Thank you from Perfecting Saints COGIC to the Parish family at St. John's

God Did It .......by Using YOU!

Dear Saints and Friends,

I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for your ministry to the homeless and disadvantaged youth of Hampton Roads; and let you know how much we appreciate your efforts. Without people with a heart to serve like you have served, the church could not even begin to meet the needs of our community. So I wanted to pause and simply personally say, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! What a tremendous success this drive has been and it would not have been successful without you!

We have been so overwhelmed by the support of both our church members, neighboring churches, and your co-workers! Because of your efforts we were able to exceed our goal of providing 100 food and hygiene bags to the Stand Up for Kids organization, with your help we were able to provide 240 food and hygiene bags! What an awesome work God has done through YOU!

I would also like to personally thank Rev. Les Ferguson and the St. John's Episcopal Church of Suffolk, Rev. Dr. Joseph Chase, Jr and the Friendship Cathedral COGIC, and the Suffolk Herald Newspaper for partnering with us in this effort. I am convinced that, "you don't have to be a mega church to make a mega difference in this community"!

Lastly, I would like to thank Lady Tangie General and Lady Octavia Johnson for organizing and seeing this to its fruition. I know it was a lot of counting, collecting, and categorizing but you did it, thank you!

I look forward to working together with you in the future. As always if you are interested in future community service opportunities please visit our website at www.pscogic.com/mission.html or simply click the Outreach arrow on our home page to see what we have going on.

Again I thank you and you and yours will remain in our prayers!

Prayerfully Yours,
Pastor Don

Rev. Donald J. General, Jr. D.Min.
Pastor
Perfecting Saints COGIC
www.pscogic.com

P.S. I encourage you all to visit the Stand Up For Kids website (http://www.standupforkids.org/Hampton%20Roads/default.aspx) and learn a little more about the organization that you have so generously supported! Please pass this email to all your co-workers who may not be on our e-mailing list.

Sermon for Sunday April 15, 2012 - Easter 2

Greetings on Thomas’ Sunday! Today wasn’t an especially “low” Sunday; we were down a couple regulars but we had 2 visitors and 2 members who haven’t been in a while along with their 2 little ones. We opened our Easter Season by looking at our Stewardship of God’s bounty in our lives in response to our profession of faith. Today’s sermon entitled “Sharing our gift in common with our community.” Thoughts and likes appreciated.

Les+

http://chirb.it/hseE66

St. John's e-News for Sunday April 15, 2012 - the 2nd Sunday of Easter

Happy Easter! – Alleluia! Christ it Risen! The Lord is risen indeed! Alleluia!

Outreach Committee Meeting – The next Outreach Committee meeting will be held this coming Wednesday, April 18, at 7:00 pm. There will be a presentation by Ms. Hayden Hill, from Westminster Reformed Presbyterian Church on Godwin Blvd. regarding evolving ministry in Suffolk – Coalition for the Alleviation of Poverty in Suffolk (CAPS). She will discuss the principles of the program and a little bit about the vision and how we, as a Parish, can participate in the program. Anyone who is interested in either the CAPS program or becoming a member of the Outreach team is invited to attend. For more information, contact Leone.

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.

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April 15, 2012, 10:30 am Litany of Healing and Holy Eucharist Rite II
Lessons for the 2^nd Sunday of Easter
First Lesson:  Acts 4:32-35
Psalm:  133
Second Lesson:  1 John 1:1-2:2
Gospel:  John 20:19-31

Lay Participants for April 15, 2012 - 10:30 am service

Eucharistic Minister:  Mary-Margaret
Lector:  Suze
Prayers:  Bernice
Ushers:  Gary and Steven
Nursery Attendant:  Khristina
Nursery Assistant:  Lynn

Refreshments:  Leftovers

Sermon for Good Friday, April 6: http://chirb.it/tILGk0

Sermon for Easter Sunday, April 8: http://chirb.it/BaIGa2

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Pastoral Care Volunteers Needed – Have you ever wished you had someone to lend an ear or ease a burden? If so, I encourage you to consider becoming a Pastoral Care provider. There are no special skills required, simply the ability to be present with another member of our church family to ease their burdens. If you feel called to assist please contact the Rector.
          We have had a little response and we request you prayerfully consider this ministry. If you have any questions about the ministry contact the Rector.

