We received a foretaste of Easter this past Sunday as we heard in the Gospel lesson how Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead (John 11:17-27, 38-53 ESV). In doing so, Jesus demonstrated that all things – even death – must submit to his power and authority as the Son of God. But in a terrible irony, in raising Lazarus to life, Jesus ensured that his own death would be coming soon, as the sermon pointed out.

Though he did not intend it to be so, Caiaphas the high priest uttered prophetic words that “it is better for you that one man should die for the people, not that the whole nation should perish.”

And that is why Jesus came into the world: to be that once-for-all atoning sacrifice for our sins. The blessed words of Jesus are sweet comfort to us when we, like Mary and Martha, lose a loved one: “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” 

By faith, we answer that question which Jesus asked not only of Martha, but us as well: “Yes, Lord, I believe; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.”

From the Pastor's Desk - March 2023

Final Midweek Lenten Worship Service Tonight

Take time out of your busy schedule and be refreshed through midweek Lenten worship! Although it’s easy and convenient to join online via live streaming, it’s far better to be present in person and experience the peace and beauty of these worship services.

The final midweek Lenten worship service will take place TONIGHT on Wednesday evening, March 29, at 7:30PM, and we will sing Holden Evening Prayer, led by the Adult Choir. Holy Communion with a meditation takes place at 12 Noon on Wednesday, March 29 and Wednesday of Holy Week, April 5. 

May this Lenten season serve to strengthen us in our journey of faith as we follow Jesus to His cross and resurrection victory!

Search Process for Office Administrator

With the announcement that Janet Gillis will be leaving her role as St. John’s Office Administrator by the end of May, a search process has now been initiated for her replacement. Led by St. John’s Vice-President/Administration, Paul Swicord, and in coordination with other congregational leaders and staff members, resumes are being solicited through a number of channels.

Our goal is to have the new person overlap with Janet for a period of time before Janet’s departure so that the new Office Administrator will be able to learn from Janet’s nearly eleven years of experience at St. John’s. 

If someone you know is a qualified candidate for this important full-time position, please refer them to Paul Swicord.

Easter Flowers

Please donate to beautify our Sanctuary for Easter. Altar Care seeks financial contributions for the variety of Easter plants that will be displayed. Donations can be made online or by leaving an envelope marked “Flowers” in the offering plate or with the Church Office. If you would like a dedication to appear in the worship bulletin, please provide the information no later than Tuesday, April 4. Thank you for your contribution.

SJLC Men 

Hope to see you this Saturday, April 1, in the Fellowship Hall for a light breakfast at 7:30AM followed by Bible study at 8:00. You may also join us via Zoom – check your Monday email for login details. Please review the materials in advance as no printed copies will be provided.

"Is God Missing in Action" John 11

Link to page with sermon text

Link to sermon audio

Link to a shorter archived devotion on the same subject

Share Sunday for Koinonia on Palm Sunday, April 2

The first Sunday of each month is Share Sunday at St. John’s, in which we gather items to bless those in need in the community around us. These items are given to Koinonia, the local Franconia-Kingstowne community service agency, and they are then disbursed to people who need them.



Please consider picking up some extra from Koinonia's most recent "needs" list when you are at the store. Your donations can be left in the shopping cart at the church on Sunday, April 2 (Palm Sunday), or you may drop them off at Koinonia. Please share the blessings God has bestowed on you by helping those in need through Koinonia, the Franconia-Kingstowne community service agency. Thank you!

Holy Week Worship Schedule

The 40 days of the Lenten season will soon lead us into Holy Week, and the commemoration of Jesus’ suffering and death for our salvation. The glory of Easter morning is greatly diminished without the sober reality of Good Friday. With this in mind, you are encouraged to participate in these special worship services, and come in-person to experience first-hand the blessing of gathering together with fellow believers. Through all of this, our hearts and minds are drawn to the great sacrifice which Christ willingly paid for us. Be thinking about who you will invite to join you in worship!

Palm Sunday/Sunday of the Passion (April 2) – We enter into Holy Week commemorating Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem amidst waving of palm branches and shouts of “Hosanna!” Worship with Holy Communion at 10:30AM begins outside (weather permitting) on the front walkway for the procession with palms. The service will be live streamed.

Wednesday of Holy Week (April 5) – The 12 Noon service includes a brief meditation and Holy Communion. 

Maundy Thursday (April 6) – The 7:30PM worship service commemorates Jesus’ institution of the Lord’s Supper on the night of his betrayal. This service of Holy Communion concludes with the stripping of the altar, reminding us of how the Lord Jesus was stripped of his clothing before his crucifixion. Our Lenten series, “Promised Treasures,” focuses on “Water and Blood.” This service will be live streamed.

Good Friday (April 7) – On this most solemn day of the Christian year, we gather to give thanks for Jesus’ life-giving death on the cross. There are two worship services on Good Friday: the 12 Noon service will include a meditation from the “Promised Treasures” series, as well as the Way of the Cross. The 7:30PM service will include this same meditation and the Passion reading. At the conclusion of both services, worshipers will be invited to place a nail into the large cross at the front of the Sanctuary at the close of the service. The noon service will be live streamed. 

