The Messenger E-News

Facebook Livestream @ 9:30 AM

Summer worship service schedule

9:30 AM - Rite II
with Sunday School

10:30 AM Coffee Hour

Visit our virtual worship page for the Sunday Bulletin

Access Rev. Jill's Sermon Podcast here

YouTube Livestream @ 9:30 AM

Some of our Holy Hikers viewing a history marker along our hike last weekend - the 1st of 3 Revolutionary Hikes for the USA's 250th Anniversary.

LAST CALL - Please bring your donations to our Welcome Center by THIS Sunday, August 2. You can also let us do the shopping for you by making a donation (suggested amount is $40 to purchase a backpack and supplies); please list “School supplies” on the memo line of your check or online donation.

Thank you to all who already donated!

Please Note: there is NO Parkinson's Support Group Meeting in August

We will attempt to hold regular office hours through the summer, but with our small staff

and vacations, please call ahead if you plan on coming in. PLEASE NOTE: We will be closed Mondays during the month of August except August 31. Regular office hours resume Aug. 31.

Reflections from the Rector

Wrestling

For the past month, we've been working our way through the patriarch Jacob's story. From the moment of his birth, Jacob has been all out for Jacob: born the younger son in a set of twins, his hand was literally grasping the heal of his brother as they came out of the womb. The name his parents gave him literally means "He grasps the heel," a Hebrew idiom for "he deceives."

Jacob is a trickster all his life, a con man looking out for number One (himself). Jacob deceived his brother Esau out of the elder son's inheritance. He deceives his father at Isaac's deathbed, claiming a blessing that wasn't his. Jacob deceives his father-in-law, running away with a fortune in sheep and goats. And in this Sunday's story, Jacob is returning home to Esau's land after 14 years on the run. Jacob learns that Esau is coming to meet Jacob, his two wives, their 12 children, and all their slaves and servants - and Esau has 400 men - looks like a war party and not a welcome home. This might be the end of the Deceiver.

The night before Jacob meets Esau, Jacob is alone in the wilderness and he spends the night wrestling...who knows if it's his guilty conscious or an actual messenger of God. But Jacob - the one always looking out for himself - will not yield; he needs to be the victor in every battle he's ever faced. Finally, at dawn the stranger asks Jacob to let him go. "Give me a blessing!" Jacob states.

And the stranger does: but not a blessing of riches or land or more sons...the stranger (God) gives Jacob a new name: no longer will he be known as Deceiver, as only looking out for himself. He will now be known as Israel - he who wrestles with God. He isn't named by what he can grasp or win, he's named by his relationship to the source of all Blessing.

So often we go through life, grasping and fighting and wrestling to get the most out of every opportunity that we can for our own benefit. God doesn't leave us in that scared, fearful, disconnected deception that we can control life the way we want it. God wrestles with us until we reach the vision God has for each of us: to be known by our relationship to the source of Love.

Blessings,

Rev Jill

Getting to Know our New Members

Tom Monastra & Eleanor Zerbato (answers by Tom)

1. What drew you to Saint John's? What keeps you coming back?

Eleanor and I were raised as Catholics. Eleanor had found herself drifting away from the Catholic church a few years back. (I had drifted away years ago.) We were on vacation in Florida and we decided to attend an Episcopal church. When exiting after the service, Eleanor and I were struck by the friendliness of the congregation and the similarity of the Catholic service. When we returned from vacation we actively looked for a local Episcopal church and attended a service at St. Johns. What we experienced was (is) a loving and caring congregation. We love the acceptance of all people at St. Johns and that was in stark contrast to our experience as a Catholic. We were hooked - thank God!

2. Tell us a little about yourself and/or your family.

Eleanor and I have been married for just 10 years. We were next door neighbors. Eleanor sold my first wife Charlene and I our home. Eleanor was married to her husband John for 33 years when he was called home. I was married to my wife Charlene for 37 years when Charlene was called home. John and Charlene died 11 days apart. Eleanor and Charlene were friends and I asked Eleanor to list my home to sell. Well…the conversation changed and we married two years later.

