Sari Ateek, Rector Two Sundays ago, I preached a sermon on vocation using the story of Isaiah’s calling (Isaiah 6:1-8). The word vocation comes from the Latin word “vox” meaning “voice,” and the related word “vocare” meaning “to call.” This is one of the reasons why we often refer to one’s vocation as a calling. […]
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Why Generosity Matters
Sari Ateek, Rector From the moment he began his public ministry, Jesus was in the business of making disciples (in Greek, mathetes, meaning one who is a devoted student and follower). By emulating and carrying out the instructions, convictions, and commandments of Jesus, these disciples were the agents by which he would accomplish the divine […]
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Resurrection Scars and the Gift of Life
Sari Ateek, Rector Does it ever strike you as odd that Jesus retained the marks of his wounds in his hands, feet, and side following the resurrection? What if these scars tell us something about what real resurrection looks like? At my previous church, there was a home-bound elderly English woman whom I would visit […]
Read moreYour “This”
Sari Ateek, Rector This past Sunday, my imagination was captured by Todd’s sermon on Jesus calling the Disciples to follow him. In the story from Mark’s Gospel, Jesus walks up to two fishermen, Peter and Andrew, and says to them “Follow me, and I will make you fish for people.” Todd drew our attention to […]
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St. John’s New Office and Communications Assistant
By Sari Ateek, Rector I am delighted to introduce you to the most recent member of our Church’s administrative staff team, Alexandra Kennedy. Alexandra is stepping in as the Office and Communications Assistant – a newly created staff position that combines secretarial as well as communications duties, including responsibility for the bulletin and newsletter publication, […]
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The Wonder of His Love
“How Great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are!” 1 John 3:1 Inspired by a recent article by Bishop Mariann Budde, I purchased and have begun reading Greg Boyle’s latest book, entitled Barking to the Choir: The Power of […]
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A Wreath Before the Tree
Sari Ateek, Rector “Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!” Psalms 27:14 “Why can’t we buy a Christmas tree first, and then make the Advent wreath?!” insisted my 7-year-old daughter this past weekend. Who could blame her? The idea of making an Advent wreathe sounds way […]
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Interfaith Gathering of Healing
On Monday, December 11, St. John’s and other local faith communities will be coming together to host an interfaith gathering of prayer and healing in the wake of two recent and separate teen suicides that have impacted our community. The gathering will be held at Congregation Beth El on Old Georgetown Road at 7:00 pm. […]
Read more Bethlehem Simulcast Service
On Saturday, December 16th at 9:30 am, join those gathered in the Nave of the Washington National Cathedral for a live satellite telecast linking with Christmas Lutheran Church in Bethlehem to celebrate the birth of the Prince of Peace. Prayers, readings, and joyful hymns, with choirs performing in both locations, bring together people of different lands, […]
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Advent Lessons and Carols
You are invited to a service of Advent Lessons and Carols Sunday, December 3 at 5:00, St. John’s, Norwood. Music and readings for a time of preparation. The season of Advent is, above all, a time of watching and waiting for the coming of the kingdom of God. While there is a sense of restraint […]
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