| easter_palm.pdf |
****All in-person events, including worship, are cancelled through the month of April for Covid-19 precautions by order of Bishop Scarfe. Access to the Church is restricted except for essential personnel****
A NOTE FROM REV. STEPHEN: 4/4/2020
Dear Community,
This is another day, O Lord.
I know not what it will bring forth,
but make me ready, Lord, for whatever it may be.
If I am to stand up, help me to stand bravely.
If I am to sit still, help me to sit quietly.
If I am to lie low, help me to do it patiently.
And if I am to do nothing, let me do it gallantly.
Make these words more than words,
and give me the Spirit of Jesus. Amen.
(Book of Common Prayer, p. 461)
I was reconnected with this prayer during a recent conversation with Steve Godfrey, rector of St. Andrew’s Des Moines. I find it eloquently expresses our common prayer at this time. The Book of Common Prayer has a way of doing that. Our prayer book is a tool, designed to give structure and depth to our individual and corporate prayer life. In this time of upheaval and uncertainty, I encourage you to avail yourself of this tremendous gift to the church. If you do not own a physical copy, access a free online version here or you can download a free pdf copy here.
If you’re looking to adopt a more structured prayer life, I’d suggest beginning with the Daily Devotions for Individuals and Families, which begin on page 136. What follows are shorter versions of the daily office, perfect for carving out a few minutes of prayer and pause as we move through our day.
Reminder, we remain paused from physical worship until at least April 30. This Holy Week we are given numerous opportunities to gather virtually through a variety of diocesan offerings. Click here for links to daily worship beginning tomorrow with Palm Sunday. I’m attaching a Pdf of a printable palm branch that can be colored and displayed on a window or door in your home so you can participate at home.
Special note, Wednesday of Holy Week features a virtual Tenebrae service hosted and created by your own St. John’s! I am including a letter from Bishop Scarfe that includes links to Holy Week worship and resources at the bottom of this email as well. St. John’s Facebook Compline Live will pause during Holy Week and I plan to resume nightly Compline Monday April 13.
In intercessory prayer news, our weekly parish prayer list is being reactivated! Beginning sometime next week, we intend to send out at weekly list for you to include in your private prayers at home. Sue Stone is coordinating the list so please email Sue with any prayer requests you’d like included on the list. Send your prayer requests to: SJECSue@gmail.com.
To protect the health of those who work here, our building remains closed to the public at this time. Please eliminate visits to the building. Sue, Rich and I continue to pop by in staggered shifts to check mail, phone messages, and make sure everything is okay maintenance wise.
Please remember to continue to support St. John’s financially during our time in physical exile. Our expenses haven’t changed and in many ways, our ministry is more important than ever. For those who prefer, we now accept contributions electronically. A “GIVE” button has been added to our website, a link is available on our Facebook page, or you may give directly here.
I hope this goes without saying, but as Easter approaches, please consider (or reconsider) any plans you may have to join with family and friends for Easter meals. Anytime we gather with people who do not live within our immediate home, even if they are family and it is just a “small” group, creates an potential opportunity to contract and further the spread of this virus. Also note new CDC guidance to wear a cloth (non-medical) facemask when visiting public areas like grocery stores and pharmacies. Let us continue to do our part to love ourselves, and our neighbors, and stay home.
Make no mistake, staying home, and physically distancing from the people we love, and the things we love to do, is hard work. Be gentle with yourself and others. Understand you may not be as productive as normal during this time.. That’s okay. Now is a time to practice extending and accepting grace.
As Holy week begins, I pray “the Peace of God, which passes all understanding, keeps your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.” Let us never forget that Jesus was resurrected after a time of trial, death, and uncertainty. As disciples and followers of the Way, we too shall rise, reborn, through faith.
