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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.
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Reflection on Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43
Jesus was teaching the people in the form of a parable.
He told his listeners the Parable of the Wheat and the Weeds.
This is a very familiar parable to us.
The parable begins with the words: "The kingdom of heaven may be likened to a man who sowed 'good seed' in his field." However, when everyone was asleep, an enemy came and sowed weeds in the wheat field.
As the crop began to grow, the weeds also grew. The servants of the Master went to him and asked: "Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? The field is filled with weeds!" When the Master then realized what had happened, he told the slaves: "An enemy has done this." The slaves asked if they should uproot the weeds. The Master told them to let the crops grow together. Then, when it was time to harvest the crop He would instruct the harvesters to gather all the weeds and burn them. When this was done, then they could safely gather the wheat.
Ponder the personal story that Jesus is telling you in this Gospel story. He has a specific message for you today. It may be about your weeds. However, it also may be a loving and tender message.
What are the "weeds" in your life?
What is damage or difficulty that your "weeds" cause in your life?
Do you strive to uproot your "weeds" before they take root? Naturally it is easier to pull up weeds when they first begin to grow. At this point, the roots are tender and they do not yet have deep roots.
Yet, if we do not pull out our "weeds," they will grow and flourish and establish deep roots. Over time, the weeds likely will spread into the good soil and kill the healthy plants.
Most likely, we will never uproot all the weeds in our lives. However, if we nurture the good seeds that we have sown, we will produce an abundant harvest.
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Scripture Readings For the Week
Readings for Sunday, July 19, 2020
Psalm 86:11-17
Romans 8:12-25
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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!
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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 ([email protected]) 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:
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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,
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, Rob, Bill, Barbara,
Dean, Fr. Jack and Sarah, Jan, Sarah, Fr. Al Stott, Rob,
and for all first responders, medical professionals,
essential workers and their families.
For Churches in Transition in our Diocese
Christ Church, Coronado
St. Paul, Palm Springs
All Saints', Vista
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Stewardship
Stewardship is about the offering of our time, talent and treasure.
Thank 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 (
[email protected]) or phone call to the office on Thursdays for assistance.
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From the Prayer Journal of Fr. Jack Tolley
"Nothing compares to hanging out with Jesus."
That's
what Marlene Legaspi-Munar writes in "Mornings
with Jesus" on July 6, 2020. Nothing compares with it.
I thought you would enjoy her reflection as much as I
did. Blessings, love, and hugs from a safe distance, Fr. Jack.
Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door,
I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.
Revelation 3:20
"When I thought about it more, I realized that people have
always struggled with feeling left out - long before social
media ever existed or the term FOMO, Fear of Missing Out,
was created.
The Bible says it's not wise to compare ourselves to others
(Galatians 6:4), but we do it anyway. We feel envious and want
what others have, forgetting that God has created blessings just
for us. We worry about missing out on important social activities.
We make wrong choices while others seem to succeed. But as I
make time for Jesus and become more intimate with my Perfect
Friend - He assures me I am not missing out. The more time I
spend with Jesus, the more my heart knows there's no worldly
thing that could
ever compete with Him.
He reminds me not to worry
(Matthew 6:34),
to be grateful for what I have (Philippians 4:12-13),
and to trust His plans for me (Jeremiah 29:11).
Spending time
with Jesus is one thing I wouldn't miss for the world
- nothing
compares to hanging out with Him."
"Kind words can be short and easy to speak,
but their echoes are truly endless."
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Scam Alert
St. John's parishioners have recently been targeted with scam emails pretending to be Rev. Roger and asking for a favor. Rev. Roger and the office staff would never communicate to our parishioners in this way. If you receive any email that is not from a "saint-johns.org" email address, please do not respond to it. Delete it immediately.
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Food Assistance
Three great resources for those who need food assistance:
St. Marks in City Heights
has a food pantry that is available to anyone who may need a little extra food to make it through the month. Along with shelf-stable foods, they typically also offer fresh vegetables & fruits.
