Thursday, August 26, 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 Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost
August 29, 2021 

Please join us for our celebration of Holy Eucharist at 9:00 am in the church. 
  • Following the directive of our bishop, we will continue to wear masks during our Sunday liturgies.
  • There is a section in the chapel where those who want to be social distanced can safely do so and still be part of the service. 
Come, pray, sing, receive Holy Communion, 
and join us for fellowship following our liturgy. 


Collect for the Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Lord of all power and might,
the author and giver of all good things:
Graft in our hearts the love of your Name; increase in us true religion;
nourish us with all goodness; and bring forth in us
the fruit of good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God for ever and ever.  
Amen.


Readings for Sunday

Song of Solomon 2:8-13
Psalm 45:1-2, 7-10
James 1:17-27
Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

Worship Booklet for the Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost

If you are not able to attend, please join our livestream service:
Facebook Link for Services: Saint John's Episcopal Church

Reflection on Mark 7: 1-8, 14-15, 21-23
 
The Pharisees continue to scrutinize Jesus' preaching and 
his behavior. Today they observe that some of Jesus' disciples did not observe the purification ritual that was required before eating any meal. For the Pharisees, this gave them the perfect opportunity to once again criticize Jesus. For the Pharisees, the law always reigned supreme.
 
They came to Jesus and asked him: "Why don't you and your followers observe the proper purification rites? They are eating their meal with unclean hands." Jesus responds to them by quoting the prophet Isaiah: "This people honors me with their lips but their hearts are far from me. In vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrine what are human traditions and precepts." Then Jesus bluntly tells them: "You disregard God's commandments and cling to human tradition."
 
Jesus then proclaims to the crowd: "Listen to me and hear me! Nothing that enters a person from outside can defile that person! It is what comes from within that defiles the individual." Jesus then names fifteen emotions and acts that defile individuals.
 
Today may be a good day for us to ask ourselves: At times, do we judge or critique others because they are not following the law, be that the law of God or the law of the land? I assume we do. Many of our judgments are automatic. They may be leftovers from what we were taught as a child. Judgments simply are part of our human condition. And often we may not be fully aware that we are judging another person for breaking one of the laws or rules we consider to be important. Most all of us do not like it when another person judges us. Yet at times, we automatically judge others when we may not have the complete picture. It is not our place to judge others. This is God's work to do.
 
If/when you find yourself beginning to judge another today, stop, breathe, and pray. Then go on about your day. You may find your day is lighter and brighter without so much judgment!

Altar Flowers

The Altar Flowers are given by Janie Burchartz in honor of her husband Hugo's birthday, by Cliff Berkowitz in memory of his mother, Vivian Berkowitz, and by Dr. Paul Erickson in memory of Norma Poling.

Our Altar Flower donations chart for 2021 is available in the narthex.  If you would like to donate altar flowers in memory of a loved one or in honor of a special occasion please sign up on the chart, or contact Maria at 619-422-4141 or [email protected].  If you donate through our website, please contact the office with your dedication request.

The suggested donation for altar flowers is $40.00.

The following date is available:

October 10

FELLOWSHIP
In Remembrance
The Rev. Jack Tolley Memorial Library

August 16th marked the one year anniversary of Rev. Jack 
Tolley's death, and on August 29th, the anniversary of his Celebration of Life.  

On Sunday, August 29th, we will remember and honor Fr. Jack's life and ministry.  Following the Recessional Hymn, we will process into the courtyard and across to the Grave's Pavilion for the dedication of The Rev. Jack Tolley Memorial Library.

Following the dedication and dismissal, a reception will be hosted by Sarah in Nale Hall to celebrate and remember Fr. Jack.

Please Note:  The Rev. Jack Tolley Memorial Library is a "lending library".  You are welcome to stop by, relax, and read or take a book home with you.  If you have any books of fiction or non-fiction that you would like to contribute to the library, please bring them by the parish office.

Hospitality
 
Please join us for hospitality after the Sunday morning worship service. 
If you would like to host a Sunday, you may sign up on the poster in Nale Hall or by calling or emailing Maria at 619-422-4141 or [email protected]

Refreshments should be individually portioned or wrapped, or served by a server who is the only one touching the serving implements.

Current Available Dates:

September 5
September 26

St. John's Rose Garden
 
John Farle, our landscaper, is currently refurbishing our rose 
garden between Nale Hall and the school.  He has space for about 8 more roses.  If you would like to donate a rose to the rose garden, please purchase a rose plant and bring it to the church.
 
