St. John's e-Word for Sunday, September 18, 2011

Thought for the week – When reflecting on the church as a volunteer organization a clergy person was reported to say,

“The church is NOT a volunteer organization. Once you choose to attend a church all you do in that church is done from a sense of gratitude to God.”

How does what you do at St. John’s show your gratitude to God for all you have?

Recycling News – We have received our new 90-gallon recycling container at the church. The container is on the church side of the Parish House near the kitchen door. Do your part to recycle appropriate materials. Not sure what goes in the bin? Check out the flyer in the kitchen and the Narthex.
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September 18, 2011, 10:30 am Holy Eucharist Rite II & a Liturgy for Public Healing
Lessons for 14 Pentecost (Proper 20)
First Lesson: Exodus 16:2-15
Psalm 105:1-6, 37-41
Second Lesson: Philippians 1:21-30
The Gospel: Matthew 20:1-16

Lay Participants for September 18 - 10:30 am service
Chalicist:  Leone
Lector:  Ben
Prayers:  Terry
Ushers:  Anne and Bert
Nursery Assistant:  To be determined

Refreshments/Lemonade on the Lawn:  Anne

Sermon for September 11:  http://chirb.it/k8dceP
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Olan Mills Photo Sign-up - Our picture dates have changed! The NEW sign-up sheets for the upcoming directory photo shoot are in the Narthex. Please sign-up for a slot on Wednesday October 12 or Thursday October 13. Our block of time is from 2:00-9:20 pm both days. Please sign up to make our directory a success and representative of the parish.

10th Anniversary of September 11, 2001 – A thanks to all who attended and helped make the first community service in memory of the attacks of September 11, 2001 will last Sunday such a success. We had 61 people in attendance at the Fire Department. I offer a special thanks to those who helped publicize the event.

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 680, O God our help in ages past (St. Anne’s), from the Hymnal 1982. The words and music will be found in a bulletin insert.

Parish Inventory - In the coming weeks we will take a day to have a parish work day to conduct a physical inventory of the church spaces. We hope to do a physical inventory on a Saturday morning or Sunday after church before the end of October. Many hands will make light work.

Vestry - Have you ever wondered about the governance of this church and your part in its governance? We will have 2 people complete their term on the Vestry at the end of the year and need to have at least 4 volunteers to fill their slots. If you are interested or have questions about the requirements contact the Rector or one of the Wardens.

“Women’s” Bible Study – The “Women’s” Bible Study group will be starting on Wednesday, October 5th. The group will meet at Margaret Tankovich’s home at 6:30 pm for a potluck. The first class will be Wednesday, October 12th, 10:00 – 11:30 am in the Parish Hall. Contact Margaret for further information at 357-2168.

Lemonade on the Lawn – There is a sign-up sheet for Lemonade on the Lawn in the Narthex. Please sign-up for an upcoming Sunday. There is powdered lemonade and iced tea available in the Kitchen. 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.

Formation Classes – Will be continuing through the summer. This week’s class will discuss our Old Testament reading: Exodus 16:2-15, Bread from Heaven. All are invited to join us in the Parish Hall from 9:15-10:15. Next week we will cover Exodus 17:1-7, Water from the Rock.

Our Core Values – At St. John’s we will practice Traditional and Authentic Worship. We value our faith tradition and its form of worship; as an indicator of our authentic faith in God. (Romans 12:1-2, Proverbs 22:6, 2 Thessalonians 2:15, Deuteronomy 6:6-7) Therefore we will continue to practice corporate and personal worship as understood and handed down in the Anglican and Episcopal traditions.

Thought for the week – Word: The final word belongs to God, and that word, like the very first word that God speaks, is light. That word is life. That word is love. That word is resurrection. That word is hope.

-Br. Kevin Hackett, SSJE
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Upcoming Events:
Sat. Sep. 24th        Chuckatuck Volunteer Fire Department fall Fish Fry
Sun. Sep. 25th        Mutual Ministry Review, Rector, Vestry, Canon Carolyn Black 12:00 – 3:00 pm (Parish Hall)
Wed. Sep. 28th      Set-up for Yard Sale
Thu. Sep. 29th        Set-up for Yard Sale
Fri. Sep. 30th         Set-up for Yard Sale
Sat. Oct. 1st           Multi-family Yard Sale – 9:00 am – 3:00 pm (sponsored by Outreach)
Wed. Oct. 5th        “Women’s” Book Study potluck – 6:30 pm (Tankovich’s)
Sat. Oct. 8th          Bishop’s Days East – Good Shepherd Church, Norfolk
Mon. Oct. 10th       Columbus Day - Office closed
Wed. Oct. 12th       “Women’s” Book Study – 10:00 – 11:30 am (Parish House)
                               Olan Mills Photographs – 2:00 – 9:20 pm (Parish House)
Thu. Oct. 13th       Olan Mills Photographs – 2:00 – 9:20 pm (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, Theresa, Toni, Virginia, Tom, Lon, Luann, David, Evan, Donna and her family, Kevin, Peg, and Marie.

