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Sunday, May 11, is the Fourth Sunday of Easter.

Service at 10:00 AM, Holy Eucharist

Find this week's readings in the bulletin.

May the Fourth Be With You! A Fleet full of gratitude goes to John "Churchwell, our Director of Music and Star Wars silent movie aficionado who swept us out of our universe for an hour of blissful movie memories. A good time was had by all during the reception where we served yoga bubbles, light saber pretzels, thermal detonated chicken wings, Princess Leia 7 layer dip, Wookiee cookies, Vader chips and more. Thanks to everyone who contributed to the set-up, cleanup and food offerings. A wondrously fun time was had by all. We raised $757 for the music guild!!! “Your focus determines your reality." Qui-Gon Jinn, Jedi Master

John Churchwell and Darth Vader

A Memorial Service for Hank McCarl will be held at St. John's on

Friday, May 16 at 3:00 pm.

If you'd like to learn more about Hank, read his obituary.

Cards for Claudette

Our friend Claudette Chmura remains in the hospital. Her health is improving but slowly. She would love to hear from you! You can send a card for Mother's Day - or any day! - to:

Claudette Chmura

Rm #212B

Whittier Rehabilitation Hospital

150 Flanders Rd

Westborough, MA 01581

St. John’s will make a donation of $1,151 to the Beyond Bond and Legal Defense Fund from our Easter Vigil offertory. This fund aims to protect the rights of vulnerable immigrants so they can pursue a stable future. To learn more about them, click here: Boston Immigration Justice Accompaniment Network (BIJAN)

Sip, Study and Snack during Easter Season

Remaining Sundays after worship: 5/11, 5/25, and 6/1, 11:45-1:00 pm in the Thompson Room. Join us as we reflect together on the recent Washington Post Series on the Cycles of Aging by Anne Lamott. This week we will read together her editorial on coping with fear and humiliation. (Articles will be distributed during class and read together, there is no homework!) Invite a friend who is aging!!!

St. John’s needs a new piano!

THANK YOU SO MUCH TO ALL WHO HAVE CONTRIBUTED SO FAR!!!

We are still seeking funds and/or pledges. We have reached 87% of our goal - $2,500 to go! - to purchase a rebuilt Steinway! Help us meet our goal by May 30.

To pay by credit card, email Elizabeth or call the office at (978) 283-1708. To give via credit card or PayPal right now, click here. 

THANK YOU!

Lost and Looking to Find: A soft black bag containing two speakers and their power supply, an AC extension cord with triple outlet, and an Apple power supply for a Mac computer, seems to be missing since last Sunday from the storage room of the Sacristy (behind the organ). The Mac computer is there, but its associated parts are missing. 

This computer was given as a setup for remote Zoom conferencing and cannot be used without the rest of the equipment. If anyone has seen the bag and its contents, moved it, or has any knowledge of its whereabouts, please call or send me a note.

Peter Goodwin, pag@docksquare.com, (978) 857-6786.

Music Notes 

Shepherd Sunday is a unique Sunday with the readings of Psalm 23 and John 10:22-30. The imagery that comes to mind is Jesus holding a lamb, which is a very popular stained glass window in southern churches. The music for Shepherd Sunday practically writes itself; this Sunday is no different. Our prelude, Sheep May Safely Graze, by J.S. Bach, will be played by oboist Amber Verser. The Processional Hymn is Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us (BRADBURY). John Rutter’s The Lord is my Shepherd will be our choir anthem and will be accompanied by Amber. Be a Shepherd for Your Flock is our Offertory Hymn, with a special text of a shepherd mirroring a mother’s touch and love. Amber will provide our Communion Music. Our final hymn, Lead On, O Cloud of Presence will allow us to sing about the Good Shepherd leading us into the week ahead. Sunday’s music promises to reflect the comfort and compassion of the Good Shepherd with oboe, organ, congregational singing, and our loving choir. I look forward to reciting Psalm 23 and hearing your beautiful voices sing our hymns of faith.

Your Friend,

John Churchwell

Deerfield Valley Pilgrimage Walk, Sept. 21-22, 2025

Did you know that you don’t have to travel to Ephesus, Turkey to see the house where St. Mary, Jesus’ mother, spent her last years? An exact replica of St. Mary’s house stands in Jamaica, Vermont, and it is the destination for the Deerfield Valley Pilgrimage.

The 4^th annual pilgrimage covers twenty-five miles in two days. You are invited to come to walk part or all of the route, which goes along Vermont’s beautiful Deerfield Valley from Wilmington to Jamaica. There are many ways to participate. Some people walk both days, and others only one day of the weekend. Some just walk the final 2-mile segment to the replica of St. Mary’s House. Other participants attend the dinners and events only. Many volunteer along the route and at the events. Each does according to his or her desires and capabilities, and we believe everyone finds it in some way worthwhile.

The previous three years saw good participation from those seeking spirituality, community, and an inspiring outdoor experience. Many participants say that the pilgrimage was an exceptionally memorable moment in their lives, and most have returned a second or third time.

For more information, see the web site or download the flyer.

Sign-Ups

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 are back! Please sign up in the parish hall to make sandwiches and assemble bag lunches on Saturdays for those staying at the Action Shelter. Contact Carolyn Stewart at 978-314-1381 or email if you have questions. 

May 11, 2025

The Fourth Sunday of Easter

10:00 AM Holy Eucharist

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: The Sibley Family, Dee, Erin, and John, Claudette and Tom Chmura and Family, George Hillman, Mikey, Grayson and Tony Johnson, Clay Gordon Woodgate, Colette Doyle, 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, 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, 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
• 11:45 am First Sundays, “Will you sit with me while I feel this?” gathering
• 11:15 am Fourth Sundays, Healing Service at end of worship

Mondays             

• 9-noon Church open for prayer and meditation
• 9-noon Ms. Fixits Women gathering to tend to the fabric of the church
• 4-5:15, Book Study during Lent (Schedule to change during Easter)

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
• 11:45 am-1:30 pm Homiletical Huddle
• 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