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Upcoming Events
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Friday, Dec. 16 Girlscouts lock-in/ Erin Dubas' Troop Boyscouts Court of Honor, 6:30 PM Saturday, Dec. 17 Fund-raising Event to help the poor in Indonesia, 1 PM ~ 3 PM Sunday, Dec 18 Greening the church Wednesday, Dec 21 Blue Christmas Service, 7:30 PM
Saturday, Dec 24 Christmas Eve Children's service, 6:30 PM Music, 7:00 PM Holy Eucharist, 7:30 PM Sunday, Dec 25 Christmas Day Service, 10:30 AM Sunday, Jan 1 Service of Carols and Lessons New Year's Day Celebration after church, potluck. Monday, Jan 2 Rehearsal of "The Other Wise Man," 12:30 PM - 2:00 PM Saturday, Jan 7 - Acolyte Training, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM - Rehearsal of "The Other Wise Man," 12:30 PM - 2:00 PM Sunday, Jan 8 St. Pat's children present "The Other Wise Man" Degreen the church Saturday, Jan 14 Vestry Retreat (snow day: Jan 21) at Immanuel Church-on-the-Hill, Alexandria, 9 AM -2 PM Sunday, Jan 22 Tết Celebration, after church, potluck & talent show! Friday, Jan 27 Children of Uganda event, 7:30 PM Saturday, Jan 28 Saint Patrick's at the 217th Diocesan Council Meeting, 9 AM -- Carpooling Sunday, Jan 29 Odeon Concert, 4 PM |
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Birthdays
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December
15 Laurie Los
15 Moi Phan
16 Jean DuBro
18 Jackson DuBro
25 Amelia Nicholson
28 Paul Los
30 Patricia Phan
31 Trang Diep
31 Chon Kim Huynh
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Our Prayer List
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We remember in our prayer:
Margaret Mills, Jim Owens, William Yale, Laura Đoàn, Bob Aronstein, Kari Boeskov, Mary Anne Bogie, Mary Carper, Thomas Cascella, Marie Cosimano, Hai Dang Do, Jane Chapman, Tim Clary, Dorothy Connelly, John Davis, Donald DeVaughn, Michael Dickinson, Loretta Dougherty, Ingrid Eckstrand, The Edsall Family, Archie Ellis, Mary Farmer, The Faubion Family, Nance Finegan, Luis Garay, Thomas Garner, Anne Goodwin, Jean Graham, Nick Giuliani, Canedo Guillermo, Katherine Hafele, Anne & Thomas Edsall, Margaret Ellis Harris, Bill and Betty Henderson, Sheila Henderson, Eldon Paul Henry, Alek Hensley, Leslie Hogan, Cindy Hogman, Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., Michael Horn, Virginia Hughes, Angelina Jansen, Lindsay Johns, Gray and Bob Johnson, Jamie Kaplon, Robert Kelley, Quinn Kimball, Jeffry King, The Kontess Family, Susan Lawrence, Bau Le, Timothy Livingood, Joe Magrogan, Colleen Mavrikas, Michael Mills, Evelyn Morgan, Que Nguyen, Chick Nixon, Keslie Nolan, Olive Oliver, Gary Owens, Irene Pierce, Joann Piper, Faith Poole, William Ross, Molly Saviola, Nora Searle, Bill Sitler, Irene Skowron, Karine Simpkin, Brian Smith, Josh Smithers, Candi Stewart, Barbara Stefl, Kara Stryker, The Strysko Family, Walter Sushko, Steven Talbert, George Thomas, Clara Torres, George Torres, Michael Weekes, The Westfall Family, Paula Wiech, Meredith Wiech, Donna Wolfe, Peter Kosutic, Chris, Tasha.
Please pray especially for Leslie Hogan, cousin of our Jonathan Miller, and for Karine Simpkin, sister of Tinh Huynh+, who are undergoing chemotherapy.
We pray for all US personnel serving overseas, especially Garway Thomas and Cate Johnson.
We give thanks for the healing of Mark Zimple, and for the successful surgery of Winnie Lebo.
Note: If you have a loved one or friend who needs prayer please call the church and leave a message at 703-532-5656, or write to Tinh+ at
stpats3241@gmail.com or call him at 703-405-9571. Also, should a name need be removed from the list, please let Tinh+ know promptly, and give the reason.
