Welcome to Saint John's Episcopal Church in Hagerstown, Maryland

We are a lively, active community of faith. We strive to be a loving congregation, committed to welcoming ALL and sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Join us Sundays — 8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite I  ·  10:15 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite II (livestreamed on YouTube)

The Seventh Sunday after Pentecost

July 12, 2026

O Lord, mercifully receive the prayers of your people who call upon you, and grant that they may know and understand what things they ought to do, and also may have grace and power faithfully to accomplish them; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. — The Collect of the Day

Jesus tells a story about a farmer who is, frankly, a little reckless with his seed. He scatters it everywhere — on the path, among the rocks, into the thorns, and finally onto good soil — as if he can’t help himself, as if the sowing matters more than the odds. Most of that seed doesn’t make it. Birds eat it, shallow roots wither in the sun, thorns choke out anything that tries to grow. It would be easy to read this parable as a test: which soil are you? But Jesus seems less interested in grading us than in describing how grace actually moves through the world — generously, wastefully even, undeterred by all the ground that won’t receive it. The sower keeps sowing. And when the seed does land somewhere ready to receive it, the yield is almost unreasonable: a hundredfold, sixty, thirty. Isaiah promises the same abundance from a different angle: God’s word does not return empty, but accomplishes what it was sent to do, and the whole landscape bursts into song in response. Maybe today’s invitation isn’t to worry about which soil we are, but to notice how patiently and persistently the seed keeps coming. Welcome the stranger. Welcome one another. Welcome Jesus.

This Sunday’s Music: The offertory is John Carter’s The Gift of Love; hymns include “Blessed Jesus, at thy word” and “O Christ, the Word Incarnate.”

Upcoming Events

Summer at Saint John’s — community, fellowship, and outreach.

Mid-Week Services

✚ Tuesday, July 14, 5:00 p.m. — St. John’s Shelter Meeting, Trimble Hall
✚ Tuesday, July 14, 6:15 p.m. — Holy Eucharist, High Altar
✚ Thursday, July 16, 11:30 a.m. — Holy Eucharist, Saint Mary’s Chapel
✚ Friday, July 17, 11:00 a.m. — Holy Eucharist, Homewood Living, Williamsport

At Saint John’s

✚ Newcomers Meet & Greet — Today, 9:15 a.m.
Stop by the Welcoming Commission table in Trimble Hall to learn more about our parish, ask questions, and connect with others. Light refreshments served.

✚ Summer Pickup Choir
Choir call is at 9:45 a.m. in the choir room — rehearse the morning’s hymns, then sing for the 10:15 a.m. liturgy. No robes, no processions, no weeknight rehearsals. Children, youth, and adults are all welcome.

✚ Tuesday Night Bible Study with Deacon Sue
Tuesdays, 7:00–8:00 p.m., online or in Saint Mary’s Chapel. Zoom Meeting ID: 827 3456 7853 • Passcode: 175639.

✚ Minister of Music Search Committee
Continuing its work this month: Jim Brinson, Mark King, Susan Lewis, Gerrie Mangum, David McKinley, Robin Spickler, and Rhys Weibel.

Community & Outreach

✚ Mini Meals to Go
The Service and Outreach Commission still needs help providing five shelf-stable meals to 100 families in our community. Donate cash or check (memo: Mini Meals), or volunteer on August 7 (6–7:30 p.m.), August 8 (9 a.m. until finished), or August 14 (2 p.m., delivery to the Boys and Girls Club). Questions: Kim Halsey, 610-360-0637.

Tour Our Church

Tap on the image to walk through our beautiful, historic sanctuary.

Location:

101 S. Prospect St., Hagerstown, MD 21740
Parking is available in the church lot at the corner of Walnut and Antietam Streets.

Contact Us

Phone: (301) 733–2560

Website: stjohnshagerstown.org

Facebook: facebook.com/stjohnshagerstown

Instagram: @st.johnsepiscopal_hagerstown

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