One of the true gifts of virtual church is that we get to hear from people like The Rev. Rengers. I hope this sermon challenges you and gives you hope. Let’s be this Church!

This is a piece we sang during the Celebration of Life for Duncan Raeside on October 22nd. Participating in these services is one of the greatest privileges of working in ministry - one that we don't take for granted.

My heart rejoices that I am part of you and you are part of me. This is my love letter to you all.

Sometimes it is only when you happen to taste a crumb of it that you dimly realize what it is that you're so hungry for you can hardly bear it.

How do you define mercy?

Then it is only kindness that makes sense anymore

Let us too be sustained by prayer and our loving community as we journey together through the wilderness of our time and listen attentively for ways God may be calling us individually or as a community to make a difference.

our years ago we heard “God’s love refuses to be kept in a box.” This is Bishop Rob Hirschfeld and our Presiding Bishop’s vision of our “being the Beloved Community”.

However, as I’ve reflected this week on what really made being together so powerful for me was not just being back in the sanctuary, it was the PEOPLE who were there.

Chuck has some brilliant fundraising ideas for 2022, but it’s been hard to drag the vestry along with them… so he says we’re going to have to do it ourselves. **HUMOR ALERT**

I have a dear friend who lives in deep East Texas when he’s not travelling all over the world. He says that “Sometimes you cannot see the forest for the writin’ on the wall.” That was what happened to me this week.

As a community, we rely on each other not only to lift our spirits when they need lifting, but to provide inspiration, guidance, wisdom and fellowship. Without the support that comes from each of us, we cannot fulfill our broader mission as a community of faith that is committed to welcoming all, uplifting all, and making us all better able to serve others, in our community, and in the world.

Sermon & Song from 10/24, Homecoming Sunday. “Inside our old church on top of the hill / Where we come as one to follow your will / We don't ask for much, just forgiveness and grace / To follow you home to that heavenly place.” -Olin Johannessen

So one of the absolute perkiest perks about being Senior Warden at this amazing place is getting to spend time with the folks who participate in the various ministries.

The choir anthem from our Homecoming Sunday on 10/24 was “The Road Home” by Stephen Paulus. There is no such beauty as where you belong; Rise up, follow me, I will lead you home.

Standing in front of a full church this morning was almost more than I could bear. I sit here on a gorgeous fall Sunday afternoon and am grateful…so grateful.

I’m looking forward to returning to our spiritual home with you and feeling that magnetic energy that is unique to St. John’s. I am so grateful for our community.

Today’s reflection comes to us courtesy of Jennifer McPherson, our Director of Music and Liturgy. Jen takes us all the way back to the beginning of the pandemic and showcases not only how we’ve evolved in our liturgical and musical offerings throughout this time, but also what we’ve missed, and what we are looking forward to with the in-person, in-sanctuary return of our Rite II service this Sunday, October 24, at 10:00am.

Our kids are really a part of the community at SJC — they aren't an afterthought, like, ‘Oh, these people have kids, we need to find something to keep them occupied.’ Nope. It's always been ‘Here our are littlest members who are very important. What can we offer them?’

Homecoming brings as much excitement to the Altar Guild as it did when we were much younger and in school or college. As we prepare for Oct. 24, we look forward to using our treasured communion vessels and hope we remember the details of preparation. With great anticipation we look forward to being together, hearing music, singing hymns and being in our beloved St. John's.