Peace be with us all,
Stephen+
Bishop’s letter and additional links to Holy Week worship and resources below:
FROM THE BISHOP:
Dear Beloved in Christ,
Staying at home for Holy Week, in response to the coronavirus, leads us into an experience of these holy times like nothing else we are likely to know again in our lifetimes. We are taken back into days as close as any to what this week must have been for Jesus and His followers. Even Easter Day was not a triumphant experience. They didn’t decorate the Upper Room with lilies; or bring out the finest silverware for presenting bread and wine. The nearest thing was ointment, or myrrh, which the women who set off to the tomb brought with them to prepare Christ’s body for burial. The rest of the group hid behind locked doors, terrified at what might come next, and shocked and angry at what had happened. All that Jesus had told them about being crucified had unbelievingly happened. And none of them sat around calm remembering that He did say something about rising again on the third day.
No, the circumstances were dire. The outcome was grim; and it was Easter Day, even if they didn’t know it. God invites us this year to get serious with our faith. God is taking us back to the original experience, and Jesus invites us to “Come and See.” It is a rare moment that faces us these next eight days. Don’t let it pass you by. Take a look at what the churches are offering online and map out your devotional path. Take the time you are given to look deeply into the Passion of Jesus, and see how much God loves you. Call up your neighbors and friends and send them links, and invite them to come and see as well.
Yesterday I managed (eventually after some digital missteps) to join with more than fifteen members of Church of the Good Shepherd, Webster City and Grace, Boone, for compline. And this afternoon (April 2) I am going to bible study with students at Cornell College and their Chaplain, Catherine Quehl-Engel. There were invitations to several webinars, which I couldn’t make. The Church body is opening itself up to one another even as the government has asked us to distance ourselves physically. As I say, we are not likely to have a time like this again. Our God turns things that are devastating to good, because God’s love always wins out.
We owe so much to our Communications Missioner, Meg Wagner, for her tireless efforts to keep us linked together. She is pulling resources from across the Church Global and leaving them on our digital doorsteps. Please, don’t neglect such an opportunity; now is always the day of salvation.
One idea for Palm Sunday is to find your own version of a palm branch and display it decoratively on your front door. Put Christ is Risen signs in your garden or windows. Write your Alleluias in chalk on your driveways on Easter Day. And let people know that you are praying with them and for them to God who is always journeying with us in the Way of Love.
In the peace and love of Christ,
+Alan Scarfe
The Rt. Rev. Alan Scarfe, Bishop of Iowa
HOLY WEEK AND EASTER:
ALL of these services will be found online on the diocesan Facebook page, the diocesan Youtube channel, and will be available on the diocesan website. Call-in option for members who only have access to phones (participants on the phone will NOT be able to be heard but will be able to hear the service): 312 626 6799 and enter the Meeting ID as prompted: 365 765 527#
CHECK OUT ALL OF THE RESOURCES FOR CELEBRATING HOLY WEEK AT HOME: https://www.iowaepiscopal.org/holy-week-2020
PALM SUNDAY
Offered online by St. Paul's Episcopal Cathedral in Des Moines at 10:00am.
PALM SUNDAY BULLETIN
Facebook Youtube Website
Phone: 312 626 6799 Meeting ID: 365 765 527#
MONDAY: CHRISM MASS AND REAFFIRMATION OF VOWS
Offered online by the Diocese of Iowa from the Chapel of the Epiphany in the diocesan offices at 11:00am.
CHRISM MASS BULLETIN
Facebook Youtube Website
Phone: 312 626 6799 Meeting ID: 365 765 527#
TUESDAY: MORNING PRAYER
Offered online by St. Alban's, Spirit Lake at 8:30am.
MORNING PRAYER BULLETIN
Facebook Youtube Website
Phone: 312 626 6799 Meeting ID: 365 765 527#
WEDNESDAY: TENEBRAE
Offered online by St. John's, Mason City at 7:00pm.
TENEBRAE BULLETIN
Facebook Youtube Website
Phone: 312 626 6799 Meeting ID: 365 765 527#
MAUNDY THURSDAY
Offered online by Trinity Church, Waterloo at 7:00pm.
