The Messenger E-News

Facebook Livestream @ 10:00 AM

Easter worship service schedule

8 AM - Rite I

9 AM Coffee Hour

10 AM - Rite II

with choir and Sunday School

Visit our virtual worship page for the Sunday Bulletin

Access Rev. Jill's Sermon Podcast here

YouTube Livestream @ 10:00 AM

Thank you to our Adopt a Highway road cleanup crew who came out last Saturday!

Upcoming Events @ St. John's:

See Sunday's Lectionary here.

Faith By the Fire

Saturday, 5/2 @ 6 PM

We Believe Class

Sunday, 5/3 @ 11:15 AM

Parkinson's Support Group

Wednesday, 5/6 @ 1:30 PM

Pastoral Care Meeting

Wednesday, 5/6 @ 3 PM

Yoga Class

Wednesday, 5/6 @ 7 PM

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Faith by the Fire
Saturday, May 2 @ 6 PM

Bring a chair & snacks/beverages to our fire pit in the field for a time of prayer and fellowship around the fire. We’ll provide the s’more fixings! Rev Jill will lead us in Evening Prayer.

Reflections from the Rector

Way, Truth, Life

Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life."

The Gospel for this Sunday contains this I Am statement from Jesus. Throughout John's Gospel, Jesus offers seven understandings of who he is: I am Light of the world, I am Bread of Life, I am Good Shepherd...these metaphors are much easier to understand as they are based in sustenance and relationship.

How are we to understand Jesus as Way, Truth, Life - especially when this verse has often been used as a weapon against those who do not follow the teachings of Jesus? [And I'm grateful that it is Rev Terry who'll offer the sermon on this passage!]

If Jesus is the way, where are we headed?

I don't believe that Jesus is talking about exclusivity in this statement (as in, 'only Christians get into Heaven'). Jesus is teaching his disciples that our ultimate relationship is to God, the Father, and that Jesus is a path toward that deeper relationship with the Creator who loves. Jesus is the truth, showing us how much God desires a relationship with us by becoming known in our very flesh.

Look again at the image of our future walking paths: there will be several ways to walk in our meadow and enjoy the space. No one path is best for they all are a part of a greater whole to spend time in God's creation.

Jesus came that we might have abundant life here and now (John 10:10). Each moment, each sign, each miracle of Jesus's all point to the desire that God wants us to experience God's presence in our life. When we have a relationship with Jesus based on trust and prayer we will participate in the divine Love that created us.

Blessings,

Rev Jill

Read the Green Team's Info Sheet to learn more about our New England Meadow project (and answer any remaining questions you might have).

Seeking

Musical Notes
Martin Hinkley

This past November I attended a seminar on singing African American Spirituals with integrity. This outstanding seminar focused on singing spirituals with proper performance practices. One type of spiritual that was discussed and sung was the call-and-response spiritual. This type of spiritual originated with the work song in which a leader sang a phrase which was followed by a communal response. The leader—often a person with considerable musical talent—often improvised longer phrases which were then followed by repetitive shorter phrases sung by the group.

This call-and-response tradition has been handed down to us. Modern spirituals are often written out instead of being improvised. The communal responses are also sometimes longer and more involved. However, the call-and-response tradition is present in these composed spirituals. This Sunday—May 3, 2026—the choir will sing a call-and response spiritual from Voices Found—a collection of hymns and spirituals by, for and about women published by the Episcopal Church.

Anniversary Planning Meeting:

May 31 @ 6 PM

Save the date and help us start to plan for our 325th anniversary festivities. Bring your thoughts and ideas - we will meet in the Battin Room. Hope you can join us!

Thursday Bible Study

Join us as we study Bible stories that lift up our matriarchs of faith.

Meeting on the 2nd & 4th Thursdays of the month at 10:30.

View the full schedule of readings here.

Growing

It's soon that time of the year again! Please send any 2026 graduate information you have including a photo with their name, school they are graduating from and future plans to the office by May 31. We will honor our graduates in church on June 7.

Registration is now open for our Arts & Crafts Showcase coming up in the Fall. We look forward to displaying the many artistic works of our members. ALL ages welcome!

Yoga Sessions

Join us for weekly yoga sessions Wednesdays through May 20 at 7pm in the Upper Room. Volunteer lead, and free to all. Bring a mat or beach towel.

The Green Team will be sponsoring a Mother’s Day Sale, May 10th during coffee hour and after the services in the parish hall. We will have houseplants, flowers, flower arrangements, vegetables, perennials, annuals, succulents and some trees.

Perennials: coneflower, black eye susan, blazing star
Annuals: geraniums, zinnias, marigolds, creeping jenny
Vegetables: tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, peppers, brussel sprouts,
Herbs: basil, parsley, chamomile, rue

Saint Johns at the Blue Rocks

Reserve your seat at the Wilmington Blue Rocks baseball game. The game is Friday, June 5 at 6:30 pm. The price of the tickets is only $13 per seat. Fireworks will follow the game and parking is free. Invite your family and friends to join us. We are sitting behind home plate, just below the press box. Last year 100 parishioners, family and friends attended. Let's break that record. See Tracey Payne between the services during coffee hour to reserve your tickets.