What does it really mean to follow Jesus when the path gets tough?

This Sunday for Proper 17 (Year A), we dive into Matthew 16:21–28 and Exodus 3:1–15. From Moses encountering God in the burning bush to Jesus calling us to take up our cross, Scripture reminds us that genuine faith often meets us in uncomfortable places—and transforms us for something greater.

Join us this Sunday in person as we explore what it looks like to lose our life to truly find it.

Who do you say Jesus is?

This Sunday for Proper 16 (Year A), we dive into one of the most pivotal moments in the Gospels: Jesus asking His disciples, "Who do you say that I am?" (Matthew 16:13–20).

It’s easy to repeat what the crowd says, but faith becomes real when we answer the question for ourselves. Paired with Paul’s call in Romans 12 to not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of our minds, this week is all about discovering our true identity, standing on an unshakable foundation, and offering our gifts in service to one another.

Join us this Sunday as we worship, reflect, and grow together!

Calling all young families! Join us on Wednesday, August 19th from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM for an evening of food, fellowship, and fun at The Zabriskie Memorial Church of Saint John the Evangelist.

Whether you’re looking to connect with other parents, let the kids burn off some evening energy, or just enjoy a night off from cooking, we’d love to see you there!

When: Wednesday, August 19, 2026 | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Where: St. John’s

Who: All young families and children!

Please feel free to bring a favorite side dish or dessert to share if you'd like, but most importantly, just bring yourselves! We look forward to gathering with you.

“How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" At Saint John’s, we believe the gospel is meant to be shared without barriers or boundaries. Grounded in Romans 10, our passion is listening to God's word, living out His grace, and sending love into the world.

Join us this Sunday as we explore what happens when our "not enough" meets God's abundance.

Ever felt overwhelmed by the demands of life or wondered how small resources can possibly meet giant needs? In Matthew 14, Jesus takes a few loaves of bread and fish and multiplies them to feed thousands.

Whether you’re feeling spiritually depleted, carrying a heavy load, or simply looking for community, come as you are. All are welcome at the table!

You are cordially invited to join the community of St. John the Evangelist as we honor the profound legacy and immense contributions of our founder, pioneer abolitionist Peter Quire, and his wife, Harriet. Born from a spirit of freedom and an unyielding trust in God, their vision laid the very foundation of our church family. Let us gather to remember their courage, celebrate our shared history, and look forward with eager expectation to the work God is doing among us today.

Event Details

• What: A Joyous Celebration, BBQ, and Potluck Dinner

• When: Sunday, July 26, 2026, immediately following the morning service

• Where: The Church Grounds, St. John the Evangelist, Newport, RI

Food & Fellowship

The church will provide the main BBQ favorites (burgers, hot dogs, and pulled pork), but a true community celebration is built together!

We invite you to bring a side dish, salad, or dessert to share at our Potluck Table. To ensure a wonderful variety, please consider bringing an item based on the first letter of your last name:

• A–H: Hearty side dishes (macaroni and cheese, baked beans, potato salad)

• I–P: Fresh green salads, fruit platters, or appetizers

• Q–Z: Homemade desserts, pies, or sweet treats

"For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption..."

— Romans 8:15 (The Proper 11 Epistle)

Come ready for wonderful food, vibrant fellowship, and a time to reflect on what it means to live into the glorious liberty we've inherited. Bring a lawn chair, your appetite, and your family!

Please RSVP by July 19th to help us get an accurate count for the grill. We can’t wait to celebrate with you!

Rooted in the courageous legacy of our founder, pioneer abolitionist Peter Quire, we are a community born from the pursuit of freedom and sustained by a profound faith. Inspired by the promise of Romans 8, we step out of the shadows of fear and into the glorious liberty of the children of God. Whether you are seeking a sanctuary of deep hope, a place to heal, or a vibrant community eager to change the world, there is a place for you here. Join us as we celebrate our rich history, live out our faith in the present, and look forward with eager expectation to the glory yet to be revealed.

