Thursday, January 27, 2022 |
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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.
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The Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany
Sunday, January 30, 2022
9:00 am
Please join us for our celebration of Holy Eucharist at 9:00 am in the church.
Come, pray, sing, receive Holy Communion,
and join us for fellowship following our liturgy.
This Sunday, we will commission members of the parish who have been licensed
by the diocese to serve as Lay Eucharistic Ministers
Collect for the Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany
Almighty and everlasting God,
you govern all things both in heaven and on earth:
Mercifully hear the supplications of your people, and in our time
grant us your peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God,
for ever and ever. Amen.
Readings for the Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany
Jeremiah 1:4-10
Psalm 71:1-6
1 Corinthians 13:1-13
Luke 4:21-30
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If you are not able to attend, please join our livestream services:
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Reflection on Luke 4:21-30
Some turned against Jesus, the one who spoke gracious words, or the one who spoke challenging words, and a mixture.
He was liked and not liked. There were people who were very religious and liked him, who were the backbone of Judaism, and others who went off him when he said what they didn’t like or agree with. He started with the Scripture – but then went on to point out bits of the scripture they didn’t like to hear – about foreigners. And later they would say – sure we knew him as a kid and his family; that meant they could write off what he said.
He was inviting them to the purity of their religion. Often happens when there are new challenges in the church. What is happening in the church where the world we live in challenges old customs and beliefs about marriage, civil partnerships, divorce, and also how to welcome people to church who don’t feel they belong. All are welcome here in the love of God. We don’t give up what is essential to our church but we are brought into rethinking and sometimes to change, sometimes to stay with what is an everlasting truth.
This happens in the church and in the family. We need to be able to live in love with different points of view and different ways of life. Child not baptized, marriage not in church, gay partnerships….the people are more important. Jesus is challenging them to see everyone as important, and especially the poor. He would always do this. And they would kill him for it, because he never put organized religion before people.
The words which are at first upsetting may prove to be gracious words as they were from the mouth of the Lord.
Donal Neary SJ
Fr. Donal Neary, SJ is editor of the Sacred Heart Messenger
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Altar Flowers for 2022
The Altar Flowers for January 30, 2022 are given by Jeff Bates
and Scott Bricknell in memory of Dinah Bates.
Our 2022 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.
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Sunday School
Sunday School is now available. Children ages 4 and up are welcome to come and learn about the Word of God with Heather Wallace.
Children must be masked in order to attend Sunday School. They will gather in the Sunday School Room before our service begins and return at the Sign of Peace.
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Child Care
Child Care is available during our Sunday Services. Ana, the daughter of Alex Valdez-Beer, will be staffing our child care room.
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The 73rd Annual Meeting of St. John's Episcopal Church
We had a wonderful and engaging meeting of the parish in Nale Hall and on Zoom.
Rev. Roger expressed appreciation to those retiring from the vestry: Pamela Brittain,
Ray Contreras, and Diane Gustafson. Also, David Dennehy was appreciated for his services as Senior Warden.
Awarded the new "Spirit of St. John's" were Norma Dunn and Heather Wallace for their many years of dedicated service to St. John's.
Jeff Bates was honored with the Bishop's Servant Ministry Award.
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Elected to the Vestry: Pamela Brittain, Alice Burnham, and Diane Gustafson.
Delegates to Convention: Bob Dunn and Chelsey Nyaradi
Alternate Delegates to Convention: Pamela Brittain and Lynn Young
Appointed as Senior (Rector's) Warden: Lynn Young
Congratulations and blessings to all!
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Celebrations of Life
In times of grief, we are comforted with assurance of our faith, that those who die have the promise of newness of life in the resurrection.
Please hold the following families in your prayers during this difficult time.
Dinah Bates
Vigil with an Informal Celebration of Remembrances
Thursday, January 27 from 6:00-9:00pm at
Merkley-Mitchell Mortuary, 5655 Fifth Ave. San Diego, CA 92103
The Celebration of Life for Dinah will be on
Friday, January 28th at 10:00am at
St. John's Episcopal Church, 760 First Ave. Chula Vista, CA 91910
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests making a donation to Operations Smile in memory of Dinah Bates. Dinah was passionate about this organization.
