Our in-person service at 8:00 a.m. has seats available. We have reached our limit for the 10:30 a.m. service; however, you may notify the office and be placed on a waiting list. Reservations, masks, and social distancing are required for in-person attendance. When you arrive at church, please check in with the ushers and enter at the front red doors.

Reservations open on Mondays at 12 Noon when parishioners will receive an email with information to reserve online or at that time call Ann in the office to make reservation.

We are thankful to be able to include our Sunday-morning 10:30 a.m. worship service online with you from Facebook. Recorded services can be watched on our YouTube channel.

We are thankful to be able to offer both in-person and online worship! Reservations are required for all in-person Holy Week services and will become available at 12 Noon on Monday, March 22. Easter Day reservations will become available at 12 Noon on Monday, March 29. View the full schedule, including those services to be livestreamed, from the link below:

This survey is very important to assist with our decision making and planning process for this summer's VBS. Thanks in advance for your input. Click the link below to participate!

The Rector's Bible Study will take a short break until Thursday, March 25 at 10:00 a.m. on Zoom. Watch the newsletter for topic information as the date draws closer.

We are on Facebook live for Morning Prayer—Monday through Friday at 9:00 a.m. Have your Book of Common Prayer handy (starting on page 75) or follow along with an online copy. Recorded services can be watched on our YouTube channel.

The Lay-Led Lectionary Class continues to gather virtually on Sundays at 9:15 a.m. In this series, Erika Huber will lead with the lectionary readings and meditations from Ashes and the Phoenix: Meditations for the Season of Lent.

End the day with Compline, a brief, peaceful end of the day service, shared on Facebook and led by Zach Redfield, on Sunday and Wednesday* evenings at 7:30 p.m. *During Lent, Compline will be shared on Sunday evenings only.

During Lent, you are invited to join Sally Marsh on Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. for a 30-minute Zoom gathering to focus on the spiritual discipline of prayer. These Lenten devotionals are written to be used by children and adults of all ages. Each session will have scripture, reflection and discussion questions, activity, coloring sheets, and prayer. A link to join Zoom and to the devotionals can be accessed below:

Our parish book will be Lent Is Not Rocket Science: An Exploration of God, Creation, and the Cosmos, by W. Nicholas Knisely. The season of Lent prompts us to ask questions, big and small, about the nature of our being, and about our role in the world. Astronomer, physicist and Episcopal Bishop W. Nicholas Knisely explores the intersection of faith and science, creation and the cosmos.

Based loosely on the NCAA basketball tournament, Lent Madness pits 32 saints against one another in a single-elimination bracket. Follow along each day in Lent at lentmadness.org to learn about these saints and to vote for your favorite saint of the day. Who will win the Golden Halo?

St. John's is hosting a supply drive for this year's Sawyerville Summer Camp! Our goal is to collect 500 individually wrapped cookie packs. Click here for a cookie pack example. Drop off donations during office hours: Monday through Thursday 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. or bring to church on Sunday.

We are collecting individually wrapped candy, small enough to fit in a plastic egg. Drop off donations during office hours: Monday through Thursday 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. or bring to church on Sunday. Save-the-Date for an in-person Easter Egg Dash on Easter Sunday, April 4. Details coming soon!

Our next Beans & Rice+ is Thursday, March 25, from 9:30am to 11:00am under the covered entrance off Gordon Drive. Volunteer opportunities for preparing bags and handing out bags are available for future dates. Select a date from the online signup below:

St. John's and other local churches are providing weekend food to children at Banks-Caddell and Eastwood each week school is in session through May.

Deliverers are needed to take about twelve bags to Eastwood each week through May.

Packers are needed each week to fill 48 bags on or before Tuesday. Only a few slots remain - April 27th and May 18th!

Godly Play: Sunday's lesson helps us prepare for the mystery of Easter. Wonder with us as we journey through Lent. The video will be available by 9:15 a.m. Sunday morning on our children's Facebook Group page and through the SeeSaw app. Signup for SeeSaw with Sally to be included in special events.

Sally Marsh, 256-353-9615 ext. 111 or sally@stjohnsdecatur.org

Zach Redfield, 256-353-9615 ext. 110 or zach@stjohnsdecatur.org

There are lots of ways you can participate in Earth Day this year. 

Did you know that the Monarch Butterfly is the state insect of Alabama? Habitat for these beautiful creatures is being lost every year, and you can help by creating a butterfly garden. The basics you need are nectar sources for butterflies, food sources for caterpillars, shelter, water, full sun and a low pesticide zone. For more information on attracting monarch butterflies to your landscape, please visit the Alabama Cooperative Extension System website.

Altar Flowers Contributions are given to the glory of God and in memory, thanksgiving, or celebration for people or events that are important to that donor. A donation of $60 will sponsor the flower arrangements arranged by the Flower Guild. We accept one dedication per Sunday. If you would like to make such a gift, please complete a contribution form and return to the office. Please call the office with any questions. Upcoming Available Sunday Dates: March 21, 28; May 16.

To contribute Easter flowers, fill out a dedication form and return to office by Monday, March 29.