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Thursday, October 22, 2020
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Prayer for Stewardship
Generous and loving God, we come to you in thanksgiving,
knowing that all we are and all that we have is a gift from you.
In faith and love, help us to do your will. We are listening.
Speak your words into the depth of our souls,
that we may hear you clearly.
We offer to you this day all the facets of our lives,
whether it be at home, at work, or at school.
We seek to be patient, to be merciful, to be generous, to be holy.
Give us the wisdom and insight to understand your will for us
and the fervor to carry out our good intentions.
We offer our gifts of time, talent and possessions to you
as a true act of faith, to reflect our love for you and our neighbors.
Help us to reach out to others as you have reached out to us.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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2020 Stewardship Campaign
Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God,
serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received.- 1 Peter 4:10
Last Sunday, we kicked off our 2020 Stewardship Campaign. The theme for our Stewardship Campaign is Time, Talent, Treasure. While St. John's needs your monetary pledge, we hope that you will also participate in parish activities using your time and talents, your own spiritual gifts. Our stewardship campaign this year is focused on the gifts that God has given us and our call to service.
Each week of the campaign, we will have the opportunity to hear from members of the parish about their own gifts that they have been given by God and how they choose to share those gifts with St. John's and the broader community.
God has given each of us one or more spiritual gifts. On Sunday, October 25th, Diane Gustafson will facilitate a Zoom session leading a discovery of one's spiritual gifts using the Spiritual Gifts Tool. If you would like to participate in this discovery and discernment process, please contact Diane Gustafson
The Spiritual Gifts Tool may be found on our St. John's website - www.saint-johns.org - click on "Grow"; then click on "Spiritual Gifts"; then scroll to the bottom to find the button (link) to the Spiritual Gifts Tool. You can print the tool from there. We will also print several copies which will be available at on Sunday. You are welcome to join the Zoom session or contact Diane for an individual session.
Stewardship is not only about treasure; it is also our time and talent. Yes, we do need your generous contributions to operate the parish, but we also need your time and talent to bring forth the mission of the Church - serving one another in love.
God has given you a gift. Please don't leave it unopened.
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Stewardship Reflection
Anne Lambrecht
My contributions to St. John's seem minimal to me. I am a
"behind the scenes" person, and, in all honesty, I don't enjoy working in a group!
I know that what I do is an integral part of a common mission to serve the community as well as the people and clergy of St. John's.
I am the Altar Linens Laundry Lady! I have been laundering and ironing the small linens several times a month for many years.
Another of my contributions has been to deliver the generous food donations offered by the people of St. John's to South Bay Community Services. Once a month I gather what amounts to a trunk-full of "groceries" and make a swift delivery to a grateful organization.
By doing these simple things I have realized that working alone and behind the scenes is a rewarding way to offer my gift of time.
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Stewardship Reflection
Linda Longoria
Since it had been quite a while since I took the test, I got to 
take it again! Strangely enough, the results were quite the same with one exception. So I'll talk about that for a little.
One spiritual gift that was not a part of the new test was --Prophecy. Prophecy implies not an ability to predict the future, but a sort of deep wisdom that enables one to see to the heart of human situations and think about them in a cogent fashion. At least, that's how I see it. And prophecy was one of my former gifts and I am sorry to have lost it since I got it rather late, as some do. I don't intend to give it up; however, I won't address it in this essay. Just remember it.
I do not have what seem to me to be valuable skills and gifts for a church member...but I have these gifts, and these others are consistent and telling in a way that makes me believe that they must be true.
My first gift is Faith. I am glad of that, though sometimes I think that it's not like me, because I am not blindly faithful. I have a weighing and measuring mind which makes me listen to and evaluate every idea I come upon. But one manifestation of Faith is faithful presence, which I have pretty willingly shown throughout my life. Thank you to my grandmother who showed me the simple beliefs in my early childhood which I now perceive to be the basis for my Christian faith throughout life. I believe there are lots of quiet Christians like me who show out their faith by simply being present at church and taking part as best I can in the life of that church.
My second gift is the gift of instrumental music. The love of music was born in my bones and has always been with me. Thank goodness for parents who did not say, "If you do not practice, we are not giving you lessons." I was a poor practicer but a good and gifted musician. I have not been able to use my music to serve the church much, because I was able to appreciate the ones who do use their musical talents to a great degree. But whenever asked, I have used my talent as best I could to serve.
