St. John's Episcopal Church, Naples

05/31/2026

The Word of God is Alive!

05/31/2026

When was the last time you truly encountered God in worship? Not just went through the motions, but actually experienced His living presence?

This week's message reminds us that worship isn't a performance—it's an encounter. The Word of God is ALIVE, and every time we gather, we have the opportunity to meet Him in a fresh, powerful way. Whether through singing His praises, hearing Scripture, confessing our sins, or receiving Holy Communion, God invites us into something transformative.

Here's the truth: if you're going through anxiety, struggle, or difficult times, church isn't the place to avoid—it's exactly where you need to be. God has promised to meet us here, to feed our souls, and to bring healing and peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:6-7).

Come expecting an encounter with the living God. Come ready to worship, to be fed by His Word, and to receive His presence. Your spirit needs this as much as your body needs food.

05/24/2026

Love Opens the Door of the Heart

05/24/2026

This Mother's Day, we celebrated the women who translate God's Word into life itself—the most convincing translation we'll ever see.

Our mothers, grandmothers, and the godly women in our lives have a unique calling: to shape the next generation through love and care. As Jesus said, "Those who have my commandments and keep them are those who love me" (John 14). Love is the key that opens every heart, especially in a world growing more divided each day.

To every woman: Don't give up on reaching those you love. Pray before you speak. Wait for God's timing. Your story of faith matters—share it with the next generation. They need to hear how God worked through your mother, your grandmother, through you. To everyone else: honor the wisdom of the women in your life. Their voices carry truth we desperately need to hear.

This weekend, let's commit to being living translations of God's love in a world that needs it now more than ever.

05/17/2026

Stewardship over Ownership

05/17/2026

Imagine building your dream home, but using poor materials and sloppy workmanship—only to discover at the end that it's yours to keep forever. That's the powerful image from this Sunday's message about how we're building our eternal home right now, through every choice we make.

The truth is simple but profound: God owns everything, and we're called to be faithful stewards of His gifts. Whether it's our finances, time, or talents, how we handle "worldly wealth" reveals if we can be trusted with true spiritual riches. Luke 16:11 challenges us: "If you've not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches?"

Here's the sobering reality: one day, everything we've built will pass through the fire of God's judgment (1 Corinthians 3:13). The question isn't how much we accumulate, but what survives the flames. Are you building with eternal materials—obedience, generosity, and surrender to God's will—or just chasing temporary treasures?

You're still breathing, which means you still have time to build wisely. Start today.

05/10/2026

05/10/2026

Giving is a Blessing!

05/10/2026

What does it mean to truly give? At St. John's, we're discovering that giving isn't just about finances—it's about showing up when God calls, even when it's inconvenient.

This week, we celebrated an incredible milestone: $246,000 in challenge grants to ministry partners! But the real miracle came in a hospital room. When one of our organ technicians, Carl, was in hospice after a stroke, a simple visit and prayer became a turning point. Today, Carl is recovering—a powerful reminder that the Lord of resurrection always has the last word.

The early church in Acts 2 sold possessions to meet needs around them. They understood that giving—our time, resources, and presence—unleashes God's miraculous power. You never know what breakthrough your "yes" might bring. So when life gets busy and giving feels inconvenient, remember: that's often when God wants to do something extraordinary through you.

Keep giving. Keep showing up. Keep trusting the Lord of miracles.