Serving in the Armed Forces and Overseas: Bryan and Susan; Jonathon, David, and Patrick
Parish Cycle of Prayer: Bernice
Diocesan Cycle of Prayer: Old Dominion University Canterbury Club & Chaplain; St. James', Boydton; St. Michael's, Bon Air.

Anglican Cycle of Prayer: The Rt. Rev. Leopold Frade of Southeast Florida; The Rt. Rev. Dabney T Smith of Southwest Florida

Flowers: To the Glory of God and in the honor of our mothers Lucy Mar McCarthy and Zelda Wittenauer by Marcella and Don.

Birthdays in September
Bette 03                                    Carroll 11
Dane 13                                    Roger 14
Bob 15                                      Elizabeth 16
Allen 17

Anniversaries in September
Charles & Lynn 01                     Clare & Steve 03
G. Lee & Perk 11

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

Sermon and Remembrance on September 11, 2011

This week was a nice week after all the fun from weeks ago – Irene and the cleanup from the downed trees. We had a nice turnout as we reflected on the 10th anniversary of the terrorist’s attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and in Pennsylvania. We actually had two services today – the main service at St. John’s this morning and a moving community celebration of remembrance at the Chuckatuck Volunteer Fire Department. The community celebration included people from Wesley Chapel, Oakland Christian Church, Suffolk Christian Church, two Ruritan groups, the Greater Chuckatuck Historical Society, and (of course) the Chuckatuck Volunteer Fire and Rescue Squad. We had a good turn out this evening, a blessing because it was the first time the service was held, and there were many comments about the remembrance.

There was a lot of food for thought in our lessons and for the day. Today’s sermon was entitled “Let God be the judge.” Peace,

Les+

http://chirb.it/k8dceP

Sermon for Sunday September 4, 2011 - Pentecost 12 A

What a difference a week makes. Last week we canceled service because of hurricane Irene; this week we had nice weather and a good turn out. We did have a busy week that was spent cleaning up the yards - both ours and Mr. Winslow's place from the aftereffects of the hurricane. All our efforts paid off today because we had visitors. It was nice to haul out ~15 cubic yards of brush.

I hope you are challenged by today’s sermon which is entitled “Of hurricanes, reunions, and the Passover.” 

Peace,

Les+

http://chirb.it/4DzcOq

Post Hurricane Irene

Thankfully, the church was relatively unscathed by the storm. We had some minor damage to the trees around the church yard but nothing too bad. We should be able to clean out the yard in one morning this weekend. The only "casualty" to the facility is one headstone in the graveyard - the adhesive failed and the stone tipped over. Thankfully, there wasn't damage to the upright portion or the foundation of the stone.

We spent about 2 hours on August 30 helping our neighbor, Mr. Millard Winslow, clean out his chicken yard. He had a very large branch of a pecan tree fall in the yard. There's still a significant portion of the branch that needs to be cleared out but we think a woodworker may want that large piece of pecan wood. I have added pictures of the grounds following the hurricane in our Flickr photostream. Pleace check them out.

Faithfully,
Les+

Sermon of the 10th Sunday after Pentecost - August 21, 2011

Greetings from smoky Suffolk; the end of August comes quickly and the beginning of the program year coming soon. We had a nice turn out and pray for those who have been impacted by the swamp fire and smoke. We also pray for those who are working to put the fire out. Today’s sermon entitled “Who do you say I am?” is attached.

We are also looking forward to our Annual Crab Feast this evening and hope to post pictures later.

Peace,

Les+

http://chirb.it/3ghp1v

Sermon for the 9th Sunday after Pentecost - August 14, 2011

It was a smoky Sunday on the 9th Sunday after Pentecost here at St. John’s. We had a heavy pall of smoke from the Great Dismal Swamp Fire that didn’t leave us deterred. A good turnout and a fitting send off to our nursery attendant as she heads to Virginia Tech. We celebrated our first Eucharist developed by the Liturgy team and it went well – a little different as no one has done Eucharistic Prayer D but we had a lot of fund on our first endeavor. Today’s sermon was entitled “Do you get it: God’s call to intimacy.”

Peace,

Les+

http://chirb.it/tqtvFs

Sermon for Sunday August 7, 2011 - Pentecost 8A

Happy August – we’re beginning to build our fall program. It was nice to see some faces who haven't been away for a while. On top of the returning vacationers we had a few visitors this morning and it was a blessing to see some new folks as well as some who haven’t been here in years. It is nice to make a connection with people who have a history with us. We are also energized with those who are new. We held our first liturgical planning team meeting today and had a decent turn out and have most of the plans for the next month taken care of.

The readings today were interesting and raised many challenging questions. We delve into the lives of Peter and Joseph and their belief. Today’s sermon is entitled, “Where is God calling us to move in our belief?”

Peace,

Les+

http://chirb.it/qmBCgn