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 133 in unison. The Psalm will be set to Hymn 524, I love thy kingdom Lord (St. Thomas) from the Hymnal 1982. The words and music will be found on a bulletin insert.

Formation Classes – This coming Sunday we will discuss our New Testament reading Acts 4:32-35, “The Believers Share Their Possessions” from 9:15-10:15 am. Next week’s class will discuss our New Testament reading Acts 3:12-19, “Peter Speaks in Solomon’s Portico.” All are invited to join us for class this Sunday.

Wednesday Book Study – Next Wednesday, April 18 our study group will begin a discussion of the book Tokens of Trust, by Rowan Williams. We will cover the chapter entitled, “Who can we trust? I believe in God the Father almighty…” If you would like to participate or have a copy of the book please contact Margaret and the Rector.

Convocation IV News - Please keep the churches in Convocation IV in your prayers. Some of the churches are entering into a discernment process to identify their pathway for their future and, as can be expected, anxiety is on the rise.

Thought for the week – Resurrection: We only know the relief of dawn when the terrors of the night have kept us awake. We only know the joy of resurrection when the fear of darkness has clutched our hearts, but even there, even then, even now God is at work in your life. Take courage. Now is God’s time in your life.

-Br. James Koester, SSJE

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Upcoming Events:
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)
Wed. Apr. 18^th       Outreach Committee meeting – 7:00 pm (Parish House)
Thu. Apr. 19^th        Diocesan Fresh Start – 10:00 am – 3:00 pm (Camp Chanco)
Thu. Apr. 26^th        Junto GFWC set up for Spring Game Day and Luncheon
                             12:00 – 3:30 pm (Parish Hall)
Fri. Apr. 27^th         Junto GFWC Spring Game Day and Luncheon
                             9:00 am – 4:00 pm (Parish Hall)
Sun. May 6^th          Bishop’s Visitation
Tue. May 8^th          Spring Clergy Day
Sun. May 13^th         Mother’s Day
                             Rogation Sunday
Mon. May 14^th        Vestry Meeting – 7:00 pm (Parish House)
Thu. May 17^th         Diocesan Fresh Start Graduation Day – 10:00 am – 3:30 pm
                             (Camp Chanco)
____________________________________________________________
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, Evan, Kevin, Faye and family, Carter and family, Foster family, Terri and Family, Marvin, Sally, Bill, Heather, 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: Eddie
Diocesan Cycle of Prayer: April Weekend at Chanco; St. John's, Petersburg; St. Paul's, Petersburg; The Rev. Dr. Joseph and Evelyn Green

Anglican Cycle of Prayer: The Nippon Sei Ko Kai (The Anglican Communion in Japan); The Most Rev. Nathaniel Makoto Uematsu, Primate of The Nippon Sei Ko Kai & Bishop of Hokkaido.

Flowers are given to the Glory of God and in memory and honor of our loved ones.

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 April 8, 2012 - The Sunday of the Resurrection

Alleluia, Christ is risen! It was a blessed day at Church. We had two services; one just before sunrise in 37 degree weather – 54 people present and a fantastic sermon from Pastor Janet and friends from our new neighbors; the second inside and well attended. There were plenty of lilies to signify Christ’s Resurrection. Today’s second sermon entitled “Carrying the message – Christ is risen from the dead” is attached. Comments are appreciated.

Les+

http://chirb.it/BaIGa2

St. John's e-News for Sunday April 8, 2012 - The Feast of the Resurrection at Easter

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.

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 Tenebrae 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.

