Before Covid-19 led to the suspension of singing, it was our custom at St. John’s (before Covid) to have silence as people entered for worship. This silence was to encourage the preparation of our hearts and private prayer before the beginning of corporate worship and to instill an atmosphere of reverence. “The Lord is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him” (Habbakuk 2:20). “Be still and know that I am God” (Ps 46:10). Only then would we begin to sing the opening hymn. During Covid times, with singing suspended, the organ played not only in this time before worship but also at other places as well to keep music alive and well in our hearts. Now that we are able to begin the service with some singing by a small group of choristers, we will be going back to the practice of having only silence before the service begins with that singing, and we hope before too much longer that we all will be able to sing as a congregation once again. You will know that worship is about to begin when the bell is rung once: a signal to kneel for the opening prayer; and to stand for the entrance of the clergy.

 - Steven Branyon

The Sacrament is offered to the faithful in both kinds. There is an element of risk in the common cup, although no studies have demonstrated infection to have resulted from receiving it. For those who have some immunity (either by vaccination or prior infection) that risk should be much lower than for those who have not. If you do not have this immunity, or have other health issues, it is probably best not to receive.

Bishop Lambert will administer Confirmation services this weekend at 5 p.m.on Saturday, May 15, and at 4 p.m. on Sunday, May 16. If you’d like to attend one of these Confirmation services, you may RSVP by visiting the links below. For those unable to attend, we will also be livestreaming both services as well. Please share our Facebook and YouTube links with family and friends.

Bishop Lambert will also be taking part in the 11 a.m. Sunday morning service, which is open to all.

Monday, May 17 is the last day to submit your or your family member’s graduation details to be included in our 2021 graduates’ recognition. You may email hharvey@stjohnssav.org with a current photo and include your full name, school, program, diploma or degrees, and a memory or your future plans.

As a reminder, all parishioners are invited to join us on Wednesday, May 19, 4 – 6 p.m. and help with St. John’s Outreach efforts, packing food for local children at P.A.C.K. If you are interested, please call Cathy Baxter at (912) 704-5111. We love to see new faces each month!

If you’d like to hear strings during our special 11 a.m. service on Sunday, May 23, you may contribute to our strings fund by dropping a check into the collection plate or mailing a check to the church office. Please make your checks out to St. John’s Church with strings in the memo.

Support the Prayer Book Society and get a discount when you purchase a copy of the classic 1662 Prayer Book “International Edition”. Mail or drop off a check (payable to the Prayer Book Society USA with 1662 in the memo) to the church office for $16/each. Books may be mailed to you for a $4 fee.