What’s Happening at
St. John’s Episcopal Church



11201 Parkfield Drive, Austin, Texas
Wednesday, April 8, 2020
A Letter from our Interim Rector

Holy Week

Greetings to the people of St. John’s,

As we come into the last days of Lent; walking on this path of Holy Week that is so different from years before and years to come; we are given moments to pause. We may be “tired” of
all the pauses in our lives right now; however needed each might be for our well-being. I sense a rustling, an urgency, a hope that we would have been on the “other side” of all of this by now—our isolation, self-quarantines, hospital ER’s full of people, temporary medical stations, morgues; and fear of so many things haunt us all. From where does our comfort come?

We all long for the day we are back together and able to celebrate the Eucharist together as a church family. Until then, we are on a sabbatical. Not the one we planned; but, we are on a sabbatical. Zoom meetings, waving to family through glass windows, dinners at home with family, books read that have been sitting on nightstands for months, yards are mowed, gardens tended to, and a yearning for “church” for worship, for our friends, for all that embodies “church”.

I would like to share a poem from A Prayer Book for The Armed Forces 1988 , p.55:

A Prayer for Communion with Christ
In union, O Lord, with our faithful people at every altar of your Church, where the Holy Eucharist is now being celebrated, I desire to offer to you praise and thanksgiving. I remember your death, Lord Christ; I proclaim your resurrection; I await your coming in glory. And since I cannot receive you today in the Sacrament of your Body and Blood, I beseech you to come
spiritually into my heart. Cleanse and strengthen me with your grace, Lord Jesus, and let me never be separated from you. May I live in you, and you in me, in this life and in the life to
come. Amen.

Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday are all taking on a different look; but the essence of the worship is alive and well in our devices, electronics, webpages, Facebook and our hearts. Invite others to join you in our virtual services! Worship together as a family no matter where you live! In this long season of “waiting and watching” know that there is “the other side” and in the meanwhile, we are called to pray and to be patient.

Pray for those who have lost their lives, for those that are sick, for those that are sick and don’t know it, for the hospitalized, for the families, and for all the medical, first responders,
funeral homes, and so many that are as a world, pulled into this pandemic without much choice.

No, we will not wash feet on Thursday; but may we ALL continue to wash our hands incessantly!

“To Christ our Lord who loves us, and washed us in his own blood; may you be ever at our side, holding our hands.

Faithfully,
Ann+
Need Help?

Please, if you find that you need help financially, with food, spiritually, emotionally, do not hesitate to call Deacon Victoria (512-297-5953) or Rev. Ann (769-257-2377).

We are a church family; when a family member needs assistance we want to try and help that member.
HEB Grocery Delivery for Seniors

Directions:

Call the Support line (833-397-0080) 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

OR

Click this link HEB & Favor

From Paula Foy: I have used it once; you are limited to 25 items but it is enough to get staples. Note: for produce, 5 apples, for example, would count as one item. You can click on certain items or customize if you prefer to type in the brand and product. Of course, they may or may not have everything you want but they will substitute (or not, if you prefer). As you see from Ann Foxworth's message, she was able to use the Phone # to order her groceries.

It is same-day delivery . They leave it on your doorstep so no contact with the person who delivers it. This so awesome; I have used "Curbside delivery" and it seems to be booked in advance and you may have to wait two weeks to get a time slot.

There is a $10 tip automatically charged to the bill.

This is a great service!

Hope you have a chance to try it out for yourselves.

Paula

From Ann Foxworth: You can, as a senior citizen, order from favor delivery, by going to the following web site or calling the number below. I just did it and while the web site is not accessible for my screen reader, I called in an order and after it was placed, I had my stuff at my front door in thirty minutes. The favor runner called with one question from the store, then, he was here.
 
favordelivers.com/senior
 
or call: 1-833 397 0080
 
Ann Foxworth
Holy Week and Easter
at St. John's
We are finding different ways to worship.

All Holy Week and Easter s ervices are being live streamed from our Chapel at times listed below.  
If you would like to incorporate The Stations of The Cross into your Good Friday devotions, you can access this lovely tradition using the St. John's Stations by clicking on this link:

To participate in our livestream videos, use this link to go to St. John's Facebook page.

This will take you to the "videos" tab on the left side.

When the red box " LIVE " appears, click on it. If this doesn't take you to the live video, try using the "refresh" button at the top of your screen.

The livestream for each service will be available approximately 5 minutes before the start of the service.
 
Recorded video from all services will be posted on YouTube as soon as possible after the service. YouTube links will be posted on Facebook and on our website ( www.austinstjohns.org ) .
Post a photo of your Easter Hat on St. John's Facebook page!
Wednesday evening study -
The Apostle

There will be no video session during Holy Week. The next session will be on Wednesday, April 15, at 7:00 p.m.
Celtic Saints

There will be no video session during Holy Week. The next session will be on Thursday, April 16, at 10:00 a.m.
Caring for Each Other

If you, or someone you know, need prayer or would like to be contacted by the church, please contact the Reverend Ann McLemore at 769-257-2377 or RevAnn@austinstjohns.org to add names to the Prayer List.
Giving at St. John's

People have asked how to continue their giving as the ministry of the Church continues.

There are several ways you can continue to give:

Mail your check to the Church: St. John's Episcopal Church, 
P. O. Box 81493, Austin, TX 78708-1493

Go to your bank's website and set up direct payment - the bank will send a check directly to St. John's using this address: 
St. John's Episcopal Church, P. O. Box 81493, Austin, TX 78708-1493

Use this link to pay online through our website: Click here to donate online

Use this button to go directly to our online giving site:
Missing your Book of Common Prayer?

All Holy Week services are in the Book of Common Prayer. Don't have one at home? Here is a link to The Book of Common Prayer online:

Although this is a difficult time to "do church", we at St. John's are making it happen! We hope you will join us online for Holy Week and Easter services.

Please note: The church buildings are closed until further notice.

Only Rev. Ann and essential support staff will be in the chapel for the streaming of services. 

In his message on March 26, Bishop Andy Doyle stated: "The closure of offices and suspension of public services ... in accordance with the local and statewide guidelines remains in effect" Bishop Doyle is offering guidance to the Diocese on a weekly basis. Episcopal Diocese of Texas COVID-19
All meetings and activities at St. John's are temporarily suspended.

Ministry continues. All St. John's meetings will be held virtually (via Zoom).

We will post a notification here, on Facebook, and on our website when this restriction has been lifted.
Virtual Sunday Services
10:00 am in English (Facebook)
Mediodía en español (Facebook)
For more information about events at St. John’s,
please visit our website at www.austinstjohns.org