Dear St. John’s,
    Yesterday was the feast day of St. Matthew the Evangelist. Our church is named after St. John the Evangelist. We know them as the credited authors of two of the Gospels, the written accounts of the Good News of Jesus’ life and ministry, death and resurrection. Those accounts have helped to spread and build faith throughout the world for almost 2,000 years.
    As baptized Christians, we are called to carry on the evangelists’ work of sharing God’s Good News. One way to do this is to share stories of our faith. To help us learn how to do this, or to do it better, the diocese is offering a workshop called “This is My Story: Learning to Share Our Faith Stories” from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 21, at St. Elizabeth’s, Ridgewood.
    I hope you will consider attending as a step toward deepening your own faith and sharing it with others. Here is the link for more information: https://dioceseofnewark.org/.../my-story-learning-share...

Rev. Sharon

​ANNOUNCEMENTS - The Week of September 24, 2023 (click here for the PDF version)
Here’s what’s happening at St. John’s, around the diocese, and in the local community.

This Sunday, we are back in the church.  Thank you for your support and donations toward the repair.
Join us at coffee hour for refreshment and fellowship after each Sunday service. To host a future coffee hour, reach out to any vestry member.
Save the dates!

• Sunday, Oct. 1, Rev. Sharon will bless animals during the worship service. All are welcome to bring their pets to church! You can also bring a photograph or picture on a cell phone.
• The diocese is offering a workshop This is My Story: Learning to Share Our Faith Stories on Sat., Oct. 21 from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at St. Elizabeth’s Ridgewood. This is the first of a year-long focus in the diocese on growing faith by telling faith stories. You can find all the details here: https://dioceseofnewark.org/event/my-story-learning-share-our-faith-stories 
• The Tricky Tray is scheduled for Oct. 22 at the Parsippany PAL Building, 35 Baldwin Road. Don’t miss out! Tickets are available online only. Click the Tricky Tray link on our website, or go directly to https://tinyurl.com/DogLoversTrickyTray

Volunteers needed.

• St. John’s needs volunteers to count the Sunday plate offering and to serve as welcomers and ushers during services. Let Fran Maenza know if you can help.
• We are looking for new members for our stewardship team. Please let Rev. Sharon know if you would like to help plan our fall campaign.
• Would you like to dedicate altar flowers or the Sanctuary Lamp to a special person? Sign up at church or tell Kathy Cascone at casconek(at)yahoo.com.
• Help spread the word about our ministries and how much fun we have at St. John’s! Our communications team encourages volunteers to help post photos and information about parish and community events on Facebook and other social media. . Speak to Sandra after the Sunday Service, or email her at stjohnsboontonnj(at)gmail.com

Dear St. John’s,
 
It probably won’t surprise you that I’ve been thinking a lot about mothers this week. I am deeply grateful for all of the prayers and support I’ve received after my mother died last Sunday. They have sustained me and my family in this difficult time.
 
Mothers are powerful figures in our lives. They carry us from our inception, give birth to us, guide and nurture us. Because of this, mothers are an important symbol. We speak of Mother Earth, for example, who hosts and supports the life of all creatures and plants on our planet.
 
In the church, while we often talk about God the Father, we also see biblical imagery of God the Mother. Deuteronomy 32:18 speaks of the God who gave us birth. In Isaiah 66:13, God says, “As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you.” In Matthew and Luke, Jesus speaks of wishing to gather the children of Jerusalem together as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings.
 
Let us give thanks for our Heavenly Parent, the source and sustainer of our existence and the comforter of all who mourn. And let us give thanks for our earthly parents, who love and nurture us while we are here together and who remain as blessed memories when we are parted.
 
Rev. Sharon
 
Important announcements:
 
This Sunday, Sept. 17, we will worship at St. John’s Lodge, 280 Boulevard, in Mountain Lakes as we join the church St. John’s founded, St. Peter’s, in a special service celebrating its 100th anniversary. Suggested arrival time is 10 a.m. for the 10:15 a.m. service. Parking is available at the lodge and nearby Island Beach.
 
Next Sunday, Sept. 24, we anticipate worshiping again in the parish hall for safety reasons while repairs are being made to the ceiling in the church. Deacon John will be leading Morning Prayer. That day also is Boonton Day, from noon-4 p.m. Please let me know if you can volunteer some time at our table that afternoon.
 
The Tricky Tray is scheduled for Oct. 22 at the Parsippany PAL Building, 35 Baldwin Road. Don’t miss out! Tickets are available online only. Click the Tricky Tray link on our website, or go directly to https://tinyurl.com/DogLoversTrickyTray