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April 8, 2012, 6:30 am Holy Eucharist Rite II
Lessons for the Sunday of the Resurrection, Easter Sunday Sunrise Service
First Lesson:  1 Corinthians 15:1-11
Psalm:  118:1-2, 14-24
Gospel:  Mark 16:1-8

Lay Participants for April 8, 2012 - 6:30 am service

Lector:  To be determined
Prayers:  To be determined
Ushers:  To be determined

April 8, 2012, 10:30 am Festive Holy Eucharist Rite II

Lessons for the Sunday of the Resurrection, Easter Sunday
First Lesson:  Acts 10:34-43
Psalm:  118:1-2, 14-24
Second Lesson:  1 Corinthians 15:1-11
Gospel:  Mark 16:1-8

Lay Participants for April 8, 2012 - 10:30 am service

Eucharistic Minister:  Jim
Lector:  Terry
Prayers:  Kathy
Ushers:  Anne and Bert
Nursery Attendant:  Khristina
Nursery Assistant:  Leone

Refreshments:  Parish

Sermon for April 1: http://chirb.it/L80FE3

______________________________________________________________
Pastoral Care Volunteers Needed – Have you ever wished you had someone to lend an ear or ease a burden? If so, I encourage you to consider becoming a Pastoral Care provider. There are no special skills required, simply the ability to be present with another member of our church family to ease their burdens. If you feel called to assist please contact the Rector.

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 118:1-2, 14-24 in unison. The Psalm will be set to Hymn 551, Rise up, ye saints of God! (Festal Song) from the Hymnal 1982. The words and music will be found on a bulletin insert.

Formation Classes – We will take a break from our Formation class this Sunday but will resume next week as we discuss our New Testament reading Acts 4:32-35, “The Believers Share Their Possessions” from 9:15-10:15 am. 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, April 11 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.

          On Wednesday, April 18 our study group will begin a discussion of the book Tokens of Trust, by Rowan Williams. If you would like to participate or have a copy of the book please contact Margaret and the Rector.

Convocation IV News - Please keep the churches in Convocation IV in your prayers. Some of the churches are entering into a discernment process to identify their pathway for their future and, as can be expected, anxiety is on the rise.

Thought for the week – Transformation: Rarely do we see, let alone understand, resurrection in the moment—we cannot because it is necessarily clouded by grief and confusion and loss, which is why, I think, it usually takes the disciples and us a while to figure out who the risen Christ is when he shows up.

-Br. Kevin Hackett, SSJE

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Upcoming Events:
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)
Wed. Apr. 18^th       Outreach Committee meeting – 7:00 pm (Parish House)
Thu. Apr. 19^th        Diocesan Fresh Start – 10:00 am – 3:00 pm (Camp Chanco)
Thu. Apr. 26^th        Junto GFWC set up for Spring Game Day and Luncheon
                             12:00 – 3:30 pm (Parish Hall)
Fri. Apr. 27^th         Junto GFWC Spring Game Day and Luncheon
                             9:00 am – 4:00 pm (Parish Hall)
Sun. May 6^th          Bishop’s Visitation
Tue. May 8^th          Spring Clergy Day
Sun. May 13^th         Mother’s Day
                             Rogation Sunday
Mon. May 14^th        Vestry Meeting – 7:00 pm (Parish House)
Thu. May 17^th         Diocesan Fresh Start Graduation Day – 10:00 am – 3:30 pm
                             (Camp Chanco)
____________________________________________________________
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.

Special prayers for: Barbara and Shirley

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, 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: Will
Diocesan Cycle of Prayer: Christ & Grace, Petersburg; Holy Trinity, Onancock; The Rev. Michael & Carolyn Ferguson
Anglican Cycle of Prayer: For Peace in Africa and the 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 Palm Sunday - April 1, 2012

Greetings at the beginning of Holy Week 2012. Today marked our celebration of Christ and his connection with humanity during the final week on earth. We continued looking at our life in community and how we will experience ups and downs if we live an authentic Christian life. Today’s sermon, entitled “Jesus assures us that we remain connected to God in our humanity” is attached. Blessings on your coming Holy Week.

Les+

http://chirb.it/L80FE3