Tuesday, September, 15, 2026
The Chapel St. Chronicle
Welcome to the Chapel Street Chronicle, your weekly St. John’s digest.
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Sermon Series
"Abide in Me"
The Rev. Aaron B. Jenkyn
Jesus’ invitation to “abide in me” reminds us that the life of God is already moving among us, often before we know how to recognize it. Like fruit tended by hands we may never know, much of what sustains us is something we have received—and we, in turn, are called to tend faithfully what may one day nourish someone else. As St. John’s begins a new program year, we are invited to abide: to stay close to God, to one another, and to the world around us, paying attention to what God is already growing among us.
MUSIC
“Draw us in the Spirit’s tether” by Harold Friedell; featuring the St. John's Parish Choir, under the direction of Jennifer Mulhern, Director of Music.
Featured Offertory Anthem at the 10:00am Rite II Service of Holy Eucharist on Sunday, September 13, 2026.
MORE THAN AN ORGAN: 25 YEARS OF MUSIC AND COMMUNITY
Thoughts from Jennifer Mulhern, Director of Music and Liturgy
Three generations of Music Directors (L to R): Diane Dean (1992-2002), Abbey Siegfried (2003-2013) Jennifer Mulhern (2018- present).
Our pipe organ turns 25 this year! To celebrate, we’re offering a special concert by world-renowned organist Bruce Neswick on Friday, September 25 at 7 p.m., followed by Music Sunday on September 27, when we’ll celebrate this musical legacy together in worship with a festive choral anthem, specially chosen hymns, and trumpeter Adam Gallant.
The Bruce Neswick concert is going to be pretty special, and you can learn more at stjohnsnh.org/concerts/bruce-neswick.
But the reason we’re so excited to celebrate this instrument goes beyond its spectacular sound (I’m serious—it really is one of the finest organs on the Seacoast). We celebrate it because of the ways it has fostered community and helped us use music to love and connect with one another.
And for me personally, this instrument is woven into my own story with St. John’s.
This instrument is an important part of the legacy of Dianne Dean, who served as Music Director at St. John’s from 1992 to 2002. Through Dianne’s vision and the work of the Organ Search Committee, this remarkable instrument became a reality. Its presence also helped inspire the founding of the Young Organist Collaborative in 2002, where I began taking organ lessons that same year.
Dianne’s successor, Abbey Siegfried, served as Music Director from 2003 to 2013. The opportunity to play such a fine instrument was an important part of what drew Abbey to St. John’s, and the parish choir and music program flourished under her leadership. As a student of Abbey’s, I was encouraged to pursue organ performance in college.
Jennifer Mulhern practices the organ as Organ Scholar in 2008.
I had known St. John’s for years through my family, Dianne, and the YOC, but it was in 2008, when I served as Organ Scholar, that I really began to experience this place as my own community. That experience stayed with me. Since returning as Music Director in 2018, I am grateful to be part of this ongoing musical legacy.
On Music Sunday, September 27, we’ll bring that celebration into our worship together. With a festive choral anthem, specially chosen hymns, and trumpeter Adam Gallant, we’ll give thanks for an instrument—and a musical tradition—that continues to help us make music, build community, and love one another.
ABIDE IN ME: OUR THEME FOR THE YEAR AHEAD
What Might Grow When We Make Room to Abide?
In John’s Gospel, Jesus offers the image of a vine and its branches: rooted, connected, nourished, and growing. “Abide in me,” he tells his friends. “Abide in my love.”
That invitation will be a thread running through our life at St. John’s this year. As we have listened to one another, we have heard a longing to go deeper in faith, to build relationships where people are known and belong, and to make a meaningful difference in the community around us.
Throughout 2026–2027, Abide in Me invites us to stay close to God’s love, to one another, and to the world around us, and to pay attention to what might grow from those connections.
This year, we’ll be making intentional space for three areas of our life together:
Scripture, Prayer & Spiritual Practice
More opportunities to engage scripture, explore prayer, ask questions, and discover practices that help us notice God in everyday life.
Gathering & Belonging
More opportunities to gather, build relationships, share experiences, and create a community where newcomers and longtime members alike can know and be known.
Faith in Our Community
More opportunities to put faith into practice through service, justice, creation care, community partnerships, and joining in where God is already at work across the Seacoast.
We don’t know yet everything that will grow. That is part of the invitation. What might grow when we make room to abide?
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