St John the Divine Episcopal Church

Eastertide at St. John the Divine Hello, Reader! This Sunday, we gather to hear readings that reveal the universal reach and intimacy of God’s presence in the world and that show how Jesus prepares his followers for his departure by promising deep communion with God. FIRST READING – Acts 17:22–31 Paul addresses the philosophers of Athens and reveals that the unknown God they unknowingly worship is not far from them. He proclaims a God who does not dwell in human-made temples and needs nothing...

Eastertide at St. John the Divine Hello, Reader! This Sunday, we gather to hear readings that speak to the heart of the Christian faith: knowledge of God through Jesus Christ, our hope amid suffering, and the promise of the Holy Spirit who dwells within us. FIRST READING – Acts 17:22–31 Paul stands before the philosophers of Athens and directs their attention to an altar inscribed "To an unknown god." He reveals that the God they unknowingly worship is not far away. This God does not dwell in...

Eastertide at St. John the Divine Hello, Reader! Alleluia! In today's Gospel, Jesus presents himself as both the Good Shepherd who knows his sheep by name and the gate through which they enter into abundant life. We are invited to recognize his voice amid the many competing voices in our world. First Reading – Acts 2:42–47 The early Christian community lives under the guidance of the Good Shepherd, sharing everything in common and experiencing abundance together. With glad and generous...

Eastertide at St. John the Divine Hello, Reader! Alleluia! Join us this Sunday at 9 AM as Rev. Matthew Buterbaugh leads us in worship. We gather to hear one of Scripture's most beloved resurrection stories: the risen Jesus's encounter with two disciples on the road to Emmaus. In this tender and profound story, we witness Christ reveal himself to us through Scripture and in the breaking of the bread. First Reading – Acts 2:14a, 36–41 Peter boldly declares that God has made Jesus both Lord and...

Eastertide at St. John the Divine Hello, Reader! Alleluia! Join us this Sunday at 9 AM for Morning Prayer as we gather during the Easter season to encounter the risen Lord alongside Thomas and the other disciples. Jesus appears to them amid their fear and doubt, offering peace and the gift of the Holy Spirit. First Reading – Acts 2:14a, 22–32 Peter boldly proclaims the resurrection in Jerusalem, declaring that Jesus—whom you saw perform deeds of power among you—has been raised by God. This is...

Eastertide at St. John the Divine Hello, Reader! Alleluia! The stone has been rolled away, the tomb is empty, and death has lost its grip. Rev. Shanley-Roberts will lead us in the main celebration of the Christian year—the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Easter Sunday 2026: He Is Not Here; He Has Been Raised! Alleluia! The stone has been rolled away, the tomb is empty, and death has lost its grip. Rev. Shanley-Roberts will lead us in the main celebration of the Christian year—the...

Join us for Good Friday 2026 Greetings Reader! Join us tonight at 6 pm. Good Friday 2026: Solemn Worship at the Foot of the Cross On Good Friday, we do not rush toward Easter. We stand here, at the foot of the cross, and embrace the full weight of what love has accomplished. Old Testament – Isaiah 52:13–53:12 Written centuries before the crucifixion, Isaiah's greatest Servant Song depicts one despised and rejected, led like a lamb to the slaughter. Yet this servant does not suffer for his own...

Join us for Maundy Thursday 2026 Greetings Reader! Canon Scott will lead us at 6 pm tonight as we come together to remember the night Jesus gave us everything. On the night before his death, Jesus gathered his disciples for the Passover meal, but what he established that night forever changed how we encounter, remember, and love one another. Reflection on the Readings for Maundy Thursday 2026 Old Testament – Exodus 12:1–4, 11–14 God commands Israel to remember the Passover forever: the meal...

Holy Week at St. John the Divine Hello, Reader! Join us today at 9 am in Healy Hall for our Palm Sunday service, led by Rev. Jen McCombe. We will start with the Liturgy of the Palms, then process into the main church for the rest of our Holy Eucharist Rite II service. Palm Sunday 2026: Hosanna, and Then the Cross On Palm Sunday, the liturgy encourages us to shift from joyful praise to the shadow of the cross—a reminder that faith embraces both hope and realism. Liturgy of the Palms – Matthew...

The Season of Lent St. John the Divine Hello, Reader! Join us this Sunday at 9 am for the Holy Eucharist Rite One service led by Canon Michael Parks. This is the fifth and final Sunday of Lent. Reflection on the Readings for the 5th Sunday of Lent 2026 As Holy Week approaches, we are encouraged to reflect on the parts of our lives that need God’s renewing breath. Old Testament – Ezekiel 37:1–14 Ezekiel is taken by the Spirit to a valley of dry bones — a powerful image of hopelessness. At...