| |
|
An Easter Prayer
Almighty God, whom truly to know is everlasting life:
Grant us so perfectly to know your Son Jesus Christ to be the way,
the truth, and the life, that we may steadfastly follow his steps in the way that leads to eternal life; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever
.
Amen.
|
Spiritual Reflection
on John 14:1-6
Today Jesus tells his disciples (and all of us): 
"Do not
let your hearts be
troubled." Take a moment and check the condition of your heart.
Is your heart troubled in any way?
If so, what are you concerned or worried about? What are you holding in your mind and heart?
These days there is much to trouble our hearts.
Jesus tells us to have faith in God and also to have faith in Him. Do we truly have faith in God, Jesus and the Spirit? If so, how deep and real is our faith? Do we truly believe that Jesus is with us every moment of our day? Do we have a personal relationship with Jesus? Or do we turn to Jesus only when we are struggling and have a need?
Jesus longs for us to come to Him, to turn to Him. He longs to have a deeply personal relationship with us. Jesus loves us and desires to be in communion with us. Perhaps we need to ask ourselves: how great is my desire to be in communion with Jesus? Jesus longs to strengthen us and grace us but we have to have open minds and receptive hearts to Him and His presence.
Today, may we take any troubles, concerns or fears that we have to Jesus. Jesus will walk with us, strengthen us, heal us and gladden our hearts. Jesus truly is our "Way, Truth and Life." The question for us is: will we choose to walk daily with Him? He is waiting for us! Will we choose to walk daily to Him?
Revs. Roger, Cathey, Jack, Al
|
|
Mother's Day
"At times, our own light goes out and is rekindled 
by a spark from anothe
r person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us."
Albert Schweitzer
There are many expressions of motherhood; likewise there are many relationships surrounding 'motherhood' that can complicate a seemingly benign holiday. Mother's Day is typically about honoring and remember our mothers, but the day can bring up mixed emotions, anxieties, and a sense of isolation for those children and teens whose mother has died. For women who've had a child die, Mother's Day may hold painful associations.
We can, however, use the holiday to honor and remember all the relationships we have with the women in our lives who are important to us, both young and old, alive and dead. We can choose to reflect upon and/or celebrate mothers/step-mothers, grandmothers, aunts, sisters, wives/partners, girlfriends, friends, colleagues, mentors, daughters, nieces, and granddaughters.
It has been said that much of our sense of loving and being loved happens when we're not in the physical presence of our loved ones, but when we're apart. So whether or not the women in our lives are close or far away, we can still honor the love and gratitude within us.
Can you identify at least three women who have played or currently play a significant role in your life?
What three things do you most admire/respect/cherish?
What are you grateful for?
What means of expression could honor your experiences and convey your sentiments?
Blessing Prayer for Mother's Day
God of Love, listen to our prayer
God of Holy People, of Sarah, Ruth and Rebekah;
Elizabeth, mother of John; Mary, mother of Jesus
Bend down your ear to our request
And bless the mothers of our families.
Bless them with the strength of Your spirit,
she who taught her children how to stand and how to walk.
Bless them with the melody of Your love,
she who has taught her children how to speak,
how to sing
and how to pray to you.
Bless them with a place at Your eternal banquet table,
she who has fed and nurtured the life that was formed within her.
Bless them today,
now in this lifetime with good things, with health and with friends.
Bless them with joy, love, laughter
and pride in her children.
May she who carried life in her womb
be carried on that day to Your divine embrace;
there, for all eternity, to rejoice with family and friends.
This blessing and all graces, we pray,
descend upon all our mothers
In the name of the Father
and of the Son
and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
|
|
Parish Projects
The gutter and painting project that is being paid for by a diocesan grant. The gutters are currently being repaired and screened and painting will begin in the coming weeks.
The fountain restoration project was a donation given by the Rev. Michael Kaehr.
|
Reopening St. John's
Last week, Bishop Susan met with the clergy of the diocese and wrote a letter in the diocesan newsletter recommending the parishes form a task force for the reopening of the parish. The task force will look at the guidelines and practices set forth by the public health and ecclesial authorities that need to be in place when we receive the word that churches are allowed to reopen. The reopening of our parish will be a slow, phased process.
We will look at all areas of our parish life - liturgy, discipleship, evangelization, outreach, and spiritual formation. I am forming that task force with members of the vestry and other lay leaders of the parish. I intend to convene the group soon and begin our planning.
The reopening of the parish will be done with an act of love for our neighbor, respect for government and public health experts, and with an opportunity to be "church" in a new way. Please keep St. John's in your prayers as we begin this very important, careful work of reopening the parish.
|
Stewardship
Stewardship is about the offering of our time, talent and treasure, and this joyful Eastertide is a time for all of us to be as generous as we are able.
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 (
sally@saint-johns.org) or phone call to the office on Thursdays for assistance.
|
|
Scripture Readings For the Week
Readings for Sunday, May 10, 2020
Acts 7:55-60
Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16
|
Memorial Day
In anticipation of Memorial Day, please let us know of any family members who are deceased veterans.
St. John's will commemorate Memorial Day on
Sunday, May 24.
Blessed are those who gave their all, that we might be free.
|
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.
* Pill Bottle and Monthly SBCS grocery list collections are currently suspended at St. John's.
|
|
Prayers
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,
Lorena,
Minnie, Barbara, Paul,
and for all first responders, medical professionals,
essential workers and their families.
For the repose of the souls of June Farle and Greg Livingston.
May light perpetual shine on them.
For Churches in Transition in our Diocese
Christ Church, Coronado
St. Paul, Palm Springs
St. Margaret's, Palm Desert
All Saints', Vista
|
|
From the Prayer Journal of Fr. Jack Tolley
Friends. "To praise and thank God, no matter what happens."
The Kingdom of heaven more precious than any
material possession we have. Jesus tells us
that in Matthew 13:45-46:
"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls;
on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it."
Pearls were a Roman obsession in Jesus' time.
Romans used the Greek word 'margarita' for
'pearl.' It is the word used in Matthew's text.
Jesus makes it clear that the kingdom of God
is worth far more than any pearl or possession
we may have or desire. When we entrust our
lives to Jesus everything changes for us. We
become inheritors of a precious gift in our
lives now, and when we pass on, a glorious
pearl - the kingdom of God.
Blessings, love, and hugs from a safe distance,
Fr. Jack.
|
|
Current office hours are 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, Wednesday and Thursday.
If you need assistance, please email Maria Love:
|
|
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
in this holy season of Easter.
One Diocesan-Wide Experience
Bishop's Book Studies
Take part in this diocesan-wide book study led by Bishop Susan throughout the season of Easter. This will be an online offering, where each week Bishop Susan will post a reflection on a chapter and some discussion questions on the
DiscipleshipEDSD website, to which participants can respond interactively online. Alternately, participants may choose to use the reflection and discussion questions in small groups in their congregations, or for personal reflections at home. No need to sign up. Just buy the book and take part in the conversation throughout the season.
|
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
|
|
|
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 March 25th 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.
|
|
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
maria@saint-johns.org). 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.
|
|
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
|
|
| |
Contact Information
phone: 619/422-4141
pastoral care: 619/301-0724 |
|
|
|
|
|