Notes of Care and Sympathy may be sent to:
The Family of Dinah Bates
5209 Canterbury Dr.
San Diego, CA 92116
If you are not able to attend, please join our livestream services:
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Teddy McCracken
The Celebration of Life for Teddy will be on
Wednesday, February 2nd at 10:00am at
Good Shepherd, 3990 Bonita Rd. Bonita, CA 91902
Notes of Care and Sympathy may be sent to:
Dick McCracken
85 E. Emerson St.
Chula Vista CA 91911
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Dale Evans
The Celebration of Life for Dale will be on
Saturday, February 19th at 1:00pm at
St. John's Episcopal Church, 760 First Ave. Chula Vista, CA 91910
Notes of Care and Sympathy may be sent to:
The Family of Dale Evans
3350 Watercrest Ct.
Bonita CA 91902
If you are not able to attend, please join our livestream services:
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June Vasquez
The Celebration of Life for June Vasquez will be on
Saturday, March 5th at 11:00am at
St. John's Episcopal Church, 760 First Ave. Chula Vista, CA 91910
Notes of Care and Sympathy may be sent to:
Mike and Celia Vasquez
2950 Iris Ave Space 84
San Diego, CA 92154
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Into your hands, O merciful Savior,
we commend you servants, Dinah, Teddy, Dale and June.
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 souls and the souls of all the departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
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We Are Here For You!
We carefully gather in person at St. John's, we would like to remind you that we are here for you!
If you are not able to join us for our celebration of Holy Eucharist, we will bring Holy Communion to you. You may call the parish office (619-422-4141) and request communion to be brought to you by one of our Eucharistic Visitors.
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
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We Are Available in Your Time of Need
If you have a pastoral emergency when the parish offices are closed,
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OUTREACH AND EVANGELIZATION |
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Outreach Collections
St. John's Outreach Committee meets monthly to discuss our parish Outreach activities.
We will continue our ongoing collections for:
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New Blankets - Domestic Violence Shelters (Denise Czer and Linda Dennehy)
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Pill Bottles - Matthew 25 Ministries (Sally Elliott)
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Eyeglasses - (Norma Dunn)
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Greeting Cards - ECS HeadStart (Judy McKay)
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Clean, Gently Used Blankets - Dreams for Change (Norma Dunn)
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Emergency Food Pantry - South Bay Community Services (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:
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Super Bowl Sunday Bake Sale
For many years, the Women of St. John’s held a bake sale on Super Bowl Sunday. Not last year, of course, because of the pandemic. We are ready to try again to help the parish regain a sense of normalcy. The date will be February 13.
We are seeking donations of baked goods such as brownies, cupcakes, cookies, cakes, pies. And we hope you will buy as well. Everything will be pre-wrapped and handled by persons masked and wearing gloves.
If you have questions, please contact Diane Gustafson diangus15@aol.com or 619-253-7298. |
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A Different Kind of Book Club
We'd like to try a different kind of Book Club and see if there is enough interest to continue it on perhaps a monthly basis.
We wouldn't all read the same book. Instead we would each talk about a book we have read recently, why we liked it, and giving enough of the plot to entice others. It would take no more than one hour.
If you are interested, please send an email to Diane Gustafson (diangus15@aol.com) and tell whether you would like an in person session, Skype, FaceTime, or Zoom. It's possible we can do more than one format.
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Coffee/Tea with Rev. Roger
For almost the entire time that Rev. Roger has been at St. John's we have been in a pandemic with part of that time being shut down.
Rev. Roger would like to provide an opportunity for any members of the parish to "get to know him".
On Wednesday mornings from 10:30-11:30, following Morning Prayer and Bible Study,
Rev. Roger will be available in the Rev. Jack and Sarah Tolley Memorial Library for a visit. This is time to get to know him, ask him questions, and learn about his vision and dreams for the church.
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Hospitality
Hosts Needed!
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 maria@saint-johns.org
Refreshments should be individually portioned or wrapped, or served by a server who is the only one touching the serving implements. Coffee and Clean-up are done by our Sexton, Ryan Attaway.
Current Available Dates:
February 6
February 20
February 27
March 6
March 27
Coffee Donations
We are low on coffee for Sunday Hospitality and would welcome your donation of a large can of regular ground coffee, such as Costco's Kirkland brand or any brand of your choosing. (We still have enough decaf.)
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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.
In planning for 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 maria@saint-johns.org
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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.
to be included in the Zoom meeting.
The Morning Prayer guide can be found here:
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Spiritual Gifts
Do you know what your spiritual gifts are? If you'd like to receive the assessment and information on how to get the results, please contact Diane Gustafson (diangus15@aol.com or 619-253-7298).
