Episcopal Bishop to celebrate Holy Eucharist at Fallbrook church

FALLBROOK – The Rt. Rev. James R. Mathes, the fourth Bishop of San Diego, will celebrate Holy Eucharist at 10 a.m. Sunday at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Fallbrook. Church leaders have invited area residents to join in the worship service and a Mother’s Day gathering afterward in the Parish Hall.

Bishop Mathes leads a diocese that takes in more than 50 congregations, which together blanket a vast area that serves portions of two states, three California counties and stretches from San Diego to Lake Elsinore and Yuma, Ariz. As an important part of the Bishop’s duties, he typically visits each of his congregations every year.

St. John’s, which was established in 1891, is Fallbrook’s longest continually operating church. The church, which can be accessed via Iowa or Orange Streets north of East Mission Road, is widely known for its cozy sanctuary, colorful stained-glass windows and custom-made pipe organ.

The congregation of St. John’s is led by the Rev. Canon Wayne F. Sanders, priest in charge, who is also active in ecumenical affairs for the San Diego diocese. Sanders is known for his vibrant and poignant youth sermons, which often involve puppets, guitar playing, and leading the parish children in songs of praise.

For more information call (760) 728-2908 or visit http://www.stjohnsfallbrook.com.