The Messenger E-News

Livestream @ 9:30 on Facebook

9:30 AM Rite II Eucharist with Children's Chapel

10:30 AM Coffee Hour

Click either button to watch the livestream

Visit our virtual worship page for the Sunday Bulletin

Livestream @ 9:30 on YouTube

A Prayer for the Fourth of July

O God, in whose Name the founders of this country won liberty for themselves and for us, and lit the torch of freedom for nations then unborn: grant that we and all the people of this land may have grace to maintain our liberties in righteousness and peace; through Jesus Christ our

Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen

Mission Completed! Our youth group returned home from their mission trip. View photos here.

Growing

“Wacky Wednesday Wonder Games”

July 10, 17 & 24 from 5:30-7 p.m.

Join Miss Margie for a wonderfully good time on Wednesdays in July 2024!

Kids age 3 through fifth grade will learn about God’s love for them through water games and stories. Dinner at 5:30. Kids should come in their swimsuits and bring a towel. There is NO cost for our Vacation Bible School.

In honor of the Summer Olympics, our VBS will hold its own wacky competition, sure to bring laughter to children as we play games and learn about God and our world.

July 10 – “One Race – the Human Race” Bible Story: The Good Samaritan (Luke 10)

July 17 – “One Planet – Earth, Our Island Home” Bible Story: Creation (Genesis 1)

July 24 – “One God – Father and Mother to All” Bible Story: Jesus and his Family (Mark 3)

Click here to register.

Baptismal Preparation Class

Our Baptismal Preparation Class (in-person) is designed specifically for baptismal candidates, parents, and their sponsors (Godparents). This hour long class will be held on July 21 & 28 from 11-12 in the Battin Room. Rev Jill will discuss this sacrament of initiation into the Christian faith. There will be time to ask questions and to walk through the baptismal liturgy. Email Rev. Jill for more info.

New Member Feature

Welcome Diane Stover!

1. What drew you to Saint John's? What keeps you coming back? ALL are welcome - and I was treated like family on my very first visit, 2/11/24

2. Tell us a little about yourself and/or your family. Happily married with 2 daughters & 2 step-sons. I’ve been the Director of Child Accounting at Chester Community Charter school for over 22 years. I enjoy amateur crocheting, reading, coloring, artistic roller skating, watching nature and helping others any chance I get.

3. If you could have one super power, what would it be? Healing

4. What animal best represents you and why? A lioness - because I have and will always protect my children fiercely.

5. What is your favorite book and/or movie? Fiction book - Twilight series - it takes something that has always been portrayed as evil and made it good. Fiction movie - Moonstruck - I’m Italian so it hits home :) Non-fiction book - the Bible. Non fiction movies - anything about God or Jesus.

6. What is the last thing that made you laugh? Feeding the squirrels behind my house. They have literally done back flips over each other trying to get to the peanuts.

7. If you had a time machine, where would you go and why? I’d go back to when Jesus walked the Earth.

Serving

Parkinson's Support Group

1st Wednesday of the Month

Next one is

July 3 @ 1:30 PM to 3 PM

More info here.

Submit Prayer Request

Pastoral Care Needs

Save the Dates

American Red Cross Blood Drive at Saint John’s:

Tuesday, August 27 2-7 PM

The heat is on to find more blood donors – there simply aren't enough people giving. Summer is an especially hard time to collect enough blood donations to meet patient needs. You can help bring brighter days to patients. Sign up to here to save up to three lives. Signup sheets will be available at church in July and August.

QPR Suicide Prevention Training: Sunday, September 29 @ 11:30 AM

Question. Persuade. Refer.

3 steps anyone can learn to help prevent suicide.

Saint John’s is hosting a QPR training open to the community. These trainings are just as important as knowing CPR. You never know when you might need it. Anyone of high school age and older can attend. Learn more here: qprinstitute.com

Deanery / Diocese Events

Education for Ministry: Discern and discover (via Zoom). On 7/25, learn more about the EfM program, a highly regarded, global Christian formation program designed for lay people, run by The School of Theology, University of the South, Sewanee, Tennessee, and available right here in Pennsylvania.

Details here.

Deanery Partnership with Habitat for Humanity

Volunteers Needed Saturday, July 20

We’re excited to announce that the Brandywine Deanery of the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania is developing a new partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Chester County. Our Deanery is seeking to provide 10 volunteers (total, combined) out of our 15 parishes to work with Habitat on the 3rd Saturday of each month, beginning in July 2024. Signup here. Questions can be sent here.

You must be at least 16 years of age to work on site and able to volunteer for a full day (8:30-3:30 with an hour break for lunch).

Volunteers 16 and 17 years of age must have a chaperone age 21 or older accompany them on the job site

The Brandywine Deanery would field a team of 10 volunteers on the 3rd Saturday of each month (July 20, August 17, and September 21 for now).

Project Power

The diocese has partnered with the American Diabetes Association to host Project Power, a no-cost program for adults 18+ that raises awareness and offers diabetes risk reduction education to people with type 2 diabetes, prediabetes or who are at risk for type 2 diabetes. We have been incorporating diabetes prevention into our summer camps for youth through health education and fun activities like cooking classes. Details here.

St. John's Episcopal Church

Usual Office Hours

Monday - Friday

9 AM - 1 PM

610-459-2994

saintjohnsconcord.com

The Rev. Jill LaRoche Wikel, Rector