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Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost
Welcoming Sunday
Holy Eucharist, Rite II
September 20, 2026
Dear People of Saint John's,
This Sunday is the Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost and we welcome Father Gary Strubel to our services. Father Strubel has served the diocese as a bi-vocational priest for the past 21 years. Eighteen of those years as the vicar at All Saints Church in Hoosick. He currently provides supply services throughout the diocese and assists at Trinity Church, Lansingburgh.
This Sunday’s Gospel is Matthew 20:1 – 16, and Father Strubel shared this in preparation for Sunday’s reading: “I imagine that most of us who contemplate the “Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard” can immediately sympathize with the laborers who worked the longest. But, of course, this is a parable about grace and not about monetary compensation.
So, it’s easy for us to rationally agree that grace is for everyone. However, to fully appreciate the power of this parable, Jesus would have us contemplate how we really feel about the worst, most undeserving villains of our time getting the same share of grace as the rest of us. This is the challenge that Jesus asks us all to consider."
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Catechesis of the Good Shepherd
Classes begin on Sunday!
Children (and parents) can meet Gaby in the Atrium at 9:30 am on Sunday to begin.
After-school programs begin this week as well:
Wednesday after school for ages 6-12 (4:15-5:45 pm) beginning September 23.
Thursday after school for ages 3-5 (4:00-5:30 pm) beginning September 24.
There is still time to register: REGISTER HERE
Have You Felt the Gentle Call of the Good Shepherd?
The Sunday Catechesis Classes Need You!
St. John’s Church warmly invites you to share just two hours on a Sunday this year in a prayerful presence with our children in the atrium.
As an observer, you simply sit in our special chair, watch quietly, and pray for the children. This small act of service makes a meaningful difference.
We are seeking volunteers to join a weekly rotation so that each atrium class has the required two adults present.
If you feel called to serve, please sign up at the Children’s Ministry bulletin board in the hallway or contact Gaby Gastelum at Email.
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Your responses will help us better understand what defines St. John’s today, what traditions and ministries are most important to our parish, what qualities we seek in our next rector, and where we believe God is calling us in the future.
The survey is open from now until Monday, September 21, 2026.
Click here to take the survey today!
The survey can also be taken by visiting stjohnstroy.org.
If you prefer to take the survey on paper, hard copies are available in the Narthex, or you can call the office to request one. Lastly, members of the Search Committee will be available during Welcoming Sunday in the gym after the 10AM service. Feel free to stop by, take the survey, and ask any questions you might have about the search for our next rector.
Thank you in advance for your thoughtful participation in our survey!
SAVE THE DATE!
Listening Sessions Coming Soon
The Search Committee invites you to participate in an upcoming Listening Session to share your thoughts on the search for our next Rector and the future of St. John's. Sign-up sheets will soon be available in the hallway. We ask that you sign-up in advance so the Committee can better prepare for the session. Listening Sessions will last approximately one hour, and while there is no need to attend more than one, you are more than welcome to if you'd like!
Listening Sessions will occur on the following dates:
- Sunday, September 27th after the 10 am service coffee hour in Thompson Room, approximately 12 pm-1 pm
- Wednesday, September 30th at 7 pm-8 pm – Virtual: ZOOM invitation to come!
- Sunday, October 4, after the 10 am service coffee hour in Thompson Room, approximately 12 pm-1 pm
We look forward to seeing you there!
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Beyond Welcoming Sunday
Have you been considering serving with one or more of
St. John’s Ministries?
The following were present at Welcoming Sunday and would love to hear from you if you would like more information:
Acolytes, Lay Eucharistic Ministers, Lay Eucharistic Visitors, Adult Education, Altar Guild,
Children and Teen Programs, Community Compass, Daughters of the King, English Country Dancers, Fellowship Committee, Flower Guild, Food Pantry, Foyer Group, Garden Committee, Library Ministry, Music Ministry, Properties Committee, Stewardship Committee, Thrift Shop, Young Adults
Please contact the office at office@stjohnstroy.org to be directed to the correct representative.
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Bereavement Group
St. John’s Bereavement Group
This group is a process support group open to ANYONE experiencing loss and grief.
Simply drop in! For more information you may contact Rachel Tremblay: Contact by clicking here.
The first gathering will be on Monday, September 21 at 7:00 PM in the library, and sessions will continue the first and third Mondays each month.
Rachel Tremblay, LCSW, comes to us through the previous group leader, Henry Frueh.
News from the Shepherd's Storehouse Pantry
A Peek into October
Young Adult Ice Cream Social
Saturday, October 3
10:00 am
The young adult ministry will host our final ice cream social of the year during the food pantry on Saturday, October 3rd, at 10am. All are welcome!
Young Adults: Please let us know if you can help out! If it’s nice, those who wish to join will walk over to the Farmers Market after the social.
We hope many will be able to join us for this fun event!
Food Pantry
10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Saturday, October 3
Vestry Retreat
6:00 - 7:30 pm
Monday, October 5
in the Thompson Room
Community Breakfast
9:00 am
Saturday, October 10
Followed by the Blessing of the Animals at 9:30 am
Worshiping from home? Join the service online
For those of you who will be worshiping with us via live stream, be sure to let us know that you are there through the chat feature, so that we can greet you at the passing of the Peace. Service Links are found at the top right of this page.
Come join in worship!
With gratitude for our life together,
June Waters
What to Look For (to Send a Chat)
Once you are viewing the live stream by pressing the link above, there should be a "conversation" to the right of the stream (Top Chat). Like this:
Other Links you might find helpful.