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Saint Patrick's Ministers
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The Ministers of Saint Patrick's Church are the People of this Parish
supported by
The Reverend
Tinh Trang Huynh, Vicar
Mr. Toua Vang,
Seminarian Assistant
Ms. Mariko Hiller,
Music Director
Ms. Rachel Burgess,
Nursery Care
We serve our Lord as part of the Diocese of Virginia
led by
our chief pastors
The Rt. Rev. Shannon Sherwood Johnston, Bishop
The Rt. Rev.
David Colin Jones,
Bishop Suffragan
and
The Rt. Rev. Ted Gulick,
Assistant Bishop
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The Vision of St. Patrick's
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Saint Patrick's Episcopal Church is a community of care, called to be Christ-centered and multicultural in worship, Christian education and action to proclaim Christ's love to the world.
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About St. Patrick's Church
| Saint Patrick's was founded in 1953 as a mission church from the Falls Church. The congregation met for the first time on January 3, 1954 in the cafeteria of the Graham Road School. The building was completed in 1956. Members of St. Pat's have been known for their involvement in outreach ministries since the very early days of the parish. In 1995, Saint Patrick's became an Anglo-Vietnamese church, and has become more and more multicultural. Some of us say that St. Pat's is like a window through which we can see God's love. Other parishioners suggest St. Pat's is a "safe haven" for all who seek peace, a quiet place for those who want to find rest. Many in the congregation mention caring is what makes St. Patrick's special to them. Our vision statement reflects what we are in our hearts: St. Patrick's Episcopal Church is a community of care called to be Christ-centered and multicultural in worship, Christian education and action to proclaim Christ's love to the world."
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Saint Patrick's
Website
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You are invited to visit our website. Please click here .
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| Previous Issues of the Epistle | Please click here to read the archived issues of the Epistle.
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St. Patrick's Organized for Missions and Ministry
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Vestry Committee: Senior Warden: Tom Auld; Junior Warden: Vivian Benjamin; Registrar: Winnie Lebo; Treasurer: Kathy Oliver; Other members of the Vestry: Victoria Kennedy, Jocelyne Miller, Pierre Chanu, Chris Nicholson.
GROUPS AND ACTIVITIES
Altar Guild: Lucille Selby; Bell Choir: Mariko Hiller; Church Office: Lois Cascella; Offering Counters: Bob Cascella; Youth Ministry: Maggie Spinelli; Region VIII Representative: Felix Spinelli; Diocesan Council Delegate: Amelia Nicholson; St. Margaret's Circle: Ann Nelson; Telephone Chain: Alice King; Ushers: Bill Houston; Odeon Chamber Music Series: Mariko Hiller; Westlawn Elementary School: Winnie Lebo; Falls Church Community Services: Catherine Dubas; Hypothermia Shelter Program: Felix Spinelli; Church Women United: Amelia Nicholson. The Epistle Newsletter Editors: Winnie Lebo and Cindy Rhoad.
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A Good News of Great Joy!
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 - On December 8th, 2011, the Executive Board of the Diocese of Virginia voted unanimously to endorse Saint Patrick's for full parish status. The Board's decision is expected to be ratified at the 217th Annual Council of the Diocese, which will be held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Reston, Virginia, on January 26-28, 2012. After 16 years of being a mission, Saint Patrick's is looking forward to being a full fledged parish again. Thanks be to God! Saint Patrick's is expected to march in with banners at the Council meeting on the morning of Saturday, January 28th, and all of our members and friends are invited to join us. To facilitate transportation to and from the event of that day, a sign-up sheet will be posted in the narthex for those planning to participate in the celebration, and for those volunteering to drive.
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Blue Christmas Service, Wednesday, December 21st
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 - Blue Christmas Service, Wednesday, December 21st, 7:30 PM. If you or someone you know finds Christmas a difficult time, St. Patrick's invites you to attend this service. We will join each other in listening to prayers and scripture that acknowledge God's presence, even in times when we mourn and/or experience struggle. If you are grieving this Christmas, please consider joining us.
