St. John's e-News for Sunday April 1, 2012 - Palm Sunday

Our Palm Sunday Worship – Weather permitting, we will begin the Palm Sunday worship in front of the Parish House and we will process across the yard to the Sanctuary. At the end of the service we will recess out in silence to begin the visible part of our Holy Week journey. In addition, we will be inviting attendees to assist in the choral reading of the Passion Gospel.

Easter lily Orders – Please consider sponsoring an Easter lily this year. If you would like to purchase one, please use the form in this week’s bulletin to order your Easter lilies that will be used to decorate the church for Easter Sunday. The dedications will appear in the Easter Sunday bulletin for the second service.

Holy Week Community Services – Again this year the Greater Oakland and Chuckatuck churches will celebrate Holy Week Services as Community Services. The schedule will be: Maundy Thursday (Apr. 5) at Oakland Community Church; dinner begins at 6:00 pm and a service of Eucharist and Tennebrae follows. Good Friday (Apr. 6) will be held at Wesley Chapel beginning at 7:00 pm. We will host Easter Sunrise Service at the Pond Altar at 6:30 am.

          Oakland would like a headcount for dinner before April 2. Please sign up on the sheet in the Narthex. Please join our Christian Community in Oakland and Chuckatuck observe Holy Week as a community.
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April 1, 2012, 10:30 am Holy Eucharist Rite I
Lessons for the Sunday of the Passion, Palm Sunday
First Lesson:  Isaiah 50:4-9a
Psalm:  31:9-16
Second Lesson:  Philippians 2:5-11
Gospel:  Mark 14:1-15:47

Lay Participants for April 1, 2012 - 10:30 am service

Eucharistic Minister:  Mary-Margaret
Lector:  Bernice
Prayers:  Marlene
Ushers:  Nick and Tina
Nursery Attendant:  Khristina
Nursery Assistant:  Laura

Refreshments:  Marlene

Sermon for March 25: http://chirb.it/whDvH2

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Newsletter inputs – We need to have Newsletter inputs form assigned people. We intend to publish the April Newsletter on April 4. For more information, contact Terry.

Volunteers for Flowers and Decorate the Church - Please lend a hand on Saturday, April 7, at 9:00 am, we will be decorating inside the Church and the outside altar. This will last 2 to 3 hours. We need everyone to bring any spring flowers you may wish. We also need for everyone to help do the decorating. Let’s present our best for the Easter service as it is a community service.

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.

New Diocesan Newsletter – The Diocese is kicking off a new, electronic Newsletter. This is in response to the cost cutting measure of ceasing publication of a hard-copy Jamestown Cross. The Diocesan Connection is available at http://images.acswebnetworks.com/1/2279/MarchApril2012.pdf.

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 31:9-16 in unison. The Psalm will be set to Hymn 457 Thou art the Way, to thee alone (St. James) from the Hymnal 1982. The words and music will be found on a bulletin insert.

Formation Classes – We will discuss our Old Testament reading Isaiah 50:4-9a, “The Servant’s Humiliation and Vindication” this Sunday from 9:15-10:15 am. We will not have class next week but will continue the week after Easter. All are invited to join us for class this Sunday.

Wednesday Book Study - Our book study will take a 1-week break on April 4 and will continue Wednesday, April11 at 10:00 am and we will discuss Chapter 11, “Seeing with God’s eyes” 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.

Thought for the week – Reconciliation: During these days of Lent, how might God be wanting to break again and break open the hardness of your head and your heart? If we allow God to break through, we may well be surprised and delighted to discover wonderful fruits within us – fruits of gentleness and kindness, of generosity and tenderness.

-Br. Geoffrey Tristam, SSJE

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Upcoming Events:
Wed. Mar. 28^th      Wednesday evening Lenten series and Soup Supper – 6:30 –
                             8:00 (Parish House) Islam
Sat. Mar. 31^st        Salvation Army Luncheon
Sun. Apr. 1^st           Palm Sunday – Procession of the Palms
                             Discretionary Fund Sunday
Mon. Apr. 2^nd     Deadline to sign up for Maundy Thursday Supper
Thu. Apr. 5^th          Community Maundy Thursday Dinner and Worship – Oakland
                             Christian Church, 6:00 pm (dinner) service following
                             Rev. Janet Weidler, Presiding; Rev. Ileana Rosario Preacher
Fri. Apr. 6^th           Community Good Friday Service – 7:00 pm Wesley Chapel
                             Rev. Ileana Rosario Presiding, Rev. Les Ferguson Preacher
Sun. Apr. 8^th         Easter Sunrise Service 6:30 am; St. John’s Pond Altar;
                             Rev. Les Ferguson Presiding; Rev. Janet Weidler
                             Festive Easter Eucharist - 10:30 am
Mon. Apr. 9^th         Easter Monday – Offices closed
Sat. Apr. 14^th        James River Rug Hookers
Mon. Apr. 16^th        Junto GFWC Meeting – 10:00 am – 3:00 pm (Parish House)
                             Vestry Meeting – 7:00 pm (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
Ebenezer United Methodist Church                 http://ebumc.net/

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, Pat, Elsie, Charles, and the Goman family.

