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, March 27, 2025

The Fourth Sunday in Lent

Sunday, March 30, 2025

9:00am with Organ/Choir and Sunday School

All are welcome!

Collect for the Fourth Sunday in Lent

Gracious Father, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ

came down from heaven to be the true bread which gives life to the world: Evermore give us this bread, that he may live in us, and we in him;

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Readings for the Fourth Sunday in Lent

Joshua 5:9-12

Psalm 32

2 Corinthians 5:16-21

Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32

Lenten Forum: Becoming Beloved Community 

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

Presented by: Rev. Susanna DesMarais

Worship Booklet for the Fourth 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

Easter Day: Sunday of the Resurrection 

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

.....Liturgy of the Word, Remembrance of 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.

You are invited, therefore, to an observance of a holy Lent.

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.

We have the opportunity to intentionally practice who we are as people of faith.

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 watch for Rev. Susanna's upcoming episode.

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

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, Diane Gustafson, Casey Brown, 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 youth and leadership of Nightwatch.

In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, we pray for Province de L'Eglise Anglicane Du Congo.

In the Military Cycle of Prayer, we pray for US Navy Chiefs on their 132nd Birthday.

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

Upcoming Events at St. John's

• Tuesday, April 1st & Thursday, April 3rd: Tai Chi, 2:00-3:00pm, Nale Hall
• Wednesday, April 2nd: Outreach Meeting, 5:00pm, Zoom Meeting
• Saturday, April 5th: Vestry Retreat, 9:00am-4:00pm, Nale Hall

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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Towards a Fuller Gospel

By: Rachel Ambasing,

Missioner for Community Vitality & Diversity

Ten years ago, I was living in San Francisco, where I went to school full-time and worked in retail part-time. Though I grew up in the church, and the Episcopal tradition had been important to my family for multiple generations, this was a chapter of my life when I did not consider myself to be an Episcopalian. But, I was living in a city that was hitting peak gentrification. The gap between the haves and the have-nots increased before my eyes, and the signs of displacement were inescapable. I longed for spiritual comfort and sought to find it in community. So, on a rare Sunday morning without a scheduled shift, I decided to check out an Episcopal Church in the area.

I found myself sitting in the pews of a grand, historic Episcopal church, located in an aspirational neighborhood. The church was one of those places where the stained-glass windows told centuries-old stories, the organ thundered with precision, and every element sought to express the majestic nature of God. The preacher that morning was a well-respected white cleric, who, according to his bio in the day's print-perfect bulletin, was from a wealthy area in Northern California and known for his eloquence, academic writing, and theological depth. Read More

Knowing Yourself:

Ministry From a Place of Self-Awareness 

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

As followers of Jesus who are also formed in and by the world, each of us ministers from a “social location.” This means that each of us see and understand God and the world through a lens shaped by our numerous identities such as ethnicity, age, immigration status, education, class, gender and sexuality, etc. Some of these identities we may be acutely aware of. Others may be less obvious to us. ALL aspects of our social location are useful to God.

Click Here for More Information and to Register

RefugeeNet Gala

Saturday, March 29th at 5:30pm

Attend the annual RefugeeNet Gala and support its life-saving work! Your contribution, not government funding, sustains RefugeeNet’s efforts. Offer your support while listening to refugee's stories, reconnecting with friends, and being part of the change you dream to see in the world.

Click Here for More Information and to Purchase Tickets

LARK (Localized Anti-Racism Knowledge)

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

LARK (Localized Anti-Racism Knowledge) is a unique workshop that explores the history, issues, and stories of racial justice in our own region. Unlike national anti-racism trainings, LARK is designed specifically for our diocesan context, focusing on local communities and their lived experiences. Through history-telling, case studies, and discussions, participants will gain deeper understanding and tools for meaningful engagement.

Click Here for More information and to Register

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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