St. John's e-News for September 1, 2013

5^th Saturday at the Salvation Army – August 31^st is the 5^th Saturday and is our turn to assist serving lunch at the Salvation Army.  Contact Terry Jones-Brady for more information.

 

Second Sundays at St. John’s – Beginning next week we will host our first (at least during Fr. Ferguson’s tenure) Second Sundays at St. John’s. This program is an invitation to the Diocese and our surrounding community to join us on the second Sunday of the month to experience worship and the history of St. John’s. We will invite people to worship alongside us at 10:30 and/or join us following service and coffee hour to tour the grounds and look at the historic books and literature at St. John’s. Feel free to invite your friends and neighbors to join us for any or all the day’s events. For more information contact the Rector.

 

Annual Crab Feast – Last Sunday’s Crab Feast was a fabulous event. We were graced by Dr. Kirk and Tony and Marvetta’s presence as well Marvin and many visitors for the evening. Everyone had a lot of fun and there were lots of great pictures taken. Make sure to put the last Sunday of August 2014 on your calendar for the next Crab feast.

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September 1, 2013, 10:30 am Holy Eucharist Rite II

Lessons for the Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 17)

First Lesson:  Jeremiah 2:4-13

Psalm:  Psalm 81:1, 10-16

Second Lesson:  Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16

Gospel:  Luke 14:7-14

 

Lay Participants for September 1, 2013 - 10:30 am service

Eucharistic Minister:  Kathy

Lector:  Fred

Prayers:  Marlene

Ushers:  David and Marcella

 

Refreshments:  No volunteer

 

Sermon for Sunday, Aug. 25: http://chirb.it/kKCqLI

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Fall Fish Fry – The Chuckatuck Volunteer Fire Department will hold a fish fry on Saturday, September 28^th. Come out and support our fire department. Tickets are $9 in advance and $10 at the door. Tickets are available at Bennett's Creek Pharmacy, Saunders Supply, Kelly's Nursery, Kitty's Beauty Salon, Farmers Feed & Seed, Chuckatuck Collectibles, Tidewater Motorcycles, or Trophy World in Newport News.

 

Leaving a Lasting Impression – Would you like to leave your mark on the earth? Maybe your name or the name of loved ones. If you are interested in having an engraved brick in the St. John’s walkway Contact Bernice and let her know you are interested in taking part in the project. The fee is $100.00 per brick and for that you get up to 3 lines with a maximum of 13 characters each line of dedication. If you haven’t noticed them before, they are located within the Trinity Garden area near the Parish House. Take a walk and check them out. If you would like to purchase a brick please do so by September 20.

 

Bishop's Days for Everyone – Bishop's Days 2014 will be held October 12 at Eastern Shore Chapel, Virginia Beach. Our Bishop's Days are a whole new experience - new ways to teach, learn, and share. There are "Ideas Worth Spreading" in Southern Virginia, so we're having our own TED-style conference. The talks are short, but long on inspiration. The day should give you new perspectives, ideas and ways of thinking. If you let it, it could change YOUR world.

 

Helping the Viola’s – Tony and Marvetta appreciate our prayers and good wishes. They would appreciate and gladly compensate anyone who might have some extra produce from the garden to share with them. Anything you have over and above what you would use would be appreciated. If you have something to share please contact Marvetta at home or on her cell.

 

Today’s Psalm – We will sing the portion of the Psalter in together using a metrical version of the Psalter from A New Metrical Psalter by Christopher Webber as we sing Psalm 81:1, 10-16 together. The Psalm will be set to Hymn 644, “How sweet the Name of Jesus sounds” (St. Peter) from the Hymnal 1982. The words and music will be found on a bulletin insert.

 

Formation Classes – This week we will discuss Jeremiah 2:4-13, “God Pleads with Israel to Repent” from 9:15-10:15 am in the Parish Hall. Next week’s class will discuss our Old Testament reading Jeremiah 18:1-11, “The Potter and the Clay.” All are invited to come together in the Parish Hall from 9:15 to 10:15 am.

 

Thought for the week – Belief: Our ‘beliefs’ about God will change over time. The God we know when we are forty may bear little resemblance to the God we knew when we were five. The changes and chances of this life continually challenge and stretch our understanding.