This Sunday, we dive into one of Jesus’ most famous teachings: the Parable of the Sower. We will explore what it means to open our hearts to God's word and ensure it takes deep, life-changing root. In a busy and distracting world, how do we clear away the rocks and thorns to create "good soil" where faith can truly thrive? Come gather with us for worship, community, and inspiration as we learn how to grow together in faith.

This Sunday we have an opportunity for a liturgical encounter with the gentle, transformative nature of divine power. The propers weave a seamless theological tapestry that begins with the prophet Zechariah’s vision of a victorious yet humble king entering on a donkey, casting aside the weapons of war to command peace to the nations. This image of compassionate leadership is mirrored in Psalm 145, which extols a Lord who is slow to anger, abundant in steadfast love, and ever-present to lift up those who are bowed down. The readings take a deeply personal turn in the Epistle, as Paul candidly exposes the exhausting internal conflict of the human condition—the frustrating gap between our desire to do good and our actual actions. This vulnerability finds its ultimate resolution in the Gospel, where Jesus invites the weary and heavily burdened to step away from the anxiety of self-reliance, take up his easy yoke, and find true rest for their souls in his gentle and humble heart. Together, these texts offer a comforting, cohesive message for any congregation, shifting the focus from the weariness of human performance to the restorative grace of a peaceful King.

Bishop’s Visit: Confirmation & Reception

Join us for a joyful and spirit-filled celebration as we welcome our Bishop, the Right Reverend W. Nicholas Knisely, for an official visitation. During this special service, candidates will stand before the community to affirm their faith through the laying on of hands—marking their Confirmation, Reception into the Episcopal Church. A festive reception will follow the service in the Guild Hall, offering a wonderful opportunity to fellowship, share refreshments, and personally greet the Bishop. Whether you are supporting a candidate or joining us for worship, all are welcome to be part of this milestone in our common life.

Understanding the Readings: Year A, Proper 7

The readings for Proper 7 (Matthew 10:24-39) challenge us to consider the deep cost and profound grace of discipleship. In the Gospel, Jesus prepares his followers for the realities of proclaiming the good news, reminding them not to fear earthly opposition because they are intimately known and deeply valued by God—even the sparrows are cared for. The old testament and epistle readings echo these themes of perseverance, trust in times of isolation, and the transformative power of choosing the way of Christ over the status quo. It is a powerful reminder that while the call to follow Jesus requires taking up our cross, it ultimately leads to true life.

The Lectionary draws our attention to God’s deep compassion and the urgent call to mission. Moving through Ordinary Time, the readings bridge God's historic covenant with Israel in Exodus—bearing them up on eagles' wings to be a treasured possession—with Paul’s powerful reminder in Romans that Christ proved God's radical love by dying for us while we were still weak. This theological foundation comes alive in the Gospel of Matthew, where Jesus looks upon the harassed and helpless crowds with profound empathy. Declaring that the harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few, He commissions His disciples to go out and heal, giving us our driving theme for the week: "Freely you received, freely give." It is an invitation to step out of the pews and into a hurting world, carrying the very grace and presence we have so abundantly received.

What happens when Jesus walks into the messiest parts of our lives?

Join us this Sunday as we dive into Matthew 9:9–13 and 18–26—a powerful series of encounters where Jesus flips the script on what it means to be "worthy." From inviting a despised tax collector to dinner, to healing a forgotten woman in a crowd, to bringing life back to a grieving home, we will discover a Savior who isn't afraid of our brokenness, our doubts, or our pasts.

Whether you feel like an outsider looking in, or you're just searching for a spark of hope, there is a place at the table for you here.

Celebrate the mystery, beauty, and community of the Triune God this weekend!

Join us this Sunday as we celebrate Trinity Sunday, a special day in the church year where we reflect on the holy mystery of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—three distinct persons, yet one undivided love.

Whether you are a lifelong churchgoer or just exploring your faith, our doors are wide open. Come for the beautiful music, stay for the uplifting fellowship, and leave refreshed for the week ahead.

Come celebrate the great feast of Pentecost, the birthday of the Church, as the Holy Spirit descends and fills all things with fire and new life. We gather in joyful worship to mark the close of the Easter season and give thanks for the Spirit's abiding presence among us.

