Thursday, October 26, 2023

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.

A Prayer for Peace Among the Nations 

Grant, O God, that your holy and life-giving Spirit

may so move every human heart, that barriers which divide us may crumble, suspicions disappear, and hatreds cease; that our divisions being healed,

all people may live in justice and peace.

We pray now for peace among the nations,

and especially for the people of Ukraine, Israel and Palestine.

Guide us all into the way of justice and truth,

and establish among us that peace, which is the fruit of righteousness,

that all people may live and flourish in the world you have created.

All this we pray through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.  

Twenty-Second Sunday after Pentecost

Sunday, October 29, 2023

Collect for Twenty-Second Sunday after Pentecost

Almighty and everlasting God,

increase in us the gifts of faith, hope, and charity;

and, that we may obtain what you promise, make us love what you command; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns

with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Readings for Twenty-Second Sunday after Pentecost

Leviticus 19:1-2, 15-18

Psalm 1

1 Thessalonians 2:1-8

Matthew 22:34-46

Worship Booklet for Twenty-Second Sunday after Pentecost

Sunday Liturgy Schedule

9:00am with Organ/Choir and Sunday School

Coffee and Fellowship to follow

11:00am with Contemporary Music

All are welcome to attend!

Altar Flowers for 2023

The altar flowers for Sunday, October 29, 2023 are given by Tom Brzeczek

in celebration of his sister Susan's birthday and 15th wedding anniversary,

and his brother Tim's birthday.

Our 2023 Altar Flower sign-up is available in the Narthex. If you are not able to sign up in person, please contact the office to see if your desired date is available. If you donate online, please contact Maria with your dedication: maria@saint-johns.org

Suggested donation is $40.00.

Transportation to Church

Do you need a ride to church on Sundays?

Would you be willing to pick up a parishioner who lives in your proximity?

If "Yes" to either question, please contact the parish office at 619-422-4141 or

info@saint-johns.org.

Last Sunday, we kicked-off our 2024 Stewardship Pledge Campaign. We are intertwined by faith and Rooted in the Abundance of God’s blessings.

2024 Stewardship Pledge Campaign

2024 Budgeted (preliminary) Expenses   $352,478

2024 Budgeted Net Income from ECS  - $177,736

2024 Stewardship Pledge Income Goal:   $174,742

Stewardship Reflections:

Each week, we will have the opportunity to hear from parishioners during our Sunday liturgy and written in our E-Newsletter about the ways we can be generous by being Rooted in the Abundance of the blessings and grace of God.

Stewardship Pledge Campaign Receptions:

During the Stewardship Campaign this year, you will have the opportunity to attend Stewardship Receptions. These receptions are intended to be a time for us to gather, socialize, celebrate who we are, discuss the ministries and mission of the parish, and the needs of the church.

You will not be asked to complete a pledge card or give any money. This is a time for us to be together, talk about St. John’s and what the parish means to us.

You are welcome to attend any of the following Stewardship Receptions:

     Sunday, October 29th at 4:00pm

     at the home of Gregg and Elizabeth King

     554 Dawn Ct., Chula Vista, CA 91910

     Wednesday, November 8th at 1:00pm

     at the home of Lynn Young

     1122 Camino Prado, Chula Vista, CA 91913

     Sunday, November 19th at 10:00am (between services)

     hosted by Jeff Bates and Rev. Roger Haenke

     In Nale Hall at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 760 First Ave., Chula Vista 91910

Please RSVP to the office (619-422-4141 or maria@saint-johns.org) and indicate which reception you plan to attend.

Click here for Stewardship Pledge Card

You may also pick up a pledge card in the Narthex or call Maria in the office (619-422-4141) to have a pledge card mailed to you.

Stewardship Update

Stewardship Reflection

I am reflecting back on when my husband and I decided to retire in Las Vegas and leave our beautiful San Diego. It was March 26, 2020; the day Covid shut all our cities down. We had to make several changes on the move due to the shutdown. We were giving many things away to the Goodwill; however, God had other plans for us. Goodwill was shut down so we ended up having to get a larger truck as we had to take everything to Vegas with us. Ugh.

Our movers were very pleasant and helped us so much with what to do what to do.

Our drive was definitely not as we expected. Nothing was open except gas stations and drive thru eating places. No RESTROOMS When we arrived the hotel we were booked at was shut down Sooooo we ended up sleeping in our brand new condo… No beds… although we did have a blow-up mattress. Praise the Lord! The movers arrived the next morning. 

Seeing Las Vegas empty was scary… I prayed it would all be over soon. 

Now almost 4 years later, I am reflecting on what I lost… my Church, my Friends, my daughter and my Grandchildren and my Great Grandchildren. It was very hard to leave these precious things in my life. We are not that far from our precious things really, but it was a long and hard adjustment. Covid had left my husband and I completely alone; along with everyone in the World. 