- Br. David Vryhof, SSJE

Society of Saint John the Evangelist

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Upcoming Events:

Daily Mon.-Thu.      * Daily Morning Prayer – 9:00 am (Parish House)

Sun. Sep. 1^st           * 1^st Sunday – Discretionary Fund Sunday

Mon. Sep. 2^nd         * Labor Day Holiday – Office closed

Sun. Sep. 8^th          * Second Sundays at St. John’s – 12:30-3:30 pm

Mon. Sep. 9^th         * Vestry Meeting – 7:00 – 9:00 pm (Parlor)

Sat. Sep. 14^th        * Diocesan Priest Ordination – 11:00 am (Christ & St. Luke’s)

                             * James River Rug Hookers – 10:00 am – 3:00 pm (Parish Hall)

Mon. Sep. 16^th        * GFWC Junto Women’s Club meeting – 10:00 am – 3:00 pm

                             (Parish Hall)

Tue. Sep. 17^th        * CAPS Board Meeting – 3:00 – 4:30 pm (WRPC)

Sat. Sep. 28^th        * Fish Fry – 4:00 – 7:00 pm (Chuckatuck Volunteer Fire Department)

Sun. Oct. 6^th         * Blessing of the Animals – 2:00 pm (St. Luke’s Church, Smithfield)

Sat. Oct. 12^th        * Bishop’s Day for Everyone East – 9:00 am – 2:00 pm

                             (Eastern Shore Chapel, Virginia Beach)

Sat. Oct. 26^th        * Chuckatuck Founder’s Day – 11:00 am – 4:00 pm

                             * Fall Parish Work Day (tentative)

Sat. Nov. 2^nd         * Diocesan service of Repentance, Reconciliation, and Healing

                             11:00 am (Christ & St. Luke’s Norfolk)

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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/

Coalition Against Poverty in Suffolk (CAPS)     http://www.capsuffolk.com

 

PASTORAL CARE

Pray for Katherine, our presiding bishop; Holly, our bishop; and Les our priest.

 

Marianne, Meriwether, Allen, David, Shirley, Suzanne, Janis, Lon, Barbara, Tina, Kathleen and Fergal, Steve, Morse, Rick, Kathy, Ronald, Dorothy, Leone, Dwight, Tony, Gilbert, Carolyn, the Terry family, the Arnold family, Bob, Marvin, Kaille, Lillian, and Debbie.

 

Serving in the Armed Forces and Overseas: Bryan, Elizabeth, Dane, Leon, and Patrick

 

Parish Cycle of Prayer: Rev. Les & Kathy Ferguson

Diocesan Cycle of Prayer: The Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia

Anglican Cycle of Prayer: The Rt. Rev. Raphael Hess – Bishop of Saldanha Bay, Southern Africa.

 

Flower Dedication: To the Glory of God and in honor of 51^st Wedding Anniversary, given by Charles & Lynn.

 

Birthdays in September

Bette 03                      Carroll 11

Roger 14                     Bob 15

Elizabeth 16                Allen 17

 

Anniversaries in September

Charles & Lynn 01      Perk & G. Lee 11

 

If you are in need of Pastoral Care

Please call Father Ferguson.

Home:  757-484-8409

 

Contact Minister of Music 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

Christian Formation for Sunday September 1 - Jeremiah 2:4-13; God pleads with Israel to repent

September 1, 2013 – 15 Pentecost

Jeremiah 2:4-13

God Pleads with Israel to Repent

 

Background: The book of Jeremiah is fairly unique as it provides commentary and criticism of the Israelites during two periods of subjugation interspersed with a period of religious reform. Jeremiah is a descendent of the Levitical priestly line and was a descendant of Abiathar. Jeremiah was a supporter of adherence to the law and covenant relationship over the practice of temple worship – leading to confrontation with those in charge of Israel’s religious landscape.

 

Theme: In this passage we see the beginning of God’s accusation against Israel indicating how God perceived Israel’s sin against God. Jeremiah shares God’s faithfulness and the faithfulness of Israel’s predecessors, the ones who had been delivered by God from bondage in Egypt. This passage highlights how Israel is, in fact, unique when viewed against the other nations of the world.

 

Questions to Ponder:

* Read Jeremiah 2:1-3 in addition to the assigned text for context.

