Advent – A time for light and hope

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

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

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

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.