St. John's Episcopal Church - Great Bend, Kansas

06/06/2026

Good morning.
Many eons ago, there was a radio commercial (yes, radio - I'm not young) for a moderately priced hotel chain. The announcer always ended with "We'll leave the light on."
I was reminded of this when, coming back from a ball game the other evening I saw a light on in my kitchen as I pulled up. I had left the pantry light on. A habit in our household going all the way back to when we first bought the place.
I sat in the truck for a moment and thought about the light. How a neighbor relied on the light being on to give a little bit of a path in the darkness. How seeing a light on in another neighbor's kitchen early in the morning not long ago meant the love of that person's life had passed during the night.
I also thought of when we would leave a light on in the living room when the kids were out for the evening. Just as parents do.
Now our kids do the same.
What tradition do you have that allows others to be ok? To be safe in the knowledge they are cared for?
How do we let each other know?
Tomorrow morning we will have church at 11:00.
Discussion/conversation begins when folks start coming through the doors at 10:15. Heck, we can make it earlier, just let us know.

Know that you are loved.
Yes, you.
As you are and where you are in this world.

And we'll leave the light on.

06/01/2026

05/30/2026

Good morning.
The message is going to be rather brief today. I have an eye that is not happy with the world. Drops and compresses are in use and the eye is just taking its own sweet time. Which makes me sigh. A lot.
Tomorrow is a 5th Sunday. We will be gathering with our Friends in Faith at First Congregational UCC (3400 21st in GB) to celebrate Trinity Sunday and to just enjoy our time together.
Service will begin at 11:00.
There will be a potluck dinner following.
If you are not able to make it but wish to be present online, here is the link:
On Zoom

Meeting ID: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/955242173
Password: 301545

If joining by telephone, please call either 1-253-215-8782 or 1-301-715-8592.

If you have any problems getting in, please call me (620)377-7023.

On Facebook

Go to the Church's page: First Congregational UCC Church

Know that you are loved.
Where you are.
Just as you are.
Always.

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05/23/2026

Service for Pentacost Sunday will be at 11:00.
There is always someone there by 10:15 at least. C'mon in and chat, discuss, listen, pray.
Know that you are loved.
Just as you are.
Where you are in this world.
Always.

05/16/2026

Good morning.
This past week a graduate brought in a form to the office. We chatted a bit about what his summer and next year held.
"Well, Ms. Karen, right now summer is here and work needs to be done on the farm and in the fields."
He has been working on the farm and building machinery for the coming season. The young man feels at home with the work. He finds the rhythm and all is right. Even when something refuses to work properly.
As I sat outside on the patio at 5:30 this morning, drinking coffee and waiting for dogs, I heard the trains moving.
Before the heat of the day sets in (and it's only May!).
A rhythm of life and work.
Now, before someone gets all anxious and wonders why I have not mentioned God in any of this, please note that God is there. Every step of the way. God keeps instep with the rhythm, even when we misstep.
I think of all the graduates.. Finding their steps and rhythm. God right there beside them.
When they believe and when they don't.
When they are sure of all around and when they are scared of what could be beyond the next turn.
God is there.
We have service for Holy Eucharist tomorrow at 11:00.
Taize' returns this week on Wednesday at 6:30.
Take time to sit outside and listen to the quiet of mornings and evenings.
Know that you are loved.
Just as you are.
Where you are.
Always.

05/09/2026

Good morning.
Graduations and Mothers' Day weekend is upon us.
May the God bless us and keep us safe and sane.
St. John's will have service for Holy Eucharist at 11:00 tomorrow.
We would love to see you.
If you can't be with us, know that you are loved.
Always.
Be safe.
Love your mom.