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 Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost

October 4, 2026 · Proper 22, Year A

Almighty and everlasting God, you are always more ready to hear than we to pray, and to give more than we either desire or deserve: Pour upon us the abundance of your mercy, forgiving us those things of which our conscience is afraid, and giving us those good things for which we are not worthy to ask, except through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ our Savior; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. — The Collect of the Day

Isaiah begins this Sunday with a love song. God plants a vineyard on a fertile hill, clears away the stones, builds a watchtower, and waits for good grapes. Jesus picks up the same song in the Gospel, and it turns hard: tenants who forget the vineyard was never theirs, who turn away every messenger, and at last the owner’s own son. It is an uncomfortable parable, and it is meant to be. But notice where Jesus lands. “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.” What we push aside, God builds on. This week we sing “Christ is made the sure foundation” and “The Church’s one foundation,” and they tell the same truth in words we know by heart. We are tenants here, not owners. The vineyard, this old church on Prospect Street, and the gifts in our hands all belong to God, and what God hopes for is fruit: justice, kindness, mercy. As our stewardship season begins, that is a freeing word. We do not have to own the vineyard. We only have to tend it, together. Welcome the stranger. Welcome one another. Welcome Jesus.

This Sunday’s Music: The choir offers John Rutter’s God Be in My Head; hymns include “Christ is made the sure foundation” and “The Church’s one foundation.”

Upcoming Events

Autumn at Saint John’s: bluegrass gospel in Trimble Hall, a stewardship season of “Plenty Good Room,” and music to mark on your calendar.

Mid-Week Services

✚ Tuesday Holy Eucharist
Tuesdays at 6:15 p.m. at the High Altar. Please enter at the Prospect Street Tower Door.

✚ No Tuesday Bible Study on October 6
Tuesday evening Bible Study will not meet on October 6. It resumes Tuesday, October 13, at 7:00 p.m.

✚ Thursday Holy Eucharist
Thursdays at 11:30 a.m. in St. Mary’s Chapel. Please enter at the elevator door.

At Saint John’s

✚ Fr. Rick Out of the Office, October 1 to 6
Fr. Rick is out of the office through Tuesday, October 6, and returns on Wednesday, October 7. For a pastoral emergency, please contact Bill Abeles, Jr. at 301-991-2350 or Carol Cox at 276-728-1852.

✚ Calling All Ushers, Sunday, October 4
All ushers for the 8:00 and 10:15 services meet on Sunday, October 4, starting at 9:15 a.m. Anyone curious about ushering is welcome. We will go over an usher’s duties, including a few changes. Questions? Contact Mike Mummert at 301-991-6533.

✚ Ladies Lunch Bunch, Monday, October 5
New to Saint John’s, or just want time with friends? Join us the first Monday of each month at 11:30 a.m. at Tuscan Prime on Eastern Boulevard. Order from the lunch menu with individual checks. All women are welcome; please make a reservation so we can give the restaurant an accurate count. Contact Cathy Bushey at 301-992-8444.

✚ 2027 Stewardship Campaign: “Plenty Good Room”
Over the coming weeks, members will hear (and share) testimonials in support of this year’s campaign. As we move toward Ingathering Sunday on October 25, the Stewardship & Finance Commission will publish budget data to help you with your gift. Last year’s testimonials are posted for you to revisit: stjohnshagerstown.org/online-giving/stewardship-2026

✚ Sunday Adult Forum Resumes October 18
The Adult Forum returns Sunday, October 18, with a conversation on stewardship led by Bill Abeles, Jr., from 9:10 to 9:55 a.m.

✚ Minister of Music Search
The search for our next Minister of Music continues. Please keep the search committee and our prospective candidates in your prayers as we move into this new chapter.

✚ Mark Your Calendar
Sunday, October 18: Kinship Singers, in the Church
Wednesday, October 21: Moral & Ethical Dilemmas, St. Mary’s Chapel
Sunday, November 1: Evensong, in the Church

✚ Updated Parish Email Addresses
Fr. Rick, Rector: Rector@stjohnshagerstown.org; William Abeles, Jr., Senior Warden: SeniorWarden@stjohnshagerstown.org; Carol Cox, Junior Warden: JuniorWarden@stjohnshagerstown.org; Kippar Thang, Parish Administrator: Parishadmin@stjohnshagerstown.org.

Community & Outreach

✚ Bluegrass Gospel Concert with Fertile Soil
Sunday, October 4, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. in Trimble Hall. Doors open at 3:30 p.m. Free admission, with a light dinner served at intermission. Invite your neighbors, family, and friends!

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