* Briefly describe the situation in Israel: the political, social, and religious dynamics of the nation.

* Summarize the story being told by God through the prophet’s words in this passage. What stands out to you as you reflect on the story God is telling? How much of the story might be rhetorical and how much of the story might be hyperbole?

* What might the first three verses be identifying as Israel’s true nature with regard to their relationship with God?

* Why might God’s initial questions be of essence to the following accusations leveled by God?

* What kind of sin do you think God is accusing Israel of? Do you think God is accusing Israel of actively violating their covenant or simply passively moving away from true relationship with God?

* Who do you think has committed the more heinous offense in this passage: the people of the land (verse 7) or the priests and prophets (verse 8)? Which sin is worse in your opinion?

* What do you think God is asking the Israelites to do in verse 10? What is the significance of Cyprus and Kedar?

* Do you agree with the assertion in verse 11, that a nation has not (ever) changed their gods? Why or why not?

* What two evils do you think God is accusing Israel of in verse 13?

* What are some of the differences between “springs of living water” and “cisterns of water”?

* What do you think God is asking the Israelites to do in this passage?

* How is God’s request helpful or a point of grace for Israel?

* Do you think God’s impeachment of Israel is universal or simply individual?

* What is the message of redemption for us in this passage?

* How do we apply the accusations to our lives today?

Reflection and sermon for Sunday August 25

Friends:

 

Greetings on the final Sunday in August; this morning was a nice finish to the month. We’re looking forward to the changing of the calendar and everything that September promises. During Sunday school we looked at the beginning of Jeremiah’s (Jeremiah 1:4-10) story and how he was called by God to help clean house but to not destroy Israel; simply to clear away the dead wood so to speak. In worship we pondered how we are invited to try to look at things in a new way; struggling to find a way new way to look at our life in community and with God. Our way of looking at things can be troubled by that fact that we are in the in-between time, not in the past and not in the future. Yet we realize that when God is at the center we will not be moved and we will realize that rather than protecting our expression of God in a community we allow God to intervene and protect our expression of God's community. I invite your comments.

 

Peace,

Les+

 

http://chirb.it/kKCqLI

 

Luke 13:10-17

St. John's e-News for Sunday August 25, 2013

Junior Warden – At our last Vestry meeting Kevin volunteered to fulfill the remainder of Joe’s term as Junior Warden, through the end of 2013. Kevin will be soliciting assistance to take care of the physical plant over the coming months and weeks. Please stand by to help as you are able.

 

Catch the Spirit T-shirts – The t-shirts will be available at church this Sunday. Make checks out to St. John’s for payment. Call Alice if you cannot pick up on Sunday. Order forms are in this bulletin and on the usher’s table in the Narthex.

 

Annual Crab Feast – At 5:00 pm this Sunday we will have our quarterly Fellowship Meal, the annual Blue Crab Feast. Old and new members are invited to catch up with old friends and meet our new parishioners over a fine feast of Crab and Brats (for those who do not or cannot eat crab). Bring your picking utensils if you have them, there are some available and if you’ve never picked a Blue Crab there will be expert pickers on hand to help navigate the crustacean cleaning.

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August 25, 2013, 10:30 am Holy Eucharist Rite II

Lessons for the Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 16)

First Lesson:  Jeremiah 1:4-10

Psalm:  Psalm 71:1-6

Second Lesson:  Hebrews 12:18-29

Gospel:  Luke 13:10-17

 

Lay Participants for August 25, 2013 - 10:30 am service

Eucharistic Minister:  Suze

Lector:  Bernice

Prayers:  Suze

Ushers:  Nick and Tina

 

Refreshments:  Marcella

 

Sermon for Sunday, Aug. 18: http://chirb.it/Pa5Iyx

______________________________________________________________

Second Sundays at St. John’s – Beginning September 8 we will host our first (at least during Fr. Ferguson’s tenure) Second Sundays at St. John’s. This program is an invitation to the Diocese and our surrounding community to join us on the second Sunday of the month to experience worship and the history of St. John’s. We will invite people to worship alongside us at 10:30 and/or join us following service and coffee hour to tour the grounds and look at the historic books and literature at St. John’s. Feel free to invite your friends and neighbors to join us for any or all the day’s events. For more information contact the Rector.

