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-Second Sunday after Pentecost

October 25, 2026 · Proper 25, Year A

Almighty and everlasting God, increase in us the gifts of faith, hope, and charity; and, that we may obtain what you promise, make us love what you command; 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

This week’s Collect asks for something we cannot manufacture on our own: “make us love what you command.” It is an honest prayer. Most of us know what we are supposed to love. The trouble is that knowing and loving are not the same thing. In Sunday’s Gospel, a lawyer tries to test Jesus with a hard question, and Jesus gives the simplest answer in the world. Love God with all your heart, soul, and mind. Love your neighbor as yourself. Everything else hangs on these two. Leviticus said it centuries earlier, and God’s people still needed reminding. So do we. The love Jesus describes is not a feeling we wait for. It shows up in ordinary ways: a fair word about someone who is not in the room, a covered dish carried to the potluck, the name of someone we miss offered up for All Saints’. As we sing “Take my life, and let it be consecrated, Lord, to thee,” we offer God our willingness and trust God with the rest. Welcome the stranger. Welcome one another. Welcome Jesus.

This Sunday’s Music: The choir offers Eric Thiman’s “Awake, Awake to Love and Work”; hymns include “Now thank we all our God” and “Take my life, and let it be consecrated.”

Upcoming Events

Ingathering Sunday and All Saints’ at Saint John’s: worship, fellowship, and outreach.

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

✚ This Sunday Is Ingathering Sunday
This Sunday, October 25, we gather our pledges for 2027 as an offering of thanks for all that Saint John’s has given us. If you have not yet returned your pledge card, please bring it with you to the 8:00 or 10:15 service. This fall, members have shared in their own words why they give. Watch their stories at stjohnshagerstown.org/stewardship-2026.

✚ All Saints’ Sunday, November 1
The Feast of All Saints is a day to remember the saints, known and unknown, those in our church windows and in the windows of our hearts. If a loved one has died in the last year (November 2025 to October 2026), please send their name to Kip Thang, Parish Administrator, at parishadmin@stjohnshagerstown.org. We will celebrate the saints of our parish history as we worship at the historic High Altar at the 10:15 a.m. service (incense will be used). Join us again at 5:00 p.m. for All Saints’ Evensong and a reception.

✚ All Commission Gathering, Saturday, November 7
All commission members, including new members, are invited from 9:00 to 11:30 a.m. There will be coffee, juice, and snacks.

✚ Potluck Lunch, Sunday, November 8
Bring a covered dish and join us for lunch after the 10:15 service. Just a simple time to sit and enjoy each other’s company before the holidays. Please see the sign-up sheet outside the choir room. All are welcome!

✚ Book Corner
Come visit our library, located by the elevator on the St. Mary’s Chapel level. It has books on spirituality, fiction, history, biography, books for children, Bible study resources, and more, and check-out is free and easy. Thanks to Mark Stahr for his “rave” review!

✚ Free Houseplants
Peace lilies and other plants from Callas Garden are available on the Antietam Street portico through the end of October. Please take one home and give it a new life!

✚ 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: Treasure@stjohnshagerstown.org; Kippar Thang, Parish Administrator: Parishadmin@stjohnshagerstown.org.

✚ Mark Your Calendar
Sunday, November 1: All Saints’ Evensong & Reception, 5:00 p.m.
Saturday, November 7: All Commission Gathering, 9:00 a.m.
Sunday, November 8: Re-dedication of the Callas Garden, 9:15 a.m.; Potluck Coffee Hour, 11:30 a.m.

Community & Outreach

✚ Thanksgiving Dessert Sale
$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. Last day to order is November 8. All proceeds benefit Service and Outreach projects. Order by calling or texting Bruce Massey at 240-675-4498.

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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