Saint John's United Methodist Church

06/03/2026

𝐁𝐈𝐆 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐰!
This past Saturday, a team of dedicated volunteers met at the church to tackle some deep-cleaning tasks around the church. Drawers were emptied and wiped down, cupboards were organized, grout and stairs were scrubbed. It was a beautiful example of how much can be accomplished when a team works together! Special thanks to Shelley Walters, whose vision and organization for the effort was absolutely top-notch. We are so grateful!

06/02/2026

𝐍𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐩
"Sunday in class, we asked, 'What does it mean to study the Bible in context?' We discussed how we learn about the places, the history, and the customs where each story took place thousands of years ago. Understanding what was happening at the time these Biblical stories were written down helps us understand more about them. Putting the Bible in its historical context helps us understand the setting in which the experiences of God were moving through the author, and it helps us better ground those timeless truths today."

To read the rest of Pastor Hilary's Our Life Together reflection, visit stjohnsaustin.org/our-life-together-blog/.

06/01/2026

𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐚 𝐉𝐨𝐲𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐍𝐨𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐨𝐫𝐝!
On Sunday, we were treated to an extraordinary celebration of the integral place of music in worship, as well as the talent, hard work, and dedication of the Chancel Choir and its leaders, Cina and Ed. The reflections from members of the Chancel Choir on the importance of music in their lives are as meaningful and heartfelt as the music is invigorating!
To watch this service again or enjoy it for the first time, visit stjohnsaustin.org/worship/past-worship-services/.

05/31/2026

Join us in worship this Sunday as we conclude our Festivals and Foundations worship series with a Music Sunday celebration! Several members of the Chancel Choir will serve as liturgists, and we will be treated to several featured pieces performed by the Chancel Choir in additional to congregational hymns. Leading the Chancel Choir are Director of Music Cina Crisara and Associate Director of Music Ed Snouffer. Churchwide Sunday School will take place upstairs in the Great Hall during the 10 o'clock hour with an emphasis on Mental Health.

Worship Music - Sunday, May 31, 2026
Reprinted and performed with permission under One License -730944, unless otherwise noted.

Gathering/Introit: “There’s a Spirit of Love in This Place;” Words and Music: © 2003 Abingdon Press; Contributor: Mark Miller

Opening Hymn: “When in Our Music God Is Glorified” UMH # 68; Words: Fred Pratt Green; Music: Charles V. Stanford; Contributor: Mark Hayes; Words and Music: © 2014 Lorenz Corp. (admin. By Music Services); All rights reserved; ASCAP

Anthem: “Sing Me Home;” Music: Mark A. Miller; Words: Sarah Speed and Mark Miller; © 2025 Walton Music Corp.; Contributor: Mark A. Miller

Song for Illumination: “Amazing Grace” UMH # 378; Words : John Newton; Music: 19th Cent. USA melody; © 1972 Fred Bock Music Company; Contributor: Fred Bock

Anthem: “We Will Rejoice;” Words and Music: © 2004 GIA Publications, Inc.; Contributors: Sylvia G. Dunstan, Roy

Response: “Lift Every Voice and Sing” UMH #519; CCLI Song # 7071034; Words: James Weldon Johnson; Music: J. Rosamond Johnson; Words and Music: Public domain; For use solely with the SongSelect ® Terms of Use; All rights reserved; www.ccli.com; CCLI License #420373

Offertory: “Sing to Me;” Words and Music: © 2019 Hal Leonard Corporation (select catalogues); Contributors: Karen Crane, Joseph M. Martin, Joseph M. Martin

“Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow” UMH #94; Music: © 1989 United Methodist Pub. House; Contributors: Thomas Ken, Gilbert H. Vieira

Sending Hymn/Postlude: “Over My Head” TFWS # 2148; Words and Music: African American Spiritual, arr. John Bell, alt. arr. © 197 WGRG The Iona Community (Scotland); admin. By GIA Pubs., Inc.