Centennial Celebration
 
2022 will be our Centennial Year!
Our Centennial Liturgy will be on September 18, 2022.
 
In 1922, we were founded as a mission of St. James Episcopal Church and two years later chose the name
St. John's.
 
We need to start planning for our celebration!
In planning our celebration, we will need your help on the following committees:
  • Communications and Publicity
  • Gala and Fundraiser
  • Liturgy
  • History and Archives 
Lynn Young, Diane Gustafson and John Will have been sorting through many documents and photos on the history of St. John's.  If you know some of our history please let them know.
 
Would you be interested in helping with any of these committees?
Do you have ideas of how we can celebrate this important milestone?
Please contact Maria Love in the parish office by calling 1-619-422-4141 or emailing [email protected]

OUTREACH & EVANGELIZATION 
St. John's Represented at Pride Festival
 
St. John's was represented at the South Bay Pride Arts and Music Festival last Saturday.  Many thanks to Jeff, Scott, Heather, David, Tom, Cliff and Rev. Roger for their help at the booth.
Attendees were invited to come to St. John's and were given magnets, key chains, water bottles, pens and information about St. John's and ECS Head Start.  Many people stopped by the booth and were told that at St. John's:
We Welcome | We Pray | We Love.



 










ECS Head Start Program at St. John's
 
ECS Head Start provides high quality early childhood and family education programs at no cost to eligible families and their children, ages 0-5.

We welcome:
  • Low Income Families
  • Children With Special Needs
  • Foster/Kinship Families
  • Families Experiencing Homelessness
  • SSI or TANF Recipients
In-Person Services
In-person preschool services provided in daily sanitized classroom environments located throughout the South Bay San Diego area.

Distance Learning Option
Tablet provided for live instruction with our preschool teachers via Zoom, Face Time, or video call.

Meals Provided
Healthy balanced meals and snacks that promote wellness and development provided for your child.
 
APPLY NOW FOR THE FALL (invite your family and friends)
ECS Head Start
(619) 422-1642
Lic #: 376600897
 
Outreach Collections

St. John's Outreach Committee meets monthly to discuss our parish Outreach activities.
We will continue our ongoing collections for:
  • Blankets - Coordinated by Denise Czer and Sarah Tolley                               There is a great need for blankets
  • Pill Bottles - Coordinated by Sally Elliott   
         
    A financial donation for postage would be appreciated 
  • Eyeglasses - Coordinated by Norma Dunn
  • Greeting Cards - Coordinated by Norma Dunn
  • Emergency Food Pantry - Coordinated by Maria and Joe Love
Items may be brought to Nale Hall on Sundays when we gather for worship.  You may also bring your items to church during our weekday office hours, Monday through Thursday from 9am to 3pm.  Ring the doorbell, and you will be buzzed in to leave your items outside Nale Hall.
If you do not feel comfortable driving, please contact the parish office, and we will find a volunteer to pick up the items from your home.

Please click on the following link or visit the St. John's website (www.saint-johns.org) for more information on our Outreach Ministries:

 
MINISTRY OF PRAYER
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. Roger ( [email protected])
to be included in the Zoom meeting.

The Morning Prayer guide can be found here:
 
Daughters of the King Prayers
 
If you have a special prayer request for Daughters of the King, you are invited to fill out a prayer card, found in the narthex.  Drop your prayer request in the church-shaped box or in the offering plate.  These requests are confidential and are separate from our printed parish prayer lists.  


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 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, Jocelyn Hernandez, Devon Strunk, Taylor Harrold, Jorge Zuazua, Katherine Milam, Sebastian Morales, Richie Lebron, Roberto Johnson and the crew of USS Essex.

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 & Shirley McCarren, Ann Lindshield, Chase Dunn, Cookie Tichonchuk, Bernie and Pam Poindexter, Lyne C., Kim B., the Mount family, Arnold Andreasen, Julie Brzeczek, John Messmore Scott Hunter, Rodney Munoz and Oliva Escobar.


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. David's in San Diego.

In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, we pray for the Province of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan.

In the Military Cycle of Prayer, we pray for the crew of the USS Nimitz (CVN- 68).