 

5^th Saturday at the Salvation Army – August 31^st is the 5^th Saturday and is our turn to assist serving lunch at the Salvation Army. Contact Terry for more information.

 

Leaving a Lasting Impression – Would you like to leave your mark on the earth? Maybe your name or the name of loved ones. If you are interested in having an engraved brick in the St. John’s walkway Contact Bernice to let her know you are interested in taking part in the project. The fee is $100.00 per brick and for that you get up to 3 lines with a maximum of 13 characters each line of dedication. If you haven’t noticed them before, they are located within the Trinity Garden area near the Parish House. Take a walk and check them out.

 

Bishop's Days for Everyone – Bishop's Days 2014 will be held October 12 at Eastern Shore Chapel, Virginia Beach. Our Bishop's Days are a whole new experience - new ways to teach, learn, and share. There are "Ideas Worth Spreading" in Southern Virginia, so we're having our own TED-style conference. The talks are short, but long on inspiration. The day should give you new perspectives, ideas and ways of thinking. If you let it, it could change YOUR world.

 

Helping the Viola’s – Tony and Marvetta appreciate our prayers and good wishes. They would appreciate and gladly compensate anyone who might have some extra produce from the garden to share with them. Anything you have over and above what you would use would be appreciated. If you have something to share please contact Marvetta at home or on her cell.

 

Today’s Psalm – We will sing the portion of the Psalter in together using a metrical version of the Psalter from A New Metrical Psalter by Christopher Webber as we sing Psalm 71:1-6 together. The Psalm will be set to Hymn 526, “Let saints on earth in concert sing” (Dundee) from the Hymnal 1982. The words and music will be found on a bulletin insert.

 

Formation Classes – This week we will discuss Jeremiah 1:4-10, “Jeremiah’s Call and Commission” from 9:15-10:15 am in the Parish Hall. Next week’s class will discuss our Old Testament reading Jeremiah 2:4-13, “God Pleads with Israel to Repent.” All are invited to come together in the Parish Hall from 9:15 to 10:15 am.

 

Thought for the week – Promise: Whatever challenges God places before you, however hard they may seem, God promises to give us his strength and power to help and support us.

- Br. Geoffrey Tristam, SSJE

Society of Saint John the Evangelist

______________________________________________________________________

Upcoming Events:

Daily Mon.-Thu.      * Daily Morning Prayer – 9:00 am (Parish House)

Sun. Aug. 25^th        * Growth Team meeting – following Worship (Parish Hall)

                              * Annual Parish Crab Fest – 5:00 – 8:00 pm (Parish Hall)

Mon. Sep. 2^nd         * Labor Day Holiday – Office closed

Sun. Sep. 8^th          * Second Sundays at St. John’s – 12:30-3:30 pm

Mon. Sep. 9^th         * Vestry Meeting – 7:00 – 9:00 pm (Parlor)

Sat. Sep. 14^th        * Diocesan Priest Ordination – 11:00 am (Christ & St. Luke’s)

                             * James River Rug Hookers – 10:00 am – 3:00 pm (Parish Hall)

Mon. Sep. 16^th       * GFWC Junto Women’s Club meeting – 10:00 am – 3:00 pm

                             (Parish Hall)

Tue. Sep. 17^th        * CAPS Board Meeting – 3:00 – 4:30 pm (WRPC)

Sat. Sep. 28^th        * Fish Fry – 4:00 – 7:00 pm (Chuckatuck Volunteer Fire

                             Department)

Sat. Oct. 12^th        * Bishop’s Day for Everyone East – 9:00 am – 2:00 pm

                             (Eastern Shore Chapel, Virginia Beach)

Sat. Oct. 26^th        * Chuckatuck Founder’s Day – 11:00 am – 4:00 pm

                             * Fall Parish Work Day (tentative)

Sat. Nov. 2^nd         * Diocesan service of Repentance, Reconciliation, and Healing

                             11:00 am (Christ & St. Luke’s Norfolk)

____________________________________________________________

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/

Coalition Against Poverty in Suffolk (CAPS)     http://www.capsuffolk.com

 

PASTORAL CARE

Pray for Katherine, our presiding bishop; Holly, our bishop; and Les our priest.

