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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.
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Reminder:
Daylight Savings Time begins
Sunday, March 9th at 2:00 am.
Set your clocks forward one hour.
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The First Sunday in Lent
Sunday, March 9, 2025
9:00am with Organ/Choir and Sunday School
All are welcome!
Collect for the First Sunday in Lent
Almighty God, whose blessed Son was led by the Spirit to be tempted by Satan: Come quickly to help us who are assaulted by many temptations;
and, as you know the weaknesses of each of us,
let each one find you mighty to save; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Readings for the First Sunday in Lent
Deuteronomy 26:1-11
Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16
Romans 10:8b-13
Luke 4:1-13
Worship Booklet for the First Sunday in Lent
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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
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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.
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 myself. We follow the lectionary, reading and discussing the Gospel for the Sunday ahead. At the start of each episode, one of us shares a “God Sighting,” a place where we saw or felt God’s presence in the prior week. These two simple acts, noticing God and talking about Scripture, have enriched my 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.
Listen Here
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.
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Walking the Labyrinth: A special presentation (by: Rev. Susanna DesMarais)
Saturday, March 22, 10:00am to noon
As part of our Lent devotions, we will once again offer a chance to walk the labyrinth.
We will do this in conjunction with the Lent Series on Beloved Community and have a special time of prayer and presentation at 10:00 am before we walk the labyrinth.
For those who just want to walk the labyrinth you are welcome to come anytime between 10:00am and noon.
Please respect the journeys of others and maintain a prayerful space for all.
Come to walk on your own; brochures of guidance will be provided.
Labyrinth Guide
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
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
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.
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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
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OUTREACH AND EVANGELIZATION | |
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40 Days / 40 Items
Lenten Clothing Collection Beginning Ash Wednesday, March 5, 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
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Outreach Collections
We will continue our ongoing collections for:
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New Blankets - Domestic Violence Shelters (Denise Czer and Linda Dennehy)
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Eyeglasses (Bob Dunn)
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Greeting Cards - ECS Head Start (Judy McKay)
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Clean, Gently Used Blankets, Towels and Re-Useable Drinking Containers - Dreams for Change (Bob Dunn) - Please consider donating
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Emergency Food Pantry - South Bay Community Services (Maria and Joe Love)
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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.
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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
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ST. JOHN'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH SCHOLARSHIP | |
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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
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St. John's Prayer Ministries | |
Prayers and Squares: The Prayer Quilt Ministry
Prayers and Squares will meet in Nale Hall on Tuesday, March 11th, 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).
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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)
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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)
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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, 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, and Michael and La Donna Dwyer.
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. Andrew the Apostle, Encinitas.
In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, we pray for the Anglican Church of Canada.
In the Military Cycle of Prayer, we pray for Submarine Squadron 11.
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Celebration of Life for Joe Atkins
The Celebration of Life for Joe Atkins will be on Saturday, March 8th at 11:00am
at St. John's Episcopal Church, 760 First Ave. Chula Vista, CA 91910
Notes of condolences may be sent to:
Iris Atkins
586 First Ave
Chula Vista CA 91910
O God, full of compassion, who dwells on high,
grant true rest upon the wings of the Divine Presence.
May his soul be bound up in the bonds of life eternal.
May the All-Merciful One shelter him with the cover of His wings forever.
The Lord is his heritage; may he rest in his resting-place in peace.
Amen.
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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)
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Sacramental and Spiritual Preparation
If you are interested in celebrating a sacramental/spiritual event in your life (click here)
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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
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ADMINISTRATION AND VESTRY | |
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“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 Received: $163,831
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
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Upcoming Events at St. John's
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Saturday, March 8th: Celebration of Life for Joe Atkins, 11:00am
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Sunday, March 9th: Daylight Savings Begins
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Sunday, March 9th: Lent Forum-Becoming Beloved Community, following the Sunday Liturgy, Nale Hall
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Tuesday, March 11th: Prayers and Squares Quilt Ministry, 9:30-1:30, Nale Hall
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Tuesday, March 11th & Thursday, March 13th: Tai Chi, 2:00-3:00pm, Nale Hall
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Wednesday, March 12th: Outreach Committee Meeting, 5:00pm via Zoom
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Wednesday, March 19th: La Misa in English celebrating El Dia de San José (the Feast Day of St. Joseph), 6:00pm in Nale Hall
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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 beginning March 11th.
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
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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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Faith to Go in Lent:
Ash Wednesday with Bishop Susan Brown Snook
By: Bishop Susan Brown Snook
Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return. It’s an odd thing to say in a Christian church, where we proclaim that Jesus has defeated death and brought us to eternal life. Why do we remind each other today of our dustiness, our grittiness, the impermanence of our bodies and our very lives?
The key to what we celebrate today is the word “remember.” When we say you are dust, and to dust you shall return – that is simple fact. Every molecule of our bodies came from the dust of the universe that blew outward from the Big Bang, the dust that formed stars and planets, the dust that formed this earth. Out of that dust our bodies were made, and when we die, those molecules of US will be recycled for other uses. We are dust, and to dust we shall return. Read More
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Faith to Go in Lent Weekly Booklet
This Lent, the same daily podcast is available in print each week. Reading about how others wrestle with or find hope in scripture can help us grow. And it reminds us that we’re not alone in the wilderness. Faith to Go in Lent begins today, Ash Wednesday, with a new live episode airing Monday through Saturday each week. The weekly printed companion will be available for viewing and download each Wednesday in the EDSD News.
Read More
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RefugeeNet Gala March 29th
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
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TEC’s Immigration Action Toolkit
Shifting federal policy on immigration is already impacting people in all four of our counties. With this in mind, the Episcopal Church’s church-wide office routinely collects up-to-date immigration resources for congregations. Visit the Immigration Action Toolkit to find ways your congregation can help migrants, refugees, and asylum-seekers.
Click Here for More Information
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Creation Care Book Study in March
Mondays at 6:30pm, March 10th - March 31st
Throughout March, the Creation Care Community of the EDSD is leading a virtual book study on "The Serviceberry" by Robin Wall Kimmerer. This lovely book offers a bold and inspiring vision for how to orient our lives around gratitude, reciprocity, and community, based on the lessons of the natural world. To register: dianelopezhughes@me.com
Click Here for More Information
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Diocesan Service and Justice Coalition
Saturday, March 22nd, 9:30-11:30am
Join the Diocesan Service & Justice Coalition on Saturday, March 22nd from 9:30-11:30am on Zoom for a conversation with dedicated service/outreach and peace/social justice coordinators. DSJC gathers to network and share ideas and collaborate on projects to make a greater impact in our community.
Click Here to Register
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ECS Moonlight Ball
Episcopal Community Services invites you to the Moonlight Ball, an unforgettable evening of celebration and impact. Join us on May 17th for a night of fine dining, live music, and exciting auctions, all in support of ECS' mission to uplift our neighbors in need. Secure your spot now!
Click Here for Ticket Information
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