St. John’s Mission Statement 

St. John’s is a Christian community that intentionally gathers to experience God’s love

through Episcopal worship, education, fellowship, and ministry to the wider community.

Thursday, April 3, 2025

The Fifth Sunday in Lent

Sunday, April 6, 2025

9:00am with Organ/Choir and Sunday School

All are welcome!

Collect for the Fifth Sunday in Lent

Almighty God, you alone can bring into order

the unruly wills and affections of sinners:

Grant your people grace to love what you command and desire what you promise; that, among the swift and varied changes of the world,

our hearts may surely there be fixed where true joys are to be found;

through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns

with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Readings for the Fifth Sunday in Lent

Isaiah 43:16-21

Psalm 126

Philippians 3:4b-14

John 12:1-8

Lenten Forum: Becoming Beloved Community 

Sunday, April 6th at 10:30 am (after the liturgy) in Nale Hall

Presented by: Rev. Susanna DesMarais

Worship Booklet for the Fifth Sunday in Lent

Easter Flower Dedications

We are accepting dedications to honor your loved ones while helping us to decorate the altar with beautiful flowers.

Flower envelopes are available in the Narthex, or you may email Maria (maria@saint-johns.org) with your dedications:

In honor of ________________

In memory of ______________

In celebration of ____________

or

In thanksgiving for ___________

Payment may be made by mailing a check to St. John's, by placing your check in the offering plate, or online through our Give Now button (choose "Flower Guild").

Please submit your dedications by Monday, April 14th.

Sunday of the Passion: Palm Sunday

.....Sunday, April 13th, 9:00am

.....Beginning with Blessing of Palms in Nale Hall and Triumphal Procession into the Church

Maundy Thursday 

.....Thursday, April 17th, 7:00pm

.....Celebration of Eucharist with the Foot Washing Ritual and Altar of Repose

Good Friday

.....Friday, April 18th 

.....12:00noon - Noonday Prayer with Everyone’s Way of the Cross

.....7:00pm - Liturgy of the Word with Veneration of the Cross

Easter Eve: The Great Vigil of Easter 

.....Saturday, April 19th, 7:00pm 

.....Beginning with blessing of the new fire, Readings from the Old Testament, 

.....Renewal of Baptismal Vows and Celebration of the Easter Eucharist.

...."Breaking the Fast" Reception and Celebration to follow in Nale Hall

Easter Day: Sunday of the Resurrection 

.....Sunday, April 20th, 9:00am

.....Liturgy of the Word, Celebration of Holy Baptism, and Celebration of Eucharist

.....Easter Egg Hunt in the courtyard following the service - all children are welcome!

On Wednesday, March 5th, we began the season of Lent. The first Christians observed with great devotion the days of our Lord's passion (Good Friday) and resurrection (Easter), and it became the custom of the Church to prepare for these holy days by a season of penitence and fasting.

The word Lent comes from the Saxon lencton which means Spring.  Lent, as we now know it, is the Spring Fast.  This season of Lent is traditionally marked by acts of special devotion: prayer, fasting, self-examination and repentance, spiritual reading, and alms giving.

During this Lenten "Springtime", we have the opportunity to practice our faith and recognize signs of new life.

We are providing optional acts of devotion to help you keep the season holy:

Spiritual Reflection

• Lenten Forums: Becoming Beloved Community 

Sundays - March 9th - April 6th at 10:30 am in Nale Hall

Presented by: Rev. Susanna DesMarais

In a world where people are called illegal and Immigration begins the promised "mass deportation" in our own communities, how do we live as followers of Christ? 

How do we bring together the teachings of Jesus in this particular time in history?

How do we become the Beloved Community of Jesus lovers? 

Join us for a 40 minute conversation as we explore what it means to be Beloved Community and let love be our guide. Grab a cup of coffee, a donut or sweet and let's talk. 

• Faith to Go in Lent

This Lent enjoy the rhythm of a daily podcast, listened to while driving, exercising, making coffee, or at the end of the day, can provide connection and support. Hearing how others wrestle with or find hope in the same Scriptures can offer comfort. It reminds us that we’re not alone in the wilderness. Faith to Go in Lent will begin on Ash Wednesday, with a new episode airing Monday through Saturday each week. The final episode will air on Good Friday. And the regular episode of Faith to Go will still arrive as scheduled on Monday mornings! Read More

• Faith to Go Weekly Podcast

Faith to Go, our diocesan podcast, is hosted by David Tremaine and Charlette Preslar. They follow the lectionary, reading and discussing the Gospel for the Sunday ahead. At the start of each episode, one of them shares a “God Sighting,” a place where they saw or felt God’s presence in the prior week. These two simple acts, noticing God and talking about Scripture, have enriched their faith.

