Thursday, January 7, 2021

 

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.

WORSHIP
The Baptism of Our Lord

Almighty, eternal God,
When the Spirit descended upon Jesus 
at his baptism in the Jordan,
your voice was heard from heaven 
revealing him as your own beloved son
and awakening our faith in the presence among us 
of the Word made flesh.

Keep us, your children, 
born of water and the Spirit, faithful to our calling
and send us to proclaim the good news of salvation 
to the ends of the earth,
for he is Lord for ever and ever. Amen.

Update - Sunday Worship Services
  
According to the County of San Diego, 
the 14-day average infection rate in San Diego is 12.8%. Because of the rising number of coronavirus cases placing us in the Purple (worst) Zone, and given the "Stay At Home Order" it is not prudent to gather in the church for in-person worship. I realize some other churches are gathering - but, for me, your health and safety is of utmost importance.      Roger+

We will continue to gather virtually for our worship service of the Word of God and Spiritual Communion.  Our service will be livestreamed on the internet.
You may access the livestreamed service and the worship booklet through our St. John's website:  www.saint-john's.org  or our Facebook page:  Saint John's Episcopal Church.                                                                                  
Scripture Readings For the Week

Readings for Sunday, January 10, 2021, The Baptism of Our Lord

Genesis 1:1-5
Psalm 29
Acts 19:1-7
Mark 1:4-11

 
Facebook Link for Services:  Saint John's Episcopal Church
St. John's website: saint-johns.org

Altar Flowers
 
Our Altar Flower donations chart for 2021 is available in the parish office.  If you would like to donate altar flowers in memory of a loved one or in honor of a special occasion without coming to the office, please contact Maria at 619-422-4141 or maria@saint-johns.org

The suggested donation for altar flowers is $40.00.

The current available Sundays before Lent are:
January 17
January 24
January 31
February 7
February 14

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. 

Please contact Rev. Cathey (revcat@gmail.com)
to be included in the Zoom meeting, or to update your info, if she does not have your current email.

The Morning Prayer guide can be found here:
 
STEWARDSHIP AND ADMINISTRATION
Updated - 2020 Stewardship Campaign
 
It is with gratitude for the abundant grace received by our God, that St. John's gives thanks for all the gifts you have given to our family of faith. 
As we prepare to approve our 2021 Budget for the operations of the parish, it is important to have an accurate knowledge of our pledge income.  As you can see below, we are 20% short of our 2020 pledge income.  If you have not done so, you may still make your pledge by email or calling the parish office.
Please know that your pledge can be adjusted (higher or lower) at any time depending on your circumstances.  

Stewardship Results Update

 
2020
2021
Number of pledges
70
52
Treasure amount pledged
$141,033.00
$112,870
Time and Talent responses
 
71
 
St. John's Family and Friends

As we begin a new year, we are updating our parish 
membership registry and directory.  Please help us by providing the following information.  You may respond to this email Newsletter or call Maria at the parish office (619-422-4141):

Last Name, First name(s)
Name(s) of children living at home
Mailing Address including Zip Code
Phone Number(s)
Email Addresses

_____  Is it your intent to be a registered member of St. John's Episcopal Church?

_____  Do you want to continue receiving our E-Newsletter and Pastoral Communications? 
 
You Are Needed!

The Vestry of St. John's has two open  positions in 2021.

The Vestry serves as the Board of Directors for St. John's Parish.  According to the Bylaw of the Parish, the Vestry has the duties for the temporal business and affairs of the Parish.

The Vestry meets (usually) on the Fourth Wednesday of each month at 6:00pm.  The place of the Vestry meeting is designated by the Vestry (during this pandemic, the Vestry meets virtually on Zoom).

If you would are willing to serve as a member of the Vestry, please complete the short Vestry Member Biography.  Completed nominations and biographies should be submitted to Rev. Roger.  Election of the Vestry members will occur at the St. John's Annual Meeting on Sunday, January 24, 2021 at 10:30am.

Thank you for considering to serve St. John's Parish
 
Vestry Member Biography 2021

St. John's Annual Meeting
 
St. John's Annual Meeting will take place virtually on Sunday, January 24, 2021, at 10:30 am.
Details to come.
 
