St. John's e-News for Sunday, October 16, 2011

Questions for reflection – Where would you like St. John’s to be in the coming year? What would you be willing to do to help it get there?
          Please consider and pray about these questions as the Vestry continues to deliberate our parish’s budget for the coming year. Your thoughts and reflections are welcome.

Budget Year 2012 Pledge Drive – You may ask “what about the Stewardship Campaign?” I believe Stewardship is something we do every day because we are Christians. Once a year the Parish needs to determine the amount of income pledged for the coming year. The 2012 Pledge Drive is scheduled to begin in November with the Vestry proposing a 2012 budget following the November 14 meeting.  Sunday November 20 will be the day we begin distributing pledge cards.
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October 16, 2011, 10:30 am Holy Eucharist Rite II and Healing Service
Lessons for 18 Pentecost (Proper 24)
First Lesson: Exodus 32:1-14
Psalm 106:1-6, 19-23
Second Lesson: Philippians 4:1-9
The Gospel: Matthew 22:1-14

Lay Participants for October 16, 2011 - 10:30 am service
Chalicist:  Leone 
Lector:  Bernice
Prayers:  Ben
Ushers:  Tina and Nick
Nursery Attendant:  Khristina
Nursery Assistant:  Anne/Bert

Refreshments:  Tina

Sermon for October 9:  http://chirb.it/xsdrqC
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Our Core Values – At St. John’s we strive to employ Team Ministry. We value our ability to create and nurture a team of faithful believers to carry out our individual and communal ministries for God. (Numbers 11:14-17, Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, Acts 13:1-3, 1 Corinthians 12:12-13) Therefore we will strive to work together, both lay and clergy, to carry out our unique ministries and callings while supporting the effective achievement of our mission.

This Sunday’s Psalm – We will sing the portion of the Psalter in unison. We will use a metrical version of the Psalter from A New Metrical Psalter by Christopher Webber. The Psalm will be set to the Hymn 544 Jesus shall reign (Duke Street) from the Hymnal 1982. The words and music will be found in a bulletin insert.

“Women’s” Book Study - The “Women’s” Book study will be studying The Grand Weaver by Dr. Ravi Zacharias this year. The study is not limited to women alone; the Rector does participate most weeks. The next meeting will be Wednesday October 19th from 10:00-11:30 am in the Parish Hall. We will discuss “Your DNA Matters; Question 1, 2, and 3.”

$$ Pledge Drive $$ – We will be conducting our pledge drive in the coming weeks. Please be aware that (1) your pledge, while it should be firm, is not cut in stone – you can modify your pledge based on family and financial situations; (2) the pledge includes time, talent, and treasure to help the church achieve its mission and vision; (3) every little bit helps and helps us plan for the coming program year; (4) is something that you should determine based on your prayerful consideration of the thankfulness you have for God’s gracious bounty in your life – not simply in the past year but over the span of your lifetime.

Olan Mills Photo Sign-up – Thank you! I would like to thank all who had or will have photos taken on October 13th. Your assistance is appreciated in helping us make a representative directory for the coming year.

Formation Classes – This week’s class will discuss our Old Testament reading: 33:12-23, Moses’ Intercession. All are invited to join us in the Parish Hall from 9:15-10:15. Next week we will cover Deuteronomy 34:1-12, Moses Dies and Is Buried in the Land of Moab.

Fran McKendree Concert – St. Christopher’s Portsmouth is hosting the Christian Musician Fran McKendree on October 29th at 7:00 pm in their Sanctuary. Fran is an amazing and gifted musician and minister of God’s word. He has the ability to bring out the celebratory side of people during his concerts. Advance tickets for the concert are $10/person ($8/person for families of 4 or more). In addition, a canned good for St. Christopher’s food pantry would be appreciated if you attend the concert. For more information see the flyer in the Rector’s Study.

Coffee Hour – There is a sign-up sheet for Coffee Hour in the Narthex. Please sign-up for an upcoming Sunday. The goodies can be as extravagant or simple as you would like – you need not be a gourmet chef to volunteer, simply desire to assist the fellowship efforts at the church.

Winter Quiet Day – The clergy from Convocation IV will be holding their clericus in December at St. John’s. During this meeting the clergy will participate in a Quiet Day led by the Rev. Canon Michael Spear-Jones. The quiet day will be held Tuesday December 6 from 9:00 am – 2:00 pm.

Thought for the week – Faith: God is love and nothing can separate us from that love: this is the bedrock of my faith. The bedrock of faith gives us the platform to ask God the tough questions, to hold God accountable. And, if there be any offense, I have faith in the forgiving love of God poured out at the cross.
-Br. Mark Brown, SSJE
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Upcoming Events:
Thu. Oct. 13th       Olan Mills Photographs – 2:00 – 9:20 pm (Parish House)
Mon. Oct 24th        Mutual Ministry Review – 7:00 – 9:00 pm (Parish House)
Sat. Oct. 29th        Fran McKendree Concert – 7:00 pm (St. Christopher’s Portsmouth)
Thu. Nov. 3rd        Junto Women’s Group Set-up (Parish Hall)
Fri. Nov. 4th          Junto Women’s Group Luncheon (Parish Hall)
Sun. Nov. 6th        Daylight Saving Time ends – fall back
Tue. Nov. 8th        Election Day
Wed. Nov. 9th       Garden Club meeting (Parish House)
Fri. Nov. 11th        Veterans’ Day
Sat. Nov. 12th       Rug Hookers – 10:00 am – 3:00 pm (Parish Hall)
                               Richmond Marathon (Rector participates)
Wed. Nov. 23rd     Greater Oakland/Chuckatuck Community Thanksgiving Service – St. John’s
Tue. Dec. 6th         Convocation IV Clericus Quiet Day – 10:00 am – 2:00 pm (Church and Parish House)
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PASTORAL CARE
Pray for Katherine, our presiding bishop; Holly, our bishop; and Les our priest.

St. John’s shut-ins, Marianne, Meriwether, Allen, David, Shirley, Suzanne, Janis, Dominique, Virginia, Lon, Luann, David, Evan, Kevin, Peg, Mike, Faye and family, Carter and family, Foster family, Jim, Lisa Flynn, Terri and Family, Bob and Marvin.

Serving in the Armed Forces and Overseas: Bryan and Susan; Jonathon, David, and Patrick
Parish Cycle of Prayer: Steve & Mary
Diocesan Cycle of Prayer: Emmanuel, Chatham; St. John's, Chase City; The Very Rev. Claire Hunkins.
Anglican Cycle of Prayer: The Rt. Rev. John Douglas Harrower of Tasmania, Australia.

Altar Flowers: To the glory of God and in memory of Pearl D. Lewis by Bob and Bette

Birthdays in October
Charles 09               Lindsay 10
Marcia 16                 Sharon 20
Marvin 20                 Basil 25
Rusty 27                  Tina 27
Terry 30

Anniversaries in October
Les & Kathy 01       Pretlow & Mary Kemple 04

If you are in need of Pastoral Care,
Please call Father Ferguson.
Cell:  757-418-0063

Contact Music Minister Roger Peyton

Our Facebook page:
St. John’s Episcopal Church, Suffolk VA
https://www.facebook.com/pages/St-Johns-Episcopal-Church-Suffolk-VA/176697562360854