St. John's Episcopal Church

To love, To serve, To grow in Christ

Oct 28, 2025

All Saints' Day Celebrated

November 2, 2025


  • Celebrant and Preacher: The Rev. Hugh O. Bell
  • Deacon Kevin Mort will assist.
  • Stewardship Theme: Tell out my soul!
  • Remember to enter the church quietly and spend time preparing your heart for worship. Please be respectful of those in prayer.

Vestry minutes


Below is the link to the September Vestry minutes. They are also posted on the bulletin board in the church entryway, along with the Executive Financial Summary.

CLICK HERE

Stewardship Campaign


Did you ever have news that was so exciting that you could not wait to share it with others? The Good News that fills our spirits with joy is about the radical abundance, abiding love, and healing power that Jesus shares with us when we respond to his call to follow him.


We would love to hear your story - your exciting news. If you are willing to share it with us on an upcoming Sunday, please contact Stewardship Chair Deb Hladky, dehladky0426@gmail.com If you prefer to submit something in writing for enews, send it to seniorwarden2024.stjohns@gmail.com Neither oral nor written testimony has to be lengthy.


Deb has shared her story with us:


I have been a member of St. John’s for 22 years, and from the very beginning I knew this was a special place. The first time I was greeted and attended church, I was struck by how inviting, warm, and helpful everyone was. I truly felt loved and welcomed. Week after week, this community has continued to show me what it means to serve God through stewardship.


Being part of the children’s ministry with Mary Anders was especially meaningful to me as my own children grew up here. From the time they were babies in Sunday School, I watched God touch their lives in countless ways, through acolyting, sleep-ins during Holy Week, and Christmas caroling at assisted living homes. My oldest son, Lucas, also volunteered at the thrift shop during his high school years. He enjoyed helping and learning more about our community, as well as getting to know the members of St. John’s in a meaningful way. These experiences not only shaped their faith but also deepened mine as I saw the impact of ministry in their lives.


What has been especially inspiring to me is witnessing my fellow vestry members and church leaders step up time and time again, doing whatever needs to be done to care for our church home, both its physical space and the ministries that flow from it. Whether it’s maintaining the building, organizing outreach, or supporting worship, they do it all with humility and dedication, honoring God, our community, and every member of this parish. Their example reminds me that stewardship is not about obligation, it’s about love in action.


St. John’s has taught me that stewardship is about so much more than giving, it’s about sharing our time, talent, and love in ways that bring people closer to God. For me, stewardship means living out my faith in community, and I am deeply grateful for the ways this church has nurtured and inspired my family.


As we move forward together, I invite each of you to reflect on how you can share your own time, treasures, and talents with this tiny but mighty church family. Whether it’s volunteering, lending your skills, or offering financial support, each contribution—no matter how small—helps strengthen our mission and reminds us that we are all part of something bigger than ourselves. Together, we can continue to grow in faith, love, and service to God and one another.


Thank you.

Deb Hladky, Vestry, Stewardship Liaison 

All Hallow's Eve


The evening of Oct. 31, which precedes the church's celebration of All Saints' Day on Nov. 1. The Book of Occasional Services provides a form for a service on All Hallows' Eve. This service begins with the Prayer for Light, and it includes two or more readings from scripture. 


All Saints' Day


All Saints' Day commemorates all saints, known and unknown, on Nov. 1. It is one of the seven principal feasts of the church year, and one of the four days recommended for the administration of baptism. All Saints' Day may also be celebrated on the Sunday following Nov. 1.


Every year for All Saints' Day, the names of members who have left us in the past year are embroidered on our All Saints’ banners. This tradition was started when St. John's was a young parish, and the names on the banners go back to the beginning. Please look at them on Sunday and remember the saints of St. John's who have gone before us.

Second Annual Joint Thanksgiving Dinner


St. John's and St. Paul's will join together for the second year in a row for a Thanksgiving Dinner. It will be held on Wednesday, November 12 at 5 p.m. Turkey will be provided. Bring a dish to share. Sign up on Sunday if you plan to attend.




Keeping up with the Diocese of Southwest Florida and The Episcopal Church


Bridges (e-newsletter of our Diocese) and Episcopal News Service from the National Church contain information on events and issues of importance. If you aren't receiving them, we encourage you to follow the links below and sign up. Bridges comes bi-weekly; ENS is weekly.


Bridges: https://episcopalswfl.org/bridges-e-newsletter-subscription/


Episcopal News Service: news@episcopalchurch.org

Wants and Needs


Vestry Candidates: Individuals are needed to step up to fill Vestry vacancies that will occur in January. Please consider if you are called to serve on the Vestry. The requirements are that you are a Baptized member (Your Baptism is recorded in the church records), are regular in church attendance, have a record of giving, and have a willingness to work for the good of St. John's. Speak with any Vestry member if you have questions.


Coffee Hour: Bring a treat to share - baked goods, salty items, fruit, cheese and crackers, casseroles - any and all are welcome.


The Thrift Shop is in great need of volunteers to work in the sorting room.


Your emergency contact information.

Scan the QR code below to make a donation to St. John's, via Faithstreet. Your generous donations help to continue our mission of loving and serving God in our community and the world.

Worship


Our service is live streamed on FaceBook and YouTube at 9:00 am on Sundays. 

If you can't watch live, you can watch it at your convenience by going to St. John's FaceBook page and click on "videos".


To watch on You Tube: Click HERE for November 2, 2025

All Saints' Day Celebrated

November 2, 2025

9:00 a.m.

Readings:

Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18

Psalm 149

Ephesians 1:11-23

Luke 6:20-31

Weekly Schedule

Choir Rehearsals

Bell Choir, Tuesdays, 6 p.m.

Vocal Choir, Tuesdays, 7 p.m.


Thrift Shop schedule:

Tuesday, Thursday 9:30- 12:30

Saturday: 9:30-3:30


Retirees

Second Monday of the month 10:00 am

Wednesday Morning Bible Study -

10 a.m. in the Parish Hall. Bring your Bible. For more information, contact Bob Courdway


Rug Hookers - Parish Hall

Thursdays 10:00 am.


Men's Cursillo Grouping- Parish Hall

Thursdays 7:00 am.

Dates for your Calendar


November 1 All Saints Day

November 2 Daylight Savings Time Ends; Fall Back

November 12 St. John's and St. Paul's joint Thanksgiving Dinner; see above

November 18 Interfaith Thanksgiving Service, 7 p.m., St. Catherine of Sienna

November 23 Stewardship Sunday Ingathering

November 30 Advent I

Office Schedule and Contact Information


Church Office hours are Mon. - Thus. from 10:00 am - 3:00 pm.

Mondays & Wednesdays, for access to church office,

please call the office at 727-531-6020



The Rev. Kevin Mort, Deacon

cell phone: 727 409-8248 

email: kdmort727@gmail.com

 

Office phone number:

727-531-6020

 

Office email addresses:

Parish Administrator

 

Jim May, Music Director email address:

Music Director

727-531-6020 Ex. 4


Marlene Eichelberger, Senior Warden

email: seniorwarden2024.stjohns@gmail.com

eNews


What you would like to see in eNews? We need your input to keep it fresh and relevant. Is your ministry area doing something that you would like to share? Please send your news, ideas, articles, photos, etc. to me at seniorwarden2024.stjohns@gmail.com

The deadline submission for the Tuesday enews is Monday, 3 p.m.


Marlene Eichelberger

NEWS, MINISTRIES, AND UPCOMING CHURCH EVENTS!

Read more HERE

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To read more click HERE.