St. John's United Methodist Church | Baton Rouge

Author: Mari Walker

  • Wellspring of Life

    Wellspring of Life

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    From Genesis to Revelation, we encounter stories in our holy scriptures with well and water imagery. The Church is like a well, and the water we draw from the St. John’s well is Christ’s living water, given for us that we may never thirst.

    In our upcoming stewardship campaign and worship series, we will dip into the wellspring of life, exploring themes and practices that celebrate the abundance of God’s living water in our lives and consider the ways we are invited to give and receive from the St. John’s well. All are invited to dig deep, draw often, and drink freely.

    Daily Water Intake Challenge

    Health experts recommend we drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day for our physical health. What if we took that same concept and applied it to our spiritual health? This October, embark on the Daily Water Intake Challenge with us! This play on words is an invitation for you to dip into water-inspired verses from scripture throughout the month.

    How might Christ’s Living Waters move and inspire us individually and collectively if we spend just 8 minutes each day pondering and praying over these passages? Printed calendars are available at the church or download it here.

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  • A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

    A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

    Our September worship series, “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood,” turns to childhood icon, Mr. Rogers, for inspiration. Fred Rogers was not only a children’s television host, but was also an ordained Presbyterian minister. He brought many Christian values into his program and into the lives of those who grew up watching him. Throughout the month of September, join us as we learn from Mr. Rogers about how to be a good neighbor in today’s ever changing and chaotic world. We’ll touch on topics like inclusion, self-worth, how we process our feelings, and salvation as we visit with everyone’s favorite neighbor, Mr. Rogers through the lens of scripture.

  • Disciple I 2022

    Disciple I 2022

  • Associ-Eights

    Associ-Eights

    Associ-Eights is Back!

    Many of you are familiar with Associ-Eights, a short-term fellowship opportunity. We are excited to announce it is coming back this fall, and we invite all to participate! This is your opportunity to meet the folks you share worship with in fun and relaxing ways of your choosing.

    Here are the highlights:

    • You will be assigned to a group of around eight people. You will be grouped with others you may not know well. After all, the purpose is to get to know people!
    • Your group decides where to meet and what to do. In the past, groups have met at someone’s home, at a coffee shop, at a restaurant for a meal, or for a fun activity. It’s up to the group.
    • The groups will meet at least four times from September to December. You can meet as often as you like beyond those times.
    • Sign up by filling out a form (insert in the bulletin or below)
    • The deadline to sign up is August 31.

    It doesn’t matter if you’ve been around St. John’s for 30 years or 30 days – come be a part and have fun while getting to know some new people!

  • Upside Down Living

    Upside Down Living

    Upside Down Living: Parables with a Punch

    In our July worship series, “Upside Down Living: Parables with a Punch,” we will take a look at several of the parables that Jesus told. Stories open our minds to new ideas and different perspectives with power to spark emotions and inspire change. For centuries, stories and parables have challenged us, helping us make sense of our lives. In just three years, Jesus Christ, one history’s greatest storytellers, captivated crowds and answered questions with stories. In this new series, we explore some of the parables of Jesus that literally turned ideas about life, love, and faith upside down and continue to forever change the world.

  • Finding God in the Flames

    Finding God in the Flames

    Join us for Pentecost Sunday on June 5th as we begin our worship series, “Finding God in the Flames: Campfire Stories from Scripture.”
    We will kick off the summer by looking at some of the great fire stories of the Bible. From the Holy Spirit descending onto the disciples through tongues of flame, to Moses and the burning bush, join us as we explore the life-giving light of God Sundays in June.
    In celebration of Pentecost, everyone is encouraged to wear colors that represent fire to worship on June 5.
  • MythBusters

    MythBusters

    In our MythBusters worship series, which begins May 8, 2022, we will take a look at some common sayings that have become cliché and try to determine if they have any biblical basis and if so, what that is. Most of these sayings will be ones you have heard a million times. You may even use them regularly yourself! We’ll focus on four well-known phases, including “Everything happens for a reason,” and “God won’t give you more than you can handle.” Often we say these clichés, thinking that we’re being helpful, without having thought out the entire implication of what we’re saying and whether it is really based in scripture and theologically grounded. 

  • Easter 2022: New Life Out of Death

    Easter 2022: New Life Out of Death

    Easter Sunday, April 17

    New Life Out of Death

    Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni!” (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, “Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”; and she told them that he had said these things to her. —John 20:1, 15-18

    I’m a plant killer.

    I kill plants. I don’t mean to. I just have a remarkable ability to make sure plants do not live. I either over water them or under water them. I either smoother them with love or neglect them for too long.