Open every Wednesday and Thursday from 12-2 PM.
JFSSD, Jewish Family Services of San Diego distributes/delivers hot or frozen meals to seniors in need, in SD county.
South Bay Community Services... free, drive-thru food distribution They provide produce and some good nutritious staples to anyone in need (Adults). They have other locations on other days, too.
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Opportunities for Service
Donate Snacks to Uptown Safe Haven
- The ECS Uptown Safe Haven clients love snacks and treats as they shelter in place together. You can send treats via Amazon or drop them by the house and leave them on the doorstep.
Address for mailing or dropping off snacks:
Uptown Safe Haven, Attn: Christina Zeman/UTSH Staff
2822 5th
Ave.
San Diego, CA 92103.
Volunteer with Head Start Food Distribution Program -
ECS Head Start preschool programs are closed, but we are distributing food to families Tuesday through Friday, 9:15am to 12:30pm, each week and are looking for volunteers to help! This is taking place outside in South Bay, families drive by to get bags of food, and safety precautions are in place. Volunteer roles include helping with set up, break down, directing traffic, and handing bags to families through car windows.
For more info about any of these ECS activities, please contact Deann Rios at 619-694-9892 or [email protected].
* Pill Bottle and Monthly SBCS grocery list collections are currently suspended at St. John's.
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Current office hours are 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, Wednesday and Thursday.
If you need assistance, please email Maria Love:
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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.
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Year of Discipleship
In the Diocese of San Diego, Bishop Susan Brown Snook has called us to spend the year 2020 focusing on discipleship: How we grow in faith as followers of Jesus Christ. Discipleship grows as we adopt spiritual practices for daily living. Our diocese offers these resources to help you develop spiritual practices as individuals, families, small groups, and full congregations.
The Episcopal Diocese of San Diego invites you to
Learn
as part of
The Year of Discipleship 2020. By reading and reflecting on Scripture, especially the life and teachings of Jesus, we draw near to God and God's word dwells in us. When we open our minds and hearts to Scripture, we learn to see God's story and God's activity in everyday life.
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Free Entertainment
Here is a list of some things to do while you are quarantined at home:
Streaming of operas from the Metropolitan Opera, which are occurring daily. Go to https://www.metopera.org/ to enjoy the daily streaming available.
The Seattle Symphony is also offering live streaming at this site: https://seattlesymphony.org/
Museums worldwide are offering their exhibits online: https://artsandculture.google.com/partner?hl=en&tab=pop
One of the pianists who frequently visits our communities has made a free video performance, which you can enjoy by following this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MI_FTFZNGm8
A free class to take at YALE University: https://www.businessinsider.com/coursera-yale-science-of-wellbeing-free-course-review-overview
More Museums offering free virtual tours: https://www.housebeautiful.com/lifestyle/g31815495/museums-you-can-virtually-tour-right-now/
Free coloring books for adults from 113 museums: http://www.openculture.com/2019/02/download-free-coloring-books-from-113-museums.html
An article with links to a variety of things that are now free: https://www.npr.org/2020/03/20/818670715/getting-bored-heres-a-list-of-free-things-that-werent-free-before-coronavirus
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The Vestry
David Dennehy,
Senior Warden
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 May 27th Vestry meeting can be found here:
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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.
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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
[email protected]
.
Please submit your announcements by Tuesday of each week for inclusion in the Enews and Sunday bulletin.
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Emergency Contact Information
If you had a medical emergency at church on Sunday morning, would the Wardens or church
staff know who to contact? If you would like to add someone to St. John's emergency contact
list in case of such an emergency, please contact Maria, our parish secretary (619-422-4141 or
[email protected]). A sign-up sheet will also be available in the church lobby to collect this information. Please provide your name, the name of your emergency contact, their relationship to you, their phone number and/or their email address. This is one more way we can show how we love one another.
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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
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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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