Pledge Envelopes
 
2021 pledge envelopes are available in the office. 
If you would like to receive yours by mail, please call or email Maria in the office
(maria@saint-johns.org/619-216-5220).

If you have been mailing in your pledge checks, you can continue to do so without a pledge envelope- your account will be credited correctly, with or without an envelope.
 
EVANGELIZATION & OUTREACH
Becoming a Church for Military Members and Families
 
Ministry to military members and their families is an 
important outreach ministry, therefore, Bishop Susan 
Brown Snook recently appointed The Rev. Frank Munoz, retired Navy chaplain and Priest-in-Charge at Grace Episcopal Church in Menifee, as our first military missioner-and the first known diocesan military missioner in The Episcopal Church.
 
Men and women of the military have chosen to give of themselves in order to serve and defend the freedoms and liberties of our country. We have an opportunity to serve them in return. The most obvious reason to minister to the military is that they are our neighbors, and as neighbors some are in need of pastoral care.
 
Some of us have come from military families and others of us have had the experience of a military family coming to our churches while they live near us and fitting in quickly, until they are deployed to another base. While they are with us, they want what many of us want from a church community: fellowship, education, prayer, sacraments, and pastoral care. The problem is that not all military families find churches easily.
 
That's where we come in. We have an opportunity to become more intentional about reaching out to the military and inviting them in.
 
The Vestry of St. John's has agreed that we will register our parish with the Military Chaplains Association as Veterans/Military Friendly Congregations so that chaplains can send people our way. We also can advertise our military ministry on our websites and in our E-Newsletter
 
Bishop Susan has identified this coming year, 2021, as the Year of Evangelism. Ministry to the military offers us a way to tell the Good News to our many neighbors in the military and to give the opportunities to use their spiritual gifts while they are with us.
 
If you would like to me a part of this Outreach ministry to our military members and their families, please contact Rev. Roger at the parish office.
 
Pill Bottle Ministry

Did you know that in developing countries, the pill bottle and cap is often more expensive than the medication inside? You can donate your empty prescription bottles by bringing them to the Parish Office.  Sally Elliott has taken the lead on this ministry and will take care of shipping them to Matthew 25: Ministries. 

Matthew 25: Ministries accepts donations of empty plastic pill bottles for inclusion in shipments of medical supplies and for shredding and recycling. Their pill bottle program fulfills the dual needs of improving medical care in developing countries and caring for our environment.

Please note that we can currently only collect the clear orange prescription bottles. We have found that the others do not benefit the program.

Each shipment costs around $20.00.  If you would like to contribute your financial support as well as your pill bottles, we welcome your donations.

Emergency Food Pantry

The South Bay Community Services "Emergency Food Pantry" needs donations every month. If you would like to donate, please bring your items to the Main Office and they will be delivered to SBCS.
During the month of January, our featured items will be dried or canned beans, or boxed potatoes. 

Other items that are always welcome:
Dry and canned beans, boxed potatoes
Rice, pasta, Mac & Cheese
Canned meat or fish and can openers
Cereals, powdered and canned milk
Peanut butter and jelly
Canned fruit and vegetables
Soup, ramen noodles and crackers
Canned stews and Spaghetti-o's
 
PASTORAL CARE
Pastoral Care
 
We Are Available in Your Time of Need

If you have a pastoral emergency when the parish offices are closed, 
please call 619-301-0724 or email revroger@saint-johns.org

MINISTRY OF PRAYER
Prayer for our Country
 
Almighty God, who hast given us this good land for our heritage: We humbly beseech thee that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of thy favor and glad to do thy will. Bless our land with honorable industry, sound learning, and pure manners. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion; from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way. Defend our liberties, and fashion into one united people the multitudes brought hither out of many kindreds and tongues. Endue with the spirit of wisdom those to whom in thy Name we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that, through obedience to thy law, we may show forth thy praise among the nations of the earth. In the time of prosperity, fill our hearts with thankfulness, and in the day of trouble, suffer not our trust in thee to fail; all which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.                  (BCP, p. 820)
 
Parish Prayer Lists

Birthday and Anniversary Prayers

We would like to acknowledge and pray for anyone celebrating a birthday and/or anniversary in the coming week.  Please let us know by Thursday of the prior week so that we can get it in the Sunday liturgy.  If you have a picture of you that we could post for your birthday and/or a wedding photo or current photo for those celebrating an anniversary, please email it to us - it would be great to allow everyone to see you.

