Thursday, February 23, 2023 | |
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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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A Prayer for Peace Among the Nations (BCP 816)
Friday, February 24th, is the one-year anniversary of the war between the countries of Russia and the Ukraine.
Let us pray in this time of conflict:
Almighty God our heavenly Father, guide the nations of the world
into the way of justice and truth, and establish among them
that peace which is the fruit of righteousness,
that they may become the kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Amen.
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The First Sunday in Lent
Sunday, February 26, 2023
9:00am and 11:00am
Collect for the First Sunday in Lent
O God, whose glory it is always to have mercy:
Be gracious to all who have gone astray from your ways, and bring them again with penitent hearts and steadfast faith to embrace and hold fast
the unchangeable truth of your Word, Jesus Christ your Son;
who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Readings for the First Sunday in Lent
Romans 5:12-19
Psalm 32
Matthew 4:1-11
Worship Booklet for the First Sunday in Lent, February 26, 2023
If you are not able to attend, please join our livestream service:
St. John's website: saint-johns.org
St. John's YouTube Channel: St. John's Episcopal Church, Chula Vista
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This Sunday We Begin Our New 11:00am Sunday Liturgy
Sunday, February 26th at 11:00am
Eucharistic Liturgy and Sunday School
Children are invited to gather for a lesson during our Liturgy of the Word.
Pot Luck Brunch following the service. Please bring a dish to share.
All are welcome to attend!
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Birthday, Anniversary and Traveler Prayers
We are honored to pray for special people and events in our lives.
To make the requesting of prayers for someone more efficient, please let Maria Love know by the end of the day on Thursday or write their name(s) in the Prayer Binder on the counter in the Narthex as you come into the church. The Prayer Binder will be given to the presider during the Sign of Peace.
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On Wednesday, February 22nd, we begin the season of Lent. The first Christians observed with great devotion the days of our Lord's passion (Good Friday) and resurrection (Easter), and it became the custom of the Church to prepare for these holy days by a season of penitence and fasting.
You are invited, therefore, to an observance of a holy Lent.
The word Lent comes from the Saxon lencton which means Spring. Lent, as we now know it, is the Spring Fast. This season of Lent is traditionally marked by acts of special devotion: prayer, fasting, self-examination and repentance, spiritual reading, and alms giving.
We have the opportunity to intentionally practice who we are as people of faith.
We are providing optional acts of devotion to help you keep the season holy:
Prayer
- Wednesday Morning Prayer and Bible Study
Consider joining us on Wednesday mornings -
you may request the Zoom link from Rev. Roger.
The Labyrinth is a spiritual tool and can be walked as a pilgrimage for repentance: a shedding of worries and concerns; reaching a place of meditation and prayer; and finding union with God and the healing forces at work in the world.
Come to walk on your own; brochures of guidance will be provided.
Saturday, March 18th from 10am-2pm in Nale Hall.
Labyrinth Guide
For your private devotion, you are invited to walk the steps of Jesus on his
journey to the cross; a link to the service booklet is located below.
Fasting
Through self-examination, you may discern and consider fasting from those
things that are holding you back from being an example by word and deed
of God’s love.
Alms-Giving
Please consider giving of your excess in order to clothe those who go without.
See the table in the narthex or the article in our E-Newsletter for details.
If you wish to have clothing collection bags sent to you, contact Maria in the
church office.
United Thank Offering (UTO), a ministry of the Episcopal Church, encourages the habit of giving daily thanks to God for our many blessings. All offerings are used to support grants for ministries at home and overseas to fund projects such as kitchen equipment for homeless shelters, dental clinics for the poor, handicap access in church and service buildings, and many other projects. United Thank Offering donation boxes and envelopes can be found in the Narthex.
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Stations of the Cross
Along with the prayers and reflections for each station, you will find artwork from former St. John's students.
Attached is the link to the prayer booklet:
Stations of the Cross
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Life Transformed: The Way of Love in Lent
The journey through Lent into Easter is a journey with Jesus. We are baptized into his life and death; then, we rise in hope to life transformed. This Lent, communities are invited to walk with Jesus in his Way of Love and into the experience of transformed life. Together, we will reflect anew on the loving actions of God as recounted in the Easter Vigil readings. Together, we will walk through the depths of salvation history into the fullness of redemption.