Join us as we mark the Seventh Sunday of Easter with the beauty and solemnity of Choral Matins. This ancient form of morning prayer, sung in the rich choral tradition, invites us to lift our voices together in praise as we journey toward the feast of Pentecost.

Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.” — 1 Peter 3:15

In an era of declining institutional religion, many of us find it difficult to find the right words to describe our faith. We know we have hope, but can we articulate why?

This Sunday, as we celebrate the Sixth Sunday of Easter, we explore the vital importance of "theological literacy." Being a Christian isn't about having a seminary degree—it’s about being ready to share the source of our joy with clarity, humility, and courtesy.

Drawing on the insights of Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Jürgen Moltmann, we will reflect on:

The difference between shallow optimism and revolutionary Christian Hope.
How "The Spirit of Truth" guides us in a world of confusion.
The art of sharing "Good News" with the brightness and grace it deserves.

Whether you are a lifelong believer or a seeker looking for a reason to hope, join us at Saint John the Evangelist as we learn to offer a "quiet and reverent" account of the God who loves us enough to die for us.

In the 19th century, archaeologists discovered the "Alexamenos Graffito," a piece of Roman wall art that mocked early Christians by depicting a crucified figure with a donkey’s head. To the elite of the time, worshipping a crucified man was a literal joke. Yet, despite the ridicule, the early church found its strength in the very "Living Stone" that the world rejected.

Using the imagery from 1 Peter, we will explore:

• The Power of the Cornerstone: Why the most "vile" death became the foundation that holds our lives together.

• Living Stones: How we are being built into a spiritual house rather than just a social club.

• A Counter-Cultural Faith: What it means to remain faithful when the surrounding culture mocks your values.

Come discover how embracing the cross allows us to build a community that the world cannot shake.

The Feast of Saint Catherine of Siena is celebrated on April 29 to honor the life, spiritual writings, and legacy of one of the most influential women in the history of the Catholic Church.

Who was Catherine of Siena?

• A 14th-Century Mystic: Born in 1347, she was a Dominican laywoman known for her intense prayer life, mystical visions, and deep devotion to the Eucharist.

• Doctor of the Church: In 1970, she became one of the first women to receive this title, recognizing the "special authority" and theological brilliance of her writings, such as The Dialogue.

• A Bold Peacemaker: Despite having no formal education, she advised world leaders and popes, famously persuading Pope Gregory XI to return the papacy to Rome from Avignon.

Join us this Sunday as we dive into the powerful words of 1 Peter 2:19–25.

Life often feels like wandering through a thicket, but we aren't left to find our way alone. This week, we explore what it means to return to the "Shepherd and Guardian of our souls." Whether you are feeling lost, weary from the journey, or looking for a sense of peace, there is a place for you here.

Come hear a message of healing and hope as we learn to trace the steps of the one who leads us home.

Hadewijch of Brabant was a 13th-century Flemish Beguine whose writings redefined the relationship between the soul and the divine through the lens of "Minne" (mystical Love). As a master of Middle Dutch, she utilized the language of courtly poetry to describe a spiritual journey that was as agonizing as it was ecstatic, emphasizing that one must fully embrace the humanity of Christ to experience His divinity. Her legacy persists as a profound testament to feminine intellectual and spiritual authority, bridging the gap between rigorous theology and the raw, passionate longing of the human heart.

The readings for the 3rd Sunday of Easter invite us to move from the confusion of the Crucifixion to the clarity of the Resurrection. This week, we focus on the transformative power of encountering the Risen Christ in our daily journeys and through the breaking of the bread.

“How was your week?” For many of us, the honest answer is “hard.” But this Sunday, we’re setting aside the "misery marathon" to celebrate a Living Hope that doesn't fade when life gets difficult.

Join us at The Zabriskie Memorial Church of Saint John the Evangelist for the Second Sunday of Easter. We’ll be diving into the first letter of Peter to explore how faith—even when tested by fire—remains more precious than gold.

Whether you are a longtime member, a "resident alien" looking for a home, or just in need of a little bit of Easter joy, there is a place for you in the family of God.