The Week of March 27, 2022 |
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Join us this Sunday at 10:15AM in person or online
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And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. For with God nothing shall be impossible. And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her. (Luke 1:26-38)
Dear friends in Christ,
Tomorrow, March 25, the church observes the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. From the earliest days of the church, the Annunciation has been observed on March 25, which was understood by all Christian antiquity to be the actual date of Jesus’ death. The date commemorated also the belief that the spring equinox was not only the day of God's act of creation but also the beginning of Christ's redemption of that same creation, making it fitting therefore that Christ’s conception and death should have been aligned. The date of Christmas owes its origin to the date of the Annunciation: the former depends on and follows nine months exactly after the latter.
But what of the event itself? Our attention is focused by St Luke’s gospel not on anything biological, but on the exchange between Mary and the angel Gabriel.
Mary is addressed by the angel Gabriel as “favored one,” the recipient of a privilege, the beneficiary of God’s sovereign and unconditioned choice. What is her response? Her answer to the angel – be it unto me according to thy word – is the only response that anyone can properly make to the free and gracious bestowal of God’s favor, the response of faith and humility.
What does humility look like for us? How can we humbly accept and respond to the gracious bestowal of God’s favor on us who know and love his Son? During Lent, we are reminded that Christian devotion includes penitence, forgiveness, and reconciliation. That tells us that humility, real humility, can look like offering an apology where one is due; it can also look like accepting an apology honestly offered. Humility can look like admitting that we were wrong, even where our intentions were good.
Through Mary’s humility, the whole human family was reconciled to God. Through our own cultivation of humility, we may be similarly reconciled with God and with one another, which is the beginning of joy.
We beseech thee, O Lord, pour thy grace into our hearts; that, as we have known the incarnation of thy Son Jesus Christ by the message of an angel, so by his cross and passion we may be brought unto the glory of his resurrection; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Yours faithfully in Christ, |
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This Sunday, March 27, the Outreach Committee will be holding a “Undie Sunday 2022” drive on behalf of the Undies Project. Underwear is the most under-donated, yet most needed, item of clothing among those struggling to make ends meet. New clean underwear is a daily necessity that supports not only hygiene and physical comfort, but also human dignity and self-esteem.
Wishlist Items
NEW men's boxers and briefs
NEW women's panties
NEW girls and boy’s panties, boxers, and briefs
NEW Bras
ALL AGES AND SIZES
Collection boxes will be set up inside the main entrance of the church and in the hallway outside the library.
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Women's History Month at St. John's |
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To celebrate Women's History Month, the St. John’s Women’s Group chose to write about seven women who by their ordination and ministries have broken barriers and made a difference in the Episcopal Church. A photo and short biography of each of the seven clergywomen are on display in the Baronial Hall through the end of March. If you have time after the Sunday service, please do read the stories of these courageous trailblazers who made a difference in the Episcopal Church and Anglican Communion. |
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St. John’s Community Foundation Grantee Highlight:
Saint Joseph Parenting Center
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Saint Joseph Parenting Center’s mission is to strengthen families that are at risk of child abuse and neglect. They equip parents with the education, tools, and resources needed to foster healthy parenting patterns in an effort to decrease the incidence of child abuse and neglect.
Through their 3 programs, the General Parenting Program (GPP), Women’s Circle Support Group, and Dads are the Difference (D.A.D.s), Saint Joseph Parenting Center seeks to increase feelings of self-empowerment, confidence, and a sense of belonging while providing the education and skills that are needed for parenting and adult self-sufficiency. The classes are offered in English and Spanish. Despite the impacts of COVID, SJPC was able to serve 324 parents in 2021, 70% of whom live in Stamford.
Grants from the St. John’s Community Foundation enable SJPC to work toward a world in which all children live free of child abuse and neglect.
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Prayers and Financial Support for Ukraine |
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The developing situation in Ukraine continues to weigh heavily on our hearts. Prayers for the people of Ukraine will be offered at all services in the weeks to come. Working through the Action by Churches Together Alliance, Episcopal Relief & Development will provide cash, blankets, hygiene supplies, and other needed assistance to Ukrainian refugees. If you feel moved to contribute to these humanitarian relief efforts, please do make a contribution via: https://support.episcopalrelief.org/ukraineresponse.
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Tuesday Afternoon Bible Study |
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Open Thursdays and Saturdays:
10:00 am - 3:00 pm
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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 and Bill.
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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 the mail and doing the banking as usual.
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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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