Serving in the Armed Forces: Bryan, Susan, Jonathon, Aaron, and Kevin.

Serving Overseas: David
Parish Cycle of Prayer: Paul & Mary
Diocesan Cycle of Prayer: St. Paul's, Norfolk; St. Peter's, Norfolk; St. Stephen's, Norfolk; Tucker House, Norfolk.
Anglican Cycle of Prayer: Pray for the peace of Jerusalem; All glory, laud and honor, to thee, Redeemer, King, to whom the lips of children made sweet hosannas ring. The Rt. Rev. Suheil Dawani - Jerusalem Middle East.

Birthdays in April

John 06                        Barbara 10
Matthew 14                 Bryan 16
Katherine 16               Paul 24
Jake 26                        Bryan 27
Bernice 30

Anniversaries in April

Tim & Bev 03             Doug & Mac 30

If you are in need of Pastoral Care,

Please call Father Ferguson.
Cell:  757-418-0063

Contact Music Minister Roger Peyton

Website: http://StJohnsSuffolk.blogspot.com

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

Sermon for Sunday March 25, 2012 - 5th Sunday in Lent

Blessed Feast of the Annunciation and greeting on the 5th Sunday in Lent. We beat the gloomy weather of the afternoon and tried to continue to focus our Lenten reflection. Today’s sermon was entitled, “God’s timing and how our annual reflection on our sin helps us better appreciate the vastness of God’s grace.”

May you be blessed in the remainder of your Lenten journey and come join us in the coming weeks.

Les+

http://chirb.it/whDvH2

St. John's e-News for Sunday March 25, 2012 - 5th Sunday in Lent

*** Our Lenten Worship *** – Because we are using Rite I for the Eucharist it is recommended that we review our responses during the Liturgy. There are subtle changes in the phraseology, for instance “And with thy spirit” as opposed to “And also with you.”

Easter lily Orders – Please consider sponsoring an Easter lily this year. If you would like to purchase one, please use the form in this week’s bulletin to order your Easter lilies that will be used to decorate the church for Easter Sunday.  The dedications will appear in the Easter Sunday bulletin for the second service.

Holy Week Community Services – Again this year the Greater Oakland and Chuckatuck churches will celebrate Holy Week Services as Community Services. The schedule will be: Maundy Thursday (Apr. 5) at Oakland Community Church; dinner begins at 6:00 pm and a service of foot washing and Eucharist follows. Good Friday (Apr. 6) will be held at Wesley Chapel beginning at 7:00 pm. We will host Easter Sunrise Service at the Pond Altar at 6:30 am.

          Oakland would like a headcount for dinner before April 2. Please sign up on the sheet in the Narthex. Please join our Christian Community in Oakland and Chuckatuck observe Holy Week as a community.
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March 25, 2012, 10:30 am Holy Eucharist Rite I
Lessons for the Fifth Sunday in Lent
First Lesson:  Jeremiah 31:31-34
Psalm:  51:1-13
Second Lesson:  Hebrews 5:5-10
Gospel:  John 12:20-33

Lay Participants for March 25, 2012 - 10:30 am service

Eucharistic Minister:  Leone
Lector:  Fred
Prayers:  Marlene
Ushers:  Anne and Bert
Nursery Attendant:  Khristina
Nursery Assistant:  Anne/Bert

Refreshments:  Marcella

Sermon for March 18: http://chirb.it/z2ffPt

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Suffolk Coalition for the Alleviation of Poverty – We have been invited to participate in the Suffolk Coalition for the Alleviation of Poverty (CAP). The Suffolk CAP will provide a centralized location with two principle functions: (1) to allocate scarce funds for crisis intervention and (2) to match resources with need for people who need to recover from their poverty. The first attempts to address the acute and unforeseen need while the second attempts to address long-standing issues and the root causes for poverty. Among other organizations that participate (outside churches) are the Salvation Army, Western Tidewater Free Clinic, Genieve Shelter, and other homeless shelters in Suffolk.
          The principle facilitator in the development of the CAP is Ms. Hayden Hill at Westminster Reformed Presbyterian Church. Westminster will be hosting training about our Christian Response to Poverty March 24^th and March 27^th (the same training both days) from 9 am – 5 pm. This training will be particularly helpful for the Suffolk CAP member to dialogue, share experience and knowledge and build a sense of unity around the goal of poverty alleviation. Lunch and beverages will be provided during training. If you are interested in attending please contact Hayden at hayden@wrpca.org.

