Meeting across three time zones, the St. John’s High School / College Youth Group last night learned about Lectio Divina, and focused on the Luke passage about the Prodigal Son. The Middle School Group, with all members in the PDT time zone, listened to the same passage. Classic Lectio Divina is a way to dive […]
Sixteenth Sunday After Pentecost • September 20, 2020 “It’s not fair!” Typically, the cry from a child faced with the consequences of her actions or when running headlong into firm boundaries. “Dad, how come Eric gets to stay up late? It’s not fair!” “Why am I being punished? Sue’s dad didn’t punish her!” The only […]
BINGO! was the game this week in both Youth Group meetings. But in the High School group it was ongoing references to prime numbers that dominated the game. Turns out some YG members blow steam by discussing Eratosthenes’s discovery. Who knew?! We also got caught up on more self-portraits — see pics, below. This week’s […]
Make some time in your day Wednesday to lend a hand at the RSM Cares Food Pantry at Shepherd of the Hills United Methodist Church, 30605 Avenida de las Flores in Rancho Santa Margarita. Help is needed all day between 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. or for just an hour or two. You can also […]
Dear St. John’s Family, This letter comes with prayers for each of you. I get a daily email devotional from the Henri Nouwen Society where they excerpt something from one of his books, letters or sermons. A couple of weeks ago this gem appeared in my inbox and I’d like to share it with you. […]
Connecting and checking-in are why St. John’s two Youth Groups meet weekly. Without COVID life is busy enough, but throw COVID into the mix with its life-changing challenges, and the importance of connecting and checking-in with our youth is paramount. This week’s ZOOM meetings were full of Middle Schoolers, High Schoolers, and even a couple […]
Fourteenth Sunday After Pentecost September 6, 2020 Dear Companions on the Journey: I wish you and your family deep peace and a place to rest comfortably this weekend. The promises of Dallas Raines (is that really his name?) is that the weather this weekend will top 110° each day. I pray too for no rolling blackouts […]
Thirteenth Sunday After Pentecost, August 30, 2020 Beloved people of St. John’s: From the Collect of this Sunday (and one of the Church’s most often quoted): Lord of all power and might, […] increase in us true religion; nourish us with all goodness; and bring forth in us the fruit of good works… […]
Twelfth Sunday After Pentecost, Sunday, August 23, 2020 Beloved of God: Don’t you find it affirming how often the Bible quotes the Book of Common Prayer? In the reading this weekend from a letter to the Church in Rome, Paul writes: “I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to […]
Beloved family of God, May the comforting presence of God lead us to shade, refreshment and to the right use of God’s gifts. The weather this coming Saturday promises to be more favorable to a community of faith gathering for an outdoor celebration of Christ’s Eucharist. We plan to go ahead with our feast this […]
11th Sunday after Pentecost, August 16, 2020 ~ “Jesus left that place and went away to the district of Tyre and Sidon.” Matthew 15:21 ~ With these words, Matthew introduces a scene that occurred between Jesus and a Canaanite woman. But these simple words betray a scene PACKED with significance, controversy, and importance; […]
Tenth Sunday after Pentecost, August 9, 2020 Greetings of peace, wholeness and serenity to us all. For, in the time of pandemic, these are the virtues that serve us best. In doing my part to stay home, I’ve found myself recently ordering groceries, small household needs and even ‘big ticket’ items more and more online. […]
Our first in-person worship service during COVID was held at St. John’s today, Saturday, August 1, 2020 at 5 p.m. in the courtyard. It was: • powerful to worship together in person • comforting to see the church and be on the courtyard • heartwarming to see Revs. Christopher and Karen engaging […]
Thus says the Lord: “ho, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; And you that have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price” ~Isaiah 55:1 Ninth Sunday after Pentecost August 1, 2020 Greetings of God’s abundance and peace, brothers and sisters. It’s my first day back […]
The Eighth Sunday After Pentecost July 26, 2020 The Kingdom of Heaven is Like . . . Abundant blessings to you, dear St. John’s family! I pray that your week has been filled with the fullness of God’s love. As we prepare to worship together this Sunday (worship bulletin), I’d like you to do a […]
What is our Youth Group up to? In addition to weekly ZOOM meetings, members and adult leaders are getting out in nature, hiking, and eating! Adult leaders, middle schoolers and high school kids met in the church parking lot last Sunday, walked to an O’Neil Park trail head, did a four-mile out and back trail […]
A message from St. John’s associate Vicar, the Rev. Karen Maurer: Seventh Sunday after Pentecost, July 19, 2020 Greetings, dear people of St. John’s! May the God who made us bring us joy in the knowledge that we are profoundly and eternally loved! As Psalm 139 so beautifully states, the love of God for each […]
July 12, 2020, Sixth Sunday after Pentecost May the God of Israel and the God of Jacob and the God of Jesus comfort, lead and raise us to our highest calling. As you have read and probably heard, St. John’s is aiming to gather for in-person worship again on Saturday, August 1 at 5 p.m. […]
Fifth Sunday after Pentecost, July 5, 2020 Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. With Liberty and Justice for all. It is the fourth of July. It is a national holiday when many will gather (with masks and proper distancing) to celebrate the […]
We are, most of us, possessed of joyful memories of the mid-summer rituals celebrated as “The Fourth of July.” Family gatherings, parades, picnics in the park, food cooked over an open flame, patriotic music and the loud claps of fireworks exploding overhead make up the elements of these rituals. This is how Americans celebrate and […]