MAUNDY THURSDAY BULLETIN
Facebook Youtube Website
Phone: 312 626 6799 Meeting ID: 365 765 527#
GOOD FRIDAY
Offered online by St. John's, Dubuque at 7:00pm
GOOD FRIDAY BULLETIN
Facebook Youtube Website
Phone: 312 626 6799 Meeting ID: 365 765 527#
EASTER VIGIL
Offered online by Trinity Church, Iowa City at 8:00pm.
EASTER VIGIL BULLETIN
Facebook Youtube Website
Phone: 312 626 6799 Meeting ID: 365 765 527#
EASTER DAY
Offered online by Trinity Cathedral, Davenport at 10:30am.
EASTER DAY BULLETIN
Facebook Youtube Website
Phone: 312 626 6799 Meeting ID: 365 765 527#
Resources
MEETINGS EFFECTED BY CORONAVIRUS:
April 6 - Chrism Mass - moved online
April 17 - Standing Committee, Commission on Minitry - CANCELLED
April 17-19 - New Beginnings #24 - CANCELLED
April 18 - Dismantling Racism Training - POSTPONED
April 18 - Diocesan Board of Directors - moved online
April 25 - Dismantling Racism Training - POSTPONED
April 25 - Faithful Innovations - POSTPONED to July 11
April 25 - North Central Chapter Meeting
Bishop's Visitations Currently Affected
March 22 - Bishop's Visitation with St. Martin's, Perry will be rescheduled
March 29 - Bishop's visitation with St. Paul's, Marshalltown will be rescheduled
April 19 - Bishop's visitation with St. James', Oskaloosa has been rescheduled for Aug. 16
April 26 - Bishop's visitation with Good Shepherd, Webster City will be rescheduled
RESOURCES:
All of the resources to support churches, individuals and families are being curated here: https://www.iowaepiscopal.org/covid19
St. John's Episcopal Church Welcomes you to the Season of Lent and to our website!
The Episcopal Church welcomes all baptized Christians to receive the bread and wine (body and blood, or "Holy Sacrament"), even if you aren't a member of the Episcopal Church. You are a member of Christ's body in your baptism.
A Brief History of Lent
"Early Christians observed 'a season of penitence and fasting' in preparation for the Paschal feast, or Pascha (BCP, pp. 264-265). The season now known as Lent (from an Old English word meaning 'spring,' the time of lengthening days) has a long history. Originally, in places where Pascha was celebrated on a Sunday, the Paschal feast followed a fast of up to two days. In the third century this fast was lengthened to six days. Eventually this fast became attached to, or overlapped, another fast of forty days, in imitation of Christ's fasting in the wilderness. The forty-day fast was especially important for converts to the faith who were preparing for baptism, and for those guilty of notorious sins who were being restored to the Christian assembly. In the western church the forty days of Lent extend from Ash Wednesday through Holy Saturday, omitting Sundays. The last three days of Lent are the sacred Triduum of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday. Today Lent has reacquired its significance as the final preparation of adult candidates for baptism" (https://episcopalchurch.org/library/glossary/lent, p.1) .
All Christians are invited "to the observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God's holy Word" (BCP, p. 265).
A NOTE FROM REV. STEPHEN: 4/4/2020
Dear Community,
This is another day, O Lord.
I know not what it will bring forth,
but make me ready, Lord, for whatever it may be.
If I am to stand up, help me to stand bravely.
If I am to sit still, help me to sit quietly.
If I am to lie low, help me to do it patiently.
And if I am to do nothing, let me do it gallantly.
Make these words more than words,
and give me the Spirit of Jesus. Amen.
(Book of Common Prayer, p. 461)
I was reconnected with this prayer during a recent conversation with Steve Godfrey, rector of St. Andrew’s Des Moines. I find it eloquently expresses our common prayer at this time. The Book of Common Prayer has a way of doing that. Our prayer book is a tool, designed to give structure and depth to our individual and corporate prayer life. In this time of upheaval and uncertainty, I encourage you to avail yourself of this tremendous gift to the church. If you do not own a physical copy, access a free online version here or you can download a free pdf copy here.
