Thursday, August 6, 2020

 

A Prayer for the Power of the Spirit 
among the People of God

God of all power and love, we give thanks for your unfailing presence
and the hope you provide in times of uncertainty and loss. Send your Holy Spirit to enkindle in us your holy fire. Revive us to live as Christ's body in the world: a people who pray, worship, learn, break bread, share life, heal neighbors, bear good news, seek justice, rest and grow in the Spirit. Wherever and however we gather, unite us in common prayer and send us in common mission, that we and the whole creation might be restored and renewed, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen. 

Pastoral Update on Fr. Jack
 
It is with much love and concern that I update you on Fr. Jack's health condition.  As many of you know, Fr. Jack has been hospitalized with complications of breathing resulting from fluid around his heart.

Fr. Jack was transferred to Sharp Memorial where he continues to be in critical care.  They have been evaluating his heart and strength in order to perform a necessary heart procedure.  He is very weak, however, is breathing on his own.  The doctors have him on several heart medications to reduce the fluid and increase his strength.

Please continue to keep Jack and Sarah in your prayers.  May they know God's healing strength and confidence in His abiding care and love.

Heavenly Father, giver of life and health:
Comfort and relieve your sick servant Jack,
and give your power of healing to those who minister to his needs,
that he may be strengthened in his weakness
 and have confidence in your loving care;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Reflection on Matthew 14:22-33
 
This Sunday we hear the familiar Gospel story of 
the storm at sea. Jesus tells his disciples to get into the boat and precede him to the other side of the sea. He wanted to dismiss the crowds who had been healed and fed. The disciples got into the boat and Jesus went up the mountain to pray. He needed a quiet space to pray and grieve the loss of his cousin, John the Baptist.

While the disciples were crossing to the other shore, a fierce storm came up. The boat was being severely tossed around. The disciples began to worry. The storm was more violent than they had anticipated. In the midst of this fierce storm, Jesus came toward them, walking on the sea. Naturally, the disciples thought they were seeing a ghost. After all, no human being can walk on water. They were terrified!

At that point, Jesus said: "Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid!" Naturally, Peter is the first one to respond. He tells Jesus: "If it truly is you, command me to come to you on the water!" Jesus simply replied: "Come!" Peter stepped out of the boat and began to walk toward Jesus! However, the waves were rough and extremely high and Peter became frightened. And at that moment, he began to sink! He immediately cried out to Jesus: "Save me!" Jesus simply reached out and took Peter's hand and caught him. It seems that Jesus was disappointed in Peter's lack of faith. Jesus asked him: "Why did you doubt?"

The disciples all were amazed and awed at this event. When Jesus got into their boat they did him homage and said: "Truly, you are the Son of God!" Word of this amazing event spread to the surrounding country. Many people came to Jesus. They brought to him all who were sick. They begged him to allow them to simply touch the tassel on his cloak. They believed that if they barely touched Jesus' clothing, they would be healed. And every person who touched his clothing was healed of their infirmity.

What is the "storm" in your life that you hope Jesus will calm?

Allow your longing and desire to flow toward Jesus, and trust that Jesus knows of your desire for healing. 
Allow peace, love and healing to flow into you from Jesus. You may not feel anything or experience a miracle! You simply need to trust that Jesus is healing you. However, the healing may not manifest itself immediately.

True healing is a process and thus it typically takes time. There are miracles that happen instantly, however, they are rare. 
Can we trust that Jesus is healing us, even if we don't experience an immediate change? In your heart, hold Jesus' words: "Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid." 
Jesus will not fail us, however, we have to hold onto our belief and our trust in Jesus. 
May we have the grace to do so!
 
Scripture Readings For the Week

Readings for Sunday, August 9, 2020

1 Kings 19:9-18
Psalm 85:8-13
Romans 10:5-15
Matthew 14:22-33
 
Bulletin for Sunday, August 9
 
Facebook Link for Sunday Service: St. John's Facebook Page
St. John's website: saint-johns.org

Coffee Hour

This is a time to reconnect, socialize, see friends, 
and support one another during this time.
Following the Dismissal and Postlude, we will gather as family and friends of St. John's for a virtual time to be together - "Coffee Hour".  So bring your coffee, tea, juice and whatever pastry you want to eat and join us for our Zoom Coffee Hour.
 