Embracing these two simple acts, these spiritual practices, is one small way that each of us can keep a Holy Lent. Faith to Go is releasing a special Lenten devotional with that in mind. For each of the 40 days of Lent, a different voice from our diocesan family (including Revs. Roger and Susanna) will offer a God Sighting and a reflection on the day’s Gospel. These five-minute episodes are an invitation to open yourself up to a daily conversation with God inspired by the wisdom and insights of others. The beauty of it being a podcast is that it allows you to take in reflections and Scripture while on the go. It invites you to pause, reflect, and apply what you’ve heard to your own life, particularly as you journey through the season of Lent.

Be sure to listen to Rev. Roger's episode on the 17th Day of Lent, March 24th;

and to Rev. Susanna's episode on the 29th Day of Lent, April 5th.

Listen Here

Faith to Go in Lent Weekly Booklet

Prayer

• Wednesday Morning Prayer and Bible Study 

Consider joining us on Wednesday mornings at 9:30am - 

you may request the Zoom link from Rev. Roger.

• Stations of the Cross 

For your private devotion, you are invited to walk the steps of Jesus on his

journey to the cross. You may "walk the steps" at home or in the church on Wednesdays from 9:00am-2:00pm. There is a link to an electronic service booklet located below or paper booklets will be available at the church.

Fasting 

• Self-Examination

Through self-examination, you may discern and consider fasting from those

things that are holding you back from being an example by word and deed

of God’s love.

Alms-Giving

• 40 Days – 40 Items

Please consider giving of your excess in order to clothe those who go without. 

See the table in the narthex or the article in our E-Newsletter for details. 

If you wish to have clothing collection bags sent to you, contact Maria in the

church office.

Stations of the Cross

Along with the prayers and reflections for each station, you will find artwork from former St. John's students.

Attached is the link to the prayer booklet:

Stations of the Cross

40 Days / 40 Items

Lenten Clothing Collection

Continues through Maundy Thursday, April 17, 2025

Each day of Lent, you are encouraged to think of someone less fortunate as you look in your closets and dresser drawers. Remove one item that you no longer wear or need and put it into the appropriate bag.

Men’s items will go in a black bag, Women’s items in a white bag, Children’s items in a separate bag labeled “Children’s”.

Filled bags of clothing may brought to the church narthex. We will watch our generous giving grow. At the end of the Forty Days, St. John’s will donate new or gently used clothing to the families of ECS Head Start.

Male / Female Clothing of adult/teen/children sizes

The following are suggested items that are needed:

• Hoodie Sweatshirts / Sweatshirts
• Sweatpants
• Jeans / Pants
• Shirts
• Shoes
• Ball caps
• Socks (new)
• Underwear (new

Outreach Collections

We will continue our ongoing collections for:

• New Blankets - Domestic Violence Shelters (Denise Czer and Linda Dennehy)
• Eyeglasses (Bob Dunn)
• Greeting Cards - ECS Head Start (Judy McKay)
• Clean, Gently Used Blankets, Towels and Re-Useable Drinking Containers - Dreams for Change (Bob Dunn) - Please consider donating
• Emergency Food Pantry - South Bay Community Services (Maria and Joe Love)
• Blessings in a Bag - For our neighbors who live in need. Click here for a list of items you can donate to fill the bags.
• Gently Used Clothing - Men's, women's and children's 

Items may be brought to Nale Hall on Sundays when we gather for worship.

You may also bring your items to the church during our weekday office hours,

Monday through Thursday from 9am to 3pm.

If you are not able to bring them, please contact the parish office, and we will pick up the items from your home.

St. John's Outreach Committee meets monthly to discuss our parish Outreach activities.

Please click on the following link for more information on our Outreach collection activities:

Outreach Ministries of St. John's

St. John's Episcopal Church Scholarship

St. John's offers a scholarship(s) available for parishioners, family members of a parishioner or a member of a parish in the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego who are pursuing a college education or an accredited vocational/technical training.

​

The Rev. Michael G. Kaehr Honorary Scholarship Award  (application)

Please read application for more information on this available scholarship.

Applications include an essay, unofficial transcript, letter of recommendation, and a copy of a letter of acceptance. Financial need will be considered.​

The 2025 scholarship application process is now open. The deadline for applying is Thursday, April 24, 2025. Please contact the parish office (619-422-4141) for more information and if you would like to apply.

