View as Webpage

Sunday, March 23, is the Third Sunday in Lent.

Service at 10:00 AM, Holy Eucharist

Find this week's readings in the bulletin.

Calling all Bunny Cake Bakers! We are holding a fundraiser this spring – Bunny Cakes for Easter! I need some bakers to help with this project (you will be decorators too, but it is easy!) We are opening orders on 3/30 and closing on 4/13, at which time I will know how many cakes are needed. We will gather the morning of Saturday 4/19 to decorate as a group. Participants will be asked to provide their cakes, canned frosting for each cake and an aluminum covered cardboard to present the cake on. We will provide the remaining decorations. For more information, contact Priscilla Gerrard. 

Wednesday Services During Lent

This March and April, St. John's will offer three compline services at parishioners' homes plus one final Evensong service at St. John's. For the Complines, a meal will be served at 6:00 pm and the service will begin at 7:00 pm. Since these services are in peoples' homes, space is limited. Please sign up in the Parish Hall or call the office at 978-283-1708, or email Marge. Evensong at St. John's is open to all.

• Wednesday, March 26, Compline, Home of Rev. Marya DeCarlen
• Wednesday, April 2, Compline, Home of Rick Britton
• Wednesday, April 9, 6:00, Evensong at St. John's

Burning of our Loan

Just as our endowment team was looking to lessen our monthly expenses and consider paying down our $900 monthly bank loan payments originally issued for the updating of our heating system and the refinance of the rectory mortgage, an anonymous donor paid down the entirety of the loan. Not only do we no longer have a 114K loan payment for the next 19.5 years, we also have forfeited the loan interest which would have exceeded another 100k+. 

Please save the date of Sunday May 18th to celebrate with us as we burn our loan together (with many Alleluias!) after worship during coffee hour. More information to come.

How to help!

Many of you recently expressed interest in how you can support the victims of the two houses that were engulfed by fire on Washington Street last week. We are in touch with these families and will provide clothing from Regal Rummage. Also, here is a GoFundMe page. Thank you for your generosity!!!!

Community Meals at the Open Door. Cooked by a professional chef, the Community Meal at the Open Door is available free to anyone who comes in wanting a good supper. Volunteers from the greater Cape Ann community are the servers and St. John’s is committed to serving a Community Meal at the Open Door once a quarter.

Last week, on Ash Wednesday, was our turn for the winter. Lindsay Smith, Mark Murray Brown, and Alex Garcia-Mata were the volunteers, setting tables, dishing up dinners and desserts, chatting with diners, and later clearing and washing tables. Our spring date is Friday, May 9. If you are interested in participating please speak to Alex Garcia-Mata or send her an email.

Half Off Clothes and Shoes The Regal Rummage shop is offering an End-of-Winter half-price sale on all clothing, shoes and accessories from now through the end of March. Don’t miss great savings on quality-brand clean clothing for men, women and children, presented in an organized and pleasant setting. The shop is open Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 10 am to 2 pm. Mastercard and Visa accepted. Free parking at 33 Washington Street.

Did you know? In 2024, the Open Door experienced a 30% increase in requests for food assistance? Did you know that the Open Door distributed 2.35 million pounds of food, and served 11,893 people in the Cape Ann area? This past Wednesday alone, a total of 223 orders were packed and distributed in one day by the fulfillment center? Saint John's has been a significant presence in helping the Open Door meet the growing needs of our community. This week the following items would be much appreciated: pasta, healthy cereal, canned kidney beans and black beans (great for making soup), and brown rice.

