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A Brief Guide to the Prayer Book and Lectionaries

A healthy dose of Holy Scripture is part of every Episcopal worship service. Thomas Cranmer, the great Archbishop of Canterbury who oversaw the compiling of the first Book of Common Prayer in 16th century England, believed people weren’t hearing enough from the Bible during weekly mass. He stressed the importance of Morning and Evening prayer, calling on all people, and especially priests, to find time several times each day to read the Bible and pray to our loving God. If you don’t have a copy of The Book of Common Prayer, you can read it online. In the back, you’ll see two lectionaries, or schedules of readings: A three-year cycle for Eucharistic services (the readings we use in church) and a two-year cycle, covering almost all of the Bible, called the Daily Office.
Online resources for both lectionaries can be found at:

  • The Lectionary Page —

  • The Online Daily Office:

    • The Daily Office includes readings, prayers, music — everything needed for personal worship except the worshiper’s loving, open, contrite heart. Some people bookmark this page at home and work and use it every day.

JOIN US! 

Church service

Wherever you are on your journey of faith and life, you are welcome to join us at St. John’s!
At the link just below we invite you to let us know about you, how we may best serve you, and provide us with contact information so we may reach out and welcome you to the St. John’s community. Be sure to ask to receive our weekly email called the eVangelist which has information about what’s happening on the weekend and the coming week.
You are warmly and joyfully invited to worship and fellowship, and join the St. John’s community, where all are welcome!

Clergy, Staff, and Lay Leadership

The people of St. John’s are called to follow God in Christ through love, worship, and service in a nurturing, open, and affirming community where all are welcome. We promote lifelong spiritual growth and education through our church and Episcopal School. We serve those in need by sharing our abundance. In faith and our tradition of common prayer, we gather to celebrate and thank our loving God.

The Reverend Jerry Sather

Committed to
Faith and Thanksgiving

You are warmly and joyfully invited to worship and fellowship, and join the St. John’s community, where all are welcome!

Upcoming Events

  • Women’s Bible Study
    Women’s Bible Study
    Multiple Dates
    Wed, Dec 04
    DJ Gomer's Home
    Dec 04, 2024, 10:15 AM – 11:30 AM
    DJ Gomer's Home
    Dec 04, 2024, 10:15 AM – 11:30 AM
    DJ Gomer's Home
    Join the women of St. John's on Wednesdays at 10:15am at the home of DJ Homer. Each week is a time for fellowship and discussion about a different topic or reading. For more information email DJ at djgomer60@gmail.com
  • Sunday 8am Morning Service
    Sunday 8am Morning Service
    Multiple Dates
    Sunday 8am Morning Service
    Sun, Dec 08
    St. John's Episcopal Church
    Dec 08, 2024, 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
    St. John's Episcopal Church, 30382 Vía Con Dios, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688, USA
    Dec 08, 2024, 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
    St. John's Episcopal Church, 30382 Vía Con Dios, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688, USA
    Sunday's 8am services are without music. We do have a communion and all are welcome.
  • Adult Forum |  Advent Series: Preparing the Way
    Adult Forum |  Advent Series: Preparing the Way
    Multiple Dates
    Sun, Dec 08
    St. John's Episcopal Church
    Dec 08, 2024, 8:40 AM – 9:40 AM
    St. John's Episcopal Church, 30382 Vía Con Dios, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688, USA
    Dec 08, 2024, 8:40 AM – 9:40 AM
    St. John's Episcopal Church, 30382 Vía Con Dios, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688, USA
    Led by Mike DeVries, engage in a weekly Advent series that focuses on spiritual preparation, scriptural reflection, and community connection as we anticipate celebrating the birth of Christ.
  • Sunday 10 am Holy Eucharist
    Sunday 10 am Holy Eucharist
    Multiple Dates
    Sun, Dec 08
    St John's Episcopal Church
    Dec 08, 2024, 10:00 AM – 11:15 AM
    St John's Episcopal Church, 30382 Vía Con Dios, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688, USA
    Dec 08, 2024, 10:00 AM – 11:15 AM
    St John's Episcopal Church, 30382 Vía Con Dios, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688, USA
    Holy Eucharist is offered at 10 a.m. on Sunday mornings. All are welcome! Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81383721660?pwd=ZEd4dDZUbWxBMnFYNkY2QWQxZ3ppZz09 Meeting ID: 813 8372 1660 Passcode: 5SbBN7
  • Women's Ministry Christmas Party
    Women's Ministry Christmas Party
    Thu, Dec 12
    Tutto Fresco
    Dec 12, 2024, 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM
    Tutto Fresco, 22332 El Paseo, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688, USA
    Dec 12, 2024, 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM
    Tutto Fresco, 22332 El Paseo, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688, USA
    Plan to join us Thursday, December 12 at 5:30 pm at Tutto Fresco for dinner and ornament exchange. Details and Sign up will be coming soon!
  • St. John's Second Saturday Men's Group
    St. John's Second Saturday Men's Group
    Multiple Dates
    Sat, Dec 14
    Learning Commons
    Dec 14, 2024, 8:00 AM – 9:30 AM
    Learning Commons, 30382 Vía Con Dios, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688, USA
    Dec 14, 2024, 8:00 AM – 9:30 AM
    Learning Commons, 30382 Vía Con Dios, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688, USA
    All men are welcome for a time to catch up with old friends, meet some new guys, and be a part of an outstanding program. We have another great program planned for our June meeting. Our speaker this month will be the president of Saddleback College, Dr. Elliot Stern.
  • Children’s Christmas Pageant
    Children’s Christmas Pageant
    Sun, Dec 22
    St. John's Episcopal Church
    Dec 22, 2024, 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
    St. John's Episcopal Church, 30382 Vía Con Dios, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688, USA
    Dec 22, 2024, 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
    St. John's Episcopal Church, 30382 Vía Con Dios, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688, USA
    We invite children aged 3 years old thru 5th grade to participate as narrators and actors!
  • Christmas Eve Family Worship
    Christmas Eve Family Worship
    Tue, Dec 24
    St John's Episcopal Church
    Dec 24, 2024, 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM
    St John's Episcopal Church, 30382 Vía Con Dios, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688, USA
    Dec 24, 2024, 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM
    St John's Episcopal Church, 30382 Vía Con Dios, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688, USA
    Christmas Eve Family Worship services in the Episcopal Church are known for their rich traditions, beautiful music, and a deep sense of communal worship celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.
  • Christmas Eve Eucharist with Special Music
    Christmas Eve Eucharist with Special Music
    Tue, Dec 24
    St John's Episcopal Church
    Dec 24, 2024, 8:00 PM – 9:30 PM
    St John's Episcopal Church, 30382 Vía Con Dios, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688, USA
    Dec 24, 2024, 8:00 PM – 9:30 PM
    St John's Episcopal Church, 30382 Vía Con Dios, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688, USA
    Christmas Eucharist services in the Episcopal Church are known for their rich traditions, beautiful music, and a deep sense of communal worship celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.

