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 Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost

September 20, 2026 · Proper 20, Year A

Grant us, Lord, not to be anxious about earthly things, but to love things heavenly; and even now, while we are placed among things that are passing away, to hold fast to those that shall endure; 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

The landowner in this Sunday’s Gospel keeps going back to the marketplace. Nine o’clock, noon, three, five. Each time he finds people still standing there, and each time he asks them in. The parable is usually remembered for the grumbling at the end, but the part worth sitting with is the going back. Someone kept looking for the ones nobody had hired. We know both sides of this story. Most of us have borne the burden of the day at something, and quietly kept count. Most of us have also stood idle, past the hour when we thought our chance had come and gone. This week’s Collect asks that we not be anxious about earthly things, and this is exactly where that prayer meets us: another person’s good fortune can feel like something taken from us, until we remember that we were hired too. Our closing hymn says it plainly. Come, labor on. There is room in the vineyard, and there is room at this table. Welcome the stranger. Welcome one another. Welcome Jesus.

This Sunday’s Music: The choir offers Beethoven’s “God is My Song”; hymns include “O Master, let me walk with thee” and “Lord of all hopefulness.”

Upcoming Events

Autumn at Saint John’s: forums, music, and fellowship as the program year begins again.

Mid-Week Services

✚ Tuesday, 6:15 p.m. — Holy Eucharist
High Altar. Enter at the Prospect Street tower door.

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

✚ Thursday, 11:30 a.m. — Holy Eucharist
Saint Mary’s Chapel. Enter at the elevator door.

At Saint John’s

✚ Sunday Adult Forums Return
9:10 a.m. in Saint Mary’s Chapel. This year Fr. Rick takes up biblical conversations, the life of the Episcopal Church, and questions of social justice, asking throughout, “What does the Book of Common Prayer say about ______?” On September 20 and 27 he leads a discussion on addiction, prompted by the film Clean Hands, which opened at the Maryland Theatre on September 17. The September 27 session continues with a conversation about Brooke’s House and its work helping women find hope and sobriety.

✚ Thank You for Saint John’s Day
Thank you to everyone who helped make Homecoming Day such a success. Teamwork paid off. Congratulations to Megan Overcash, winner of the apple dessert contest.

✚ Minister of Music Search Update
The search committee has met both in person and online, and the announcement seeking our next Minister of Music went public on August 25. Several applications have come in, and new applicants will be accepted through September 30. Interviews are expected to begin the week of October 5. Please keep the committee and our prospective candidates in your prayers.

✚ Education for the Ministry
The Christian Formation Commission hopes to restart the EfM program. If you would like to join a group, become a mentor, or simply learn more, fill out the short form at tinyurl.com/stj-efm, or contact the Parish Office at Parishadmin@stjohnshagerstown.org or 301-733-2560.

✚ Children’s Chapel Volunteers Needed
Christian Formation needs help carrying out the promise we make at every Baptism, to lead our children in the faith. Volunteers complete the Safe Church Training required by the Diocese and assist the Children’s Chapel leader. Children’s Chapel meets twice a month, so with enough volunteers you would be called on only a couple of times a year. Contact Kip or Carol Cox at JuniorWarden@stjohnshagerstown.org and the training information will be provided.

✚ Caregivers Support Meeting
Tuesday, September 22 at 12:30 p.m. in Saint Mary’s Chapel.

✚ Vestry Meeting
Wednesday, September 23 at 7:00 p.m. in the upstairs classroom. Enter at the elevator door.

✚ Bluegrass Gospel Concert
Fertile Soil in concert on 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.

✚ Name Tags
To request a name tag, email Kip in the Parish Office at Parishadmin@stjohnshagerstown.org or call 301-733-2560. Please say whether you prefer a magnet or a pin.

Community & Outreach

✚ HARC Progressive Dinner
Saturday, September 26, beginning at 5:00 p.m. at Saint John’s for appetizers. The evening continues at the Mormon and Muslim congregations in Hagerstown. Join Fr. Rick and our neighbors from across the Hagerstown Area Religious Association for this yearly gathering. $25 per person. Visit stjohnshagerstown.org for details and to sign up. To help the Parish Life Commission prepare appetizers, please contact Betty Markle.

✚ Brooke’s House Morning Devotion
Saturday, September 26 at 9:00 a.m. at Brooke’s House Coffee and Chocolates. Join Heidi McCusker and our brothers and sisters from St. Mark’s, Lappans for morning devotions. The group meets on the fourth Saturday of each month.

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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