Holy Saturday: The Great Vigil of Easter (April 8) – The 7:30PM service is one of the most beautiful and moving of the entire year. The Easter Vigil bridges the sorrow of Good Friday with the joy of Easter morning. There are four parts to this service: 1) the Service of Light which begins outside as the new fire of Easter is lighted; 2) the Service of Readings which traces God’s loving plan of salvation in holy Scripture; 3) the Service of Baptism in which we will celebrate the grace of God in the cleansing water of holy Baptism; and 4) the Service of Holy Communion in which the risen Christ comes to us in his holy Supper. The Sanctuary begins in darkness and is transformed into the light and beauty of the Resurrection. This service will not be live streamed.

Easter Worship Schedule – Sunday, April 9

As we prepare for the highpoint of our Christian faith – the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ – you are encouraged to come in-person for special Easter Sunday worship services. Give thought and prayer to who you could invite as your guest to share in the good news of Jesus’ victory over death and the grave. Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!

There will be two identical worship services on Easter Sunday (April 9) with Holy Communion at 8:00 AM and 10:30 AM. Both worship services will take place in the Sanctuary and will feature glorious music for organ, choir, and brass. The Lenten series, “Promised Treasures,” concludes with the theme “Milk and Honey.” Only the 10:30 AM service will be live-streamed.

An Easter Breakfast will be served in the Fellowship Hall (beginning at 9:00 AM) between the two worship services. Children are invited to an Easter Egg Hunt (9:30 and 10:00 AM) on the west side of our church campus, which will take place between the two Easter Sunday worship services.

Flowering the Cross – Remember to bring spring flowers from your yard or garden to “flower” the cross on Easter Sunday morning. This is an ancient Christian custom that beautifies the bare wooden cross with flowers in celebration of Christ’s resurrection.

Week of the Young Child

St. John’s Early Childhood Education Center (ECEC) will celebrate the Week of the Young Child April 1-7 with fun activities for all ECEC families: Music Monday, Tasty Tuesday, Work Together Wednesday, and Artsy & Family Thursday. We encourage anyone with young children to really celebrate them and how much they have grown! This is a time to recognize that children's opportunities are our responsibilities, and to recommit ourselves to ensuring that each and every child experiences the type of early environment—at home, at childcare, at school, and in the community—that will promote their early learning.

The Week of the Young Child® is an annual event celebrating early learning, young children, their teachers, and families. Sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the world's largest early childhood education association, with nearly 60,000 members and a network of 52 Affiliates, the purpose of the Week of the Young Child® is to focus public attention on the needs of young children and their families and to recognize the early childhood programs and services that meet those needs.

Book Review and Signing Event

Congressman Don Manzullo and Freda attended St. John's for several years when he was in Congress. He has just published his memoir, DO NICE GUYS RUN FOR CONGRESS? How an Obscure, Country Lawyer Kept his Faith, Beat the Establishment, and Survived Twenty Years in Congress. This book is as unusual as its title.

Facing insurmountable opposition, Don was sued by his own party to keep him off the ballot. He persevered and became recognized as a problem-solver and coalition-builder. It is filled with all kinds of stories and lots of humor. It's a fun book to read!

"Filled with stories of inspiration, reconciliation and forgiveness, Don's book is a masterpiece in a quest for civility and public service. It serves as a source of encouragement for all readers encountering the trials of life," Capitol Hill Bible study leader, Bobby A. Little (USA Col-ret), Exec. Dir. Christian Embassy, Washington, D.C.

You are encouraged to come and meet Don on Saturday, April 1, from 2 to 4, in the Fellowship Hall. He will speak at 3PM. Books will be available to purchase. Please bring cash or check. If you cannot make this event, click here to buy an autographed-to-order copy. For questions or more information, see Jan Swicord or Greg Miller.

New Sunday Morning Bible Study begins April 16: "God’s Relentless Love"

If the book of Hosea were a movie, it would be a love story with a circular plot: the prophet Hosea marries the prostitute Gomer. She is unfaithful to him and leaves him for another--time and again. Hosea relentlessly pursues her, rescues her, and restores her as many times as it takes. Hosea loves Gomer, but we wonder if he will eventually lose heart and give up.

But the book of Hosea is our story. As this in-depth study shows, it is a metaphor of God's love for us--His persistent, faithful, and continual pursuit of His sinful people. We wander; God pursues us. We fail; God rescues. We sin; God restores us to Him in the perfect love of His son, Jesus.

Join Jennifer Hills, Director of Discipleship, for this eight-week study beginning Sunday, April 16, at 9:15 AM. Using historical information, contemporary stories, in-depth questions, and theological insights, God's Relentless Love Bible study shows how God never gives up on us, loves us freely, and makes us his very own. Books can be purchased for $14. Click here to register and purchase your book.

Important Links



• Registration for Holy Communion held on Wednesdays at noon.
• Facebook Live for viewing live services or educational opportunities as well as those previously recorded.
• YouTube for viewing church services
• Click here and scroll down for the bulletins