Category: Worship

Advent – A time for light and hope

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We are celebrating seven weeks of Advent, preparation for God with us, in our hearts and in our world. Join us each Tuesday evening at 5:30 p.m. for a short prayer, song, and the lighting of candles.

November 10, 17, 24, December 1, 8, 15 and 22
Zoom Meeting ID: 842 4739 7204  Passcode: 3857
By phone: 312.626.6799

Thanksgiving Prayer

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Thank you God for all the gifts you have so freely bestowed upon us, for the beauty and wonder of your creation, in earth and sky and sea.  

Thank you for the Indigenous peoples of this land, the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa who welcomed the Ho-Chunk, Fox, Sauk, Miami, Kickapoo, and Illinois confederacy tribes and offered assistance to the first Europeans to travel here, and who are our neighbors today. 

Thank you for all people who in their daily lives reveal to us the image of God, for our daily food and drink, our homes and families, and our friends.

Thank you for minds to think, and hearts to love, and hands to serve, for health and strength to work, and leisure to rest and play.

We pray for those who go without today, for the brave and courageous, who are patient in suffering and faithful in adversity.

Thank you for all valiant seekers after truth, liberty, and justice, for those who have died, in all times and places, who are alive in our memories and hearts.

Thank you God for this food, for those who labored to produce it and the hands that have prepared it. May this meal strengthen us this day, and give us hope and health in the days ahead. Amen.

Adapted from The Book of Common Prayer, page 837

Guest Preacher Sunday, September 27

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The Rev. Canon Robert Two Bulls

Click this link to hear his sermon.

The Rev. Canon Robert Two Bulls  (Oglala Lakota), Missioner for The Department of Indian Work and Multicultural Ministries for the Episcopal Church in Minnesota.

“I was born in Rapid City, SD and spent much of my first two decades of life off and on the Pine Ridge Reservation. I am an enrolled member of the Oglala Lakota Oyate. My wife Ritchie is from Augusta, Georgia and her kin hail from both Virginia and NE Georgia. We were married in 1990 in Washington, D.C. She is an Art Therapist. We have two children. Our son Grant graduated from college a year ago and is a Circle of Beloved community member in north Minneapolis. Our daughter Reed currently resides with relatives in SD. Reed is an aspiring singer and painter. Over the past thirty years I have lived, studied and worked on both coasts (DC/NYC/LA) and now reside in the Minneapolis, MN. I was ordained the priesthood in January of 2001. The work I have done since the 80’s has been primarily within the Episcopal Church with emphasis on Indigenous communities. Many of my interests and hobbies relate to my identity as a visual artist. I have a deep interest in exploration of the intersection of Art and Spirituality. In the Spring of 2018 I spent my sabbatical at that intersection. I love to read on topics that range widely and I like to be informed. I write creatively, when the spirit moves me. Music is a great passion for me, leading me to begin learning, in recent years, how to play the electric guitar. I like being outdoors walking whether it be in the city or country. And I’m always up for a new adventure.”

Download the bulletin for Sunday, September 27.
Listen to the Prelude and Postlude.

Vigil for George Floyd

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RAIN UPDATE: Candles will be placed just inside the front doors of the church. Please light a candle and then step out.

If joining in person:

You must wear a mask and remain 6 feet apart from other attendees.

We invite you to light a candle and remain for 8 minutes and 46 seconds.

Please return home so that others may light candles.

You can continue your vigil with us facebook.com/stjohnschicago or Zoom Meeting ID: 827 5533 3446 https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82755333446

This vigil in memory of George Floyd is sponsored by St. John’s Episcopal Church, the St. John’s Antiracism Team, and Friendship Presbyterian Church.

Easter Vigil

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Download the Easter Vigil Bulletin.

The Easter Story by Brian Wildsmith, for children of all ages.

Order homemade hot cross buns from Zoe Duncan.

Pascal Candle created by Bettina Daszczuk

Our 2020 Pascal Candle

As a special treat for this year Bettina Daszczuk, who decorates all our baptismal candles, created this amazing Pascal Candle which has its debut at the Easter Vigil. This candle is lit for all the fifty days of Easter, and for every Baptism, Wedding and Funeral in the coming year. Here is an explanation of the symbols on the candle.

The Cross

Just as the cross is made out of many pieces of different shapes and colors, so is our
St. John’s community. We come from all different backgrounds and have unique talents and experiences. Even though, we are all different, when we come together, we complement each other and become one church family. 

The Lamb of God

The Lamb is a symbol of Jesus Christ, who died for us, and rose from the dead. Through his death and resurrection, we are all freed from sin. When John the Baptist sees Jesus for the first time he proclaims “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). On this year’s paschal candle, the Lamb of God has no face. It is a reminder that, as Christians, we are asked to see Christ in each other. 

Alpha and Omega

In the classical Greek alphabet, Alpha is the first letter, and Omega is the last letter. In the Book of Revelation (1:8) Jesus proclaims, “I am the Alpha and Omega.” Jesus is the beginning and the end of everything. 

The Celtic Knot Band

Made from a single strand, the complete loops that have no start or finish are said to represent eternity. The braided design, with its many points of the strand crossing over itself, symbolizes how life and eternity are interconnected. The knotted band reminds us that our lives are connected with Jesus. When Jesus rose from the dead, we all gained eternal life through him.