Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost

September 21, 2025

Dear People of Saint John’s,

This Sunday we celebrate the Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost. I have the privilege of preaching on Luke 16:1-13, the parable of the dishonest steward.  It is among the most confounding of Jesus’s parables, and with the lively discussion in my clergy group and the scholarship of Kenneth Bailey in the back of my mind, we will find our way to the astounding mercy of God.  It is birthday Sunday for September, and we will enjoy birthday cake at coffee hour. Do come!

And speaking of coffee hour, we need more coffee hour hosts after this Sunday.  Refreshments need not be elaborate—just a nibble to enjoy with our coffee or tea.  Sign up by calling the office or on the sheet in the hallway. 

This Sunday we will continue with our liturgical changes and restorations, entering more fully into a post-Covid reality.

• We are now singing the entire Sequence Hymn before the Gospel reading each week. This hymn is chosen with the gospel reading in mind, and it primes us to hear the Gospel.  Then we are left with our own thoughts about what we just heard as we prepare to hear the Sermon. Thompson will play music as Deacon Paul brings the Gospel book back to the high altar.
• As noted in the newsletter, the Prayers of the People are returning to…the people! This is how we did these prayers before Covid.  The Daughters of The King are leading the prayers from the nave using special prayers written by Bishop Jeremiah (back when he was Fr. Jeremiah) for each Sunday of the year. We are hoping that others will take a turn once they see this happening.
• A reminder from the Book of Common Prayer (on page 366): we only add “Alleluia, Alleluia,” at the dismissal from Easter through Pentecost, acknowledging the festive nature of these 50 days of Easter.

If you did not pick up a new Parish Directory at Welcoming Sunday, they are available at the entrance to church.  Also in the narthex are your recent pledge statements (thank you!).

We are providing the announcements in a separate stack from the bulletins. The announcements are also available in the Thompson Room and 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.

With gratitude for our life together,

Mtr. Judtih

Live Stream   Service Bulletin    
Calendar & Announcements    

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:

Messages populate from the bottom of the box. You add your message by typing on the "Say something..." line and pressing Enter (or clicking/tapping on the right-pointed arrow under your message). Other messages that come in after yours will file in underneath yours in the running chat above the entry line.

If you're watching the live stream in full screen mode, you'll need to find the chat box. This might be found using the arrow at the bottom center of the screen under the red line. You'll have to click or tap on the screen to see this option, similar to when you want to pause or change the volume, etc.

See that little white down arrow/carat under the red line and Scroll for details? If you tap on that, the screen pulls up, and you see the chat box. You may need to scroll up further to see the "Say something" line.

 Sunday Liturgy will be available on YouTube after the conclusion of the 10 am service. 

For our YouTube Channel Videos click here ==> All streamed services

Click on the Subscribed button and then the Bell in the upper right hand corner of our channel to be notified of any new videos.

Other Links you might find helpful.