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

The Third Sunday in Lent

March 8, 2026

This Sunday's Gospel takes us to Jacob's well at midday, where Jesus meets a Samaritan woman in the heat of the day. What begins as a simple request — "Give me a drink" — becomes one of the most remarkable conversations in all of Scripture. Across every boundary of custom and culture, Jesus sees her fully, speaks to her truthfully, and offers her something no earthly well can provide: living water, welling up to eternal life. She leaves her water jar behind and runs to tell the city. In this season of Lent, we are invited into the same encounter — to come to the well thirsty, and to leave transformed.

Upcoming Events

Life together at Saint John's in the season of Lent.

At Saint John's

✚ Adult Forum: Episcopal 101 — Sundays, 9:15–10:00 a.m., Saint Mary's Chapel
Father Rick is leading a journey through the 1979 Book of Common Prayer and our life as a sacramental people. This Sunday's session is "A Sacramental Faith." Next Sunday, March 15, the topic is the Book of Common Prayer as a treasure for daily prayer. All are warmly welcome.

✚ Mid-Week Services
Holy Eucharist is offered three times each week: Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. at the High Altar, Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. in the Choir Stalls, and Thursday at 11:30 a.m. in Saint Mary's Chapel. All are welcome to gather for prayer and communion throughout the week.

✚ Bible Study with Deacon Sue — Tuesdays, 7:00–8:00 p.m.
Join Deacon Sue for weekly Bible Study, offered in Saint Mary's Chapel or online via Zoom. Meeting ID: 827 3456 7853 • Passcode: 175639.

✚ Children's Church & Nursery — 2nd & 4th Sundays
Children's Church takes place on the second and fourth Sundays of each month during the 10:15 a.m. service — including today, March 8, and March 22. Nursery care is available for infants and toddlers every Sunday. An Usher can direct you to either location. Please invite families with children to join us!

✚ Lenten Youth Pop-Up Choir — Forming Now for Youth Sunday, March 22
All youth of the parish are invited to join our Lenten Pop-Up Choir, which will sing on Youth Sunday, the Fifth Sunday in Lent. Rehearsals are on Thursdays: March 12, 5:30–6:15 p.m., and March 19, 6:30–7:30 p.m. (combined rehearsal with adults). The choir will sing William Billings' "When Jesus Wept." For more information, contact John Sabine at 678-592-4741 or johnsabine@icloud.com.

✚ Moral and Ethical Dilemmas — Monday, March 9, 7:00 p.m., Saint Mary's Chapel
The Rev. Anne Weatherholt leads a conversation on recognizing and responding to domestic abuse in our families and communities. Her book, Breaking the Silence: The Church and Domestic Violence, is available to borrow from the church office. Cookies and coffee will be provided. All are welcome.

✚ Evensong for Lent — Sunday, March 15, 5:00 p.m.
The Saint John's Parish Choir sings Evensong the following Sunday. The program includes Harrison Oxley's Preces and Responses, Vaughan Williams' Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis in C, and Will C. MarFarlane's "Open Our Eyes." A free-will offering will be received, and an elegant reception follows. Our reception coordinator is Tamara Martinez.

✚ Parish Quiet Day — Saturday, March 28, 9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
All church members are invited to a day of prayer, reflection, and spiritual renewal as we prepare our hearts for Holy Week and beyond. Mark your calendars.

Community & Outreach

✚ REACH Cold Weather Shelter Celebration — Friday, March 13, 6:00 p.m., Trimble Hall
Join us in celebrating another successful season of the REACH Cold Weather Shelter! This gathering is for all REACH volunteers — those who provided meals, financial support, and everyone who participated during our week. Please RSVP by March 10 to Missy McCray at 717-420-7118.

✚ Easter Dessert Sales — Benefiting Micah's Backpack (Orders Close March 11)
The Saint John's Bakers are offering a wonderful lineup of Easter desserts: Lemony Cheesecake, Key Lime Cheesecake, Creamy Vanilla Cheesecake, Decadent Chocolate Cake, Carrot Cake, and Coconut Cake ($35 each), plus a new Peanut Butter Pie ($25). All proceeds benefit Micah's Backpack. Order after the 10:15 service, or contact Bruce Massey at Lbmassey@verizon.net or 240-675-4498. Orders close Wednesday, March 11.

✚ Pantry On the Go — Every Saturday, 7:00 a.m., Church Parking Lot
Our weekly community food distribution continues every Saturday morning. This Saturday, March 14, is the next opportunity. Consider volunteering or spreading the word.

✚ Easter Gifts — Deadline Monday, March 23
We invite you to make a gift in memory or in honor of a loved one to support special music or altar flowers for Easter. Donation forms are on page 21 of this week's bulletin, or mail your gift to Saint John's Episcopal Church, 101 S. Prospect Street, Hagerstown, MD 21740. Deadline: Monday, March 23.

✚ Donations for the Easter Egg Hunt
The Annual Easter Egg Hunt takes place on Easter Sunday at 12:00 p.m. We are collecting donations of plastic eggs and individually wrapped candy. A collection box is located outside the choir room — thank you!