SAINT JOHN'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH
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From the prayer journal of Fr. jack tolley

4/4/2019

 
On March 19, we remembered St. Joseph, Jesus' Father.   And on March 31,
the Annunciation of our Lord, where the Angel Gabriel is sent by God to announce to Mary that she would be the Mother of the Son of the Most High, God's Son.
What great parents Mary and Joseph were -loving and devoted,
Jesus' Mom and Dad in every sense of the word.
There are all kinds of parents. Some are foster parents like Joseph. There are people who married a person who had children and become a step parent. There are people who simply volunteer to parent a needy child in their neighborhood or maybe at school. Their lives are testimony to the value of simple everyday things called parenting.
God bless all of you past and present.   
There is a wonderful parenting story about how Jesus got separated from them at a festival for three days in Luke 2: 41-52. They were beside themselves with worry until they finally located him. Below you will find a beautiful reflection from "Forward Day by Day's" Mary Cox, March 2019, about Joseph's love for Jesus - and for the love all you who parent have for their children too.
Blessings and love, Fr. Jack. 


He said to them, “Why were you searching for me ? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?” (Luke 2:49)  For 12 years this boy has been at my side in the carpenter shop, my hands guiding his. I had almost forgotten the angels, the stable, and the journey to Egypt...and that he's not really mine.  Today has brought it all back. He's God's child,and God knows what is planned for him.  When he went missing, my heart went cold.I didn't want Mary to see how terrified I was.  "He's probably with family," I said. And he was - in his Father's house. We will go home, back to our ordinary lives, but I will look at him in a new way.  What will he say at his bar mitzvah?
What will I say to him ?  O Lord, how I love this child, every minute of it. Whatever comes next,  I thank you for your Son - my son.

 
I have kept Prayer Journals for a lot of years. I encourage you to do so, too.
It's just a lined notebook in which I put quotations from scriptures and articles I like,
and prayers people request. What is does for me is provide a wonderful compass of where I am at on my journey with Jesus, how much I have grown as I try to keep Jesus at the center of my life.
Blessings and love, Fr. Jack

 



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Saint John's Episcopal Church and Day School
760 First Ave.  Chula Vista, CA 91910
Office: (619)422-6414
Fax: 619-422-6946
Office Hours 
Monday-Friday
9:00 am -4:00 pm

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  • Home
  • Welcome
    • Welcome to St. John's
    • Our Church Campus
    • Our History
    • Our Rector >
      • Rev. Roger Haenke
    • Clergy and Staff >
      • Clergy and Staff
      • In Memoriam
    • Our Organist/Choir Director
    • Vestry
    • Our Stained Glass
    • Photo Gallery
  • Worship
    • Worship Schedule
    • Lectionary Readings
    • Sunday Hospitality
    • Life Celebrations >
      • Baptism
      • Confirmation / Reception
      • Marriage
      • Funerals
      • Quinceañera
    • Previous Services
    • Previous Sermons
    • Prayer List
  • Our Centennial
  • Serve
    • Liturgical Ministries >
      • Our Ministries
    • Care Ministries >
      • Pastoral Visits
      • Prayer Quilt
    • Outreach Ministries
    • Men of St. John's
    • Women of St. John's
    • Daughters of the King
    • Veteran/Military Friendly Congregation
  • Grow
    • Morning Prayer and Bible Study
    • Prayer Journal and Reflections
    • Spiritual Gifts
    • Childrens Sunday School
    • SD Episcopal Cursillo
    • ECS - Head Start Program
  • Connect
    • Calendar and Events
    • E-Newsletter
    • Connect!
    • Small Parish Groups
    • Support Groups
  • Resources
    • Forms and Policies
    • Facility / Hall Rental
    • Columbarium
    • Annual Reports
    • Vestry Minutes
    • Treasurer's Report
  • Give