God prevailed as I was able to live stream all the church services and stay with St. John’s. After 4 years, I am still with St. John’s and feel so blessed. I have looked for an Episcopal Church here in Vegas; to no avail. I think it’s me though as St. John’s is my Church and it’s hard to replace perfection. I have gotten so much of the good in my life from St. John’s; even with many ups and downs; the Fire being the worst. However, God prevailed. 

I decided at that point to read the Bible front and back. I used the NIV Study Bible my Mother gave me in 1989. Even though I was a Sunday School Teacher, Director of the Sunday School, and Junior Warden, I had never read the Bible front to back. God had sent me to where I needed to be. 

I found my peace.

My Daily Mantra (or whenever I need to calm myself down) is:

FAITH HOPE PEACE LOVE COMPASSION & FORGIVENESS

This mantra has helped me to be at peace no matter what happens as I know God is always with me.

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want...

Thank you to all the people of St. John’s *especially Alice, Cliff, and Iris, (and first and foremost, Reverend Roger).

Janie Burchartz

Thank You for Your Support of the Pumpkin Drive

Dear Partners in Ministry, 

We wanted to take a moment to express our deepest gratitude for your recent donation to our ECS Head Start Pumpkin Drive. Your generous contribution has had a tremendous impact, and we are thrilled to share the results of our collective efforts with you.

Thanks to your kindness, we were able to distribute over 200 pumpkins to families facing financial hardships. Your support has not only brought smiles to the faces of children but has also ensured that their Halloween season is memorable and full of joy.

-Angel Ibarra 

Associate Director, Strategic Partnerships & Government Affairs

Items Needed for Blessings in a Bag

Supplies are needed for those who go without food or shelter. Please Click Here for all the items needed.

Outreach Collections

We will continue our ongoing collections for:

• New Blankets - Domestic Violence Shelters (Denise Czer and Linda Dennehy)
• Eyeglasses
• Greeting Cards - ECS HeadStart (Judy McKay)
• Clean, Gently Used Blankets - Dreams for Change
• Emergency Food Pantry - South Bay Community Services (Maria and Joe Love)
• Blessings in a Bag - For our neighbors who live in need. Click here for a list of items you can donate to fill the bags.
• Gently Used Clothing - Men's, women's and children's 

Items may be brought to Nale Hall on Sundays when we gather for worship.

You may also bring your items to the church during our weekday office hours,

Monday through Thursday from 9am to 3pm.

If you are not able to bring them, please contact the parish office, and we will pick up the items from your home.

St. John's Outreach Committee meets monthly to discuss our parish Outreach activities.

Please click on the following link for more information on our Outreach collection activities:

Outreach Ministries of St. John's

Prayers and Squares: The Prayer Quilt Ministry

St. John's is a member of a national organization called "Prayers and Squares: The Prayer Quilt Ministry".

Prayers and Squares will meet on the 2nd Tuesday of each month in Nale Hall from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. to sew. Participants will be shown how to make simple quilts for our Prayer Quilt Ministry. If you don't sew but would like to be a part of this ministry, there are many other quilt-making steps you can help with.

Please bring your own sewing machine and brown bag lunch. If you have any questions, please contact Debbie Lothspeich.

If you would like to request a Prayer Quilt for anyone in need of prayer and support, please contact Diane Gustafson (diangus15@aol.com) or Maria (maria@saint-johns.org).

This important ministry brings comfort and healing to many people who are suffering with illness.

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 ( revroger@saint-johns.org)

to be included in the Zoom meeting.

The Morning Prayer guide can be found here:

Morning Prayer, November 1st

Parish Prayer Lists

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, Devon Strunk,

Matt Hernandez, Daniel Getreu, Taylor Harrold, Jorge Zuazua, Sebastian Morales, Roberto Chavez, Ryan Lothspeich, Andrew C. Dugger, Dan and Chelsey Nyaradi, Gen. G.J. Heinrich and Pedro Bonilla.

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 and Shirley McCarren, Ann Lindshield, the McClure family, 

Josey Felts, Barbara Oliveira, Linda Longoria-Neff, Celia Vasquez, Ann and Bill Rogers, 

Alec Hauer, Karen Polk, Penny and Bob Milam, Nancy Stewart, Bill Gustafson,

and Vanessa Peeke.

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 Chaplains of the Armed Forces and members of Religious Orders, especially the Society of St. Paul.

In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, we pray for the Anglican Church of Melanesia.

In the Military Cycle of Prayer, we pray for the personnel and Sailors serving at Naval Air Facility, El Centro.

