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Sunday, November 10 is the Twenty-fifth

Sunday after Pentecost.

Service at 10:00 AM, Holy Eucharist

Find this week's readings in the bulletin.

Above is St. John's altar on All Saints' Day, 2024, displaying photographs, shrines and other remembrances of loved ones passed. Thanks to all who shared these with the community.

Last weekend, the women of St. Paul Lutheran used our parish hall for a women's retreat. A lovely time was had by all!

Bring a Friend!

From Marya: I found an article published in Episcopal Church Foundation Vital Practices this week (Making our Congregations More “Find-able” by Jacob Sierra) and I wanted to share a survey with you. It states boldly that 265 of the people in the pews in Episcopal Churches are there because someone invited them to be there. Beyond Ask-a-Neighbor-to-Church Sunday, which we celebrated in September, please consider again inviting someone you know who could benefit from an invitation to lengthen their life expectancy, strengthen their immunity, improve their body's response to stress and boost sources of prayer filled encouragement, growth and support in their lives!!! When you invite someone, please let me know before worship!!! - Marya

Village Fair Work Groups

We have 2 Monday morning work groups (9-noon) coming up, and would appreciate your help. On November 11th we'll be packaging soup mixes as well as dog biscuits in those wine bottles you so kindly donated. On November 18th we'll package up cookie mixes and other projects. Please join us for all or part of the time in the Parish Hall. Refreshments served of course!  

The fair takes place Saturday, November 23, 9-2. See you there!

The Raffle Is On! The request for donations of gift cards for the Village Fair raffle is a success! The following is a list of donated gift cards, each worth $50: Sassy Nails, Jim's Bagels, The Bookstore, Virgilio's, Cafe Bischo, Cape Ann Olive Oil, Dunkin, Destino's, Family Car Care, Jalapenos, and Cape Ann Coffee ($40). Many thanks to all who took the time to contribute to this annual event. Good luck to everyone who buys a raffle ticket!

Get ready for the Silent Auction Some items from the Silent Auction will be on display at the Coffee Hours in November. Come preview some of the wonderful things that have been donated!

"I don't know what I would do without the Open Door." This is often said when clients order groceries. This is especially true for Gloucester's elder population who are on fixed incomes, and/or are not able to get to the market because of health, transportation, and mobility issues. This week, the Open Door would appreciate: pasta, canned soup, healthy cereal, and granola bars. Let's keep Saint John's basket full this Sunday, and every Sunday. Nothing goes to waste!

Park at St. John's during winter emergency parking bans

If you or someone you know has difficulty finding a place to park in Gloucester during the winter parking bans, this year, for a fee, you can secure a place to park at St. John's. For more information, contact Elizabeth.

Stewardship Continues! If you need a pledge card or other stewardship materials, email Elizabeth or download from the web site. We are about to reach our halfway mark in pledges! Thank you for your discernment and generosity thus far. And mark your calendars for GRATITUDE Sunday, November 17. Thanks!

Google the Thrift Shop! If you Google “Gloucester Thrift Shop,” St. John’s Thrift Shop comes up in the search results - now we need POSITIVE reviews! If you have a moment, please Google Gloucester Thrift Shop, scroll down (you might need to click “more places” and keep scrolling …) When you see St. John’s, click it and review. Thanks!

Music Notes 

This Sunday, St. John's will have the pleasure of hearing the music of Andrew Glennon, while John takes the Sunday off! Lauded for his musicality and bravado, Andrew Glennon has set himself apart as a unique and capturing performer and pianist. Despite his late start within the world of piano, Andrew Glennon has had the opportunity to out with a variety of established pedagogues, such as Tamara Slobodkin, Meng-Chieh Liu, as well as Sean Kennard. In addition to his technical training and proficiencies, Andrew Glennon has given concerts at a variety of venues from across the east coast including but not limited to Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, the Staller Center, as well as a variety of Steinway Galleries. Andrew being a young pianist of the National Piano Guild, has achieved proficiency in all genres of the classical repertoire, from Johann Sebastian Bach to George Crumb and beyond. Andrew is currently studying to earn his Masters in Piano Performance at the Boston Conservatory under the tutelage of Michael Lewin.