Scholarship Committee: Pamela Brittain, Bill Cheney, Diane Gustafson, and Lynn Young

St. John's Prayer Ministries

Prayers and Squares: The Prayer Quilt Ministry

Prayers and Squares will meet in Nale Hall on Tuesday, April 8th from 9:30am-1:30pm.

This important ministry brings comfort and healing to many people who are suffering with illness. For information on how to help create prayer quilts, or on how St. John's parishioners can request a quilt (click here).

Wednesday Morning Prayer and Bible Study

Join us for Wednesday Morning Prayer and Bible Study

on Wednesdays at 9:30 am as a Zoom meeting.

For information on how to join (click here)

For the Morning Prayer Booklet (click here)

The Order of the Daughters of the King

The mission of The Order is the extension of Christ's Kingdom through Prayer, Service and Evangelism. If you would like information about becoming a member, or if you have a Prayer Request (click here)

Parish Prayer Lists

For Our Military

Matt Jensen, Drew Shorkey, Cody Crossland, Cameron Ronie, Chariti Paden, Mark Stanfield, Sean Robinson, Jonathan Martinez, TK Nguyen, Christopher Lindshield, Timothy Lindshield, Jeremy Colton, David Sanchez, Jonathan Baldera, Nick Wyatt, Jamal Warner, Matt Hernandez, Daniel Getreu, Devon Strunk, Taylor Harrold, Jorge Zuazua, Roberto Chavez, Ryan Lothspeich, Andrew C. Dugger, Dan and Chelsey Nyaradi, Gen. G.C. Heinrich, Pedro Bonilla, Patrick King, Connor Feeny, and Sebastian Morales and the crew of the USS Nimitz.

Almighty God, we commend to your gracious care and keeping 

all the men and women of our armed forces at home and abroad.

Defend them day by day with your heavenly grace; 

strengthen them in their trials and temptations; 

give them courage to face the perils which beset them; 

and grant them a sense of your abiding presence 

wherever they may be; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For Strength in Time of Need

Steve Magill, Gary and Shirley McCarren, the McClure family, Alec Hauer, Karen Polk,

Bob Milam, Bill Rogers, James Kellogg Burnham III, Mike Gollihur, Linda Longoria-Neff, Helena Livingston, Fr. George Keith, Ted Owens, Michael and La Donna Dwyer,

Jamie Attaway, the family of Tom and Cindy Brosche, Joan Sutton, and Rosemarie Viloria.

O God of heavenly powers, 

by the might of your command you drive away from our bodies 

all sickness and all infirmity: 

Be present in your goodness with your servants, 

that their weakness may be banished and their strength restored; 

and that, their health being renewed, they may bless your holy Name;

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Cycle of Prayers for the Church

In the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, we pray for the clergy and people of St. James by-the-Sea, La Jolla, and the students, teachers, and staff of The Bishop’s School, La Jolla.

In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, we pray for Province de Iglesia Anglicana de Chile.

In the Military Cycle of Prayer, we pray for the USS Greenville (SSN-772)

Celebration of Life for Michael Morris



The Celebration of Life for Michael Morris will be on

Saturday, April 26th at 11:00am

at St. John's Episcopal Church, 760 First Ave. Chula Vista, CA 91910

Into your hands, O merciful Savior, we commend you servant, Michael.

Acknowledge, we humbly beseech you, a sheep of your own fold,

a lamb of your own flock, a sinner of your own redeeming.

Receive him into the arms of your mercy,

into the blessed rest of everlasting peace,

and into the glorious company of the saints in light. Amen.

Rest eternal grant to him, O Lord;

And let light perpetual shine upon him.

May his soul and the souls of all the departed,

through the mercy of God, rest in peace.  Amen.

We Are Here for You

Eucharistic Visits to your home

If you are not able to join us for our celebration of Eucharist and would like Communion brought to you (click here)

Sacramental and Spiritual Preparation

If you are interested in celebrating a sacramental/spiritual event in your life (click here)

Pastoral Emergency

If you have a pastoral emergency when the parish offices are closed,

please call 619-301-0724 or email revroger@saint-johns.org

“Raise the Roof”

St. John’s Capital Campaign

Capital Campaign for Property Maintenance Reserve

Our loved ones raised the church with money and physical labor –

We must maintain their legacy

Property Maintenance Reserve Needs:

• New Roof for Church, Nale Hall and Graves Pavilion = $175,000
• Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Units (11 HVAC Units) = $325,000

Capital Campaign Goal:  $500,000

Capital Campaign Donations Pledged: $167,352

Percentage of Goal Achieved: 33%

The church exists as the People of God,

but also, as the buildings from which God is served and worshiped.

