Dear Friends-
 
A few years ago, my friend Hopie started a blog called ‘Lent Unedited’. 
It was a place to share honest reflections about our shared lives unencumbered by the pressure to present a perfect picture to the world. It was refreshing for me to share in the honest experiences and conversations that we miss when we ‘filter’ our experience to maximize success, beauty and happiness without acknowledging the messiness of reality.  One post was especially helpful. I bookmarked it for future use and it feels especially relevant for these times.
 
                                            -George
 
"My grace is sufficient for you," God says.
 
Repentance is hard. And I don't think it's because we're too proud to admit our mistakes, our brokenness, our sins. Repentance is hard because we're afraid. What if our brokenness is too big to be fixed? What if all the things I've left undone are just too many? What if our sins are so big, so multiple, so complex that if we admitted them, God would surely call it quits on us.
Repentance is hard because we are terrified that we might actually be forgiven--that God will look at all the things we've done wrong and still believe that we are worthy of God's love and worthy enough to still carry the task of doing God's work in the world.
Our weaknesses and sins are not signs that we are hopelessly flawed. They are emblems of the depth of God's grace. Repent and hold your head high. You are forgiven. God's grace is enough.
 
"My grace is sufficient for you." 2 Corinthians 12:9

A Note about Regathering for Indoor Worship

As Massachusetts moves into ‘Stage 3’ of its reopening plan and parishioners begin to be vaccinated, the question of when we’ll return to indoor worship naturally arises.  

As you know, St. John’s follows the directives of the Diocese of Massachusetts. Last week, I reached out to the Rt. Rev. Alan Gates for his thoughts on when we would receive the guidance we need to plan our next steps. Bishop Gates promptly reported that his team is at work and will provide updated guidelines for parishes soon. We will share them with you as soon as possible.

In the meantime, I want to thank you for your continued patience and support and for your willingness to worship online, from the parking lot and via Facebook.   

-George

Resources for Youth, Families, and the Young at Heart 
 
Where does the church begin and end?
  
This week we hear another story about Jesus’s life (John 2:13-22): when Jesus gets angry at the people for not taking care of each other in the temple. The temple is the place where people went to worship God. As Episcopalians we call our place of worship the church. Jesus really loves the temple and wants people to take care of it and the other people in it. 

But, where does the temple (or in our case the church) begin and end? Is it really just the building where we go to worship together? In Scripture, the temple is where God lives. Throughout the Bible we learn that God is in creation, in Jesus, and even in us. Where do you find God? Take some time this week to love the place where you find God. That might mean cleaning up trash in your favorite hiking spot, taking special care of your own bodies by eating well or exercising, or reaching out to someone who helps you feel connected to God.

Want to 'Learn to Pray?'
Fr. James Martin, a Jesuit Priest, has written a fabulous book about prayer. When I ordered my personal copy, I also picked up a few extras. If you'd like a copy, let me know!

I'd also be happy for an 'ad hoc' book club if you're interested!

Beverly Bootstraps Update
Thanks to everyone who donated soups and stews last month. 

On Monday, the Davis Family dropped off 276 pounds at Beverly Bootstraps.  

For the month of March, we’ll be collecting cereal.  

Donations can be brought to church on Sunday mornings during 'drive in' worship or dropped off anytime in the bins outside the church office. 
Technical Assistance for Recording Sessions and Copyright Reporting

We have a continuing need for helpers who might want to learn more about audio and visual technology in connection with our virtual services. This could be the perfect job for a younger person, but anyone can learn to help with lining up a good shot, hitting the record button, or editing audio and visual material once the recording is done. If I can do it at nearly age 70, I bet you can too!

Making virtual services is time consuming, but it is quite rewarding and fun. Many parishioners have been helping to record readings and prayers. Maybe you'd rather not appear in front of a camera, but would you like to be involved in production?

Like all other churches these days, we are required to have a streaming license which covers the use of copyrighted material in any live-streamed or recorded service. We are asked to report what music we sing or play every Sunday as well as for every recorded service we make. The reporting is quite a simple job that can be done online at home, but it does take time. Would you let me know if you're interested in helping out?

If you can answer yes to either of these questions, please be in touch with Francie at frances@sjcb.org or 978-853-2700.
Changes to Worship at St. John's

As you know, we recently received updated guidelines from the Bishops of Massachusetts regarding worship in Episcopal churches around the state. This newest set of guidelines ends indoor worship for the time being.  

This means we're beginning another chapter of our worship life next Sunday.  

Much of our shared worship life will remain the same.  

We will have 8:00 p.m. evening services three days a week (Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday). These services of Compline and Evening Prayer can be found on our Facebook page and you can participate whether you are 'on' Facebook or not. There are resources, including bulletins, below in the section titled, 'Resources for Evening Worship'.  

At 8:00 a.m. Luther Zeigler will offer a 'Zoom' service of Morning Prayer. For information about how to join this service email Luther by clicking here: Luther's Email

Each Sunday, beginning at 8:00 a.m., we will also offer a recorded service on our Facebook page that includes readings by parishioners, a sermon, and music from Francie and members of our choir. Resources for that service, including a bulletin and prayer list are available below in the section titled, 'Resources for Sunday Online Worship'.    

And, we will also offer a service of Holy Eucharist at 9:00 a.m. here at St. John's.  
 
The only difference is that, rather than some parishioners joining worship indoors, all will be required to worship from their cars. Instructions about how to participate in 'Drive In' worship are below.  
 
I am so grateful for your continued generosity and flexibility during these challenging times.  

"Drive In" Eucharist Instructions for Sunday, March 7
 
Participation in the "Drive In" Eucharist is simple.  
 
As you enter the parking lot from Hale Street, an usher will give you a bulletin before you park. Then, tune your car radio to 103.1 FM and follow along!    
 
Following the prayer of consecration, Sarah or I will come to your car with the host (we're only distributing the bread at this time).  
 
Please help us to remain healthy when interacting with ushers to get the bulletin and when we are giving you communion though the car window.   We ask you to stay in your car for the entirety of the service and participate in the peace by beeping your horns.  
 
We will also have these instructions written for you on Sunday morning.  
 
The broadcast travels about 1/4 of a mile, so unfortunately, unless you're an immediate neighbor, you won't be able to hear us! 
Resources for Sunday Worship  
 
1. You can watch our Sunday Worship Service anytime after 8:00 a.m. this Sunday, March 7 by clicking here Click Here to Join us for Sunday Worship
         
2. Here is the Bulletin for Sunday's bulletin Bulletin for Morning Prayer, March 7

3. At 8:00 a.m. Luther Zeigler will offer a 'Zoom' service of Morning Prayer. For information about how to join this service email Luther by clicking here: Luther's Email

4. Here is the most updated Prayer List.
Resources for Evening Worship  
 
During this season of Lent, we'll be continuing Evening Worship Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 8:00 p.m.  Services on Tuesday and Thursday will be Evening Prayer and led by clergy. The service on Saturday will be Evensong, led by Francie and the Choir. 
 
The service of Evening Prayer is found on page 117 in the Book of Common Prayer, but we've included bulletins below too.  
 
The Lenten Evening Prayer Bulletin is available here: Evening Prayer Bulletin
 
The bulletin for Choral Evensong (Saturday) is here: Evensong Bulletin