St. John's e-News for Sunday Feb. 19, 2012 - the Last Sunday after the Epiphany

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper – Shrove Tuesday is this coming Tuesday, February 21; it is time for our Annual Pancake Supper and Offering of the Palms. Please sign up to help and make this a festive experience for our neighbors. Supper will be served from 5:00-7:00 pm. The cost for the Supper will remain the same also: $5 per person or $15 per family of 4 or more. Help spread the word and invite our neighbors to this wonderful celebration.

Question for Reflection – Who are 3 people that you can talk to about our Church? Who are 3 people that you can invite to join us for one Sunday at St. John’s? How can we help each other make it easier to invite our neighbors to Church?

Our Lenten Worship – During Lent we will celebrate communion using Holy Eucharist Rite I. We will continue to sing the psalm and sing the Trisagion instead of the Gloria. The Trisagion will be the one we “normally” use (or at least the one we used last year).

          We will also have a variety of music offerings from members of the Parish as anthems during the service. If you would like to sing as a member of a small group please contact Roger.
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February 19, 2012, 10:30 am Holy Eucharist Rite II and Healing Prayers
Lessons for the Last Sunday after the Epiphany
First Lesson:  2 Kings 2:1-12
Psalm:  50:1-6
Second Lesson:  2 Corinthians 4:3-6
Gospel:  Mark 9:2-9

Lay Participants for February 19, 2012 - 10:30 am service

Eucharistic Minister:  Leone
Lector:  Ben
Prayers:  Leone
Ushers:  David and Lynn
Nursery Attendant:  Stephanie
Nursery Assistant:  Anne and Bert

Refreshments:  Burr and Jennifer

Sermon for February 12: http://chirb.it/b3v972

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Lenten Series and Soup Supper – We will continue our practice of a Lenten Series and Soup Supper beginning at 7:00 pm February 29^th and continuing until the week before Holy Week. Be on the lookout for more information in the coming week.

Diocesan Council Results – At Council the two Canonical Resolutions (C-1 and C-2) regarding definition of Parishes and Missions were ratified. The Constitutional Resolution to reflect changes enacted by passage of Resolution C-1 passed its first reading and will require a second reading next year. Resolution R-1: Petition to the General Convention to study and consider flexibility with the fiscal year of Episcopal dioceses was defeated; Resolution R-2: To allow clergy and congregations in Southern Virginia to participate in the use of trial liturgies that may be approved by the 77^th General Convention for formalizing the blessing of same-gender unions was ratified; affirming existing authority of the Bishop and not granting additional authority; and Resolution R-3: The disposition of the Talbot Hall property and relocation of the Diocesan Center was ratified.

          The Bishop’s Address to Council can be found at: http://images.acswebnetworks.com/1/2279/BishopsCouncilAddress2012.pdf.
I encourage you to read the Bishop’s “State of the Diocese” speech.

Parish Growth Strategy – Burr has agreed to serve as the head of our Parish Growth Committee. He will be contacting members of the Parish to identify the areas where we see potential growth and what actions we can take to achieve that growth. Please prayerfully consider serving on this committee if called.

Today’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 as we sing Psalm 50:1-6 in unison. The Psalm will be set to Hymn 126: The people that in darkness walked (Dundee) from the Hymnal 1982. The words and music will be found on a bulletin insert.

Bishop’s Visitation – The Rt. Rev. Holly Hollerith will conduct his first official Visitation since his consecration as our Diocesan Bishop on May 6. While not essential this is an opportunity for Baptism, Confirmation, or Reception in the Episcopal Church. For more information about these rites and being Confirmed or Received in May contact the Rector.

Formation Classes – We will discuss our Old Testament reading 2 Kings 2:1-12, “Elijah Ascends to Heaven” this Sunday from 9:15-10:15 am. Next week will continue our study of the Old Testament Lectionary reading; Genesis 9:8-17, “The Covenant with Noah.” All are invited to join us for class.

Wednesday Book Study - Our book study will continue this coming Wednesday, February 22 at 10:00 am and we will discuss Chapter 5, “The Habits of Wrongness” from the book Made for Goodness: And Why This Makes All the Difference by The Most Rev. Desmond Tutu and The Rev. Mpho Tutu. If you would like to participate or have a copy of the book please contact Margaret.

Tidings from Oakland Christian Church – As Oakland Christian Church continues its search for a long-term Interim Minister we are encouraged to maintain our connection with their parishioners. Among the items they are working on during Lent they are collecting new or slightly used blue jeans to send to teenage boys and girls overseas and in third world countries. Details can be located on Oakland’s newsletter on the bulletin board in the Parish House.

Thought for the week – Forgiveness: In your relationship with God, do you really believe that you are a forgiven person? What would it be like if you really believed these words, “I will forgive your iniquity, and I will remember your sins no more.” God wills and longs not to remember. We need just to believe it—it can set us free.

-Br. Geoffrey Tristram, SSJE

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Upcoming Events:
Wed. Feb. 15^th       Outreach Meeting – 7:00 pm (Parish Hall)
Thu. Feb. 16^th        Diocesan Fresh Start for Clergy (Chanco)
Mon. Feb. 20^th       Junto GFWC meeting – 10 am – 3 pm (Parish House)
Tue. Feb. 21^st        Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper – 5:00 – 7:00 pm
Wed. Feb. 22^nd      Ash Wednesday – 12:00 pm and 7:15 pm
Wed. Feb 29^th       Wednesday evening Lenten series and Soup Supper – 7:00 –
                             8:30 (Parish House)
Sun. May 6^th          Bishop’s Visitation
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Community Church Websites:
New Community Christian Center                      http://www.nccfamily.us
Oakland Christian Church (UCC)                       http://www.oaklandchristianchurch.com/
Perfecting Saints Church of God in Christ       http://www.pscogic.com/
Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church         http://www.wesleychapelchuckatuck.org

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, Faye and family, Carter and family, Foster family, Lisa, Terri and Family, Marvin, Denise, Jaelyn, Sally, Bill, Heather, Toni, and Pat.

Serving in the Armed Forces: Bryan, Susan, and Jonathon

Serving Overseas: David
Parish Cycle of Prayer: Matt & Cale
Diocesan Cycle of Prayer: Chanco on the James; St. Andrew's, Newport News; St. John's, Mount Airy; The Rev. Robert and Esther Gay.
Anglican Cycle of Prayer: The Province of Central America; The Most Rev. Armando Guerra Soria, Primate of IARCA & Bishop of Guatemala.

Flowers: To the Glory of God and in honor of our daughter’s upcoming birthday, by Fred and Marlene

Anniversaries in February

Gary & Toni 14

Birthdays in February

James 2                        Karen 8
Mac 8                          Shawn 8
Perk 16                        Joe 19
Jimmye 20                   Alice 22

If you are in need of Pastoral Care,

Please call Father Ferguson.
Home:  757-484-8409

Contact Music Minister Roger Peyton

Website: http://StJohnsSuffolk.blogspot.com

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