Throughout Lent, come along with us as we explore Life Transformed: The Way of Love in Lent, produced by Hillary Raining and Jenifer Gamber. You can find resources mentioned below at iam.ec/lifetransformed or by scanning the QR code to the right.
Week 1
Sunday, February 26
Today’s Practice: Watch the Rev. Dr. Hillary Raining’s video at iam.ec/lifetransformed for Week 1. The topic is based on the practice “Turn” and is titled, “Dead to Sin, Alive in Christ”.
Read: Romans 6:3-11
Monday, February 27
Today’s Prompt: Who has taught you to live a Jesus-filled life? Who have you taught?
Read: “So we do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day.” – 2 Corinthians 4:16
Tuesday, February 28
Today’s Prompt: Go for a walk today and pray with your feet, each step with intention.
Read: “Many peoples shall come and say, ‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.’” – Isaiah 2:3a
Wednesday, March 1
Today’s Prompt: How can you build pauses into the day to reflect on the work of the Spirit?
Read: “I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing.” – John 15:5
Thursday, March 2
Today’s Prompt: What is most meaningful to you in worship?
Read: Book of Common Prayer, p. 281
Friday, March 3
Today’s Prompt: Where can you go and intentionally provide kindness?
Read: “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” – Matthew 5:4
Saturday, March 4
Today’s Prompt: Notice the pattern of your breathing. Pray for awareness of blessings.
Read: “Then the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.” – Jer. 6:16
Reflections from “Living the Way of Love” by Mary Bea Sullivan (Church Publishing, 2019). Used with permission. Quotations from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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OUTREACH AND EVANGELIZATION | |
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40 Days 40 Items
Each day of Lent, you are encouraged to think of someone less fortunate as you look in your closets and drawers. Remove one item from your closet that you no longer wear or need and put it into the appropriate bag.
Men’s items will go in a black bag, Women’s items in a white bag, Children’s items in a separate bag labeled “Children’s”.
At the end of the forty days, donate these items to St. John’s so that we may share them with clients of ECS Head Start.
The following are suggested items that are really needed:
- Warm hoodie sweatshirts (men / women)
- Sweatshirts
- Sweatpants
- Jeans
- Pants
- Shoes
- Blankets
- Ball caps
- Used backpacks
- Socks (new)
- Men’s / Women’s Underwear (new)
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Outreach Collections
We will continue our ongoing collections for:
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New Blankets - Domestic Violence Shelters (Denise Czer and Linda Dennehy)
- Eyeglasses
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Greeting Cards - ECS HeadStart (Judy McKay)
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Clean, Gently Used Blankets - Dreams for Change
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Emergency Food Pantry - South Bay Community Services (Maria and Joe Love)
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Blessings in a Bag - For our neighbors who are living outside. Click here for a list of items you can donate to fill the bags.
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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
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Tai Chi Moving for Better Balance
St. John's is pleased to partner with the County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency to offer Tai Chi Moving for Better Balance on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2-3pm
in Nale Hall.
Informational Flyer: Tai Chi Moving for Better Balance
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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.
Please contact Rev. Roger ( revroger@saint-johns.org)
to be included in the Zoom meeting.
Morning Prayer will resume on March 1st.
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Calling All Quilters: We Need your Help
Our supply of prayer quilts is very low and need to have new prayer quilts made.
If you are interested in sewing new prayer quilts, please contact Diane Gustafson.
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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 pray for you during the Sunday liturgy.
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, Jamal Warner,
Matt Hernandez, Daniel Getreu, Devon Strunk, Taylor Harrold, Jorge Zuazua, Sebastian Morales, Roberto Chavez, Ryan Lothspeich, Andrew C. Dugger, Dan and Chelsey Nyaradi, and Gen. G.J. Heinrich.
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,
Barb Oliveira, Heather Wallace, Linda Longoria-Neff, Josey Felts, Celia Vasquez,
Susy Martin Del Campo, Helen McGrath, Ann Rogers, Kurth Barnes, Tyler Anderson,
Oscar Morales and Hugo Burchartz.
