Volume 4, Issue 23
June 2, 2021

Thanks for reading our weekly email newsletter! We hope that it gives you useful and relevant updates for all the events and activities here at St. John's. Feel free to forward this email to your family and friends so they can be included in the "wider circle" that we're drawing here in College Park.

Garrison Keillor on Episcopalians. An essay.
We make fun of Episcopalians for their blandness, their excessive calm, their fear of giving offense, their lack of speed and also for their secret fondness for macaroni and cheese. But nobody sings like them.
If you were to ask an audience in Des Moines, a relatively Episcopalianless place, to sing along on the chorus of “Michael Row the Boat Ashore,” they will look daggers at you as if you had asked them to strip to their underwear. But if you do this among Episcopalians, they’d smile and row that boat ashore and up on the beach! ….And down the road!
Many Episcopalians are bred from childhood to sing in four-part harmony, a talent that comes from sitting on the lap of someone singing alto or tenor or bass and hearing the harmonic intervals by putting your little head against that person’s rib cage. It’s natural for Episcopalians to sing in harmony. We are too modest to be soloists, too worldly to sing in unison.
When you’re singing in the key of C and you slide into the A7th and D7th chords, all two hundred of you, it’s an emotionally fulfilling moment. By our joining in harmony, we somehow promise that we will not forsake each other.
I do believe this, people: Episcopalians, who love to sing in four-part harmony are the sort of people you could call up when you’re in deep distress. If you are dying, they will comfort you. If you are lonely, they’ll talk to you. And if you are hungry, they’ll give you tuna salad!
Episcopalians believe in prayer, but would practically die if asked to pray out loud. Episcopalians like to sing, except when confronted with a new hymn or a hymn with more than four stanzas.
Episcopalians believe their Rectors will visit them in the hospital, even if they don’t notify them that they are there. Episcopalians usually follow the official liturgy and will feel it is their way of suffering for their sins.
Episcopalians believe in miracles and even expect miracles, especially during their stewardship visitation programs or when passing the plate.
Episcopalians feel that applauding for their children’s choirs will not make the kids too proud and conceited.
Episcopalians think that the Bible forbids them from crossing the aisle while passing the peace.
Episcopalians drink coffee as if it were the Third Sacrament.
Episcopalians feel guilty for not staying to clean up after their own wedding reception in the Fellowship Hall.
Episcopalians are willing to pay up to one dollar for a meal at church.
Episcopalians still serve Jell-O in the proper liturgical color of the season and Episcopalians believe that it is OK to poke fun at themselves and never take themselves too seriously.
And finally, you know you are a Episcopalian when:
-It’s 100 degrees, with 90% humidity, and you still have coffee after the service.
-You hear something really funny during the sermon and smile as loudly as you can.
-Donuts are a line item in the church budget, just like coffee.
- When you watch a Star Wars movie and they say, “May the Force be with you,” and
you respond, “and also with you.”
- And lastly, it takes ten minutes to say good-bye . . .
.
(NOTE: Garrison Keillor attends St. John the Evangelist Episcopal Church in St. Paul, Minnesota)
Sunday Worship
Second Sunday After Pentecost
Join us via Zoom
June 6, 2021 at 10:00am

For the Sunday Worship Service:
You may be prompted to enter the following:
Meeting ID: 890 4465 2335
Password: 704817
(see Zoom instructions below)
Morning Prayer
Every Tuesday and Thursday Morning
Join us via Zoom
10:00am

For Morning Prayer:
You may be prompted to enter the following:
Meeting ID: 869 7767 5734
Password: 752305
(see Zoom instructions below)
Compline
Night Prayer
Join us via Zoom
Thursday 7:00pm

For the Compline Service:
You may be prompted to enter the following:
Meeting ID: 843 7684 4017
Password: 848486
(see Zoom instructions below)
Bible Study
A new study group has formed on Thursday mornings as an extension of the regularly scheduled morning prayer. The group is studying the scripture readings for the following Sunday morning service. All are invited to join in. Please see the 'Morning Prayer' instructions below.
ON LINE GIVING
By using this link, you can make a one-time donation or set up recurring a recurring gift (such as your pledge) using the automatic withdrawal (ACH) feature from your checking or savings account or by using your debit or credit card.