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Christmas Flowers
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 - Christmas Flowers. You are invited to offer flowers at Christmas, in thanksgiving for God's blessings or in memory of your loved ones. Please send $10.00 to the church with a note stating your name, the names of those remembered, and/or the blessings to be mentioned. You may also email your request to Fr. Tinh at stpats3241@gmail.com, or to Ann Nelson at ann_garrard@msn.com, and put your check in the mail.
You may choose to call the church at 703-532-5656 and leave a message. Checks should be made payable to Saint Patrick's Altar Guild, earmarked "Christmas Flowers," and mailed to St. Patrick's Church, 3241 Brush Drive, Falls Church, VA 22042. Deadline: Monday, December 19, 2011.
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Parish Notes
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 2003 Greening of the Church. From left: Pat Gardner, Jean Wetrich, the late Edna Rhoad, Cuong Pham (in white sweater), and Kathy Oliver (at the Christmas tree) - This Sunday, December 18th, we will green the church after the 10:30 AM service. Greening the church is one of the very enjoyable times of the year for the St. Pat's family, when church people work together in decorating the sanctuary for Christmas. Please join us. Dress casually, and bring work gloves and cutting tools, if you have them. We will need volunteers to bring the iron frames of the large wreaths from the storage area downstairs.
 - Wish to donate Angel Tree gifts to the needy families of Westlawn Elementary School and do not have time for buying and wrapping? Please call our Winnie Lebo at 703-536-2075. Winnie and a couple of our church people are volunteering to help. If you have taken the angels home, please bring your gifts to church on or before this Sunday, December 18th. This year, Saint Patrick's will give Christmas gifts to nine Westlawn families. The gifts will be presented to the families at the school on December 22nd.
- Christmas Eve. On Christmas Eve there will be a service at 6:30 PM in the Chapel for the children, Christmas Prelude Music at 7:00 PM, and Holy Eucharist at 7:30 PM. Please come worship with us, and please invite your family and friends.
- New Year's Day Celebration. On Sunday, January 1st, 2012, we will celebrate the New Year. Instead of holding our celebration at the Rectory, as we have done over the years, this time we will hold it in church with a potluck after the 10:30 AM service. Please bring food if you can, and all are invited to stay for the celebration.
- Vestry Retreat. The 2012 Vestry Retreat will be held at Immanuel Church-on-the-Hill, Alexandria, on Saturday, January 14th, from 9 AM to 3 PM (Snow date: January 21st).
- Children from Uganda will perform traditional African music and dance at Saint Patrick's on Friday, January 27, 2012, at 7:30 PM. This will be a fundraiser. The purpose of the event is to raise awareness of the effects of HIV/AIDS on children in developing nations around the world, and to advocate for international assistance to end the devastating effects of the disease on children. More information on this performance will come later. |
Photos of Recent Events
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St. Pat's Children in Sunday School Class -- November 27, 2011
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Last Sunday's Sermon
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Advent 3, December 11, 2011
Texts: John 1:6-8, 19-28; Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11
Psalm 126; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
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"I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness,
'Make straight the way of the Lord.'"
In the Gospel of John, John the Baptizer is depicted as one who came ahead of Jesus as a witness, to testify to the Light. The cohorts of the Pharisees anxiously ask him, "Who are you?"
John replies saying, "I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, 'Make straight the way of the Lord.'
Among you stands one whom you do not know, the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandals."
 Hidden in John's words is a promise. It's the promise of the coming of the Messiah, the Savior, who brings true and everlasting joy.
In the Old Testament reading of today, the words of the prophet in Isaiah 61 speak of liberation. Isaiah 61 is actually a song with the promise of God to those whom He loves: amidst darkness and despair a light will shine.
It is very important for everyone to hear God's promises. It is so easy for us to fall into despair. Not only is it important for us to hear the promises of God, it is equally important for us to embrace the promises and to live accordingly.
Yesterday, a group of parents and children gathered in church to make the Christmas stars. We spent a couple of hours working on our projects, with the bamboo that was cut and brought in from our church parking lot. After lunch, the children gathered to sing, and to go through several questions designed to help them learn more about Jesus and about themselves.
One of the questions was, "Where are you on Sunday, and where is Jesus on Sunday?"
Another question was, "What was Jesus dressed with when he was born? What were you dressed with when you were born?" (answer: diaper)
There was a line that was repeated for several times by our Lois Cascella, who led the session, which read, "Wherever you go or whatever you do God takes delight in you."