Writing is my third spiritual gift. It is also my great life skill, but has been little used at church. I feel that writing involves appreciation of great writing or expression using words, and this part of writing has led me to appreciation of the greatness of Saint Paul, of the translators of the Bible, the aptness of language they employed, the spiritual depth of those who have taken on this task to discern the great wisdom-treasure that is spread before us.
There was a comic in the papers, "Miss Peach." Miss Peach was a teacher of small children, and she had a choir. With kind discernment she divided her little choir members into categories: Singers, Hummers, and Listeners... I sometimes think that my talents have placed me squarely in the Listener category, or at best and at rare good times, a Hummer. It is not the worst way to do God's work, I hope. And Prophecy is always there lurking in the background.
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Celebration of Life: Ed Wilson
The Celebration of Life for Ed Wilson will be on Friday, October 23rd at 11:00am.
Please call the office or email Maria (maria@saint-johns.org) with your name and the number in your party if you are planning to attend.
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Celebration of Life: Mark Higginbotham
The Celebration of Life for Mark Higginbotham will be on 
Saturday, October 24th at 11:00 am.
Please call the office or email Maria (maria@saint-johns.org) with your name and the number in your party if you are planning to attend.
The service will be live-streamed through the St. John's Website (www.saint-johns.org) or Facebook Page ( Saint John's Episcopal Church).
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The Passing of Joan Nagy
It is with great sadness that we inform you that Joan Nagy  passed away peacefully on October 21st. Joan celebrated her 95th birthday this past June 16.
It is with grateful hearts and faith that we now entrust Joan into the loving embrace and care of God.
During this time of grieving, please keep Joan's family in your prayers.
Into your hands, O merciful Savior, we commend your servant Joan.
Acknowledge, we humbly beseech you,
a sheep of your own fold, a lamb of your own flock,
a sinner of your own redeeming.
Receive her 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 her, O Lord;
And let light perpetual shine upon her.
May her soul, and the souls of all the departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
She will be interred next to her beloved late husband, Frank Nagy, in the family plot in Connecticut at a time to be determined.
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Scripture Readings For the Week
Readings for Sunday, October 25, 2020
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In-Person Worship Services
 The parish of St. John's had been given permission by Bishop Susan to gather outdoors for our in-person worship. In accordance with the health guidelines established by the governor and bishop, we will follow our Re-gathering Action Plan.
As we gather:
- we will perform temperature checks and symptom assessment,
- we will all wear a face mask
- we will use hand sanitizer
- we will maintain 6 feet social distance
- we will greet one another verbally, regretfully no physical touch.
- our music will be done as solos, (except for those of you at home who can sing as loud as you would like).
- we will distribute Holy Communion, the Body of Christ under the form of bread.
For those of you who are not able to attend because of the guidelines or do not feel comfortable, both of the above worship services will be streamed live on our website at www.saint-johns.org and our Facebook page: Saint John's Episcopal Church
We will try to make shaded seating available, but it is recommended to wear a hat and sunscreen. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, we must manage the size of the gathering to ensure the health and safety of all who gather.
If you plan to attend on Sunday, please contact Maria Love at the the Parish Office (619-422-4141) or by email (maria@saint-johns.org) with your name and the number of people in your party that will be attending.
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Upcoming Events at St. John's
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October 23
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11:00 am
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Celebration of Life, Ed Wilson
please call or email Maria if you plan to attend
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October 24
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11:00 am
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Celebration of Life, Mark Higginbotham
please call or email Maria if you plan to attend
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October 25
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9:00 am
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Sunday Eucharist with the Celebration of Baptism of Davis James Sitter
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November 1
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Daylight Savings Time Ends
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November 1
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9:00 am
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Sunday Eucharist for All Saints' Day
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November 11
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Veteran's Day; Office Holiday
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November 25
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7:00 pm
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Thanksgiving Eve Service
(details to follow)
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Wednesday Morning Prayer
Join us for Wednesday Morning Prayer and Bible Study 
on Wednesdays at 9:30 am as a Zoom meeting.
Please contact Rev. Cathey (revcat@gmail.com)
to be included in the Zoom meeting, or to update your info, if she does not have your current email.