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Prayer Quilt Ministry
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.
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Daughters of the King Prayers
All the women of the parish are invited to discern becoming a member of the Daughters of the King. If you have any questions, please contact Lynn Young (208-695-7735) or Linda Dennehy (619-429-4747).
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.
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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, Daniel Getreu, Jamal Warner, Matt Hernandez, Devon Strunk, Taylor Harrold, Jorge Zuazua, Katherine Milam, Sebastian Morales, Richie Lebron, Andrew C. Dugger, 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
Scott Hunter, Steve Magill, Gary & Shirley McCarren, Ann Lindshield, the McClure family,
Bob Smalley, Sheila Kennedy, Barbara Duncan, Anna Jones and Craig Nightingale.
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.
For the repose of the soul of Jay Cowan, brother of Dawn Andrews.
Rest eternal grant to him, O Lord;
And let light perpetual shine upon him.
May his soul and the souls of all the departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
Cycle of Prayers for the Church
In the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, we pray for the clergy and people of Christ Church, Coronado.
In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, we pray for the Church of the Province of the Indian Ocean.
In the Military Cycle of Prayer, we pray for Amphibious Squadron 1, 3 and 5.
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ADMINISTRATION AND STEWARDSHIP |
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The Vestry
Lynn Young, Senior Warden
aaaaaa208-695-7735
Bill Cheney, Treasurer
Terry Farrelly, Assistant Treasurer
Diane Gustafson, Clerk
Pamela Brittain
Tom Brzeczek
Alice Burnham
David Dennehy
Jane Ferguson
Alejandra Valdez-Beer
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Upcoming Events at St. John's
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February 13, 2022: Super Bowl Bake Sale following our Worship Service
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March 2, 2022: Ash Wednesday
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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).
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Rev. Roger's Office Hours
Rev. Roger will be working half-days in the office on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday; and all day on Wednesday and Friday. 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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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.
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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 maria@saint-johns.org.
Please submit your announcements by Tuesday of each week for inclusion in the Enews.
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Presiding Bishop Curry at MLK Observance
[Episcopal News Service] Presiding Bishop Michael Curry was the keynote speaker on January 17 at the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day observance organized by the King Center in Atlanta, Georgia. The Beloved Community Commemorative Service was live-streamed, and the video of the event can be viewed here on the King Center’s YouTube channel.
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Thank You, Health Care Workers
The Diocese wishes to thank all healthcare workers during this challenging time. “With this most recent COVID surge, those of
us with healthcare workers in our own parishes have noticed
they are overworked and overtired as the weight of their vocational burdens continues to multiply,” writes Executive Council and St. Matthew’s member Rachel Ambasing.
“These are essential workers,” writes The Rev. Regan Schutz, Rector of Christ Church, Coronado and Public Health Task Force member, “Now is the time for us to engage a weary world who desperately needs Jesus right now.”
Please join us in praying for all healthcare workers across the Diocese:
“Sanctify, O Lord, those whom you have called to the study and practice of the arts of healing, and to the prevention of disease and pain. Strengthen them by your life-giving Spirit, that by their ministries the health of the community may be promoted and your creation glorified; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”
(BCP, p. 460)
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A Message from the Public Health Task Force
As the Covid pandemic continues, the members of our diocesan Public Health Task Force continue to meet and discuss ways to keep our communities safe, and pursue our mission in the name of Jesus Christ. We are grateful that our congregations have worked so hard on public health and safety issues for the nearly two years of the pandemic so far, and most churches have figured out best practices for keeping our people safe.
During the pandemic, the transformations in our communities have been inspiring, in many ways. You have worked hard to make online worship, formation, and fellowship opportunities available to help people stay safe, and you have made special efforts to stay in touch with your members and offer support and pastoral care. Although many people are still joining worship from home, some congregations are seeing growth as new folks are joining who have discovered our churches online. I am glad to see the dedication to Christ’s mission that continues throughout our diocese. As your bishop, I am deeply grateful to all of you for your inspired witness to the God who brings healing and reconciliation to our world.
We are now at a point where Omicron cases are surging and the pandemic may be in the process of turning into an endemic disease: one which sees periodic surges in infections, but our society learns how to deal with it. We are not yet to that point, and it is still important to maintain safety precautions, particularly for unvaccinated people, who comprise the overwhelming majority of hospitalized patients.