Upcoming Events

December 2024
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun
25
26
27
10:15 AM
Women’s Bible Study
+1 more
+2 more
28
29
30
1
8:00 AM
Sunday 8am Morning Service
+2 more
+3 more
2
3
4
10:15 AM
Women’s Bible Study
+1 more
5
6
7
8
8:00 AM
Sunday 8am Morning Service
+3 more
+4 more
9
10
11
10:15 AM
Women’s Bible Study
+1 more
12
5:30 PM
Women's Ministry Christmas Party
+1 more
13
14
8:00 AM
St. John's Second Saturday Men's Group
+1 more
15
8:00 AM
Sunday 8am Morning Service
+2 more
+3 more
16
17
18
10:15 AM
Women’s Bible Study
+1 more
19
20
21
22
8:00 AM
Sunday 8am Morning Service
+3 more
+4 more
23
24
4:00 PM
Christmas Eve Family Worship
+1 more
+2 more
25
10:00 AM
Christmas Day Eucharist with Music
+1 more
+2 more
26
27
28
29
8:00 AM
Sunday 8am Morning Service
+2 more
+3 more
30
31
1
10:15 AM
Women’s Bible Study
+1 more
2
3
4
5
8:00 AM
Sunday 8am Morning Service
+1 more
+2 more

FAITH-FILLED
GENEROSITY

Wherever you are on your journey of faith and life, you are welcome to join us at St. John’s!

FAITH-FILLED

GENEROSITY

Wherever you are on your journey of faith and life, you are welcome to join us at St. John’s!

SERVICES:


Sunday 8:00 am and 10:00 am
 
Childcare and Sunday School are available at the Sunday, 10 am service.
 
ADDRESS:
30382 Via Con Dios
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688

PHONE: 949-888-4595

St John's Bell tower lit by God's rays

“There is a poetry to the worship and I love the beauty of it.”

St John's Bell tower lit by God's rays

MISSION

Inspired by Christ and empowered by the Spirit, the people of St. John’s:

  • Love God

  • Love our neighbors… ALL of them

  • Gather and grow together as a spiritual, educational, and inclusive community

  • Rely on scripture, embrace tradition, and practice prayerful reflection

  • Exercise responsible stewardship of God’s gifts and resources

The procession into the church during Sunday Eucharist.

VISION

We are thriving as a grateful, open and affirming community of worship and learning; where love and welcome move us toward God’s reign by emulating Christ so hunger, isolation, and fear are no more.

Fr. Jerry at the alter blessing the communion.