St. John's Bowmanville

08/31/2026

“Peter, your place is behind me, not in front of me.”

In this week’s sermon, the Reverend Carol Langley reflects on one of the more startling moments in Matthew’s Gospel: Jesus turning to Peter and saying, “Get behind me, Satan!”

https://stjohnsbowmanville.com/sermons/follow-jesus

Only moments before, Peter had proclaimed Jesus as the Christ. Now Peter wants to protect Jesus from the suffering that lies ahead. But in trying to protect him, Peter also tries to lead him.

Jesus calls him back to the place of a disciple: “Get behind me.” Follow me. Let me lead.

That invitation reaches us, too.

We often want God to work according to our plans, answer according to our timetable, and lead us along the road we have already chosen. Yet Jesus continues to call us into something deeper:

“If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.”

Following Jesus means learning to trust even when we cannot see where the road leads. It means remembering that failure is never final, that we are not abandoned when we get it wrong, and that Christ continues to call us back:

Come. Follow me.

Watch this week’s service from the Reverend Carol Langley and join us as we reflect on what it really means to let Jesus lead.

📖 Matthew 16:21–28

A sermon by The Rev. Carol Langley on Matthew 16:21-28, Isaiah 53:5, from St. John's Anglican Church Bowmanville.

08/23/2026

https://stjohnsbowmanville.com/sermons/five-women-five-acts-of-courage

In Exodus 1, Pharaoh responds to fear with oppression. He sees people of a different ethnicity and religion as a threat, subjects them to forced labour, and eventually turns to violence.

But this story is about more than oppression.

In this excerpt from her August 23 sermon at St. John’s Anglican Church, Bowmanville, the Rev. Lucia Lloyd begins exploring what happens when a ruler tries to govern through fear; and what happens when ordinary people refuse to let that fear define them.

The full sermon, “Five Women Who Chose Courage,” reflects on Exodus 1:8–2:10 and the faith, courage, and compassion of Shiphrah, Puah, Jochebed, Miriam, and Pharaoh’s daughter.

08/23/2026

Today at St. John’s, we heard a powerful story of faith, courage, and compassion in the face of fear.

In Exodus, Pharaoh seems to hold all the power. But Scripture does something remarkable: Pharaoh isn’t even given a name, while we are invited to remember the women whose courage stood against his oppression.

Shiphrah. Puah. Jochebed. Miriam. Pharaoh’s daughter.

Five women who had every reason to be afraid and five and acted courageously anyway.

They refused to allow fear to decide who they would become. They protected life. They cared for someone else. They showed compassion when walking away would have been safer. And through their seemingly small acts of resistance and faithfulness, God was at work.

Reverend Lucia’s sermon, “Five Women, Five Acts of Courage,” reminds us that courage does not mean we are never afraid. It means that even in the presence of fear, we can choose faith, compassion, and love.

And sometimes, when the problems around us seem far bigger than anything we could possibly change, the question is simply:

What is the faithful thing I can do right now?

As we heard today, human history has no shortage of stories of oppression. But it also has countless stories of people who held on to their faith, held on to their courage, and held on to their compassion.

We pray that, by God’s grace, God will work through us too.

If you weren’t able to join us this morning (or if you’d like to hear the sermon again) we invite you to watch today’s service and reflect with us on Exodus 1:8–2:10.

🙏 May God give us courage when we are afraid, compassion when it would be easier to turn away, and faith to do what is ours to do.

A sermon by The Rev. Lucia Lloyd on Exodus 1:8-2:10, from St. John's Anglican Church Bowmanville.

08/12/2026

☕ 𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝗦𝘁. 𝗝𝗼𝗵𝗻’𝘀: 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗲 𝗜𝘀𝗻’𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁.

One of the most important parts of Sunday at St. John’s doesn’t happen during the service.

It happens afterwards.

Over coffee, tea, cookies (or lemonade in the summer), conversations begin. New friendships are formed. Familiar faces catch up on the week. Visitors discover that they aren’t strangers for very long.

Church isn’t just about attending a service.

It’s about belonging to a community.

