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St. John's Episcopal Church |
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Sunday Service 10:30 a.m. |
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A Message from Fr. John………………………………………………………..
My dear Friends:
I hope that all of you have had a wonderful and refreshing summer! I actually did a little fishing, read some books – liturgical studies and Civil War and one work of fiction. Most clergy – me included – never quite get the time to read all they want – but for me this summer it’s been much better. Although I haven’t had a chance to get way – YET! – I will be surf fishing in Delaware for a week or so in October. I will enjoy the ocean and beach breeze, maybe I will even catch some fish! What a busy and exciting fall we have in store here at St. John’s. Here are some of the events and opportunities: - Work Day, Saturday September 12th, 8:00 – 11:30 a.m. - Church School begins, Sunday, September 20th – NOTE NEW TIME: 10:15 a.m. - Civil War Sgt. Cyrus Davis (9th Pennsylvanian’s) will be remembered at his grave site here in St. John’s cemetery. There will be a brief memorial service for Sgt. Davis, a presentation by present family members and hopefully an honor guard. At the conclusion of the presentation, we will enjoy a picnic lunch (provided by family members). All parishioners are invited. What an opportunity to participate in a piece of history! (Saturday, Sept 19th at 11:00 a.m. in cemetery – see me for further details.) - St. John’s will be open on Chester County Day. We will have tours & info sheets about our history will be available. (Saturday, Oct. 3rd from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.) Everyone is invited! The usual fall programs are already to go on September 20th: Church School (at 10:15 a.m.), Adult Class, Potluck Suppers, Youth Sunday etc. God bless you for all you do for our Lord and St. John’s In
our Lord Jesus Christ Fr. John
Prayer for Autumn Days God of the seasons, there is a time for everything; there is a time for dying and a time for rising. We need courage to enter into the transformation process. God of autumn, the trees are saying goodbye to their green, letting go of what has been. We, too, have our moments of surrender, with all their insecurity and risk. Help us to let go when we need to do so. God of fallen leaves lying in colored patterns on the ground, our lives have their own patterns. As we see the patterns of our own growth, may we learn from them. God of misty days and harvest moon nights, there is always the dimension of mystery and wonder in our lives. We always need to recognize your power-filled presence. May we gain strength from this. God of harvest wagons and fields of ripened grain, many gifts of growth lie within the season of our surrender. We must wait for harvest in faith and hope. Grant us patience when we do not see the blessings. God of geese going south for another season, your wisdom enables us to know what needs to be left behind and what needs to be carried into the future. We yearn for insight and vision. God of flowers touched with frost and windows wearing white designs, may your love keep our hearts from growing cold in the empty seasons. God of life, you believe in us, you enrich us, you entrust us with the freedom to choose life. For all this, we are grateful. Amen.
By: Sr. Joyce Rupp, OSM
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