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 Twenty-fifth Sunday after Pentecost

November 15, 2026 · Proper 28, Year A

Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. — The Collect of the Day

The parable of the talents is easy to hear as a lesson about performance: invest well, earn more, and above all do not bury what you were given. But listen to the third servant. “I was afraid,” he says, and fear is what kept his treasure in the dark. The first two servants are not praised for their returns. They are invited to “enter into the joy of your master.” Joy, not profit, is the reward. Paul reminds the Thessalonians that God has destined us “not for wrath but for obtaining salvation,” so we can put on faith and love as a breastplate instead of hiding behind our fears. We have been entrusted with far more than money: our time, our kindness, a place in this community, the good news itself. In this season of stewardship, the Collect gives us the way to hold it all. We hear, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest the Scriptures, so that we may embrace and hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life. What is shared tends to grow. Welcome the stranger. Welcome one another. Welcome Jesus.

This Sunday’s Music: The choir offers Samuel Sebastian Wesley’s “Lead Me, Lord,” with Robin Spickler, soprano; hymns include “Rise up, ye saints of God!” and “O God, our help in ages past.”

Upcoming Events

Gathering for Thanksgiving, Advent, and Christmas giving.

Mid-Week Services

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

✚ Tuesday Bible Study with Fr. Rick
Tuesday at 7:00 p.m., online only. Zoom Meeting ID: 827 3456 7853, Passcode: 175639.

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

At Saint John’s

✚ Meet & Greet, Sunday, November 15, 9:00 to 10:00 a.m.
New to Saint John’s, or hoping to meet people who attend another service? Stop by the Welcoming Commission table in Trimble Hall to learn more about our parish, ask questions, connect with others, and maybe have a donut. Everyone is welcome! Light refreshments will be served.

✚ New Video from Fr. Rick: God’s Beauty Behind the Clouds
Fr. Rick makes the case for cloudy days, and a little unexpected grace drifts into view. It runs about a minute and a half, and it is worth watching to the end. Watch it on YouTube.

✚ Thank You: Stewardship Campaign 2027
The Stewardship and Finance Commission is deeply grateful to all who have taken part in this year’s pledge campaign. If you have not yet submitted your pledge card, or you have questions about making a pledge, please contact Bill Abeles Jr. at SeniorWarden@stjohnshagerstown.org. Members’ stewardship stories are posted at stjohnshagerstown.org/stewardship-2026.

✚ St. Nicholas Day Lunch, Sunday, December 6
After the 10:15 service, please join us in Trimble Hall for homemade soups and sandwiches and a picture with St. Nicholas. A scavenger hunt is being organized for the young and young at heart! Please see the sign-up sheet outside the choir room. A free-will donation for your lunch is appreciated, and all of it supports the work of CASA, Inc., which helps abused women and children in our community.

✚ Christmas Sweets Raffle
Raffle tickets are on sale through December 6 in Trimble Hall: $1 each, 6 tickets for $5, or 14 tickets for $10. A dozen bakers across the parish are making homemade candies, bar cookies, apple dumplings, cakes, and pies. All proceeds benefit CASA, Inc.

✚ Parish Office Closed, Thanksgiving Week
The parish office will be closed Monday, November 23 through Friday, November 27. Fr. Rick and Kip will be available by email if an issue arises.

✚ Brooke’s House Morning Devotions, Saturday, November 28, 9:00 a.m.
Please join Heidi Becker and others at Brooke’s House Coffee and Chocolates for fellowship, prayer, and casual discussion about the season of Advent.

✚ Rector’s Advent Open House, Sunday, December 13
Fr. Rick invites you to his Advent Open House from 11:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at 1858 Meridian Drive, Hagerstown.

Community & Outreach

✚ Christmas Shoe Box Santas
Once again, Saint John’s is sponsoring the Christmas Shoe Box gift program for children at Bester Elementary School. Empty shoe boxes and a sign-up sheet are available by the classrooms. Sign your name by the child (or children) you wish to buy gifts for, place all the gifts inside the box (not outside), and return it by Sunday, December 6, noting the date by your name on the sign-up sheet. Instructions are inside each box. If you would like to sponsor a child but cannot pick up a box and shop, please contact Ms. Lou Lamb at 301-437-5704 so a volunteer can help, and send a check to Saint John’s for $25 to $30 with “Shoe Box” on the memo line. “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.” (Matthew 25:40)

✚ St. John’s Family Shelter Holiday Gifts
The holidays are coming, and St. John’s Family Shelter will once again collect donations to give families at the shelter gift cards, homemade cookies, fruit, and candy. To donate, make your check payable to St. John’s Family Shelter, note “Holiday Gift” in the memo line, and mail it by December 14, 2026 to St. John’s Shelter, P.O. Box 1833, Hagerstown, MD 21742.

✚ HARC Interfaith Community Thanksgiving Service, Sunday, November 22, 4:00 p.m.
Join neighbors of many faiths for the Interfaith Community Thanksgiving Service at First Christian Church on Potomac Avenue.

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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