The Morning Prayer guide can be found here:
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Prayers
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 get it in the Sunday liturgy. If you have a picture of you that we could post for your birthday and/or a wedding photo or current photo for those celebrating an anniversary, please email it to us - it would be great to allow everyone to see you.
We Are Available in Your Time of Need If you have a pastoral emergency when the parish offices are closed,
Prayer List
Today and every day include some time for prayer, for yourself,
for your church family, and for those in need.
For our Military
Matt, Drew, Cody, Cameron, Chariti,
Mark, Sean, Jonathan, TK, Christopher,
Timothy, Jeremy, David, Jonathan, Nick,
Jamal, Matt, Daniel, Jocelyn, Devon, Taylor,
Jorge, Katherine, Sebastian, Richie and Roberto.
For Strength in Time of Need
Scott, Betty, Dean, Norma, Sonja, Steve, Sarah, Tom, Ann,
and for all first responders, medical professionals,
essential workers and their families.
For the repose of the souls of Joan Nagy, Ed Wilson and Mark Higginbotham. May light perpetual shine on them.
For Churches in Transition in our Diocese
St. Paul, Palm Springs
All Saints', Vista
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Prayer for an Election
 Almighty God, to whom we must account for all our powers and privileges: Guide the people of the United States in the election of a president and other officials and representatives; give us clarity in our electoral process in the weeks ahead; give us the gift of a peaceful election; and grant us clear understanding of our electoral results; that, by faithful administration and wise laws, the rights of all may be protected and our nation be enabled to fulfill your purposes; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
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Episcopal Relief and Development
What Would Love Do: 1000 Days of Love
Love calls us to care for our neighbors and for our enemies. Love calls us to attend to those in prison, to those who are homeless, to those in poverty, to children, immigrants and refugees.
What would love do? To you, who so generously support the transformative work of Episcopal Relief & Development, love calls you to continue to sow seeds of lasting change
Visit Episcopal Relief and Development: One Thousand Days of Love to see how you can help.
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Camp Stevens Online Auction
Camp Stevens will post on social media on Thursday when each week's items are ready for bidding.
How to Make a Bid:
Each item has a starting bid and increments as well as a "buy now" option.
The system will notify you if one of your items receives new bids.
Bidding closes on October 31 and winners will be notified right away.
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Current office hours are 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
If you need assistance, please email Maria Love:
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Rev. Roger's Office Hours
Rev. Roger will be in the office Monday, Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, and all day Wednesday and Friday. He will be available by appointment. Please call the office (619-422-4141) 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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EDSD Statement of Commitment
As part of the Jesus Movement and the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego, we pledge to love our neighbors and protect the most vulnerable among us, remembering our baptismal vows to "strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being." We live these pledges out by actively engaging in dismantling racism. For many of us, this will mean learning more about our racial identity, listening to those who have experienced racial prejudice, speaking out against racism, and showing up alongside those in our community working to change unjust systems in our society. We also live out this pledge at worship during this pandemic, by wearing face-coverings, respecting distancing guidelines, foregoing the common cup and refraining from congregational singing.
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The Vestry
David Dennehy, Senior Warden
Terry Farrelly, Treasurer
Diane Gustafson, Clerk
Pamela Brittain
Ray Contreras
Muriel Kulikowski
Jim McDevitt
Judy McKay
Lynn Young
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To our Saint John's Family:
Here is your weekly newsletter highlighting 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 maria@saint-johns.org.
Please submit your announcements by Tuesday of each week for inclusion in the Enews and Sunday bulletin.
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Reporting Misconduct
As part of our ongoing commitment to creating a safe haven for everyone, our diocese trains people in the prevention of misconduct and encourages all to report misconduct. All reported incidences are taken seriously and investigated thoroughly and confidentially. If you believe you have experienced misconduct of any kind, please contact Mr. John Seitman, (jseitman@pacbell.net), 858-793-4555 or Ms. Equilla Luke, (aequilla@icloud.com), 760-583-0485.
Safeguarding God's People
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May the Lord bless you and keep you.
May God's face shine upon you and be gracious unto you.
May God give you the grace never to sell yourself short;
Grace to risk something big for something good;
Grace to remember that the world is too dangerous for anything but truth
And too small for anything but love.
So, may God take your minds and think through them;
May God take your lips and speak through them;
May God take your hearts and set them on fire.
-William Sloane Coffin
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Contact Information
phone: 619/422-4141
pastoral care: 619/301-0724 |
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