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 clergy and people of Sts. Peter and Paul in El Centro.
In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, we pray for The Scottish Episcopal Church.
In the Military Cycle of Prayer, we pray for Sailors serving aboard USS Stethem (DDG 63), USS Decatur (DDG-73) and USS O’Kane (DDG 77).
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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.
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Celebration of Life for Dean Peters
The Celebration of Life for Dean Peters will be on
Saturday, March 11th at 11:00am
at St. John's Episcopal Church, 760 First Ave. Chula Vista, CA 91910
Please hold the Peters and Wier families in your prayers during this difficult time.
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Celebration of Life for Lola Hunt
The Celebration of Life for Lola Hunt will be on
Thursday, March 23rd at 10:00am
at St. John's Episcopal Church, 760 First Ave. Chula Vista, CA 91910
Please hold the Hunt family in your prayers during this difficult time.
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Into your hands, O merciful Savior, we commend you servants,
Dean and Lola.
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.
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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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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
Current Available Dates:
February 26th
March 5th
March 12th
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ADMINISTRATION AND VESTRY | |
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Upcoming Events at St. John's
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February 26: New 11:00am Liturgy
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March 11: Dean Peters Celebration of Life
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March 12: Daylight Savings Time Begins
1st Quarter Calendar Events 2023
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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, Tuesday, and Thursday afternoons; and all day on Wednesday and Friday. 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.
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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 info@saint-johns.org
Please submit your announcements by Tuesday of each week for inclusion in the Enews.
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Faith to Go: Generational Healing
Join the Faith To Go team, David Tremaine and Charlette Preslar, as they explore Lenten practices and generational healing in this week's episode. Listen Here
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Diocesan Youth Events
EDSD's Episcopal Youth Event Delegation Announced
It is with great joy that we present to the official Episcopal Diocese of San Diego delegation to The Episcopal Youth Event (EYE) taking place at the University of Maryland in July.
Read More
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EDSD Youth Collaborative: Nightwatch, March 4 2023,
The annual lenten youth retreat at St. Paul’s Cathedral is happening on March 4! Connect with youth from around the diocese, share the joy of worshiping and playing together, diving into our Baptismal Covenant, and consider what it means to say, “I will, with God’s help.” Come for games, food, small group work, worship, laughter, love, friendship, and an overnight in the cathedral! Register Here
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Honoring Beloved Community: Black History Month
By: Rachel Ambasing, EDSD Multicultural Missioner
Growing up as a little girl in the 1980s-90s in Paradise Hills, an area of Southeast San Diego rich in diversity, I had the pleasure of attending William Penn Elementary from kindergarten through 3rd grade. At William Penn, even with African-American history being part of the year-round curriculum, Black History Month was a special part of our year and always capped off by the school’s annual Multicultural Fair. School assemblies were guaranteed to relay captivating and courageous stories of Black men and women. The re-enactment of the Greensboro sit-in by Ms. Williams’ 4th-grade class sticks in my mind. The scene closed with my Black, brown, and white schoolmates gathering on stage to sing a rendition of “We Shall Not Be Moved.” Read More
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Gifts to ERD Support those in Crisis
Episcopal Relief and Development helps people facing hardships all over the world. Consider making a donation to ERD to support families devastated by war in Ukraine, earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, or those affected by climate change. Give
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California Bishops Advocate for
Affordable Housing on Church Properties
In a joint letter drafted by Bishop Susan Brown Snook, the six Episcopal Bishops whose dioceses cover California submitted a statement supporting CA Senate Bill 4, the Affordable Housing on Faith Lands Act. This measure would make building affordable housing easier, faster, and cheaper on land owned by faith-based institutions and nonprofit colleges. Read More
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Tree Planting in Lemon Grove
February 24th, 9:00am to 12:00pm
St. Philip’s is a pilot church kicking off EDSD’s year-long tree-planting project. Roll up your sleeves and join St. Philip’s in planting 13 new trees on their property! Bring heavy-duty gloves, close-toed shoes, and water!
Click here for more information.
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