 

Marianne, Meriwether, Allen, David, Shirley, Suzanne, Janis, Lon, Barbara, Tina, Kathleen and Fergal, Steve, Morse, Rick, Kathy, Ronald, Dorothy, Leone, Dwight, Tony, Gilbert, Carolyn, the Terry family, the Arnold family, Bob, Lillian, Kaille, and Debbie.

 

Serving in the Armed Forces and Overseas: Bryan, Elizabeth, Dane, Leon, and Patrick

 

Parish Cycle of Prayer: Gary & Toni

Diocesan Cycle of Prayer: The Rev. Ben & Suzanne Duffey

Anglican Cycle of Prayer: The Rt. Rev. Joseph Mgomi - Bishop of Ruaha, Tanzania.

 

Flower Dedication: To the Glory of God and in memory of my grandparents, Russell and Merle Kirk by Lynn.

 

Birthdays in August

Nick 01                       Meriwether 01

Anne 06                      Shirley 07

Mary 13                       Ben 26

Regina 29

 

Anniversaries in August

Bryan & Dianne 05                 Anne & John 10

Landy & Randy 29

 

If you are in need of Pastoral Care

Please call Father Ferguson.

Home:  757-484-8409

 

Contact Minister of Music 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

Formation outline for August 25 - Jeremiah 1:4-10; Jeremiah's Call and Commission

August 25, 2013 – 14 Pentecost

Jeremiah 1:4-10

Jeremiah’s Call and Commission

 

Background: The book of Jeremiah is fairly unique as it provides commentary and criticism of the Israelites during two periods of subjugation interspersed with a period of religious reform. Jeremiah is a descendent of the Levitical priestly line and was a descendant of Abiathar. Jeremiah was a supporter of adherence to the law and covenant relationship over the practice of temple worship – leading to confrontation with those in charge of Israel’s religious landscape.

 

Theme: In this passage we see Jeremiah’s call narrative. In the narrative we see God interacting directly with Jeremiah, affirming God’s participation in Jeremiah’s life from before his birth – thus making Jeremiah a true prophet. God assures Jeremiah that Jeremiah will tell God’s word of judgment and reconciliation to all nations.

 

Questions to Ponder:

* Read Jeremiah 1:1-3 for context.

* Briefly describe the situation in Israel: the political, social, and religious dynamics of the nation.

* What is the significance of the time that Jeremiah is commissioned to be a prophet?

* Why do you think God tells Jeremiah that he knew Jeremiah before he was conceived? How might God’s connection with Jeremiah support God’s appointment of Jeremiah as prophet?

* How does Jeremiah’s call narrative compare with other prophets, kings, or leaders in Israel’s past? How might Jeremiah’s call be an assurance to Israel that Jeremiah is truly God sent?

* Why might Jeremiah react by stating that “I do not know how to speak, for I am only a boy.”? Why might Jeremiah be reluctant to answer God’s call?

* How does God respond to Jeremiah’s reluctance to be God’s prophet? By what means did God try to reassure Jeremiah of God’s call and presence in Jeremiah’s ministry?

* Why might God appoint “only a boy” to be his prophet? What might be the distinctions between a young and an old prophet? Why might those distinctions be important to the message God is trying to convey to his people?

* For what reason might God touch Jeremiah’s mouth in verse 9? Who else does God directly connect with like Jeremiah? What might the symbolism of God’s touch be?

* In verse 10, God tells Jeremiah that he will do 6 things, 4 of which tend to have negative connotations and 2 of which tend to have positive connotations. Why might Jeremiah be given more negative actions than positive ones? Do you think the actions commanded by God are wholly positive or negative? Why or why not?

* What do you think the overarching principle of the 6 actions God commands Jeremiah to accomplish might be? What is God asking Jeremiah to do in the process of giving Jeremiah these actions?

* It could be argued that Jeremiah does not look outside the borders of Israel with his prophecy yet God appoints him to be a “prophet to the nations.” How might Jeremiah be a prophet to the nations even though he seems to only speak to Israel?

* What is the good news for Israel in this passage?

* What is the good news for us in this passage?

* What are the applications for us as we live out the message of redemption and reconstruction implicit in this passage?