If you’re looking to adopt a more structured prayer life, I’d suggest beginning with the Daily Devotions for Individuals and Families, which begin on page 136. What follows are shorter versions of the daily office, perfect for carving out a few minutes of prayer and pause as we move through our day.
Reminder, we remain paused from physical worship until at least April 30. This Holy Week we are given numerous opportunities to gather virtually through a variety of diocesan offerings. Click here for links to daily worship beginning tomorrow with Palm Sunday. I’m attaching a Pdf of a printable palm branch that can be colored and displayed on a window or door in your home so you can participate at home.
Special note, Wednesday of Holy Week features a virtual Tenebrae service hosted and created by your own St. John’s! I am including a letter from Bishop Scarfe that includes links to Holy Week worship and resources at the bottom of this email as well. St. John’s Facebook Compline Live will pause during Holy Week and I plan to resume nightly Compline Monday April 13.
In intercessory prayer news, our weekly parish prayer list is being reactivated! Beginning sometime next week, we intend to send out at weekly list for you to include in your private prayers at home. Sue Stone is coordinating the list so please email Sue with any prayer requests you’d like included on the list. Send your prayer requests to: SJECSue@gmail.com.
To protect the health of those who work here, our building remains closed to the public at this time. Please eliminate visits to the building. Sue, Rich and I continue to pop by in staggered shifts to check mail, phone messages, and make sure everything is okay maintenance wise.
Please remember to continue to support St. John’s financially during our time in physical exile. Our expenses haven’t changed and in many ways, our ministry is more important than ever. For those who prefer, we now accept contributions electronically. A “GIVE” button has been added to our website, a link is available on our Facebook page, or you may give directly here.
I hope this goes without saying, but as Easter approaches, please consider (or reconsider) any plans you may have to join with family and friends for Easter meals. Anytime we gather with people who do not live within our immediate home, even if they are family and it is just a “small” group, creates an potential opportunity to contract and further the spread of this virus. Also note new CDC guidance to wear a cloth (non-medical) facemask when visiting public areas like grocery stores and pharmacies. Let us continue to do our part to love ourselves, and our neighbors, and stay home.
Make no mistake, staying home, and physically distancing from the people we love, and the things we love to do, is hard work. Be gentle with yourself and others. Understand you may not be as productive as normal during this time.. That’s okay. Now is a time to practice extending and accepting grace.
As Holy week begins, I pray “the Peace of God, which passes all understanding, keeps your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.” Let us never forget that Jesus was resurrected after a time of trial, death, and uncertainty. As disciples and followers of the Way, we too shall rise, reborn, through faith.
Peace be with us all,
Stephen+
Bishop’s letter and additional links to Holy Week worship and resources below:
FROM THE BISHOP:
Dear Beloved in Christ,
Staying at home for Holy Week, in response to the coronavirus, leads us into an experience of these holy times like nothing else we are likely to know again in our lifetimes. We are taken back into days as close as any to what this week must have been for Jesus and His followers. Even Easter Day was not a triumphant experience. They didn’t decorate the Upper Room with lilies; or bring out the finest silverware for presenting bread and wine. The nearest thing was ointment, or myrrh, which the women who set off to the tomb brought with them to prepare Christ’s body for burial. The rest of the group hid behind locked doors, terrified at what might come next, and shocked and angry at what had happened. All that Jesus had told them about being crucified had unbelievingly happened. And none of them sat around calm remembering that He did say something about rising again on the third day.
No, the circumstances were dire. The outcome was grim; and it was Easter Day, even if they didn’t know it. God invites us this year to get serious with our faith. God is taking us back to the original experience, and Jesus invites us to “Come and See.” It is a rare moment that faces us these next eight days. Don’t let it pass you by. Take a look at what the churches are offering online and map out your devotional path. Take the time you are given to look deeply into the Passion of Jesus, and see how much God loves you. Call up your neighbors and friends and send them links, and invite them to come and see as well.
