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 Ninth Sunday after Pentecost

July 26, 2026 · Proper 12, Year A

O God, the protector of all who trust in you, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy: Increase and multiply upon us your mercy; that, with you as our ruler and guide, we may so pass through things temporal, that we lose not the things eternal; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. — The Collect of the Day

Five parables in a row, and not one of them explains itself. The kingdom of heaven is a mustard seed, then yeast, then buried treasure, then a pearl, then a net full of fish. Jesus keeps reaching for ordinary things — a seed small enough to lose in your palm, a woman’s hands working flour — and each time the kingdom turns out to be hidden inside something already close at hand.

That may be the most hopeful word this Sunday offers. We are not waiting for the kingdom to arrive from somewhere else. It is already at work here, small and quiet and rising: in a summer choir that gathers at 9:45 without robes or rehearsal, in shelf-stable meals packed for families we may never meet, in a prayer list read aloud week after week.

The Collect asks that we pass through things temporal without losing the things eternal. The parables suggest the two are nearer to each other than we assume. What is eternal is often buried in the middle of an ordinary field, waiting for someone with joy enough to go and find it.

Welcome the stranger. Welcome one another. Welcome Jesus.

This Sunday’s Music: Charles Callahan’s organ setting of Slane at the offertory leads straight into “Be thou my vision”; hymns also include “Seek ye first the kingdom of God.”

Upcoming Events

Summer at Saint John’s — worship, fellowship, and feeding our neighbors.

Mid-Week Services

✚ Tuesday Holy Eucharist — Cancelled This Week
The 6:15 p.m. Holy Eucharist on Tuesday, July 28 is cancelled and will resume on Tuesday, August 4.

✚ Thursday Holy Eucharist — Cancelled This Week
The 11:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist on Thursday, July 30 is cancelled and will resume on Thursday, August 6.

✚ Tuesday Night Bible Study with Deacon Sue
Tuesdays, 7:00–8:00 p.m., online only. Zoom Meeting ID: 827 3456 7853, Passcode: 175639.

At Saint John’s

✚ Fr. Rick’s Summer Vacation Break
Fr. Rick will be away from July 27 through August 12. For a pastoral emergency during this time, please contact Deacon Sue at 443-838-1671. For all other emergencies, contact Bill Abeles, Jr. at 301-991-2350 or Carol Cox at 276-728-1852. We wish Fr. Rick a restful and refreshing break.

✚ Summer Pickup Choir
Choir call is at 9:45 a.m. in the choir room. We rehearse the hymns and service music for the day, then sing for the 10:15 a.m. liturgy. No robes, no processions, no anthems, no weeknight rehearsals, and no pressure to join in the fall (though we hope you will). Children, youth, and adults are all welcome.

✚ Ladies Lunch Bunch
The group enjoyed July’s gathering at the new Tuscan Prime and will meet there again on Monday, August 3 and Tuesday, September 8. To reserve your place, contact Cathy Bushey at 301-992-8444.

✚ Caregivers Support Meeting
Tuesday, July 28 at 12:30 p.m. in Saint Mary’s Chapel.

✚ Counters Needed
The Stewardship & Finance Commission is reinstating the counting ministry, paused since the COVID shutdown. Counters work in pairs on a weekly schedule set by the parish office, recording the plate offering and depositing it at the bank. If you are interested, contact Dan Meyer at cmagha@hotmail.com.

Community & Outreach

✚ Mini Meals to Go
The Service and Outreach Commission provides five shelf-stable meals to 100 families in our community, and they need both funds and hands. To donate, give cash or a check with “Mini Meals” in the memo line. Volunteer times are August 7 (6:00–7:30 p.m.), August 8 (9:00 a.m. until finished), and August 14 (2:00 p.m., delivery to the Boys and Girls Club). Questions? Contact Kim Halsey at 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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