Renewal Sunday & 150th Anniversary Kick-off

Come one, come all!  This Sunday—Renewal Sunday—we begin our year-long celebration of St. John’s 150th Anniversary with ceremony, song and praise, buttons and balloons! Here’s what to expect:

– We welcome the Right Rev. Mariann Budde, Bishop of Washington, who will preside at 10:30, our one and only service that day.

– Bishop Mariann will begin the service in front of the church with a blessing of a new Native Sassafras tree, planted to mark our 150th and to honor the Episcopal Diocese of Washington’s Resolution On Planting Trees to Celebrate Special Occasions.

– During the service, we will premiere our new Norwood Parish Hymn, “Steadfast God, the One We Worship.” With words by Marissa Hall and text by Richard Webster, the hymn was commissioned in celebration of our 150th Anniversary. Each verse speaks to one of St. John’s Core Four values (Worship, Make A Difference, Build Community, Grow) and the initial letters in each verse spell out STJN, the initials for St. John’s Norwood! We hope to find our “Norwood Hymn” in future revisions of the Episcopal Hymnal!

– Look for historical vignettes printed on the back of the Bulletin beginning this Sunday and continuing each week throughout the year.  And look for the new monthly calendar of events inserted in News & Notes that will highlight all church activities each month.

– Immediately after the service, join us at the Fair — the annual Ministry Fair that is — for both food and fellowship in the Parish Hall and West Ave Lobby. Don’t forget to get your photo taken for the new Church Directory! And the kids will love the Petting Zoo located just outside the lobby!

Truly there is something for everyone. So come one, come all, and join the celebration!