    So it should come as no surprise to you that I am not the gardener in our family. Ben and Julian maintain a little herb garden in our backyard, and I do my best to stay out of the way.

    It was in a garden that Mary Magdalene meets Jesus on Easter morning. The Gospel of John even tells us that Mary thought Jesus was the gardener.

    What an apt place to experience resurrection – in a garden. What an appropriate place to meet out resurrected Lord. In the garden, a place where things that had once seemed dead in the winter, that had once seemed dead on Good Friday, now explode with life. The garden is a place where seeds are buried in the ground, in the hope and faith that they will rise.

    But if we didn’t know better, we might think that digging down, and placing the seed in the ground would be burying it – not planting it. If we didn’t know better, we might think that that seed – that potential for life – was gone permanently.

    Certainly that is what the disciples must of have thought when Jesus was crucified and his body was placed in the tomb. And then…Boom! Somewhere out of nowhere pops a bit of green through the soil…and then a bit more…then a flower…then a fruit. New life springs forth!

    And just like that – RESURRECTION!

    From the “death” of the seed will come new life. Transformation. Life from death.   From the darkness of the grave, a stone rolled away. Resurrection! Life from death.

    There may be times we feel like we are being buried…buried in too much work, a schedule too full, in a mountain of grief, in pain, loneliness, or loss…but the transformation is happening, the green shoot of the plant is forming and resurrection is coming.

    Today we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord. There is new life out of death!  There is hope for all of us. Resurrection is here!

    Lord of Life, Open us to the power of your resurrection as we celebrate it anew this day, that we too might rise to new life in you. Amen.

    Rev. Lane Cotton Winn

    Lead Pastor, St. John’s United Methodist Church

  • Lent 2022: Life and Challenges Part 7

    Lent 2022: Life and Challenges Part 7

    Holy Saturday, April 16

    The Life and Challenges of a Long-Ago Christian, Part 7

    The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid? —Psalm 27:1

    Markos Speaks                                           
    Market and Shop, 63 AD

    The slave market was grim and foreboding. Melissa was shaking with fear as we entered the holding area. I tried to comfort her, but I knew I couldn’t help. Ruffo the building manager pushed us into a narrow cell. Jason, an elderly man with unpaid debts, was already in the cell. Jason was Christian, too, and we talked and prayed together. A young woman came to bring Jason encouragement. He introduced us to her (her name was Priscilla), and we told her our story.  She seemed very interested to hear it. Not long after Priscilla left, two of Ruffo’s helpers came in, bound our hands, and blindfolded us. They led us out to a covered wagon. After a long ride, the wagon stopped, and we were ushered into a building. When our bonds were removed, we saw we were in a large room that looked like part of a carpentry shop. Priscilla ran laughing into the room. “You are free!” she said, “And here is the man who managed it!” I could hardly believe my eyes when Zeno followed her into the room. It was a joyful reunion. Jason was overjoyed to be returned to his flock. I was more than grateful that Zeno had gotten Melissa and me released. Zeno was happy that his seaman’s pay had been put to good use. “Now after all these adventures, what challenges lie ahead?” we asked. “There are challenges everywhere. Our faith will be our shield. I want to stay right here,” Zeno began. “If she agrees, Priscilla and I will be married; I’ll be a carpenter and serve at Jason’s church.” “Long ago Brother Alexander told me that John, the disciple Jesus loved, is at Ephesus,” said Markos. “I want to go there and learn from him. I hope Melissa will come with me.” The four friends joined hands and prayed for guidance.

    Lord Jesus, we cannot see the way ahead or know the challenges we will face. We do know you are always at our side loving and supporting us. Give us the strength we will need and the wisdom to make wise choices. Amen.

    Guy Johnson

  • Lent 2022: Live in Hope

    Lent 2022: Live in Hope

    Holy Saturday, April 16

    Live in Hope

    Look at the fig tree and all the trees. When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near.  —Luke 21:29-30

    Live in hope, in wild expectation.
    Our holy God is working a miracle!
    The cross yields to resurrection,
    defying all logic,
    challenging man’s mind.

    Winter slowly succumbs to verdant spring.
    Robins return, hawks are nesting,
    confident in new life to come.
    Japanese maples offer their Lenten-colored blooms
    as yellow wildflowers peek from the fields.

    Life, renewed, exuberant, un-denied
    springs forward with reassurance.
    Creation rebounds, men’s hearts quicken
    to know the miracle of everlasting life.

    Easter morning is on the way!
    Live in hope.

    God of miracles, we need help to stay hopeful in these turbulent times. Be with us as we contemplate the promise of the resurrection and the hope we find in your merciful and abiding love.

    Betty Schroeder