Weekly News Update

Deans' Note | March 13, 2022

Walking the Stations of the Cross is a time-honored pilgrimage during Lent. The stations still are part of any traditional pilgrimage to the Holy Land, but churches around the world follow Jesus through his last hours to the hill of Calvary and to his burial. We can even meditate on these moments by ourselves, as we begin this week with a digital station of the cross offered at noon on Fridays as a short reflection in the middle of the day, the time when Jesus suffered on the cross.

We most often think of this journey as walking with Jesus, reflecting on his suffering and death, and on what he must have experienced as he bore the cross for us. Yet, the stations provide opportunities for our own identification with Jesus and his identification with the pain and challenge of our lives and that of the world around us.

We can bring our own life experiences to Jesus at the cross. Where are we in our lives? What do Jesus' experiences and emotions raise for us? Are we experiencing grief? Can we identify with Jesus' mother and the women of Jerusalem, or with Jesus himself as he grieved over his rejection by the world he came to save? Does Jesus' shame at being stripped of his clothing recall the pain of our own experiences of shame or embarrassment? In Jesus' pain and suffering can we bring our own illnesses and pain? Can we see in Simon of Cyrene, an example of following Jesus through bearing the burden someone else bears? We do this not only to acknowledge that Jesus can identify with our human condition, but that he can be there with us in each and all those moments to bring healing and consolation.

We live in a world ravaged by war. Pain, death and grief, violence, and fear is all around us. Injustice and racism and anxiety are all too present in our own hearts and souls. Can we bring our world to the cross and the cross to the world? Can we see in Jesus' violent death, and the culture of brutality under which he suffered an identification with the world in which we live? Can we pray for his nail-scarred hands to bless and heal?

We believe that the same Jesus who underwent such suffering overcame death and is present with us and can be the source of strength for us. That same Jesus can empower us to be agents of healing, of binding up wounds, of standing up as he did in the face of injustice. May he enter the hurting, damaged and dark places of our world as he did as he bore his cross.

We adore you O Christ and we bless you, because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

Upcoming Events

The Stations of the Cross

Fridays in Lent

Starting March 11, 2022 at 12:00 pm

The Stations of the Cross are a time-honored Lenten tradition especially on Fridays. This year we offer short meditations led by our clergy on one station each week followed by a time of brief intercessory prayer. You can access these meditations live at noon on Lenten Fridays our Facebook page and YouTube Channel.

The Rev. Canon Carl F. Turner

Sunday, March 13, 2022

Said Mass at 8:00 am | In-Person Only

Choral Mass at 10:00 am | In-Person & Online

Watch on Vanco Live

Watch on Facebook

Watch on YouTube

Next Sunday, March 13, we welcome as our guest preacher, The Rev. Canon Carl F. Turner, Rector of St. Thomas Church, Manhattan, a congregation known internationally for its excellence in liturgy and music, with one of only two residential boy choir schools in the world, the other being Westminster Abbey. Before coming to St. Thomas, Canon Turner was Precentor of the 850-year-old Exeter Cathedral, responsible for all the cathedral's liturgy and music. Fr. Dan served his curacy at St. Thomas and received his liturgical training there.

Meeting Jesus in the Gospel of Luke

"The End And The Beginning"

Sunday, March 13, 2022 at 11:30 am

In-Person and Online

Take a deep dive into the Gospel of Luke, who we read throughout this liturgical year in our Sunday masses. How does Luke tell the story of Jesus? How is his story distinct, and how similar to the other writers who tell the story of Jesus? Like all tours, we will see the whole map, but pay particular attention to key places of interest. We will combine the study of the text with time to allow ourselves to meet the Jesus who speaks in a unique way through this telling of the Gospel.

Learn more about our Christian Education Series

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Lenten Book Study with Mother Lyn

Thursdays: March 10, 17, 24, 31 & April 7

at 7:00 pm via Zoom

Come join us in our Lenten Book Study on Zoom each Thursday evening following Evening Prayer.

Daily Meditations
Coordinating Scriptures
African American Spirituals
Discussion Questions
Fellowship

Order your book on online. Scholarships available, contact Mother Lyn.

Click here to download our meeting and reading schedule!

Lenten Mite Boxes

Lenten mite boxes will be available on the welcome table at the back of the church. Boxes should be returned on the Sunday of the Passion (Palm Sunday). It has been a tradition at St. John’s to drop your loose change into these boxes throughout the five weeks of Lent as we remind ourselves of the value in humble giving:

As he taught, he said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets! They devour widows’ houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.” Mark 12:38-40

Vestry On-Call

This Sunday's Vestry Person On-Call

Paul Adesokan

Vestry members are partners with clergy, encouraging the growth of community and the establishment of common ground in the spiritual life of the congregation. Parishioners are always welcome to speak with these individuals on Sunday morning; they assist in making sure our questions, comments, or concerns are heard.

Community

A Note From Our Treasurer

St. John’s Cathedral is very fortunate to have a strong financial base. And while there are many sources of income, one of the most important is that which is generated from pledges. We are grateful to those of you who so generously lend your financial support to the Cathedral. With Easter rapidly approaching, there are additional expenses incurred to enhance the beauty of our worship. To ensure the continued support of our on-going programs, it is essential that we all keep current on our pledges. And if you have not already made a pledge, it is never too late to participate in the ministry of this magnificent Cathedral. We welcome your gift.

Nancy Koehring

Treasurer

Supporting Humanitarian Response to the Crisis in Ukraine

As we pray for an end to violence and for those fleeing Ukraine, please also pray for Episcopal Relief & Development and other ecumenical agencies working to respond to the current crisis. Specific needs will change as the crisis evolves. As of right now, there is a need for cash, blankets and hygiene supplies. Please consider partnering with Episcopal Relief & Development in this response. Visit episcopalrelief.org for more information.

Lenten Quiet Morning : Architectural Meditations | St. John's Cathedral

Anyone who visits Los Angeles will find his visit incomplete who does not make a pilgrimage to St. John's Church. A few weeks after the consecration of St. John's Church in 1925, a writer spent Holy Week and Easter Day visiting the many new churches in the growing city of Los Angeles.

Online Lenten Resources | St. John's Cathedral

During Lent, in addition to the various opportunities for prayer and study at St. John's, check out these other online offerings:

The Society of St. John the Evangelist

The Society of St. John the Evangelist, a religious order in the Episcopal Church, offers brief daily meditations for their monastery in Cambridge Massachusetts..

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