Whether you’ve been worshipping here for fifty years or you’re thinking about visiting for the very first time, you’re invited to stay after the service, share a cup, ask questions, and simply enjoy being together.

Sometimes the most meaningful ministry begins with a simple conversation after the service.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝘃𝗲 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗵𝗮𝗱 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗮 𝗰𝘂𝗽 𝗼𝗳 𝗰𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗲 𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗲𝗮? We’d love to hear your story in the comments.

08/09/2026

𝗜𝗻 𝗖𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗠𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗨𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝗦𝘁. 𝗝𝗼𝗵𝗻’𝘀 𝗧𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆…

🌊 A Storm, a Cry for Help and the Son of God

Today, The Reverend Lucia Lloyd continued with Matthew 14, picking up immediately where last Sunday’s story of the two fish and five loaves left off.

Jesus finally sends the crowds away and goes up the mountain alone to pray. Meanwhile, the disciples find themselves far from shore, their boat battered by the waves and the wind against them.

And then they see something they cannot explain.

At first, they’re terrified.

What follows is one of the most familiar stories in the Gospels: Jesus walking on the water and Peter stepping out of the boat. But today’s sermon invited us to look deeper at what happens between fear, doubt, faith, and understanding.

Sometimes what we call doubt may have more to do with fear than we realize. What happens when something doesn’t fit neatly into the categories we use to understand the world? What happens when we step out in faith, and then notice the storm around us?

And what happens when we begin to sink?

Peter gives us a remarkably simple prayer:

“Lord, save me!”

And what Jesus does next may be the most important part of the story.

If you missed us this morning, we invite you to read or watch The Reverend Lucia Lloyd’s sermon and spend some time with Matthew 14:22–33.

There is much more here than walking on water. 🌊✝️

A sermon by The Rev. Lucia Lloyd on Matthew 14:22-33, from St. John's Anglican Church Bowmanville.

08/04/2026

Have you ever wanted to understand the Book of Exodus a little better?

Join us Sunday, August 16th before worship for Bible Background: Exodus, led by The Rev. Lucia Lloyd.

Together we’ll explore:
📖 What was happening in Israel’s history?
📖 Who wrote Exodus, and why?
📖 What do the stories of Moses, the Passover, and the journey through the wilderness reveal about God?
📖 Why does Exodus continue to shape our faith today?

No preparation is required. You don’t need to have read the book of Exodus beforehand, and you don’t need to be a Bible expert. Whether you’re opening the Bible for the first time or have studied it for years, you’re warmly invited to come, listen, ask questions, and discover the historical and spiritual background that brings Scripture to life.

🗓️ Sunday, August 16th
🕤 9:30–10:15 a.m.
📍 St. John’s Anglican Church, Bowmanville

Come early and deepen your understanding of one of the Bible’s most inspiring books before we gather for worship.

Learn more: https://stjohnsbowmanville.com/events/bible-background-isaiah

Everyone is welcome.

Explore with us who wrote this book of the Bible, who it was written to, what issues it explores, and why.

08/02/2026

𝗜𝗻 𝗰𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝘂𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝗦𝘁. 𝗝𝗼𝗵𝗻’𝘀 𝘁𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆… ❤️

This morning, The Reverend Lucia Lloyd preached on the Gospel account of Jesus feeding the multitude (Matthew 14:13–21).

One of the things that struck me most from her sermon wasn’t simply the miracle itself.

It was Jesus.

Just before this passage, Jesus has received the heartbreaking news that John the Baptist has been killed. He withdraws, seeking a quiet place to grieve.

But the crowds follow Him.

He could have turned them away.

He could have said, “Not today.”

Instead, we’re told that He had compassion for them. He healed the sick. He stayed with them. And when evening came, He fed them; not just enough to get by, but in abundance. Everyone ate, everyone was satisfied, and twelve baskets were left over.

Rev. Lucia also reminded us that when the disciples looked at five loaves and two fish, they saw not enough.

Jesus saw something that could be shared.

That challenge reaches us today.

At St. John’s, no one person “makes church happen.”