Our Public Health Task Force has some suggestions to help maintain safety:
- GET VACCINATED AND BOOSTED. There is no better way to protect yourself and those you love from a still-deadly disease.
- In our diocese, we are still requiring masks for indoor worship, except while someone is speaking to read, pray, preach, or celebrate.
- We have still not restored drinking from the common cup, or letting each worshiper intinct. It is fine to offer intinction from the common cup if the intinction is done by a clergy member who has washed his/her hands and who places the intincted wafer in people’s hands (not on their lips). Some congregations have worked out other safe ways to offer communion in both kinds, which I encourage.
- The Task Force suggests that congregations ask your members to avoid passing a physical sign of the Peace; encourage distancing; limit in-person attendance to 75% of capacity, and hold coffee hour outdoors.
- Please encourage staff and worshipers to stay home at any sign of sickness or exposure to Covid in the household. For clergy, please contact the diocese if you need assistance with finding supply clergy.
- Several of our congregations have made a temporary decision to go to online-only worship. This is not the right decision for every congregation, but we give thanks that it is an option for some.
A group of folks in our diocese is planning for ways to thank our healthcare workers for their heroic and exhausting work over the course of the pandemic. If you are interested in helping with this project, please contact Canon Jason Evans at JEvans@edsd.org. As
The Rev. Regan Schutz, rector of Christ Church Coronado and a member of the Public Health Task Force, says, “It’s time we notice the people whom society is not serving. These are the essential workers paid hourly who cannot stay home and still feed their families—instead they have to choose one or another. This societal shortfall is one of the reasons we are still doing pandemic today. Now is the time that we engage in working for justice, in loving our neighbors, in being the church for a weary world who desperately needs Jesus right now.”
I am so grateful for all of you, and so inspired by your witness to the love of Christ in such
a difficult time. I give special thanks for the work of our Public Health Task Force:
David Ostrander, M.D., chair
Cheryl Anderson, Ph.D., Dean of the School of Public Health, UC San Diego
Judy Burton, R.N., member of St. Margaret’s Palm Desert
The Rev. Cindy Campos, Deacon at St. Dunstan’s San Diego
Jamal Gwathney, M.D., member of St. Peter’s Del Mar
The Rev. Roger Haenke, R.N., Rector of St. John’s Chula Vista
The Rev. Brian Johnson, N.P., Vicar of St. John’s Indio
The Rev. Regan Schutz, Rector of Christ Church Coronado
Cheryl Wilson, R.N., CEO of St. Paul’s Senior Services
In Christ,
The Rt. Rev. Dr. Susan Brown Snook
Bishop Diocesan, Episcopal Diocese of San Diego
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Transformation Academy Returns
Faith To Go
Envisioning Digital Formation in the 21st Century
Transformation Academy returns on Thursday, February 17 from
6-7:00 pm! The Academy is a virtual learning and enrichment series where we are able to dive deeper into our diocesan priorities.
This month we will be highlighting a diocesan resource for discipleship. Faith To Go formation team members Charlette Preslar and David Tremaine will share about this revamped digital formation offering from the diocese and explore the many possibilities present in online formation for individuals, families, and congregations. We hope that you will join us. Register Here
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Why is it hard to be home?
Our hometowns, our families of origin, the places that formed us and the people we've known our whole lives can be both a deep source of comfort and a place of pain and stuckness, especially when we are trying to do something new, explore an emerging part of our identity, or claim a new vocation or direction in our lives. This is where we find Jesus in this week's gospel, at the beginning of his new ministry, claiming a new identity, teaching new ideas, and all in his hometown of Nazareth, in the synagogue he's gone to every sabbath for this whole life, with people who have known him since his childhood.
And why does he start it here? Maybe Jesus knew that of all the places in the world to start something new, to reveal your most authentic self, to share new ideas and hopes and possibilities, his hometown would be the hardest, but that if he could do it there he could do it anywhere. This is the challenge and opportunity of home, of family, of life-long relationships. Who are the people you find hardest to claim your authentic self with? Where are the places that make you feel most stuck? What would it be like to return to these relationship and/or places and reveal a little bit of your truth, or create a little bit of forward movement in them?
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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.
You're not alone!
Find resources to connect with real people that can help, here.
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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, and foregoing the common cup.
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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.
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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, (jseitman@pacbell.net), 858-793-4555 or Ms. Equilla Luke, (aequilla@icloud.com), 760-583-0485.
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