NEWS for you...

JANUARY 9, 2026

Lord, you establish peace for us;

all that we have accomplished you have done for us.

Grace and peace,

Saint Matthew tells the story of the Epiphany with the Magi arriving bearing gifts for the Christ Child. The gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh are symbolic of the larger arc of the story of Jesus. Gold is a gift suitable for a king, and Jesus was a King different from what was previously known or expected. Frankincense is a fragrant incense that was used in worship and reflects the divine nature of Jesus and a desire to worship him. Myrrh is a spice used for embalming, and this is a foreshadowing of his death and offers a nod to the humanity of Jesus. These gifts are both important, and not important.

The importance is that gifts were offered by the Magi. The Magi’s prophetic insight foresaw the nature of this child and they responded with gifts that both reflected the life of Jesus that was to unfold, and offered his family valuable commodities that could fund their flight to Egypt. No gift offered to God is wasted or of little value – everything the Magi offered to God, and that we offer to God, is infinitely valuable.

Like the Magi, what gifts do each of us have to offer? These can be gifts of time, talent, or treasure. Each gift, offered with a pure heart, is infinitely valuable. What gift can you offer to St. John’s and God’s church today?

The season of Epiphany also offers us a chance to reflect on several events in Jesus’ life, and to consider how we are likewise impacted today by these events. Epiphany marks the revelation of Jesus to the world; how are we seeing Jesus revealed in the world around us? The baptism of Jesus presents a humble King committing himself to God; how are we also committing ourselves to God? Jesus calls his first disciples; how are we called to be disciples and apostles of Christ?

This is a season of light, shine a light upon our own gifts and offer them to God. Commit ourself, again, to God. Follow our own unique calling to be and to do for God.

Peace,

Fr. Henry+

PS: For reasons interesting only to church nerds we have replaced the Gospel Book that we use in procession and liturgy. If someone would like to offer this book as a memorial gift, a donation of $150 will secure a bookplate with the memorial information; please contact me if you are interested.

JANUARY 10 @ 5pm

Epiphany Service & Spaghetti Dinner

JANUARY 11 @ 1:30pm Neuro-Spicy Meeting

JANUARY 18 @ 12pm

Casserole Club Meeting

JANUARY 18 @ 12-2pm

FREE Audiology Screening

AUDIOLOGY SCREENING

Join us on Sunday, January 18th from 12-2pm in the Prayer Room for FREE hearing screenings.

Olney Family Hearing will be providing the free screenings. Results will be available immediately,

and follow up may be done with an audiologist of your choice, including

Olney Family Hearing.

JANUARY 19 @ 10am

MLK Day of Service

JANUARY 25 @ 9am

Annual Meeting

JANUARY 31

EDOW Convention

~ PRAYER LIST ~

Use this list to pray for the sick, shut-in, bereaved, or those merely in need of prayer.

Cynie Eisler

Sara R.

Aurora

Katie Fairbanks

Carole

Ivy Choe-Branstetter

Steve Ruff

Celeste McGee

Mary Persinger

On Monday, January 19, we will honor Dr. Martin Luther King’s legacy with our third annual Day of Service. Thanks to the ROUSING SUCCESS of our Chili Cook-Off’s $1,700 proceeds, this year we will buy beans and rice in bulk for our sisters, brothers, and siblings and pack them in the Parish Hall for distribution to families in need. There will be work and service for all levels of ability and strength. I hope you will join us!

WHO: Those who are called to serve

WHAT: Prepare, pack, and store packages of beans and rice for families who may fear shopping, not have resources, or are hungry. The bags will be distributed during the monthly food distribution at San Mateo - our Tending Our Soil colleagues) .

WHEN: Monday, January 19 from 10 am – 12:30 pm

WHERE: St. John’s Parish Hall

WHY: Because there is increased ICE and National Guard presence in our area, families are scared to shop or maybe even go to work. The need at San Mateo has increased more than 50%. This Day of Service will let us feed our neighbors because as we feed our neighbors, we are feeding Christ.

Come join us for fellowship and service! I look forward to serving with you on Monday, January 19 at 10:00 am and beyond!

In Christ’s love and service,

Deacon Nancy

ANNUAL MEETING OF THE PARISH | SUNDAY, JANUARY 25 @ 9am

VESTRY MEETING HIGHLIGHTS

STJEC Vestry met on November 19, 2025. Highlights of the meeting include:

Names of nominees for Vestry were presented to the Vestry. Parishioners will now vote for Bree Bruemmer, Mary Quinn, Francesco Paganini, and Mark Glaudemans at the January 25th Annual Meeting.
The Vestry discussed timing and plans for sharing with the parish the ongoing work related to church communications.
The Chili Cook-Off was a success, raising $1,710.
The MLK Day of Service will take place on Monday, January 19 at 10am, with participants packing beans and rice for San Mateo Church in Hyattsville.
Dr. Crane from the Historic Preservation Office of the Montgomery County Planning Board will give a presentation to the church on Sunday, March 1 at 12:00 pm.

The full Vestry Minutes are posted outside Fr. Henry’s office and outside the Meeting Room in the undercroft.

The Food Pantry Ministry is in need of people to stock the Pantry on Saturdays.

Sign-up through SIGN-UP GENIUS.

If you are interested in the ministry,

contact Mary McQueen or Julie Metcalf

Please leave ALL donations on the bench outside the Rector's office.

St. John's Church and School follow Montgomery County Public School (MCPS) announcements regarding inclement weather. Monday through Friday, if MCPS is closed or delayed, the church office is likewise closed or delayed. On Sunday for inclement weather, an all parish email will be sent by 6:30am concerning any service cancellation.