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 Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost

August 16, 2026 · Proper 15, Year A

Almighty God, you have given your only Son to be for us a sacrifice for sin, and also an example of godly life: Give us grace to receive thankfully the fruits of his redeeming work, and to follow daily in the blessed steps of his most holy life; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. — The Collect of the Day

A woman outside the boundary keeps shouting until she is heard. She is a Canaanite, a foreigner, and by every rule of the moment she does not belong in this story. The disciples want her sent away. Even Jesus seems, at first, to hold her at arm’s length. Still she stays, and still she asks, and what she says next changes the shape of the conversation: even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table. “Woman, great is your faith,” Jesus tells her. Not great is your standing, or your lineage, or your patience with a system that had no room for you. Your faith. Isaiah, read earlier in the same liturgy, has already told us how this ends: “my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.” The door was always wider than we thought. Most of us have stood on both sides of that door, sometimes in the same week, once as the one inside deciding who belongs and once as the one outside hoping someone will turn around. That is why we say what we say. Welcome the stranger. Welcome one another. Welcome Jesus.

This Sunday’s Music: Mezzo-soprano Ginny Morgan Arey sings Schlosser’s “He that keepeth Israel” at the Offertory and Gounod’s “O Salutaris Hostia” at Communion; hymns include “There’s a wideness in God’s mercy” and “Praise, my soul, the King of heaven.”

Upcoming Events

Late summer at Saint John’s: worship, fellowship, and the start of a new program year.

Mid-Week Services

✚ Tuesday, 6:15 p.m. — Holy Eucharist
At the High Altar.

✚ Tuesday, 7:00 p.m. — Bible Study with Deacon Sue
Online only, on Zoom. Meeting ID: 827 3456 7853, Passcode: 175639.

✚ Thursday, 11:30 a.m. — Holy Eucharist
In Saint Mary’s Chapel.

✚ Friday, 11:00 a.m. — Holy Eucharist
At Homewood Living, Williamsport.

At Saint John’s

✚ Blessing of Students, Educators, and School Personnel
Sunday, August 23 at the 10:15 a.m. service. Students, bring your backpacks to church that morning to receive God’s blessing as the new school year begins.

✚ 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 weeknight rehearsals, and no pressure to join choir in the fall (though we hope you will). Children, youth, and adults are all welcome.

✚ Youth and Parents, Grades 8 to 12
An information meeting about starting a new youth group will be held Sunday, August 30 after the 10:15 a.m. service in Saint Mary’s Chapel. Parents are asked to attend. Pizza will be provided. Fr. Rick, Carol Cox, and Pieter Bickford welcome youth to this important meeting.

✚ 10:15 a.m. Coffee Hour Returns
The 2026–2027 Coffee Hour season begins Sunday, September 6 and runs through Sunday, May 30, following the 10:15 a.m. service. Our thanks to the Vestry for hosting throughout the summer. Volunteers are invited to sign up on the sheet on the podium in Trimble Hall.

✚ Save the Date: Saint John’s Day Homecoming
Sunday, September 13. A full day of activities, coffee hour after the 8 a.m. service, lunch after the 10:15, and fellowship as we remember Saint John’s past and look toward its future. If you know parishioners who no longer attend or who have a past connection to Saint John’s, please pass their names to Dan Meyer, Charlie Chaney, Bill Abeles, or Carol Cox. A luncheon sign-up sheet is on the table outside the Choir Room; signing up is not required to attend.

✚ Counters Needed
The Stewardship & Finance Commission is seeking Counters, scheduled weekly by the Parish Office, to work in pairs counting and recording the plate offerings and depositing them at our bank. This ministry stopped during the COVID shutdown and we would like to bring it back. If you are interested, contact Dan Meyer at cmagha@hotmail.com.

✚ Education for the Ministry (EfM)
The Christian Formation commission is considering restarting the EfM program. If you are interested in joining a group, becoming a mentor, or learning more, please fill out the short form at tinyurl.com/stj-efmor or contact the Parish Office at 301-733-2560.

✚ Saint John’s Name Tags
If you would like a name tag, email Kip in the Parish Office at secretary.stjohns@myactv.net or call 301-733-2560. Please say whether you prefer a magnet or a pin.

Community & Outreach

✚ Bingo in Trimble Hall
Saturday, August 29 at 2:00 p.m. Snacks will be offered and there will be a lot of great prizes. A free will offering will be taken to support the work of Service and Outreach. Thank you for your generosity.

✚ Brooke’s House Morning Devotion
Brooke’s House Coffee and Chocolate’s Morning Devotion meets at 9:00 a.m. on the fourth Saturday of the month, August 22 through November 28. Devotion is led by Heidi McCusker.

✚ HARC Block Party
Saturday, September 19 at City Park.

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

📍 Get Directions

We Are Proud Members Of