There will be an option for you to cover the small processing fee that would be assessed to the church (0.90% + 0.35 for ACH transactions or 2.65% + 0.35 for credit/debit card transactions - 3.50% for AMEX). Please know that covering this fee is OPTIONAL for you.

Optionally, you can choose to TEXT to give to St. Johns. Just text 73256 and enter our code 3480. You will be taken to the giving page where you can make your selections.

In both instances, you will receive an email or text confirmation receipt immediately upon processing the transaction. The church receives daily, weekly and monthly summary reports so we can track and help resolve any issues, if they occur.

If you have any questions or encounter any difficulties, please call the office and we will be glad to offer assistance.
"Second Cup"
an online hangout space for St. John's parishioners

Sometimes you just wanna chat and talk and hear your fellow parishioners voices or see their faces. So, we're setting up an online "hang-out" space for the people of St. John's on the Zoom platform.

Every Monday morning, between 11:00am and noon, you can enter the space by clicking below and just "hang out" in conversation with whoever else is able to join. If you prefer to dial in by phone, call 1-929-205-6099 and enter the Meeting ID 882-3460-9376 and Password 510214. Catch up on the weather, the news, opinions about the Sunday service music or sermon (be nice!) or whatever. Come and go as you need to.
Ministers of Worship for Sunday, June 6, 2021:

Readers : Sherran Davis & Lisa Norton-Rotella
Psalmists : Flo Webster & Pat Roberts
Prayers of the People: Phyllis Smith

** if you have a 'speaking' role in this Sunday's service, please log-in to Zoom by 9:45am for a microphone check and any updated instructions. Thank you!
To join any of our worship services via Zoom, here's what you need to do:

(1) If you have not already downloaded the Zoom application and if you have a laptop, tablet or cellphone that has a camera, then you can download the Zoom app at no charge. Just go to www.zoom.com to do this, following the prompts to set up your own 'account.' I would suggest doing this in advance of Sunday's service since the app can take a while to download to your device.

(2) Download a copy of the bulletin for the service by clicking the appropriate button above. You can then print and follow along with the service.

(3) Then, at the specified meeting time (or a few minutes before), click on the appropriate button to access the link to enter the Zoom service.

You will then be connected into the video meeting. All participants will be 'muted' upon entry so that we can begin the service in quiet; however, everyone participating via video can see the faces of other participants and will be able to hear the readers/speakers. At various times during and at the end of the service, everyone will be 'unmuted' and all the channels will be left open for a 'virtual' exchange of the Peace (most likely a noisy time!).

If you do not have a 'camera-enabled' device and/or would prefer to join the meeting by simply calling in with your phone, use 1-929-205-6099 as the toll-free number to do so, using the same meeting ID and password as listed above. You will be connected for audio only.
Creation Praise – Francis of Assisi
Most High, all powerful, good Lord,
to you all praise, glory and honour and all blessing;
to you alone, Most High, they belong
and no one is worthy of naming you.

Praised by you, Lord God,
with all your creatures,
especially Brother Sun,
who brings day, and by whom you enlighten us;
he is beautiful, he shines with great splendour,
of you, Most High, he is a symbol.

Praised be you, Lord God, for sister Moon and the Stars:
in the heavens you formed them,
clear, precious and beautiful.

Praised by you, Lord God, for Brother Wind
and for the air and for the clouds,
for the azure calm and for all elements
by which you give life to your creatures.

Praised by you, Lord God, for Sister Water,
who is very useful and humble,
precious and chaste.

Praised by you, Lord God, for Brother Fire,
by whom you enlighten the night:
he is beautiful and joyous,
indomitable and strong.

Praised by you, my Lord,
for Sister our mother the earth
who nourishes us and bears us,
and produces all kinds of fruits,
with the speckled flowers and the herbs.

– St Francis Of Assisi (1181-1226AD)