A Prayer for the People of Afghanistan 

Eternal God, hear our prayer for the peoples of Afghanistan. There is a profound humanitarian crisis. Countless people, mostly women and children, are now fleeing and vulnerable. The lives of many are now endangered. The hopes of many are forgone. Send your Spirit, Lord, to rally the resolve of the nations of the earth to find pathways to save human lives, protect human rights, and to resolve the hardships of those seeking refuge, asylum, and safety. Hear our prayer for the peoples of Afghanistan. This we pray as followers of Jesus, the Prince of Peace. Amen.

The Most Rev. Michael Bruce Curry
Presiding Bishop and Primate
The Episcopal Church

Prayer Quilts
 
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 ([email protected])
or through the office ([email protected]). 

PASTORAL CARE
We Are Here For You!
 
As the pandemic continues and we carefully gather in person at St. John's, we would like to remind you that we are here for you!  
  
If you, a family member, neighbor or a friend are interested in celebrating a significant event in your spiritual life, please know that you are welcome.
 
We would be honored to be a part of your Baptism, Holy Communion, Marriage, Renewal of Vows, QuinceaƱera, Anointing of the sick or Eucharistic visit.  
 
At St. John's, no matter who you are or where you are on your spiritual journey - you are welcome here

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 [email protected]

STEWARDSHIP AND ADMINISTRATION
The Vestry

David Dennehy, Senior Warden
619-840-9994 
Lynn Young, Junior Warden
208-695-7735
Bill Cheney, Treasurer
Terry Farrelly, Assistant Treasurer
Diane Gustafson, Clerk
Pamela Brittain
Tom Brzeczek
Ray Contreras
Jane Ferguson
Alejandra Valdez-Beer

Upcoming Events at St. John's

Remembrance of Rev. Jack Tolley
and Memorial Library Dedication

 9:00 am

Sunday, August 29

Labor Day Holiday
Office Closed



Monday, September 6


Parish Office Hours and Contacts

As our staff are now fully vaccinated, we are permitted to open our parish office.

Masking and social distance should be maintained when visitors are present.

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).

Rev. Roger's Office Hours
 
Rev. Roger will be working half-days in the office on Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Sunday; and all day Wednesday and Thursday.  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.

Beware of Scam Emails & Phishing Attempts
 
If you receive a suspicious email from an address that seems to be Rev. Roger or another parishioner asking for a favor, it may be a phishing attempt. Scam emails mimic addresses we are familiar with and are very often full of grammatical errors.

Rev. Roger will never email you asking for funds or financial support by way of gift cards. If you receive an email that seems suspicious, do not open it or respond to it.  Delete it immediately. 
 
Phishing is a cyber attack that uses disguised email as a weapon. The goal is to trick the email recipient into believing that the message is something they want or need - a request from their bank, for instance, or a note from someone in their company - and to click a link or download an attachment.
 

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 [email protected].

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

AROUND THE DIOCESE
Refugee Housing Needed
 
If you or someone you know has housing connections 
in the wider San Diego area and could advise a local Lutheran church that is providing housing to several refugee families, please contact:  
or call 619-464-4211. 

Good News Festival

On December 3 - 4, 2021, the Episcopal Diocese of 
San Diego will welcome Presiding Bishop Michael Curry to Southern California for a celebration of good news. With interactive outreach projects, workshops, live discussion panels, youth offerings, and an evening of celebration at the beautiful Town and Country Resort, this is the perfect time to get away and enjoy some good news.

Who's your "One?" Inviting friends, family, and neighbors to the Good News Festival is an important part of making this event a true celebration of good news. Join us in committing to invite your "One," one person you know who needs to hear the good news of Jesus. You can find materials to help invite "your one" to the Good News Festival on the website. The flyers are available for download, but printed materials will also be provided to churches for broad distribution.

Join us in prayer for the Good News Festival. 
Loving God, Author of life, in You we live and move and have our being. We ask that you revive us again in your mighty Spirit as we prepare our hearts for The Good News Festival. Inspire us to reach out to those who do not know you, and welcome them with open arms, without judgement, so that all may embrace your Good News, answer your call, and dance together with joy. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen

The Town and Country Resort in San Diego is the venue for the Good News Festival.  The resort recently completed a multimillion-dollar transformation,  making it the perfect place to celebrate some good news. Discounted room rates are available when you book through www.thegoodnewsfestival.com.
 
Resources for Emotional Support

The coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak is changing life for all of us. You may feel anxious, stressed, worried, sad, bored, depressed, lonely or frustrated in these circumstances.

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, ([email protected]), 858-793-4555 or Ms. Equilla Luke, ([email protected]), 760-583-0485.

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

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