Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Give us grace to heed their warnings and foresake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Sprit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Book of Common Prayer, page 211
We welcome the season of Advent as an opportunity for quiet reflection. Individual study guides will be distributed this week.
Christmas Eve falls on a Sunday. We will not hold a morning service. The traditional festive Christmas Eve service will be held at 4:00 P.M. Come and join us!
WORSHIP
We welcome all to our 10:30 service each Sunday. Our priest is the Reverend Nancy Guenther and our organist is Patricia Worrad.
Masks and hand sanitizer continue to be available
at the door for those who wish to use them.
Eucharistic Visitation
St. John's has a licensed Eucharistic Visitor, a lay person authorized to administer the consecrated elements at a Celebration of Holy Eucharist. Our Visitor makes home visits with communion for those who are not able to come to services. Contact the church office 798-3219 for more information and for appointments.
Fellowship
Coffee Hour is held on the first Sunday of the month, after the service. Come and join the group. There will be baked goods and fellowship!
FOOD PANTRY
We have delivered the non-perishables to the Food Pantry and thank everyone for their generous donations.
BOOK SIGNING
Author Roland Howell had a most successful book signing at Lee Whedon Library to celebrate his book Some Short Stories. Donations to the library building fund totaled over $1000.00.
The Ministry of Concern
The Genesee Orleans Ministry of Concern is an agency of last resort and works to support those in the greatest need. St. John's has partnered with the Ministry for over a decade, collecting linens and distributing clean, mended sets through St. John's Linen Closet and providing personal care products.
Donating Linens
St. John's is a collection point for linens as mentioned above. We welcome twin, full and queen sized linens, including sheets, blankets, bedspreads and mattress covers as well as comforters and throws.
Call the office at 798-3219 to donate.
The Medina Area Association of Churches
St. John's is a member of MAAC and supports and contributes to the efforts of the organization. During the Thanksgiving and Christmas season, St. John's collects food and gifts for local families in need.
The Mitten Tree and Red Barrel are full and will be taken to The Grove Methodist Church. Boxes will be packed beginning on Monday, December 11 and volunteers are most welcome.
PAWS
Each Fall St. John's holds The Blessing of the Animals and collects supplies for PAWS, the local pet shelter. PAWS can be reached at (585) 589-6397.
PAWS has need of paper towels, cat litter and donations of cash for operating expenses and vet bills.
St. John's is Part of Historic Medina
See St. John's Church in the Heritage Trail brochure. St. John's is listed as the Earliest Church in Orleans County. A wealth of local information is included in the brochure, designed by Chris Busch of the Orleans Renaissance Group and printed by the Print Shop in Medina. Tours of St. John's can be arranged by calling the office 798-3219.
Sacred Sites Open House
St. John's once again participated in the tour of houses of worship across the state in May 2023. info@nylandmarks.org
Deacon Robin Kozlowski, Bishop Sean Rowe, Deacon Diane Cox
Deacons who serve in the Genesee Region. Deacon Robin serves primarily in Orleans County and joins us on the 4th Sunday of the month. Deacon Diane serves as Parish Nurse and in parishes in Genesee County.
The Rev. Nancy Guenther (L), Deacon Susan Firestine and Bishop Sean Rowe.
St. John's in the News
St. John's Church is featured on a poster by Tom Rivers, The Doors of Medina. The church was included in a new book, History of Sandstone in Orleans County, NY by author Jim Friday. Published in 2021, the book gives a number of examples of local buildings, including our own, described as having "charm and historical significance." Our doorway is also featured on a postcard, available for purchase at The Author's Note on Main Street and the Heritage Trail brochure.
Earliest Church in Orleans County
and The Church In the Middle of the Street
Partnership Online Worship
Since March 2020, hundreds of people across the partnership have gathered for online worship on Sunday mornings. A half-hour worship service continues to be offered on Sundays at 9 a.m. The format is a Zoom Meeting, which means participants can choose to have their cameras and microphones on to see and speak with one another. Preachers and worship leaders will be chosen from across the partnership. Once a month, the service will focus on prayers for reconciliation and healing.
St. John's Episcopal Church is located at 200 East Center Street in Medina, NY. Our mailing address is P.O. Box 699, Medina, 14103. Telephone (585)798-3219. Donations, memorials and pledges may be send to this address as well as any correspondence.
