St. John's Episcopal Church

09/06/2026

09/06/2026

Good morning and blessed Labor Day weekend! This final long weekend of the summer is bittersweet, isn't it? We love the celebration and the gathering, but it is a reminder that we will soon be putting on warmer clothes, waiting for the leaves to fall (so we can rake them!) and putting veggie gardens to bed for the winter. When change happens, bring it to prayer and worship. Thank God for what has been this summer and ask God for the grace to enter easily into the next season. I know it's a holiday weekend, but blessedly, God does not take a break. He "neither slumbers nor sleeps" (Psalm 121) See you in church!!

09/06/2026

Today in our service we're going to be singing an African-American spiritual that makes me want to dance every time I hear it. "I'm Going to Eat at the Welcome Table" I've linked to a choir performance below, but this song connects with everything we are talking about today, and everything we are doing today. The Welcome Table.
Our service opens with the song "You are Welcome, Welcome in this place!!!" and we close with a prayer that talks about the table being wide. Listen to this song before you come to church so you can sing it with us, and sing it with your heart, not just your voice. And remember that EVERYONE is invited to the Welcome Table of our Lord!!
Oh yes!!!
(forgive annoying ads, if there are any before the video. Can't get rid of them!)

I'm Gonna Eat at the Welcome Table (African-American Spiritual; ar...

09/06/2026

Bulletin and Scripture readings for Sunday, September 6 2026. Reminder that tomorrow is a Family Service!!!!
Update: Ok, posted the wrong readings, and can't locate the right ones, but will post when I find them.🙂

09/06/2026

Announcements for the week of September 6 with activities listed alllllll through the coming fall! Check out all the great activities and events.
Love history? Come to the Historic Service!
Want to celebrate your beloved pet? Make sure to come to the Pet Blessing and Expo in the park.
And always--come worship with us! EVERYONE is welcome!

09/05/2026

Caroga Arts Collective has written a wonderful tribute to our former parishioner, Jack DeWeese. Jack was a member of our choir for many years, and he was always the leader of the famous Hymn Sing before the Sunday service at the Caroga Chapel, where I served as a summer pastor for many years. It was always a joyful and uplifting way to start the worship service. Our condolences are with Trish and his family at this time. From the Book of Common Prayer: "Into paradise may the angels lead thee, Jack."

We are saddened to share the passing of our dear friend Jack DeWeese, a beloved member of the Caroga Lake community, on August 31, 2026, at age 86. Jack was an early and steadfast supporter of Caroga Arts Collective, and his generosity in allowing us to use the Caroga Lake Chapel was integral to the start of the festival in 2012. Through his years leading the Caroga Lake Chapel Board and music program, his love of music and community left a lasting impact on so many.

Our thoughts are with his family and all who loved him. A service of remembrance will be held at the Caroga Lake Chapel on Sunday, September 13, 2026, at 1:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Caroga Lake Chapel.

https://www.altogetherfuneral.com/obituaries/betz-rossi-bellinger-stewart-family-funeral-home/amsterdam-new-york/jack-deweese/september-2026

09/02/2026

Evening Prayer

09/02/2026

Good afternoon....a long, dark afternoon. A damp and dreary afternoon. But prayer lights up the corners of our souls, reminds us of our deep connection to God and to each other.
Please join us, especially if this is your first time, to be part of our evening prayers. Your soul will thank you!

09/02/2026

If it's September in upstate New York, it's practically fall, isn't it? It certainly feels like fall today.
So thanks to a couple of our parishioners who donated these beautiful Autumn wreaths, we are starting to celebrate the season today!
Go ahead-- have a pumpkin latte, eat some maple muffins, put on a comfy sweatshirt and start to look up to see how the leaves are changing color.
Autumn seems to fly by so take advantage of all the moments, like putting up your new fall wreaths on the front door.🍂🍁❤️

09/02/2026

We're going to do a FB Livestream since we cannot connect.