Brothers and Sisters,
Greetings in the Name of the Lord.
We’re right in the middle of a visit from our Arch Episcopal Vicar, Father Calinic Berger. At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy this morning, we will dedicate a cross on the site of the altar for our new temple. Today’s a Fifth Sunday, so we will have a Fellowship Hour Potluck, and then, tonight, we will begin the Annual Vigil for St Eanswythe at 9pm. Just prior to the Vigil, we will unveil a very special surprise in the nave. You’ll want to get in on everything, so please be sure and be present as often as you can.
Fasting Days
Wednesday, September 2, Friday, September 4
Daily Services
Monday August 31-Friday, September 4: Orthros 4am; Vespers 5pm (but check the schedule for the Vigil and the festal services; in general, if you plan on attending one of the daily services, it’s a good idea to check with Father Aidan the day before to make sure the schedule has not changed).
Today, August 30
Orthros 8am
Divine Liturgy 10am followed by Cross Blessing
Fellowship Hour Potluck Noon
All Night Vigil for St Eanswythe 9pm
Monday, August 31
No Daily Orthros
Great Vespers 7pm
Tuesday, September 1 The Feast of the Indiction
Orthros 4am
Divine Liturgy 6am
Inquirer’s Class 7pm
Wednesday, September 2
Fall Theological Seminar 7pm
Saturday, September 5
4pm St Thomas School
5:45pm Great Vespers
Sunday, September 6 14th Sunday of St Matthew
Orthros 8am
Church School 8:15am
Divine Liturgy 10am
Fellowship Hour Noon
Youth 1pm
Church School Registration
The 2026-27 Church School year begins this coming Sunday, September 6th. Children aged 3-12, by September 1st of this year, will be in The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Program, and children aged 13-18, by September 1st of this year, will be in the Youth Group. Please note that all children aged 3-18 will use the same registration link, which is available in the email version of the newsletter.
Parents must complete an individual registration form for each child. If you plan to have your child participate in CGS or Youth Group, they must be registered; this is a rule that has been established by our Archdiocese. Details regarding orientations, graduations, and upcoming dates will be communicated via email to parents of registered children.
(If you are relatively new to St. John's and would like more info on our Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Church School Program, please go to the following website: www.cgsusa.org.)
The 2026 Fall Theological Seminar
On Wednesday, September 2, Dr. Mengyu H. will begin leading this year’s Fall Theological Seminar. The group will be discussing the now-classic text Norms and Nobility by David Hicks. If you are involved in Classical Education, then you have probably heard of the book, but this is a chance to actually talk about it—and if you have pre-school age children, if you are interested in Orthodox education, or Orthodox schools, or the future of our culture and society, then this is where you need to be on Wednesday night. But you’ll need to be there in person, because we’re no longer going to be offering a distance option. The group will begin promptly at 7pm; the seminar will run through Wednesday, November 11, and everyone is welcome.
Coming Up
This weekend has been a busy one, but, after Father Calinic’s visit and The Cross Blessing and the All Night Vigil for St Eanswythe (and The Temple Project Surprise), we will also celebrate the Feast of the Indiction on Tuesday, September 1. The Indiction marks the beginning of the Liturgical Year, so we will offer Great Vespers at 7pm on Monday, August 31, and, Tuesday, September 1, we will serve Orthros at 4am and Divine Liturgy at 6am. Join us as we offer the New Year to the Most Holy Trinity.
Registration for St. Justin Orthodox Co-op is now open for the 2026–27 year. The co-op brings Orthodox children together to encounter the beauty of the Church through the lives of the saints, hymns and prayers, history and geography, sacred art and handwork, and the celebration of the Great Feasts. The co-op serves children ages 3–10 and meets on Thursdays at Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church, beginning September 3rd. There is room for many more families—please reach out to Natali P. with any questions, to learn more, or to find out how you can get involved!
On Tuesday, September 8, we will celebrate the Feast of the Nativity of the Mother of God. We will offer Great Vespers on Monday night, September 7, at 7pm, and then on the day of the feast, we will serve Orthros at 4am and Divine Liturgy at 6am. Join us as we celebrate the first of the Most Holy Theotokos’ Great Feasts.
Working on the Building
If you want us to get into that new temple as soon as possible, there are four things you can do this week:
Join us in offering The Akathist for a New Temple each week. Copies are available in the bookstore and online; a recording is available on Discord, and there is a group that meets on Discord each Friday at noon to offer the service.
Join us for the 6am Wednesday Morning Divine Liturgy (We do not offer this Liturgy during fasting seasons or when there is a feast that falls during the week, so the next Wednesday Morning Divine Liturgy will be on Wednesday, September 23).
Check to make sure that you’re current on your Three Year Commitment to our Building Program. If you have not make a commitment to our Temple Fund, please check with our Finance Guy, Ray W.; he’ll get you set up.
Take out a (totally free) subscription to our Substack, Come See Something Beautiful, and forward each of the three weekly posts to absolutely everyone you know.
Our Moment of Grace and Courtesy
At St John’s, we want our children to be children, but it’s also important that we observe certain boundaries in the nave. So, children should not be allowed to climb or play on any of the tables, the chanters stand, or the Music Director’s stand. Not only is there a possibility that a child could be injured, but the chanters stand and the Music Director’s stand both store equipment that is expensive and hard to replace. Please help your children and godchildren and grandchildren respect these boundaries, and, if you have any questions, check with one of the priests.