Lenten Series and Soup Supper – We will continue our practice of a Lenten Series and Soup Supper beginning at 6:30 pm March 21^st and continuing until the week before Holy Week. We will survey World Religions with primary focus on monotheistic religions: Judaism and Islam; as well as (hopefully) Hinduism. This week we will begin our survey of Islam; next week will be our last class. Please come join us for food, fellowship, and education.

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.

New Diocesan Newsletter – The Diocese is kicking off a new, electronic Newsletter. This is in response to the cost cutting measure of ceasing publication of a hard-copy Jamestown Cross. The Diocesan Connection is available at http://images.acswebnetworks.com/1/2279/MarchApril2012.pdf.

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 51:1-13 in unison. The Psalm will be set to Hymn 143: The glory of these forty days (Erhalt uns) from the Hymnal 1982. The words and music will be found on a bulletin insert.

Formation Classes – We will discuss our Old Testament reading Jeremiah 31:31-34, “A New Covenant” this Sunday from 9:15-10:15 am. Next week will continue our study of the Old Testament Lectionary reading; Isaiah 50:4-9a, “The Servant’s Humiliation and Vindication.” All are invited to join us for class.

Wednesday Book Study - Our book study will continue this coming Wednesday, March 14 at 10:00 am and we will discuss Chapter 10, “Hearing God’s Voice” 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.

Thought for the week – Silence: Compared to the cacophony of the world, silence keeps catching us off guard; inviting wonder at being so loved by God.

-Br. Luke Ditewig, SSJE

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Upcoming Events:
Wed. Mar. 21^st       Wednesday evening Lenten series and Soup Supper – 6:30 –
                             8:00 (Parish House) Islam
Sat. Mar. 24^th        Alleviation of Poverty training – 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

(Westminster Reformed Presbyterian Church) Registration required

Tue. Mar. 27^th       Alleviation of Poverty training – 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

(Westminster Reformed Presbyterian Church) Registration required

Wed. Mar. 28^th      Wednesday evening Lenten series and Soup Supper – 6:30 –
                             8:00 (Parish House) TBD
Sat. Mar. 31^st        Salvation Army Luncheon
Sun. Apr. 1^st           Palm Sunday – Procession of the Palms
                             Discretionary Fund Sunday
Mon. Apr. 2^nd     Deadline to sign up for Maundy Thursday Supper
Thu. Apr. 5^th          Community Maundy Thursday Dinner and Worship – Oakland
                             Christian Church, 6:00 pm (dinner) service following
                             Rev. Janet Weidler, Presiding; Rev. Ileana Rosario Preacher
Fri. Apr. 6^th           Community Good Friday Service – 7:00 pm Wesley Chapel
                             Rev. Ileana Rosario Presiding, Rev. Les Ferguson Preacher
Sun. Apr. 8^th          Easter Sunrise Service 6:30 am; St. John’s Pond Altar;
                             Rev. Les Ferguson Presiding; Rev. Janet Weidler
                             Festive Easter Eucharist - 10:30 am
Mon. Apr. 9^th         Easter Monday – Offices closed
Mon. Apr. 16^th        Vestry Meeting – 7:00 pm (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
Ebenezer United Methodist Church                 http://ebumc.net/

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, Pat, Elsie, Charles, and the Goman family.

Thanksgiving: Completion of treatment by Kevin

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

Serving Overseas: David
Parish Cycle of Prayer: Kevin & Terry
Diocesan Cycle of Prayer: Grace, Norfolk; March Weekend at Blackstone; St. Andrew's, Norfolk; The Rev. Dale Hirst.
Anglican Cycle of Prayer: The Church of Ireland; The Most Rev. Alan Edwin Thomas Harper, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland and Metropolitan.

Birthdays in March

David 02         Steve 05
Shannon 06     Brooks 07
Wade 08          Mary-Margaret 08
Caroline 09      Fred 12
Tim 13             Pretlow 15
John 18            Elizabeth 19
Millard 21      Clare 23
John 27            Cooper 28

If you are in need of Pastoral Care,

Please call Father Ferguson.
Cell:  757-418-0063

Contact Music Minister Roger Peyton

Website: http://StJohnsSuffolk.blogspot.com

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