Let us be marked

not for false humility

or for thinking

we are less

than we are

but for claiming

what God can do

within the dust,

within the dirt,

within the stuff

of which the world

is made

and the stars that blaze

in our bones

and the galaxies that spiral

inside the smudge

we bear.

—Jan Richardson

The Season of Lent 

We are living in a noisy, frantic world, the news faster than our brains can take it in, always on the go. It feels like we’re in the soup, the temperature rising, and we might just boil. So, how can we listen much less understand or follow?

Lent is the chance to listen. It's a chance to choose one or two ways to clear out the static, the superfluous, so that we might listen deeply. Perhaps for this season you won’t wake up and immediately reach for your phone to see what latest awful thing has happened in the news (I am speaking directly to my mother here). Perhaps you’ll attend Choral Evensong, or Compline or a book study. See below for more information about all of this.

Perhaps none of these fits the bill right now. That’s okay. But think of some small way you can listen more, talk less, obsess less, still your Spirit. And if you do nothing else, come to church where we listen together. Marya+

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: sign up in the parish hall, call 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.

Breakfast has been recognized as the most important meal of the day. With children off to school every morning, and families working hard, a good breakfast is an important event for everyone. Health cereal, (i.e. cereals high in fiber and low in sugar), is an important nutrient for everyone at any time of the day. This week, the Open Door would appreciate the following items: healthy cereal, oatmeal, breakfast bars, and canned fruit (low sugar). Just drop off donations in the basket at the rear of the church. Many, many thanks. 

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 

Each liturgical season has its own identity. This season of Lent will be a time of silent reflection, but also a time of distinct music to lead you through these 40 days before holy week. The traditional prelude and postlude will be replaced with a time of prayer, discernment, and reflection. Our usual conversations and the excitement of seeing each other will have to wait till coffee hour 😊. 

The Congregation and Choir will be chanting the Psalm using a Simplified Anglican Chant. The Choir will take more of a leadership role in singing during the service while the congregation prays and reflects. Not only will the choir be singing the Kyrie, they will also be singing “Set Me As a Seal”, by Rene’ Clausen, for the Gospel Acclamation. The text is from Solomon. The words set me as a seal upon your heart, can have many meanings, but for us, during this time, reflect the action of using the right thumb to make a small cross on your forehead, lips, and heart. This gesture is a form of prayer for Christ’s presence during the reading of the Gospel, and asking for Christ’s words to be sealed into our mind, mouth, and heart. For the Fraction Anthem, the choir will also sing Brahm’s Create in me, O God, a pure heart. During communion, the choir will also be singing a cappella from the back of the church. 

Come to church to see your Christian community, but also use this time to reflect, worship, sing, and pray. 

Your Friend,

John Churchwell

Rally Celebrating International Women’s Day: Meet on Saturday, March 8, at noon at the Joan of Arc statue (aka Joanie on the Pony) and process to the Fisherman's Wife statue on the Boulevard. Join WECANN (Women’s Equality Cape Ann) and the ACCA (Associated Clergy of Cape Ann) for this rally in support of Equality, Democracy and Community. The theme of the rally is the “GRACE” of being in a strong community together. Activate your activism and join us for a sign-making session in the parish hall at 11:00 am OR bring your already made signs filled with GRACE to Joanie on the Pony!!!!

First Sunday in Lent & Imposition of Ashes before Worship (9:30-10:00 am) - 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

Collaborative Easter Vigil with St. Mary’s - Saturday, April 19 at

7:00 pm at St. John's Gloucester

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 9, 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