Celebration of Life for Bernie Duignan

The Celebration of Life for Bernie Duignan will be on

Saturday, November 4th at 11:00am

at St. John's Episcopal Church, 760 First Ave. Chula Vista, CA 91910

The Duignan family has requested that memorial donations be made in Bernie's honor to St. John's Episcopal Church. Memorials given by check, write "Bernie Duignan" in the memo line, or you may give electronically through the "Give Now" button on the St. John's website.

Notes of care and sympathy may be sent to:

Karen Duignan

5359 Robinwood Rd.

Bonita CA 91902

Funeral Service for Priscilla Morris Szymanski (Alice)

Services for Priscilla Morris Szymanski (Alice) will be on

Monday, November 6th

at Glen Abbey Memorial Park, 3838 Bonita Road, Bonita, CA 91902

Visitation - 9:30 to 11:30am

Funeral service - 11:30am to 12:30pm

Committal service - 12:30 to 1:00pm

Reception - 1:00 to 3:00pm

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy for the Morris family may be shared at www.glenabbeysandiego.net.

Notes of care and sympathy may be sent to:

Michael & Marcia Morris

461 Emerson St.

Chula Vista CA 91911 

Into your hands, O merciful Savior, we commend you servants,

Bernie and Priscilla.

Acknowledge, we humbly beseech you, sheep of your own fold,

lambs of your own flock, sinners of your own redeeming.

Receive them into the arms of your mercy,

into the blessed rest of everlasting peace,

and into the glorious company of the saints in light. Amen.

Rest eternal grant to them, O Lord;

And let light perpetual shine upon them.

May their soul and the souls of all the departed,

through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

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, Quinceañera, Marriage, Renewal of Vows or Anointing of the Sick.

At St. John's, no matter who you are or where you are on your spiritual journey - you are welcome here.

Upcoming Events at St. John's

• October 29th: Stewardship Reception, 4:00pm at the home of Gregg and Elizabeth King
• November 2nd: La Misa in English Celebrating Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) at 6:00pm in Nale Hall
• November 4th: Celebration of Life for Bernie Duignan, 11:00am at St. John's
• November 5th: All Saints' Sunday

Parish Office Hours and Contacts

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) or email info@saint-johns.org.

Rev. Roger will be in the office on Monday and Tuesday afternoons, and all day on Wednesday and Thursday. He is available by appointment. Please call the office to schedule an appointment.

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

619-301-0724.

Filipino American History Month

By: Maria Simpson, ECS Staff

Alongside several autumn traditions and festivities, Filipino American History Month also falls in October. This history month commemorates the first arrival of Filipinos on American soil and presents an opportune time to delve into the rich legacy and contributions of Filipino Americans over the years.

Joan Borgonia, ECS’ education and behavioral health manager, embodies the spirit of this celebration. Borgonia’s roots trace back to the Philippines, as her parents migrated to the U.S., bringing a legacy of community service and generosity with them. Her mother, a devoted school teacher, nurtured the minds of children in impoverished areas in the Philippines. Her father dedicated himself to co-founding a non-profit that fostered connections among Filipino Americans while extending financial support to struggling families back in the Philippines. Read More

Diocesan Convention

This year holds special significance as we are celebrating 50 years as a diocese. We've journeyed together through half a century, carrying forward our faith and mission. Join us for EDSD’s 50th Annual Convention (November 10-11) and reflect on the challenges overcome and victories achieved. Read More

Volunteers Needed for Convention



Volunteers are needed for Diocesan Convention. If you feel called to serve and are interested in one or more of the volunteer opportunities, click here to register. 

Faith to Go Podcast

Charlette and David share the blessings and struggles of parenting young children and the importance of making time to admit that it's hard.

Listen Here

EDSD Support for Migrants

EDSD’s Migration Ministry office continues to work with migrants along our southern border, providing immediate aid and relief. Thank you for your support! For an updated list of donation needs, volunteer opportunities, and a list of our partners, please visit EDSD.org/migration-ministry. Have questions? Contact Migration Missioner Robert Vivar at rvivar@edsd.org.

Sacred Ground

A new Sacred Ground circle sponsored by EDSD’s Racial Justice and Reconciliation Task Force starts on Wednesday November 8, 3-5 pm.

Click here to register.

Preparing for Advent



This Advent and Christmas, The Episcopal Church is offering a number of resources to help you and your congregation share signs of God’s love through the coming of Jesus Christ—the “good news of great joy that will be for all the people” (Luke 2:10). Read More

Support Episcopal Relief and Development



Your gift to the Middle East Fund will support the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem and Al-Ahli Arab Hospital as they offer critical health services to those impacted by the current crisis in Gaza. Through your generosity, ERD is able to provide medicine and other supplies to help tend to the physical and psychosocial wounds of the current conflict.

Visit episcopalrelief.org today to make a contribution

760 First Ave  Chula Vista, CA  91910

(619) 422-4141 |  info@saint-johns.org | www.saint-johns.org

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