Looking Ahead!

The Rev. Ali Lutz Preaches at St. John's Sunday, 11/10 at 10:00am

Generosity Sunday Sunday, November 17 at 10:00am

Village Fair Saturday, November 23

Advent Calming Service Sunday, December 1 at 10:00am

A Service of Lessons and Carols Sunday, December 15 at 10:00am

Christmas Eve Service Tuesday, December 24 at 8:00pm

A Service of Christmas Carols Sunday, December 29 at 10:00am

The 239th Annual Diocesan Convention: Sat. 11/9 in Quincy

"One Body in Christ, Members One of Another: Reconciliation and Belonging in an Age of Division" The 239th annual Diocesan Convention with our new Bishop, takes place on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, at the Marriott Boston Quincy Hotel in Quincy. Download the Convention Handbook, including the schedule and proposed budget. Find information on how to livestream and watch from home here.

Nov. 7, 2024

Beloved of God in Massachusetts,

In the deluge of emotions and words after Tuesday’s election, it was a challenge to find more which might add meaning yesterday. Perhaps those of you pastoring congregations, schools, and other communities, church or otherwise, felt the same way. Please know that you have been in our prayers.

Some in our diocese may feel pleased at the outcome of the election. Many feel distress and even fear at the stated positions of the incoming administration. Likely all of us feel weary of the deep division and acrimony which threaten to continue to grip our nation.

In the midst of the changes and chances of this life, we follow the One who is unchangeable, steady, and true. God is still on the throne.

Moreover, we are one church, called to be reconcilers and peacemakers, belonging one to another. This is a time to gather together, to promote belonging and care, in the midst of isolation and anxiety.  

At its essence, our work is unchanged, even as its context may intensify. In our baptisms we have promised to proclaim the Gospel of Love in word and action, to seek and serve Christ in all people, and to promote the dignity of every human being. We as a church, and as a diocese, will continue to stand with those who are most vulnerable in our midst—especially immigrants, asylum seekers, and refugees, LGBTQ+ people, and women. We will continue our work to dismantle racism, in ourselves and the systems all around us. We will double down on our prayers that ours might be a country guided by compassion and justice, and we will work as advocates and instruments of those values when, as they often do, our leaders fall short. 

It’s a hard time in our nation. Never has our church been more necessary. I pray that we all, individually and in our congregations, can be beacons of light and love in the midst of the turmoil of our times. In the face of white Christian nationalism, we must not shy away from the Cross, but reclaim and bear it as the standard of Christ’s unfailing love and justice for all.

Take heart, friends. We never do this work alone. We have one another, and we have our God, in whom, indeed, all shall be well. 

God bless you. 

With great love, 

November 10, 2024

The Twenty-fifth Sunday after Pentecost

10:00 AM

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

SIGN-UP IN THE PARISH HALL! We always need people to contribute funds for the weekly burning of our sanctuary lamp and for altar flowers. Pick a date that has special meaning for you (anniversaries, birthdays, etc.)! We also always need donations of any kind for the Open Door food bank (no expired items or glass containers please). And don't forget about helping provide lunches for the Action Shelter so people can have something to eat on Sundays!

Sign up in the parish hall for future dates for flower and lamp, Action Sandwiches and coffee hour.



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

St. John's Intercession List: Steve Jencks, Ben, Rosie, Reverend Stephen Woods, Abby Baxter, CoCo Baxter, Isaiah Woods, Nancy Neschis, Francisco Lococo, Clayton Dyett, The People of the Middle East, Jim LaBelle, Eric Leibowitz, Ruth and Gabriel Leibowitz, Anna and Isabelle, Ondine, Don Baker, Mandy, Nina Ziv, 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, Lyn Brakeman, 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, Anne Sullivan, 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.

Join us for Zoom Coffee Hour, aka Reliable Joy! 

Reliable Joy meets Sundays at 12:30. 

Use this Zoom link to join in. Meeting ID: 873 3272 1412

Passcode: 01930 Dial by location: 1 646 558 8656

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