This Sunday: April 2
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Palm Sunday – Read below for special instructions regarding kids’ worship
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Inquirer’s Class – What We Believe: The Creeds of the Church… and Beyond!
Palm Sunday: A Complicated and Paradoxical Day
On Palm Sunday we begin the story of Jesus’ journey in his final days. Jesus enters Jerusalem to the shouts of “Hosanna!” – a triumphal entry for a messiah. What happened next? What can we learn from this part of the story? We reflect on the complexity and drama inherent in human nature and in the society we create.
All of us will begin in the Sanctuary for the special Liturgy of the Palms. Then, the young people will go with Leah for a special lesson. We will all come back together for Communion and end with the Reading of the Passion. Finally, we all leave the sanctuary in silence.
What We Believe: The Creeds of the Church… and Beyond!
Parish Hall from 1:00-3:30
Christianity in America is many-faceted. So much so that 2 different communities that both call themselves Christian can have two completely opposing beliefs. How do we make sense of that? And where is the Episcopal Church in all of this? We’ll discuss the catechism, the Nicene Creed, the Resurrection, the Virgin Mary, the Trinity, what we believe about the Eucharist, and more. We’ll also talk about the difference between faith and belief.
All are welcome to join in our Inquirer’s Class. Come to the whole series or come to the topics that interest you the most. Learn more or register, here.
What is “Inquirer’s Class?
Whether you are new to the Episcopal Church or you have been here for years and want to learn more, this class is for you! We take a deeper dive into our Christian faith and how that is expressed as Episcopalians through 6 class sessions. Come to all of them or just come to the sessions where the topics interest you the most.
This class also serves as preparation for adult baptism, confirmation, or reception into the Episcopal Church. Speak with Rev. Michelle to learn more.
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Easter Memorials
One way of making an offering at Easter is through our Easter Memorials program. It’s a wonderful way to honor a loved one or offer thanksgiving for the abundance in your life. Each memorial will be listed in the Easter Sunday bulletin.You can choose to help us pay for the flowers that adorn our Easter altar AND/OR to contribute to the Easter Outreach donation, which is going to People’s Place this year. You have a few ways to do this.
- Use the form/envelope found in the Sunday bulletin and return with a check or cash to the church before April 5. If you’re here on Sunday, simply put the envelope in the donation plate.
- Email Rev. Michelle with the words you would like to have in the Easter Sunday bulletin before April 5. Then, use our Paypal account to make the donation. Choose “one-time donation” and be sure to leave a note on the next page about how you would like to have your donation distributed.
- Send a check to the church, marking the memo line with how you would like to apply the donated funds and email Rev. Michelle before April 5 with the words you would like to have in the Easter Sunday bulletin.
Holy Week Schedule
Our Director of Music Offers “9:30 Sunday Music”
I have been surprised at how few music schools offer organ studies for worship any longer. There are very few organ students now except those who study to become concert organists. Patelsons, which was THE former music center in NYC for organists, had only a small box full of music before it closed in recent years. Organ music is seldom published on the scale it once was, and it is expensive. If I need a title that isn’t in print, I now need to order it from England, and it has to be printed especially for my order.On Sundays, between 9:30 and 10:00, I am offering organ literature from the hundreds of years of work, and devotion of other organists. Bach dedicated all his sacred music in this way: “Soli deo Gloria” or To the Glory of God only.
So, I invite you to come a little early and hear music that once was commonly heard but is less and less frequently heard anywhere. God Bless.
Soli deo Gloria,
Terry Earles
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A New Offering at St. John’s
I have to admit that the pandemic has made me aware of the risks that many people deal with every day. Now that we are all living with covid as a part of our reality, those with autoimmune disorders have so much more to navigate than those who do not. I’m really proud to see one of our beloved St. John’s members, Sara Hutton, offer such an important support group right now. May this be a blessing to many. – Rev. Michelle
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Holy Week: Ancient Rites of the Pilgrim Path
Dear Ones,
Holy Week is the most sacred time in the Christian faith.
From earliest times Christians have observed the week before Easter as a journey of special devotion that can have a life-changing effect on us in the present. Jerusalem is the site of many sacred places where Jesus suffered and died. And for centuries, pilgrims have followed the path of Jesus in his last days at these places with processions and worship services.
The rites Episcopalians and other Christians will observe during Holy Week evolved from the observances of the pilgrims at these holy sites. These rites provide a worship experience of the last days of Jesus’ earthly life, as well as the time and events leading up to the Resurrection.
Find all the details here: Holy Week – St. John’s Kingston
Come and worship this coming week and journey into the deeper meaning of Easter.
In God’s love and mine,
Rev. Michelle
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Announcements for April 2
Palm Sunday
Easter Memorials Please consider making an offering to help cover the cost of Easter flowers or toward our Easter Outreach recipient, People’s Place. Use the slips/envelopes in your bulletin or email Rev. Michelle before Wednesday, April 5. All memorials will be listed in the Easter Sunday bulletin. It’s a meaningful way to help and to honor your loved ones.
THIS SUNDAY! April 2
What We Believe: The Creeds of the Church… And Beyond! A part of the ongoing Inquirer’s Class series at St. John’s. We meet from 1:00-3:30 in the Parish Hall on Sunday afternoon. Christianity in America is many-faceted. So much so that 2 different communities that both call themselves Christian can have two completely opposing beliefs. How do we make sense of that? And where is the Episcopal Church in all of this? We’ll discuss the catechism, the Nicene Creed, the Resurrection, the Virgin Mary, the Trinity, what we believe about the Eucharist, and more. We’ll also talk about the difference between faith and belief.
Social Hour Hosting: You are invited to sign up on the bulletin board in the Vestibule to be a social hour host! Talk with our Hospitality Coordinator, Barbara Johnston for more information.
Page Turners Book Club Meetings are on the first Thursday of the month at 2 p.m., in the parish hall. Here’s what we selected for the next few months: April 6 – Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus; May 4 – If on A Winter’s Night A Traveler by Italo Calvino. All are welcome! Interested? Talk with Lynn Dennison.
St. John’s Office Hours
Mondays from 12:00-4:00 pm and Thursdays from 1:00-3:00 pm
Phone: 845-331-2252
Email: stjohnskingston@aol.com
Please note: Rev. Michelle’s Sabbath Day is Friday and she is unavailable.
Have an announcement for the bulletin?
Please send by Wednesday at noon to stjohnskingston@aol.com
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2023 Easter Season at St. John’s
Apr 16: Healing Sunday, no Godly Play
Apr 23: Outreach Meeting after worship.
How We Read Scripture I: The Hebrew Scriptures. Inquirer’s Class is held from 1:00-3:30 pm.
Apr 30: Rector’s Forum – Life at the Time of Jesus. After worship.
May 7: All Ages Worship
How We Read Scripture II: The Greek Scriptures. Inquirer’s Class is held from 1:00-3:30 pm.
May 20: Consecration of Matthew Heyd as Bishop Coadjutor of the Diocese of New York, Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine in NYC.
May 21: Godly Play for kids, Healing Sunday
What We Do: Ministry and the Baptismal Covenant. Inquirer’s Class is held from 1:00-3:30 pm.
May 28: The Feast of Pentecost