Yesterday I managed (eventually after some digital missteps) to join with more than fifteen members of Church of the Good Shepherd, Webster City and Grace, Boone, for compline. And this afternoon (April 2) I am going to bible study with students at Cornell College and their Chaplain, Catherine Quehl-Engel. There were invitations to several webinars, which I couldn’t make. The Church body is opening itself up to one another even as the government has asked us to distance ourselves physically. As I say, we are not likely to have a time like this again. Our God turns things that are devastating to good, because God’s love always wins out.
We owe so much to our Communications Missioner, Meg Wagner, for her tireless efforts to keep us linked together. She is pulling resources from across the Church Global and leaving them on our digital doorsteps. Please, don’t neglect such an opportunity; now is always the day of salvation.
One idea for Palm Sunday is to find your own version of a palm branch and display it decoratively on your front door. Put Christ is Risen signs in your garden or windows. Write your Alleluias in chalk on your driveways on Easter Day. And let people know that you are praying with them and for them to God who is always journeying with us in the Way of Love.
In the peace and love of Christ,
+Alan Scarfe
The Rt. Rev. Alan Scarfe, Bishop of Iowa
HOLY WEEK AND EASTER:
ALL of these services will be found online on the diocesan Facebook page, the diocesan Youtube channel, and will be available on the diocesan website. Call-in option for members who only have access to phones (participants on the phone will NOT be able to be heard but will be able to hear the service): 312 626 6799 and enter the Meeting ID as prompted: 365 765 527#
CHECK OUT ALL OF THE RESOURCES FOR CELEBRATING HOLY WEEK AT HOME: https://www.iowaepiscopal.org/holy-week-2020
PALM SUNDAY
Offered online by St. Paul's Episcopal Cathedral in Des Moines at 10:00am.
PALM SUNDAY BULLETIN
Facebook Youtube Website
Phone: 312 626 6799 Meeting ID: 365 765 527#
MONDAY: CHRISM MASS AND REAFFIRMATION OF VOWS
Offered online by the Diocese of Iowa from the Chapel of the Epiphany in the diocesan offices at 11:00am.
CHRISM MASS BULLETIN
Facebook Youtube Website
Phone: 312 626 6799 Meeting ID: 365 765 527#
TUESDAY: MORNING PRAYER
Offered online by St. Alban's, Spirit Lake at 8:30am.
MORNING PRAYER BULLETIN
Facebook Youtube Website
Phone: 312 626 6799 Meeting ID: 365 765 527#
WEDNESDAY: TENEBRAE
Offered online by St. John's, Mason City at 7:00pm.
TENEBRAE BULLETIN
Facebook Youtube Website
Phone: 312 626 6799 Meeting ID: 365 765 527#
MAUNDY THURSDAY
Offered online by Trinity Church, Waterloo at 7:00pm.
MAUNDY THURSDAY BULLETIN
Facebook Youtube Website
Phone: 312 626 6799 Meeting ID: 365 765 527#
GOOD FRIDAY
Offered online by St. John's, Dubuque at 7:00pm
GOOD FRIDAY BULLETIN
Facebook Youtube Website
Phone: 312 626 6799 Meeting ID: 365 765 527#
EASTER VIGIL
Offered online by Trinity Church, Iowa City at 8:00pm.
EASTER VIGIL BULLETIN
Facebook Youtube Website
Phone: 312 626 6799 Meeting ID: 365 765 527#
EASTER DAY
Offered online by Trinity Cathedral, Davenport at 10:30am.
