| | Weekly Dispatch, March 18th, 2020 |
|
|
| |  | | A Message from Fr. Bryan |
|
| Long ago, the prophet Isaiah wrote to the people of Israel, in the midst of hard times, saying,
|
| | | You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock. (Isaiah 26:3-4) |
|
These are anxious and unprecedented times for us, so let's keep our hearts and minds stayed on God, and let's trust in our Lord who is an everlasting rock. In the weeks ahead, I'll do my best to offer encouragement and keep our community focused on the "Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows, (James 1:17). That said, I have several important matters to communicate with you this morning.
|
- We have been directed by the ADGL Standing Committee to suspend our Sunday gatherings for at least the next few weeks. Nothing pains me more than this decision. We have many young people in our church who will most likely be unaffected by covid 19 and could seemingly gather safely, but every young person has uncles, aunts, grandparents, and neighbors who may be at risk. Thus, we are being directed to step back from our regular gatherings temporarily for the common good. An official statement from the ADGL is forthcoming, and I will share that with all of you when I receive it.
- St. John's will host Morning Prayer on Sundays at 10:30 a.m. via Google Hangouts, which is a very simple video-conferencing platform that allows us to meet with each other virtually via computer or smartphone. An hour or so before we begin, I will send a link via text, and you simply click on it to join us. I plan to arrange for readers in advance and to provide instructions for participating using the BCP or a document that I will provide.
- St. John's will have an evening prayer service on Wednesday nights (starting tonight) at 6:30 pm via Google Hangouts. Look for further instructions and a link by 6:00 p.m. I also encourage you all to spend time praying as a family, using either the BCP Daily Office or the "Spiritual Communion" format provided by Bishop Jim Hobby of Pittsburgh, which you can find below in this email.
- Daniel Semelsberger has offered to lead Eagle & Child discussions via Google Hangouts as well, beginning next Monday evening. Look for more information coming from Daniel.
- Please call me if you need anything or if you would like to meet up at the church to talk, pray, or to receive Holy Eucharist. I can be reached at 330-685-5510.
- Finally, as I am sure you understand, St. John's has fixed expenses that will not change in the weeks and months ahead. We are able to continue in ministry only on the basis of your giving, so please consider moving your regular giving online during this time. You may donate online and even setup a recurring gift at the link below.
| |
|
| I'll let the prophet Isaiah have the final word this morning:
|
| | | Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. 29 He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. 30 Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; 31 but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:28-31) |
|
| | St. John's Temporary Schedule- Sunday Morning Prayer @ 10:30 a.m. via Google Hangouts
- Wednesday Evening Prayer @ 6:30 p.m. via Google Hangouts
- Eagle & Child Discussion on Monday nights at 6:30 p.m. via Google Hangouts
|
|
| | A Sermon for the Third Sunday of Lent,by Dr. David Beer |
|
|  | | Third Sunday of Lent, March 15, 2020 Ex 17:1-7; Ps 95; Rom 1:16-32; John 4:5-26 Will you pray with me: May the words of my mouth, and the meditation of all our hearts be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, our rock and our redeemer. Intro With our present concern with precautions about the coronavirus, I’m sure we have all … |
| |
|
| Spiritual Communion? |  | | In the absence of a weekly Eucharistic Service, Bishop Jim Hobby of the Diocese of Pittsburgh has offered the following advice to families who may want to participate in "spiritual communion" in the context of their own home. I appreciate his advice and want to share it with you. The following is excerpted from a pastoral letter sent members of … |
| |
|
| The Daily Office| Interested in a simple way to pray the daily office from the Book of Common Prayer? Follow this link for text and audio versions of morning, noon, and evening prayer. The site is hosted by our friend, Fr. Michael Jarrett. |
|
Questions?| If you have questions about any of the content contained in this email or want to learn more about St. John's Anglican Church, please let us know. You can fill out a form at this link, and you will receive a response from Fr. Bryan. |
|
|
| | Subscribe to Our Sermon Podcast |  | | |
|
| | |
|