Music Notes 

Robert J. Powell (b. 1932) composed this Sunday’s anthem, Christ the Vine. Powell was born in Benoit, Mississippi. Since 1958 he has published over 300 compositions for organ, choir, handbells and instrumental ensembles with leading American and English church music publishers. Robert Powell grew up in sacred music, beginning his training in the 5th grade and starting to compose in 7th grade. By age 18, he was providing piano and organ music for worship services, something he continued through his years in college and as a chaplain’s assistant in the U.S. Army. Mr. Powell holds a Bachelor of Music in Organ and Composition from Louisiana State University (1954) and a Master of Sacred Music from Union Theological Seminary in New York (1958), where he studied under Alec Wyton. He was Assistant Organist at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York from 1958 to 1960, Organist/Choir director at St. Paul’s in Meridian, MS from 1960 - 1965, and Director of Music at St. Paul’s School in Concord, N.H. from 1965-1968. He held the position of Organist and Choir Director at Christ Church in Greenville, SC from 1968 to 2003.

The text for Christ the Vine was written by Edith Sinclair Downing (1922-2016), based on John 15:1-5. Edith Sinclair Downing began her ministry of writing hymns in her late sixties. This ministry in song is inspired by Scripture as well as by today's life stories. Some of the concerns she addresses are pain and suffering, care of the earth, affirmation of women, and peace and justice for all God's people. Edith received a scholarship in cello from The University of Wichita, and she also attended Baker University. She continued her studies at Chicago Theological Seminary and earned an M.A. degree in religious education from The University of Chicago in l946. In l980, she received a master of theological studies with a major in worship from Trinity Lutheran Seminary.

Christ the Vine

Christ, the vine, and God, the gardener, we, the branches bearing fruit.

We can bring forth shoots of promise when our lives in Christ take root.

Christ, the fruit from Jesse springing, you fulfilled the prophet’s trust.

And you pray that we, your body, will fulfill your trust in us.

Christ, may we submit to pruning that we bear more grapes for wine.

Help us, when we’re overburdened, draw new strength from you, the vine.

You invite us to be partners, growing Spirit’s fruit anew.

Keep us one in love together: you in us, and we in you!

Your Friend,

John Churchwell

Holy Eucharist - Sunday, March 23, the Rev. Ali Lutz will be preaching and celebrating.

Compline - Wednesday, March 26, 6:00pm Meal, 7:00pm Compline

Home of Rev. Marya DeCarlen

Compline - Wednesday, April 2, 6:00pm Meal, 7:00pm Compline

Home of Rick Britton

Choral Evensong - Wednesday, April 9, 6:00pm

Palm Sunday - April 13, 10:00am

Maundy Thursday and Agape Meal - April 17, Agape Meal with Eucharist at 6:00 pm, followed by prayer in the garden at 7:00 pm, stripping of the altar at 7:30, pm. From 8:00 pm to 6:00 am, you may sign up for prayer shifts (30 minutes) in Garden of Gethsemane. 

Good Friday Reading of the Passion - April 18, 11:00am

Collaborative Easter Vigil with St. Mary’s - Saturday, April 19 at

7:00 pm at St. John's Gloucester

Easter Sunday - April 20, 10:00am

Morning Prayer - April 27, Jason Kinchen, Officiant

"May The Fourth Be With You" Silent Movie Concert

May 4, John Churchwell, Organist

Sign-Ups

Altar Flowers

Flowers beautify the Sanctuary of our church, and are a gift which honors God’s creation. A contribution to the flower fund is a meaningful way to honor or remember a loved one. After worship, the flowers offer further blessings to people in special circumstances as they are delivered by members of the flower team with a note of encouragement. Cost:$35

Sanctuary Light

If you look up while seated in our sanctuary you will see a candle suspended in oil near our high altar. It is called the Sanctuary Candle and it is a symbol in the Episcopal Church of the Light of Christ. Our light was designed and made by sculptor John Fleming, formerly of Rockport, whose work you may see in the Franze Denghausen Room in the Rockport Library, and possibly at the Rockport Art Association. It burns continuously as a reminder that consecrated bread and wine are always present and available for people in special circumstances. It is also a reminder that God is always with us. In the Jewish tradition, the lamp is known in Hebrew as ner tamid, which translates to eternal light or flame and also symbolizes God’s eternal presence. A contribution to the sanctuary lamp fund in honor of a saint who has gone before us, is a way to link their heavenly life with yours. Cost: $10

All offerings will be mentioned in the bulletin and noted before the Eucharistic prayer.