Please consider investing in St. John's with a donation to the Capital Campaign:

Capital Campaign Statement of Intent

Capital Campaign Committee: Bob Dunn (co-chair), Terry Farrelly (co-chair),

Tom Brzeczek, Denise Czer, Jane Ferguson, Rev. Roger Haenke

Vestry Minutes

Approved Vestry Minutes from 2-23-25

Upcoming Events at St. John's

• Tuesday, April 8th: Prayers and Squares Quilt Ministry, 9:30-1:30, Nale Hall
• Tuesday, April 8th & Thursday, April 10th: Tai Chi, 2:00-3:00pm, Nale Hall
• Monday, April 21st: Men of St. John's meeting, 6:00pm

Tai Chi Moving for Better Balance

St. John's is pleased to partner with the County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency to offer Tai Chi Moving for Better Balance on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2-3pm

in Nale Hall.

Tai Chi Moving for Better Balance has been shown to improve balance and mobility, and reduce the risk of falls. People of all ability levels are welcome. This class can be conducted from a seated or standing position. Classes are in English.

St. John's Episcopal Church

760 1st Avenue, Chula Vista, CA 91910

Every Tuesday and Thursday | 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Parish Office Hours and Contacts

The Parish Office will be open 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, Monday through Thursday.

Please call the parish office if you have any questions or concerns

(619-422-4141) or email info@saint-johns.org.

Rev. Roger will be working Monday through Thursday, and Sunday.

He is available by appointment. Please call the office to schedule an appointment.

In case of a pastoral emergency, Rev. Roger may be reached on his cell phone at

619-301-0724.

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St. Luke's Breaks Ground on 78 Affordable Homes

By: Chris Tumilty, Director of Communications

The hum of passing traffic underscored a hopeful buzz of the crowd gathered at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. Clergy, civic leaders, developers, and neighbors stood together at the corner of Gunn and 30th Streets to witness a remarkable milestone: the groundbreaking of a new 78-unit affordable housing development on church grounds.

The groundbreaking ceremony on Friday, March 28, 2025, marked the official start of construction on the first project of the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego’s (EDSD) Mission Real Estate initiative—an effort to reimagine underutilized church property as a tool for community flourishing. In partnership with Trestle Build, the new development will provide much-needed housing for individuals and families earning 30–70% of the area’s median income. Read More

Towards a Fuller Gospel

Tuesdays, May 6th-May 27th, 6:30pm

Towards A Fuller Gospel is a dynamic virtual speaker series highlighting the voices of racially diverse clergy as they illuminate scripture through the lens of their lived experiences, cultural perspectives, and/or the stories of the communities that formed them. Over the course of four weeks, faith leaders from across the Episcopal Church will model how race, identity, culture and community shape and expand the ways we understand and apply sacred texts today.

Click Here to Register

Learning to See With new Eyes:

LARK and Knowing Yourself

By: Charlette Preslar, Director of Formation and Rachel Ambasing, Missioner for Community Vitality & Diversity

Discipleship is more than books we read or Bible studies we attend. In fact, Jesus’ first disciples were greatly shaped not only by their relationship with Jesus, but also with one another. Each of them brought their own backgrounds and contexts to their shared ministry. Through the gathering of fishermen, tax collectors, and the redeemed, Jesus embraced that we are more than any one piece of our story. In fact, the challenging pieces of our stories bring richness and depth to the ways that we follow Jesus. We embrace discipleship not through perfection but from a humble place of authenticity.

With that in mind, there are two formative offerings this spring–offerings that will enrich our discipleship and help us to grow in relationship with one another. Read More

Click Here to Register for LARK (Localized Anti-Racism Knowledge)

Friday, May 2nd, 3:30-8:30 PM and Saturday, May 3rd, 9:30-4:30 PM

Click Here to Register for Knowing Yourself: Ministry From a Place of Self-Awareness 

Sunday, May 4th, 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

ECS Moonlight Ball Donations

Ignite hope and inspire change by donating an auction item to the Episcopal Community Services Moonlight Ball Silent Auction. Every item you contribute plays a vital role in empowering life-changing programs and creating a ripple effect of hope and support. Visit our donation page for inspiration and donation ideas.

Click here to donate

ECS Moonlight Ball

Saturday, May 17, 2025, 5:30 pm 

Hyatt Regency La Jolla at Aventine, 3777 La Jolla Village Drive 

San Diego, CA 92122

Click here to purchase tickets

760 First Ave  Chula Vista, CA  91910

(619) 422-4141 |  info@saint-johns.org | www.saint-johns.org

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