EASTER DAY BULLETIN
Facebook Youtube Website
Phone: 312 626 6799 Meeting ID: 365 765 527#
Resources
MEETINGS EFFECTED BY CORONAVIRUS:
April 6 - Chrism Mass - moved online
April 17 - Standing Committee, Commission on Minitry - CANCELLED
April 17-19 - New Beginnings #24 - CANCELLED
April 18 - Dismantling Racism Training - POSTPONED
April 18 - Diocesan Board of Directors - moved online
April 25 - Dismantling Racism Training - POSTPONED
April 25 - Faithful Innovations - POSTPONED to July 11
April 25 - North Central Chapter Meeting
Bishop's Visitations Currently Affected
March 22 - Bishop's Visitation with St. Martin's, Perry will be rescheduled
March 29 - Bishop's visitation with St. Paul's, Marshalltown will be rescheduled
April 19 - Bishop's visitation with St. James', Oskaloosa has been rescheduled for Aug. 16
April 26 - Bishop's visitation with Good Shepherd, Webster City will be rescheduled
RESOURCES:
All of the resources to support churches, individuals and families are being curated here: https://www.iowaepiscopal.org/covid19
St. John's Episcopal Church Welcomes you to the Season of Lent and to our website!
The Episcopal Church welcomes all baptized Christians to receive the bread and wine (body and blood, or "Holy Sacrament"), even if you aren't a member of the Episcopal Church. You are a member of Christ's body in your baptism.
A Brief History of Lent
"Early Christians observed 'a season of penitence and fasting' in preparation for the Paschal feast, or Pascha (BCP, pp. 264-265). The season now known as Lent (from an Old English word meaning 'spring,' the time of lengthening days) has a long history. Originally, in places where Pascha was celebrated on a Sunday, the Paschal feast followed a fast of up to two days. In the third century this fast was lengthened to six days. Eventually this fast became attached to, or overlapped, another fast of forty days, in imitation of Christ's fasting in the wilderness. The forty-day fast was especially important for converts to the faith who were preparing for baptism, and for those guilty of notorious sins who were being restored to the Christian assembly. In the western church the forty days of Lent extend from Ash Wednesday through Holy Saturday, omitting Sundays. The last three days of Lent are the sacred Triduum of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday. Today Lent has reacquired its significance as the final preparation of adult candidates for baptism" (https://episcopalchurch.org/library/glossary/lent, p.1) .
All Christians are invited "to the observance of a holy Lent, by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God's holy Word" (BCP, p. 265).
See our Presiding Bishop Michael Curry preach at the Royal Wedding of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry.
The theme:
"There Is Power in Love."
"The surprise star of Harry and Meghan's wedding....with his 'fiery sermon'..." (Washington Post)
"The stunning preacher" (Independent.co.uk)
"...surprises with sermon touching on civil rights...(NBCnews.com)
"Bishop Michael Curry brought the Black American Church to the Royal Wedding (Vox.com)
"...delivers fiery, powerful royal wedding address (Globalnews.ca)
www.cnn.com/videos/world/2018/05/19/bishop-michael-curry-full-remarks-royal-wedding.cnn
Iowa Revival is creating a lot of buzz in the Episcopal Church. General Convention held their own Revival. The following sermon from Bishop Curry was the conclusion to GC Revival
www.facebook.com/PBMBCurry/videos/1744465862335772/
The Sending Eucharist of the 166th Episcopal Diocese of Iowa Annual Convention held in Des Moines Iowa, October 26-28, 2018, featuring Presiding Bishop, The Most Reverend Michael Curry
The Theme(s):
"Love Your Neighbor" and "Be a Witness"
youtu.be/KCxBkgX181c
November 1, 2018:
Bishop Michael Curry, who gave a spirited and unforgettable sermon at the royal wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, joins TODAY to talk about his newest book, “The Power of Love.” In light of the tragedy in Pittsburgh in which 11 died in a shooting at a synagogue, Curry sheds light on how faith and grief coincide, saying: “We deal with grief honestly and forthrightly. When it hurts it hurts, and don’t pretend it doesn’t hurt.”
royal-wedding-bishop-michael-curry-talks-about-power-of-love-1359025219505
A message from the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church,
Rev. Michael Curry
Rev. Michael Curry
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