05/28/2026

𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤 𝐚𝐭 𝐒𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐭 𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧'𝐬...
Tomorrow, May 29, Saint John's will join AGE of Central Texas in hosting "Facing the Wind," an award-winning documentary about Lewy body dementia, from 2 - 4 p.m. You can find details in this week's newsletter, along with a reminder about Sunday's Churchwide Sunday School class on Mental Health, and a sign up link to help with our Church Work Day on Saturday!
Each Thursday afternoon, our newsletter hits inboxes, but you can also read through it each week at stjohnsaustin.org/newsletter/.

05/27/2026

"𝐖𝐞 𝐒𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮, 𝐌𝐬. 𝐈𝐳𝐳𝐲 𝐋𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐳!"
Sunday's graduation reception for Children and Youth Coordinator Izzy Lopez was a blast! A BAJA BLAST! For your listening pleasure, please enjoy this rendition of a popular camp song, specially tailored for the occasion. Congratulations, Izzy! We're proud of all you've accomplished.

05/26/2026

𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐰𝐢𝐜𝐞
"Each Sunday morning, in the quiet moments before the service begins, I find myself reflecting on all that is contributed to the creation of meaningful worship at Saint John's. From my place in the chancel, I have the privilege of witnessing the service from a unique perspective, aware of the scriptures, sermon, singing, and testimonies from the chancel and the prayers, singing, and reflection from the congregation. There are the moments of silence that speak just as powerfully as spoken words. We pray together, we listen together, and yes, we sing together. Week after week, I am moved by the care with which these elements come together to support the message being shared, a message that we will each carry into the week ahead. It is a gift to experience worship in this way."
To read the rest of this week's Our Life Together reflection by Associate Director of Music Ed Snouffer, visit stjohnsaustin.org/our-life-together-blog/.

05/26/2026

𝐀𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐔𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝐔𝐬
If you missed Sunday's worship service celebrating Pentecost, you'll want to check it out at stjohnsaustin.org/worship/past-worship-services/. After hearing the Pentecost story found in Acts, Pastor Hilary shared a message about the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit descending was dramatic and sudden, but Peter's transformation from fisherman to disciple, from denier of Christ to hardliner, and then finally the foundation of the early Church, was the true work of the Holy Spirit. How is the Spirit working in your life today?

05/25/2026

05/24/2026

Join us in worship this Sunday as we celebrate Pentecost and continue our spring worship series, Festivals and Foundations. Becky Mitschke will serve as liturgist, sharing prayers and scripture from Acts 2:1-21. Rev. Hilary Marchbanks will share the message, "Peter's Sermon." The Chancel Choir, led by Director of Music Cina Crisara and accompanied by Associate Director of Music Ed Snouffer, will provide music.

Worship Music - Sunday, May 24, 2026

Reprinted and performed with permission under One License -730944, unless otherwise noted.

Gathering: “Gather Us In;” © 1982 GIA Publications, Inc.; Contributor: Marty Haugen

Introit: “Spirit of God, Descend Upon My Heart;” Words: © 2014 Lorenz Publishing Corporation; Contributors: George Croly, arr. Joan J. Pinkston

Opening Hymn: “Gather Us In” TFWS # 2236; © 1982 GIA Publications, Inc.; Contributor: Marty Haugen

Song for Illumination: “There’s a Sweet, Sweet Spirit in This Place” UMH # 334; Words and Music: © 1990 Manna Music; Contributor: Doris Akers

Response: “Spirit of Gentleness” TFWS # 2120; Words and Music: © 1978 J. Manley Publishing; Contributor: James K. Manley

Offertory: “Ev’ry Time I Feel the Spirit;” Words and Music: © 1946 Neil A. Kjos Music Company; Contributor: William Dawson

“Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow” UMH #95; Words: Thoman Ken; Music: Attr. Louis Bourgeois; Public domain

Sending Hymn: “O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing;” Words: Charles Wesley; Music: Carl G. Glaser; arr. By Lowell Mason; Public domain

Postlude: “O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing;” Music: © 2000 Abingdon Press; Contributor: Mark A. Miller