We have 7 children between us (Eleanor 4 and Tom 3). We have been blessed with 11 grandchildren. We stay pretty busy!

3. If you could have one super power, what would it be?

If given a Super Power, I would love to have the ability to require people to listen to each other with the intent to understand rather than to respond!

Serving

Annual Red Cross Blood Drive

Tuesday, August 25:1 PM – 6 PM

There is an URGENT need for blood with the Red Cross declaring a blood crisis, which it's only done one other time.

More information and registration here.

One donation can save up to three lives! You also get a $20 e-gift card to Amazon when you donate blood. Hope you will join us and help us spread the word about our Blood Drive!

With Summer upon us, our Green Team and Property Committee have created a Wishlist and hope that some members and friends of Saint John's may be able to help with donations. If you can contribute something on the list below, please contact Glenn Wikel.

-Hole Auger/Post Digger

-Watering Cans

-Benches for walking paths

-Caging/Fencing & Stakes

-Pruners & Loppers

-Trowels & digging bars

-Water Hoses

-Weed Whackers (prefer battery operated)

-Broadcast Spreader

-Rototiller

-Lawn Mower

-Tree Saws

-Gator/4-wheeler/Golf Cart

-Small pruning chainsaw

Growing

Registration is now open for our Arts & Crafts Showcase on October 3.

We look forward to displaying the many artistic works of our members.

ALL ages are invited to share their art!!

Honor someone by donating a living memorial.

Cherry trees will be centrally located along the New England meadow path, and a yellow butterfly Magnolia planted along Concord Road. Info: Welcome Center poster, church website, or see Peggy Long or Debbie Miller.

Seeking

Summer Spirituality

Jesus used many stories to teach about God and God’s Kingdom, but he only taught one prayer to his disciples. This summer, dive deeply into this transformative and powerful prayer known as the Our Father or Lord’s Prayer. We’ll use Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell's book Praying by Heart: The Lord's Prayer for Everyone which you can find on Bookshop.org and Amazon.com. To teach this prayer to children, consider his illustrated book The Lord’s Prayer: A Beginner’s Guide for Young Explorers.

Join Rev. Jill in the Battin Room on Sundays at 8:45 AM.

Holy Hikers:
Revolutionary History

This summer as our country celebrates its 250th anniversary, we’ll do a series of HISTORIC Holy Hikes!

August – Retreat to Valley Forge

Saturday, August 22 at 8am

Meet at Washington’s Headquarters (1400 N Outer Line Dr, King of Prussia, PA 19406 MAP)

This 2.5 mile hike will cover wooded trails as well as the paved Joseph Plumb Martin Trail.

September – Battle of the Clouds

Saturday, Sept 19 at 8am

Meet at Exton Park/Chester Valley Trail Parking Lot (132 Church Farm Ln, Exton, PA 19341 MAP) This is a 3.2 mile walk along a paved path. Dogs welcome!

Community & Diocese Information

Saturday, August 8, 9am–10:15am
Hands-Only CPR + AED Training

St. Francis-in-the-Fields,
689 Sugartown Road, Malvern

610-647-0130; stfrancisfields@stfrancisfields.org

During a cardiac emergency, every second counts, yet most Americans feel unprepared. Would you, a family member, or a friend respond appropriately if someone collapsed? Join us for a practical session on Hands‑Only CPR, a simple, effective technique that doesn’t require mouth‑to‑mouth. You’ll learn quick, lifesaving ajenctions to reduce fear in emergencies. This training also includes: A demonstration of how to use an Automated External Defibrillator (AED). Education on the early signs and symptoms of a heart attack. Guidance that empowers you to respond calmly and effectively when it matters most.

To register, please contact the St. Francis Parish Office at the phone number or email address above.