The Week of July 24, 2022 |
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Join us this Sunday at 9:00AM in person in the Dining Room.
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Dear friends in Christ,
Tomorrow, July 22, the church around the world observes the feast day of St. Mary Magdalene.
In the collect for her feast, Mary Magdalene is cited as an example of penitence and forgiveness, and in St. Luke’s gospel, she is identified with the woman “who was a sinner” (7:37) as also, in the common Western tradition, with Mary the sister of Lazarus. With this the Eastern tradition disagrees, and Holy Scripture gives no authority for it. All we really know is that “out of her went seven devils” (Luke 8:2), after which she ministered to the Lord in His life, at the cross, and the grave.
Mary Magdalene’s most important appearance in the gospels is as the first witness to Jesus’ resurrection from the dead; she appears at the tomb and is mentioned by name in the gospels of St. Mark and St. John (Mark 16:1; John 20:1). More than that, as the one who brings the good news of the risen Christ to the frightened and disbelieving apostles, she is the first evangelist of the church: “I have seen the Lord!” (John 20:18)
Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni!” (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, “Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”; and she told them that he had said these things to her. (John 20:11-18)
Mary Magdalene’s day is a reminder to us all that those who have seen the Lord – in any day – cannot keep that news to themselves. The resurrection of Jesus from the dead is the Good News itself, and it is ours to share.
Yours faithfully in Christ,
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Sunday Service: CHANGE OF VENUE |
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This Sunday, our service will be held in the Dining Room due to high heat this week and weekend. The service will begin at 9:00 am.
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Garden Party: CHANGE OF VENUE
Due to the anticipated heat and possible thunderstorms this coming Saturday, the St. John’s Women’s Group’s Garden Party will be held in the air-conditioned parish Dining Room. If you have not yet purchased tickets, they are available via Eventbrite - click here to purchase.
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Our parish administrator, Kathy McBride, will be working remotely for the next few weeks. Please reach out to her by email or leave a message on the church phone. Rest assured that she is checking messages regularly and will get back to you right away. If you need to stop by the office, please reach out to Fr. Andrew in advance.
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St. John’s at Camp Washington |
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We pray this week for Anne Bear, who is serving as a nurse at Camp Washington, and for Frank and Rebecca Bear and Matthew Gilmore, who are at summer camp this week: Almighty God, who hast made heaven and earth: We pray for all those who play, rest, volunteer, work and worship in thy creation; may it be a place of growth, fellowship, joy, and love; and may all those who live, labor, travel, and rest in the same be protected by thy grace, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Volunteers from St. John’s and the Over 60 Club have worked diligently to create the flower cross. The finished product is absolutely stunning and is on display in the rear gallery of the church. |
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Click on any image to enlarge |
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Inspirica Women's Shelter Monthly Meals |
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On the last Friday of each month, various teams or families from St. John's provide a meal to a small group of women at an Inspirica women's shelter. Parishioners provide a healthy meal to approximately 10-15 Inspirica clients at their 8 Woodland Place location. The volunteers choose the menu, which should consist of a protein, starch, salad and/or vegetable, bread, water and a light dessert. Volunteers can either drop off the meal or can stay and serve the meal; clients do the clean up.
Would you please consider helping with this important ministry? Our next available date is June July 29. If you do not have a “team” to prepare the meal, but would like to do part of the meal, that's great; we can coordinate! Please contact Caroline Smit at csmit@optonline.net or 203-912-6661 to sign up now or in the future.
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St. John’s Community Foundation Press Release |
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St. John’s Community Foundation has granted more than a quarter of a million dollars to more than forty organizations serving the Stamford community which provide for educational and economic opportunities, as well for those in crisis and those requiring basic needs. Click here to read the Foundation’s most recent press releases.
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Tuesday Afternoon Bible Study |
The Tuesday Bible study will next meet this coming Tuesday, July 26, at 2:00 pm. During the summer months, Tuesday Bible study will take place on the last Tuesday of every month. The regular weekly schedule will resume on the first Tuesday after Labor Day. Click here to join the Zoom meeting.
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Open Thursdays and Saturdays: 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
The Community Thrift Shop welcomes new, almost new, and gently used clothing, home goods, and jewelry donations. All proceeds from the Thrift Shop are donated to nonprofit charities serving those in need. Please note: Starting in June, the Thrift Shop will be open every Thursday 10:00-3:00 and the first and third Saturday of each month from 10:00-3:00.
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Recent Prayer Requests for Healing of Body, Mind and Spirit. |
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Please keep these persons in your daily prayers:
Ben, Carol, Daniel, Ed, Kedley, Lloyd, Marc, Terrence, Jon, Ann, Henri, Sharon, Erin, Dante, Anthony, Marie-Anne, Martha, Nessa, Angela, Gweneth, Toni, Jordan, Gabriella, Cindi, Barbara, Andrew, Jeffrey, Theadeen, Latoya, Christine, Murdena, Aidee, Anthony, Mitch, Jacob, Roslyn, Collin, McKenna, Andy, Errol, Emman, Bill and Verna.
In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer: the Church in Wales
In the Episcopal Church in Connecticut: St. John’s, Salisbury; Trinity, Seymour; Christ Church, Sharon
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To give to St. John's Episcopal Church, you can make your donations electronically or you can simply mail in your check to the church office if you would rather not use the online giving tool. Our Parish Administrator, Kathy McBride, is receiving doing the banking.
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Forward Day By Day is the Episcopal Church's own discipleship publication! As disciples, followers of Christ, daily prayer and reflection grounds us in God's love and gives us strength and clarity to confront our weaknesses, put our trust in God and listen to where God is calling us to serve. Available online for-free!
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