Coffee Hour

Coffee Hour is an extension of the Eucharistic table and helps us come together in fellowship. We appreciate your support and dedication in making this ministry a warm and welcoming experience for everyone. Currently there are four teams serving on Sunday mornings. If you’d like to join a team of 2-3 people or create a new team, please email Marge or call the office at 9781-283-1708.

Action Lunches returns in the spring.

March 23, 2025

The Third Sunday in Lent

10:00 AM

Download the bulletin to see who is participating in the liturgy.

CONTACT MARYA (Priest-in-Collaboration) at mdecarlen@comcast.net or 978-590-1642

St. John's Intercession List: Mikey, Grayson and Tony Johnson, Clay Gordon Woodgate, Colette Doyle, Continued Peaceful Negotiations with Israel and Palestine, in the Midst of the Cease-fire with Hamas, Carmine Gorga, Fozzie Hill, Dolores DeRuscio, Lois Lupo , Steve Jencks, Ben, Rosie, Reverend Stephen Woods, CoCo Baxter, Francisco Lococo, The People of the Middle East, Jim LaBelle, Eric Leibowitz, Ruth and Gabriel Leibowitz, Anna and Isabelle, Ondine, Don Baker, Mandy, Marjorie Frontiero, Hope, Brie-Anne Martel, Patty Reed, Marjorie Fergusson, Laurie Menard, Jeremy, Lucy,  Gaëlle K., Sean G., Josh R., Sean, Alexis Morris, Charlie Bishop, Sarah Clifford, Ace Torrence and Family, Jacoby, Jay Featherstone, Isabelle Higgins, Christopher Antonuk, Miranda Featherstone and Family, Marsha White, Claire Stahler, Carole Secrest, Chris Klosterman, Sereda Feener, Alex Furth, Simeon Teitelbaum, Miriam Teitelbaum,  Len Berry, Ellen, Wayne Martin, Ernie Runnells, Jack Ketchopulos, Michael Rocha, Liana and Joe Webb, Linda, Malcolm Henderson, Emelia Currier, Danny, John Fleming.

Contact prayer list manager: Joan Gorga 978-283-5926 or jmgorga@yahoo.com

Please notify Joan Gorga if there is any change with the people on this list. Thank you.

WEEKLY CALENDAR

Sundays               

• 9:00-9:30 am Choir rehearsal (Sept. through June)
• 10:00 am Sung Eucharist
• 11:45 am First Sundays, “Will you sit with me while I feel this?” gathering
• 11:15 am Fourth Sundays, Healing Service at end of worship

Mondays             

• 9-noon Church open for prayer and meditation
• 9-noon Ms. Fixits Women gathering to tend to the fabric of the church
• 4-5:15, Book Study during Lent (Schedule to change during Easter)

Tuesdays

• 9-noon Church open for prayer and meditation
• 4:30 pm Women's Cursillo Reunion Group (1st and 3rd Tuesdays)

Wednesdays

• 7 am Men's Bible Reflection, (Bible study) 
• 9-noon Church open for prayer and meditation
• 11:45 am-1:30 pm Homiletical Huddle
• 10 am to 2 pm Thrift Shop and Regal Rummage Open
• 7 pm Fish City AA

Thursdays    

• 9-noon Church open for prayer and meditation
• 7 - 8:30 pm Parish Choir rehearsal (Sept. through June)
• 7:00 pm AA

Fridays

• 10 am to 2 pm Thrift Shop and Regal Rummage Open

Saturdays             

• Action Shelter Lunch-Making, Carolyn Stewart
• 10 am to 2 pm Thrift Shop and Regal Rummage Open
• 7 pm Big Book AA