Some prepare the altar. Some welcome newcomers at the door. Some make coffee. Some pray faithfully behind the scenes. Some sing in the choir. Some read Scripture. Some teach children. Some visit those who can’t get out. Some care for the gardens. Some prepare meals through Soul Suppers. Some maintain the building. Some run the sound, cameras, livestream, and website. Some simply sit beside someone who needs a friend.

Each gift may seem small on its own.

But placed in the hands of Christ, those gifts become part of something much bigger than ourselves.

That’s one of the beautiful things about being part of a church family. Every act of service matters. Every person matters. Together, Christ takes what we offer and uses it to bless far more people than we could ever imagine on our own.

Thank you, Rev. Lucia, for a beautiful reminder that Jesus still meets people with compassion, still provides in abundance, and still invites each of us to bring what we have so it may be shared.

https://stjohnsbowmanville.com/sermons/two-fish-five-loaves-and-the-kingdom-of-heaven

❤️ What gift has God given you that you’ve been able to use to bless someone else? We’d love to hear your story in the comments.

A sermon by The Rev. Lucia Lloyd on Matthew 14:13-21, from St. John's Anglican Church Bowmanville.

07/31/2026

Take a few moments to slow down.

Our outdoor labyrinth at St. John’s Anglican Church is a peaceful place for prayer, reflection, and quiet with God.

Unlike a maze, a labyrinth has just one path. There are no wrong turns and nothing to solve. Simply walk at your own pace, breathe, pray, reflect, or enjoy the stillness.

Whether you’re carrying worries, searching for peace, or simply looking for a quiet place away from the noise of everyday life, you’re warmly invited to come and walk.

The labyrinth is not worshipped, nor is it believed to possess any special power. It is simply a tool that can help us slow down, quiet our hearts, reflect on Scripture, and spend intentional time with Jesus Christ.

Everyone is welcome.

Learn more and plan your visit:
https://stjohnsbowmanville.com/explore/youre-invited-to-walk-our-labyrinth

❤️ Have you ever walked a labyrinth, or is this something you’d like to try?

07/31/2026

Friday is traditionally a day of discipline and self-denial.

In the Anglican tradition, Fridays have long been observed as a time of discipline and self-denial because they remind us of Good Friday, the day our Lord Jesus Christ gave Himself for the life of the world. It is an opportunity to remember His sacrificial love and to respond with prayer, reflection, and gratitude.

The Anglican tradition invites us to pause at the end of the week; to step away from our routines, set aside distractions, and remember Christ’s sacrificial love. Self-denial isn’t simply about giving something up; it’s about making room for something greater.

Today’s readings remind us that God meets us in every season. The psalmist cries out in distress, Deborah praises God’s faithfulness after victory, and in the Book of Acts we witness the gift of the Holy Spirit, empowering ordinary people to live extraordinary lives of faith.

Perhaps today is an opportunity to put down whatever has been occupying our hearts and instead make space for prayer, Scripture, quiet reflection, or an act of kindness.

“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” — Acts 2:21

May we be people who not only call on the Lord in times of need but also seek Him daily, allowing His Spirit to shape our words, our actions, and our love for our neighbours.

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗺𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗮 𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗺 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗚𝗼𝗱 𝘁𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆?
Let us know in the comments.
Today’s readings are available on our website and the link is in the first comment.

07/30/2026

𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗱𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗔𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗮 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗕𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗦𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆?

One of the beautiful traditions of the Anglican Church is something called the Lectionary.

Rather than each parish choosing its own readings, Anglicans around the world follow a shared schedule of Scripture throughout the year.

On any given Sunday, millions of Christians are reflecting on many of the same passages from the Old Testament, Psalms, Epistles, and Gospels.

This means we’re part of something much bigger than ourselves.

It also encourages us to read the whole story of God’s work, including passages that are inspiring, challenging, comforting, and sometimes difficult. We don’t only read our favourite verses; we journey through Scripture together.

At St. John’s, these readings shape our worship, our prayers, our sermons, and even the Daily Office that we share on our website.

Whether you’ve been reading the Bible for years or you’re opening it for the very first time, the lectionary is an invitation to walk through God’s story one step at a time.

📖 𝗛𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗱 𝗮 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲?
We’d love to hear about your experience in the comments.