Our Parish Prayer Intentions
 
Today and every day include some time for prayer, for yourself,
for your church family, and for those in need.  

For our Military
 
Matt, Drew, Cody, Cameron, Chariti, 
Mark, Sean, Jonathan, TK, Christopher, 
Timothy, Jeremy, David, Jonathan, Nick, 
Jamal, Matt, Daniel, Jocelyn, Devon, Taylor, 
Jorge, Katherine, Sebastian, Richie and Roberto.

For Strength in Time of Need

Scott, Betty, Steve, Dawn, Gary and Shirley,
John and Sheryl, Fr. George Calvert,
and for all first responders, medical professionals, 
essential workers and their families.

For the repose of the soul of George Cowan.
May light perpetual shine on him.

Cycle of Prayers for the Church

In the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, we pray for the clergy and people of St. John's in Chula Vista.

In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, we pray for the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia.

Prayer Quilt Ministry
 
The leaders of the Prayer Quilt Ministry would like to remind 
you that there are many quilts available for anyone in need of prayer and support.  This important ministry brings comfort and healing to many people who are suffering with illness. Please contact Diane Gustafson directly (diangus15@aol.com) or through the office (maria@saint-johns.org). 

 
OFFICE CONTACTS
The Vestry

David Dennehy, Senior Warden
619-840-9994 
Terry Farrelly, Treasurer
Diane Gustafson, Clerk
Pamela Brittain
Tom Brzeczek
Ray Contreras
Muriel Kulikowski
Jim McDevitt
Judy McKay
Lynn Young

Upcoming Events at St. John's

January 18


Office Closed; MLK Holiday
January 20, 20216:00 pmVestry Meeting

January 24, 2021

10:30 am

Annual Meeting

Parish Office Hours

Current office hours are 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, Monday through Thursday.
If you need assistance, please call or email Maria Love: 
619-422-4141 or maria@saint-johns.org

Rev. Roger's Office Hours
 
Rev. Roger will be in the office Monday, Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, and all day Wednesday and Friday.  He will be available by appointment.  Please call the office (619-422-4141) to schedule an appointment.

In case of a pastoral emergency, Rev. Roger may be reached on his cell phone at 619-301-0724.


Your weekly newsletter highlights important events at St. John's Episcopal Church.  You can also find news about St. John's at www.saint-johns.org.

We welcome your feedback, photos, and news items. Contact Maria Love at 619-422-4141 or maria@saint-johns.org.

Please submit your announcements by Tuesday of each week for inclusion in the Enews.

AROUND THE DIOCESE
EDSD Statement of Commitment
 
As part of the Jesus Movement and the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego, we pledge to love our neighbors and protect the most vulnerable among us, remembering our baptismal vows to "strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being." We live these pledges out by actively engaging in dismantling racism. For many of us, this will mean learning more about our racial identity, listening to those who have experienced racial prejudice, speaking out against racism, and showing up alongside those in our community working to change unjust systems in our society. We also live out this pledge at worship during this pandemic, by wearing face-coverings, respecting distancing guidelines, foregoing the common cup and refraining from congregational singing.
 
Episcopal Relief and Development
What Would Love Do: 1000 Days of Love

Love calls us to care for our neighbors and for our enemies. Love calls us to attend to those in prison, to those who are homeless, to those in poverty, to children, immigrants and refugees.

What would love do? To you, who so generously support the transformative work of Episcopal Relief & Development, love calls you to continue to sow seeds of lasting change

Visit Episcopal Relief and Development: One Thousand Days of Love to see how you can help.

 
Reporting Misconduct
 
As part of our ongoing commitment to creating a safe haven for everyone, our diocese trains people in the prevention of misconduct and encourages all to report misconduct. All reported incidences are taken seriously and investigated thoroughly and confidentially. If you believe you have experienced misconduct of any kind, please contact Mr. John Seitman, (jseitman@pacbell.net), 858-793-4555 or Ms. Equilla Luke, (aequilla@icloud.com), 760-583-0485.

Safeguarding God's People
 
In this issue
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Contact Information
phone: 619/422-4141
pastoral care: 619/301-0724
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