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-fourth Sunday after Pentecost

November 8, 2026 · Proper 27, Year A

O God, whose blessed Son came into the world that he might destroy the works of the devil and make us children of God and heirs of eternal life: Grant that, having this hope, we may purify ourselves as he is pure; that, when he comes again with power and great glory, we may be made like him in his eternal and glorious kingdom; where he 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 ten bridesmaids can sound harsh at first hearing. The door is shut, and some are left outside. But notice that all ten fell asleep. What set the wise apart was not that they stayed awake through the long night. It was that they brought enough oil for the waiting. Faith often looks like that. It is less a burst of feeling than a steady supply, gathered in quiet ways: the prayers we say when we are tired, the Eucharist we return to week after week, the friendships that carry us when the bridegroom seems delayed. That oil cannot be borrowed at the last minute, because no one can hand us a life with God secondhand. Yet we are not left to tend our lamps alone. Paul tells the Thessalonians to “encourage one another with these words,” and this Sunday we do just that, around the altar and around the potluck table. As we sing “Rejoice! rejoice, believers, and let your lights appear,” we pray that our lamps will be ready whenever Christ comes. Welcome the stranger. Welcome one another. Welcome Jesus.

This Sunday’s Music: The choir offers Carl Schalk’s “O Jesus, Joy of Loving Hearts”; hymns include “Lo! he comes, with clouds descending” and “Let all mortal flesh keep silence.”

Upcoming Events

Gathering this Sunday, and getting ready for the holidays.

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

✚ Blessing of the Callas Garden, Sunday, November 8, 9:15 a.m.
Please join the Garden Committee and Fr. Rick as we bless and re-dedicate the indoor Callas Garden. We are grateful to the Callas family for their generosity.

✚ Potluck Coffee Hour and Lunch, Sunday, November 8
Please join us for lunch in Trimble Hall after the 10:15 service, a time to sit and enjoy each other’s company before the hectic holidays.

✚ 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.

✚ 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.

✚ Shadow Fr. Rick
Greyson had a wonderful experience shadowing Fr. Rick. If other children would like to shadow Fr. Rick, please contact the Parish Office.

✚ St. Nicholas Day Lunch, Sunday, December 6
The Parish Life Commission is hosting a festive lunch of homemade soup and sandwiches after the 10:15 service, with a suggested donation, plus a Christmas Sweets Raffle. If you would like to bake cookies, candies, or holiday favorites for the raffle, please contact Betty Markle at 240-457-2370 or PL-Chair@stjohnshagerstown.org. Raffle tickets are on sale in Trimble Hall from November 8 through December 6, when the winners will be drawn at the luncheon. All proceeds benefit a ministry helping young women, just as St. Nicholas did centuries ago.

✚ Parish Office Closed, Wednesday, November 11
The parish office will be closed for Veterans Day.

✚ 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; Blake Rath, Parish Treasurer: Treasurer@stjohnshagerstown.org; Kippar Thang, Parish Administrator: Parishadmin@stjohnshagerstown.org.

✚ Mark Your Calendar
Sunday, November 8: Blessing of the Callas Garden, 9:15 a.m.; Potluck Lunch after the 10:15 service
Sunday, November 15: Meet & Greet, 9:00 a.m., Trimble Hall
Sunday, November 22: HARC Interfaith Community Thanksgiving Service, 4:00 p.m., First Christian Church
Sunday, December 6: St. Nicholas Day Lunch and Christmas Sweets Raffle after the 10:15 service

Community & Outreach

✚ Thanksgiving Dessert Sale: Last Day to Order Is Sunday, November 8
$20: apple, pumpkin, or sweet potato pie. $25: apple-cranberry-walnut, fruits of the forest, or cherry. $30: mincemeat. $40: lemony cheesecake or apple crumble cheesecake. Order by calling or texting Bruce Massey at 240-675-4498. Thank you for your support!

✚ Christmas Shoe Box Santas
Once again, Saint John’s is sponsoring the Christmas Shoe Box gift program for children at Bester Elementary School. Beginning November 8, empty shoe boxes and a sign-up sheet will be 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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