A Letter from Pastor Susie: Suspending Gatherings, but Bound By the Spirit
Dear St. John’s friends,
In our church calendar, Easter lasts for 50 days – and I’ve always thought it was notable that the season we have for celebrating the good news of resurrection is just a little bit longer than the time we spend preparing for it, in the season of Lent. In other words – resurrection and new life will outlast any season of penitence, sorrow or preparation!
Still, this season of love of our neighbor as expressed in social distancing seems long and hard. I wish I could tell you when and how we will begin to re-gather in person, but we simply don’t have those answers just yet. When we are able to be in the same place, it will probably look different for a while longer – smaller groups, spaced out seating, and that kind of thing will likely be part of the process.
In the meantime, there are many ways to pray “together” even though we’re apart. Thanks be to God for our theology and belief in the communion of saints – that where ever we are, we are never alone, because in Baptism, we have been joined with all the faithful by the power of the Holy Spirit. God binds us together in love, and in spirit, and in mission, whoever and wherever we are. When we gather to pray – whether through a phone call, a computer, or a letter, Jesus promises to be with us.
As we pray at the end of Morning Prayer –
Almighty God, you have given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplication to you; and you have promised through your well-beloved Son that when two or three are gathered together in his Name you will be in the midst of them: Fulfill now, O Lord, our desires and petitions as may be best for us; granting us in this world knowledge of your truth, and in the age to come life everlasting. Amen.
As of March 13th, we are participating in the call to community distancing, and in-person worship and gatherings will be suspended.
Along with our Bishops Committee and ECW leadership, we are working to keep up our contact. Use the links found on this page, as well as on our Facebook group for worship, prayer and learning. Follow us on Facebook at St. John's Church Clinton, MI if you don't already!
Finally, as members of the One Body in Christ, let us remember those who are deeply affected by various closures, work stoppages, and inadequate access to health care. If you have the means, offer extra support to local food banks, shelters or clinics, like I-82 Food Ministries, Share the Warmth, and our Clinton Food bank.
As our Presiding Bishop Michael Curry likes to say – God love you, God bless you, and may God hold all of us in those Almighty Hands.
Peace and blessings,
Pastor Susie Shaefer
updated April 30th, 2020
In our church calendar, Easter lasts for 50 days – and I’ve always thought it was notable that the season we have for celebrating the good news of resurrection is just a little bit longer than the time we spend preparing for it, in the season of Lent. In other words – resurrection and new life will outlast any season of penitence, sorrow or preparation!
Still, this season of love of our neighbor as expressed in social distancing seems long and hard. I wish I could tell you when and how we will begin to re-gather in person, but we simply don’t have those answers just yet. When we are able to be in the same place, it will probably look different for a while longer – smaller groups, spaced out seating, and that kind of thing will likely be part of the process.
In the meantime, there are many ways to pray “together” even though we’re apart. Thanks be to God for our theology and belief in the communion of saints – that where ever we are, we are never alone, because in Baptism, we have been joined with all the faithful by the power of the Holy Spirit. God binds us together in love, and in spirit, and in mission, whoever and wherever we are. When we gather to pray – whether through a phone call, a computer, or a letter, Jesus promises to be with us.
As we pray at the end of Morning Prayer –
Almighty God, you have given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplication to you; and you have promised through your well-beloved Son that when two or three are gathered together in his Name you will be in the midst of them: Fulfill now, O Lord, our desires and petitions as may be best for us; granting us in this world knowledge of your truth, and in the age to come life everlasting. Amen.
As of March 13th, we are participating in the call to community distancing, and in-person worship and gatherings will be suspended.
Along with our Bishops Committee and ECW leadership, we are working to keep up our contact. Use the links found on this page, as well as on our Facebook group for worship, prayer and learning. Follow us on Facebook at St. John's Church Clinton, MI if you don't already!
Finally, as members of the One Body in Christ, let us remember those who are deeply affected by various closures, work stoppages, and inadequate access to health care. If you have the means, offer extra support to local food banks, shelters or clinics, like I-82 Food Ministries, Share the Warmth, and our Clinton Food bank.
As our Presiding Bishop Michael Curry likes to say – God love you, God bless you, and may God hold all of us in those Almighty Hands.
Peace and blessings,
Pastor Susie Shaefer
updated April 30th, 2020
A Message from Bishop Bonnie Perry |
Online & Home Worship ResourcesMany congregations are utilizing technology to broadcast worship, which you can participate in from your home! Here are a few options for Sunday morning worship:
Download the July 5th bulletin here St. John's is worshipping on ZOOM - Sundays at 10am! Go to https://www.zoom.us and join us - our Meeting ID is the church phone number, and the password is our zip code. The call-in and login directions are also printed on the bulletin. Here are a few other options for worship: 11 am Holy Eucharist, Every Sunday Live streaming on the National Cathedral website The Daily Office in Quarantine (Morning & Evening Prayer): The site prints the full service, including the daily readings, and you can join live at either 7am or 9am for morning prayer. 9pm Wednesdays Compline with Ken Wilson & Julia Huttar Bailey Join Ken (author of God Be In My Head, our Lenten study) and Julia (who has led worship with us before) for Compline on the Facebook page of Blue Ocean, the congregation Ken co-pastors in Ann Arbor. For more resources, explore the offerings listed on our diocesan website or download a free PDF version of the Book of Common Prayer! |
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Habits of Grace
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