Reflections from the Rector | | |
The Great Litany: An Ancient, Yet Modern Prayer
At the start of every Lent we join together in a form of prayer that sounds older than the church itself: a series of petitions, a repeated response, and a rising sense of the whole congregation lifting up every corner of our life to God. This is the essence of the Great Litany — a prayer with roots in the English Reformation, preserved in our Book of Common Prayer, that still speaks to the heart of our faith today.
Long before prayer books were common in worship, the faithful in medieval England often prayed litanies during times of war, famine, or natural disaster: prayer petitions in Latin mingled with easy-to-remember responses from laity. During the English Reformation - and a movement to have prayer in the 'common language' and not in Latin - Archbishop Cranmer crafted the English Litany in 1544, making our Great Litany the oldest English prayer. The Litany became part of the first Prayer Book in 1549 and has remained there, in every revision since—including our current 1979 Prayer Book. Its survival across nearly five centuries says something important: this prayer speaks to the human condition in every age.
Though the language may feel a little outdated, the concerns raised in each petition are still very current: prayers for peace among nations, for those in danger, for the lonely and oppressed, for forgiveness, and for grace to love and serve God faithfully. Living in a time marked by global conflict, political division, public health crises, and natural disasters, the Great Litany gives us words when our own words fail. It reminds us that Christians have always faced uncertainty—and have always responded by turning to God together.
In a world that often feels fragmented and fast-paced, the Great Litany slows us down and teaches us to name our needs, to pray for others, and to trust that God hears the cries of God’s people. If you are looking for a Lenten prayer practice, praying the Great Litany could be one that changes your heart, orienting you to God and the needs of God's world.
The litany remains a gift — ancient in origin, modern in practice — for a people called to prayer this Lent.
Blessings,
Rev Jill
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In Case You Missed It:
If you missed church last week or would like to hear it again,
here is Rev Jill's sermon from Ash Wednesday
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2026 Tues. Lenten Program
The Chosen – Lenten Program
Tuesdays, beginning February 24
Enter into the Gospel stories in a new way. The Chosen brings the ancient world of 1st century Palestine into vivid reality, balancing beauty, story-telling, and historical accuracy. Each episode takes a deep look at Jesus and the lives of those he encountered.
Gathering on Tuesday evenings during Lent, we’ll share a simple meal of soup, salad, and bread, and watch one or two episodes. Following the show, we’ll discuss what we’ve learned and how this challenges or deepens our faith in the Son of God.
Tuesdays 6pm Soup/Salad; 6:30 Program - Signup here to bring food.
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Lent Retreat March 7
Labyrinth: Walking in Prayer
Saturday, March 7, 2026 8:30 AM – 12 noon
Join us this Lent for a contemplative retreat exploring the history and prayer practice of the labyrinth. The Rev. Dr. Mary Ann Mertz, Advanced Certified Labyrinth Facilitator, will serve as our teacher and guide. Through engaging instruction and a guided, prayerful walk, we’ll encounter the labyrinth as an ancient Christian practice of prayer, repentance, and renewal.
All are welcome, walkers and sitters alike! There will be options for those who are unable to walk the labyrinth. Please signup here.
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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.
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‘The Heart of Romans’ Study
Beginning Sunday, March 1 at 9:15 AM
We invite you to be part of a powerful 5-week journey through Paul’s Letter to the Romans — one of the most profound and transformative letters ever written, laying out the heart of our Christian faith. Bible Study lead by Rev. Elizabeth each Sunday in March.
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Sustainability: Individuals can contribute to sustainability by adopting eco-friendly habits like reducing consumption (especially plastics and meat), conserving energy and water at home, choosing sustainable transportation (walking, biking, public transit), supporting eco-conscious businesses, and reducing food waste through composting and mindful eating, while also advocating for larger systemic changes
You can conserve water by taking shorter showers, fixing leaky toilets, and choosing low-flow and low-water appliance options. Consider xeriscaping your yard, a landscaping technique that uses native, drought-adapted plants that require less water and maintenance over time and provide habitat and food for birds and bees. Also, one of the biggest water hogs is animal agriculture, so shifting your diet away from meat and dairy products saves water too.
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Parkinson's Support Group
Mark your calendars for our
next Support Group:
March 4 @ 1:30 PM to 3 PM
More info here.
Please feel free to come; open to the community; all are welcome.
For more information - e-mail --darreeclark@gmail.com
| | | | Community & Diocese Information | |
The diocese has created resources for churches and community members to understand their rights and protect vulnerable neighbors during times of immigration enforcement activity. Rooted in our shared faith and moral calling, these resources are offered to support peaceful protest and the protection of human dignity in the face of injustice. Resources available here.
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Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe: Support emergency
migration ministry
Feast of John Chrysostom
Jan. 27, 2026
Dear people of God in The Episcopal Church:
As the situation in the United States grows more fraught, The Episcopal Church is working to find new ways to care for God’s people in our immigrant communities. Many of you have asked how you can help.
Please join me in making a generous donation that will allow us to provide emergency funding for ministry with migrants. Your gift will allow us to rush financial support to dioceses that are loving and caring for immigrants in these difficult times.
GIVE TODAY
Last week, we sent funds to our siblings in the Episcopal Church in Minnesota to support Casa Maria, a place for vulnerable neighbors to receive food and clothing and network with others. Your gift will help support ministries like this across The Episcopal Church.
As we approach the season of Lent, I will invite us all into a season of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving as we turn toward Christ’s ministry of justice, reconciliation, and love during divisive times. Please watch for these invitations in the coming days.
About 1,500 years ago, John Chrysostom, whose feast we celebrate today, had his own share of trouble with the forces of this world. In a famous homily, he said, “If Christ is with me, whom shall I fear? Though the waves and the sea and the anger of princes are roused against me, they are less to me than a spider’s web.”
The anger of princes is raging around us, but Christ is with us, and God is calling us into the waves. Please give as you are able and pray for the witness of the church in these times, and for a hedge of protection around the people we serve who live in fear.
Yours in Christ,
The Most Rev. Sean Rowe
Presiding Bishop
The Episcopal Church
| | The American Red Cross is facing a severe blood shortage as requests from hospitals exceed the available supply of blood, drawing down the blood supply by about 35% over the past month. Hospitals already strained by the worst flu season in nearly 20 years are now also being forced to triage critical blood products. High flu activity in nearly every state may be sidelining donors, slowing efforts to rebuild the Red Cross national blood supply. We need your help! If eligible, please schedule an appointment to donate today. | | |
The Episcopal Church has pulled together some resources for Protesting Faithfully: A Toolkit for Public Witness.
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Know Your Rights
Linked here are are documents about what to do and not to do if approached by ICE in public, at your place of employment, and at your home.
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St. John's Episcopal Church
Usual Office Hours
Monday - Friday
9 AM - 1 PM
610-459-2994
SaintJohnsConcord.com
The Rev. Jill LaRoche Wikel, Rector
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