You will be sent the Zoom link prior to Sunday.  Click on the link (or enter the identification number if you already have Zoom).  If you have never been on a Zoom session you may be asked to download a small program or application.

For security purpose, you will be put into a "waiting room", where the host (me) will let you in.

In Zoom, "Gallery View" view will allow you to see the most amount of people.

I look forward to seeing you on Sunday!

  
Wednesday Morning Prayer
 
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:
 
Prayer Quilt Ministry
 
The leaders of the Prayer Quilt Ministry would like to remind 
you that they remain available for anyone in need of a quilt. This important ministry brings comfort and healing to many people who are suffering with illness. Please contact Christy Gollihur directly or through the office. (Her cell is 619-227-8038.)
 
Thank You
 
A  warm Thank You to the Milams, the Johnsons, and Jan Jones for their generous response to the needs of the feeding program at St Mark's. Much needed food and bags will be delivered this week.
 
Prayers

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.

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

Prayer List
 
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 and Richie.

For Strength in Time of Need

Scott, Betty, Bill, Barbara, Dean, Jan,
Rob, Austin, George, Fr. Jack and Sarah,
and for all first responders, medical professionals, 
essential workers and their families.

For the repose of the souls of Rev. Al Stott and Rob McKay.

For Churches in Transition in our Diocese

Christ Church, Coronado
St. Paul, Palm Springs
All Saints', Vista

Stewardship
 
Stewardship is about the offering of our time, talent and treasureThank you to those who make the work and ministry of St. John's continue.

We have made it even more convenient to give online.  You can find a "Give Now" button on our St. John's website: www.saint-johns.org

There are 4 other ways to stay current on your pledge: 
1)  US mail
2)  the secured mail slot next to the parish office door on Wednesdays and Thursdays between 9:00am and 3:00pm
3)  Sally can add an automatic credit or debit payment by providing to her in writing the necessary information (bank name, account number, expiration date and amount to be withdrawn, 
4)  you can go to your bank (physically or on line) to set up an automatic payment to St. John's by bank check once a month.

If you need help with any of these options, please contact Sally via email (sally@saint-johns.org) or phone call to the office on Thursdays for assistance.

Cursillo Forward

The Forward is an informational newsletter for Cursillistas in the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego. 
  • It is published every other month and on special occasions. 
  • It contains useful information, dates and messages of encouragement as we live out our Fourth Day
You can find the August edition here.

Read past editions at sdcursillo.org


Current office hours are 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, Wednesday and Thursday.
If you need assistance, please email Maria Love: 


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.
 
The Vestry

David Dennehy, Senior Warden
619-840-9994 
masterfrog@att.net
Mark Higginbotham, Junior Warden
619-861-5510
Terry Farrelly, Treasurer
Diane Gustafson, Clerk
Pamela Brittain
Ray Contreras
Mark Higginbotham
Muriel Kulikowski
Jim McDevitt
Judy McKay
Lynn Young

Approved Minutes for the June 17th Vestry meeting can be found here:

Rev. Roger's Office Hours
 
Rev. Roger will be available, but working from home on Mondays and Tuesdays  and in the office all day on Wednesdays and Thursdays.  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.


To our Saint John's Family:
Here is your weekly newsletter highlighting 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 and Sunday bulletin.

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
 
May the Lord bless you and keep you.
May God's face shine upon you and be gracious unto you.
May God give you the grace never to sell yourself short;
Grace to risk something big for something good;
Grace to remember that the world is too dangerous for anything but truth 
And too small for anything but love.
So, may God take your minds and think through them;
May God take your lips and speak through them;
May God take your hearts and set them on fire.
-William Sloane Coffin

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Contact Information
phone: 619/422-4141
pastoral care: 619/301-0724
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