God takes delight in you. This is the Good News.
The author of Isaiah says,
"I will greatly rejoice in the Lord,
My whole being shall exult in my God;
for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation,
he has covered me with the robe of righteousness..."
Despite my unworthiness, God takes delight in me. Despite my unrighteousness, God called me his beloved, and He clothed me with "the garments of salvation," the garments which I could never make for myself. This is the only thing I need to hear. This is the heavenly promise that I want to embrace. For me, it is the very spark of light in darkness. This is the very dwelling place for my soul. No more do I need to seek approval from the world. Fear can be the worst enemy. Spiritually speaking, living in fear is like being in exile. I have so much fear, but the truth that God takes delight in me can liberate me from fear and bring me home.
Psalm 126, which we read today, comes with words of joy, the joy of the liberated:
"When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion,
we were like those who dream...
May those who sow in tears
reap with shouts of joy.
Those who go out weeping,
bearing the seed for sowing,
shall come home with shouts of joy,
carrying their sheaves."
When we began today's service, we heard the following words at the lighting of the Advent candles:
"God wants us all to have joy."
Notice the phrase "the thongs of his sandals" in John's statement, "Among you stands one whom you do not know." He was standing amidst the people, wearing sandals -- a human being, and yet a very mysterious being. He is right here with us now. He will bring joy to us. We have to be ready for his coming. Do not lose heart. The One who is coming is the Word Incarnate. In the beginning He was with God, and He was God. The true light of the world is also God the Creator who takes delight in us. He once stood on earth, with sandals on his feet. When He comes, new creation happens.
What now? What should we do now as we wait for his coming? How are Christians supposed to behave as they expect the promised new creation?
We are not supposed to sit and wait for the new
creation to happen. Perhaps some changes need to take place in our lives, beginning with our own thoughts, words and deeds. Perhaps some kind of transformation needs to happen in our attitude towards others, particularly to those close to us. One may keep holding grudges against one's brother, sister or an ex-spouse, while crying to God for liberation. There is no way for new creation to take place in such a situation.
Listen to what Paul said to the Thessalonians:
"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances... Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise the words of the prophet, but test everything; hold fast to what is good; abstain from every form of evil. May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The One who calls you is faithful, and he will do this." Amen.
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Sinh Hoạt Hội Thánh
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- Chúa Nhật tuần nầy, 18 tháng 12, chúng ta sẽ trang hoàng nhà thờ cho lễ Giáng Sinh, ngay sau giờ thờ phượng. Xin quư anh chị em mang theo găng tay và kéo cắt cây, nếu quư vị có trong nhà. Chúng ta sẽ cần người giúp mang các ṿng sắt từ từng dưới lên để gắn lá thông. - Nếu quư anh chị em muốn tặng quà Angel Tree cho những gia đ́nh nghèo thuộc Trường Tiểu Học Westlawn, mà không có th́ giờ đi mua và gói, xin gọi cho bà Winnie ở số điện thoại 703-536-2075. Bà Winnie và hai người tín hữu khác t́nh nguyện giúp chúng ta. Năm nay, Nhà Thờ Thánh Patrick sẽ tặng quà cho 9 gia đ́nh nghèo ở Trường Westlawn. Các món quà sẽ được phát tại trường vào ngày 22 tháng 12, trước khi các em nghỉ lễ. - Đêm Giáng Sinh. Vào lúc 6 giờ 30 sẽ có lễ cho các em nhỏ; 7 giờ tối, chương tŕnh nhạc Giáng Sinh; 7 giờ 30: Lễ Giáng Sinh bắt đầu. Kính mời quư vị đến dự lễ, xin mời cả gia quyến và bạn hữu. - Mừng Năm Mới. Vào ngày Chúa Nhật, 1 tháng 1, năm 2012, chúng ta sẽ ăn mừng năm mới với nhau tại nhà thờ. Potluck. Năm nay chúng ta sẽ không tổ chức mừng năm mới tại nhà Mục Sư như mọi năm. Xin quư vị mang thức ăn đến nhà thờ, nếu có thể được. Kính mời quư anh chị em tham dự. - Ban Chấp Hành Hội Thánh sẽ họp đặc biệt vào ngày thứ bảy, 14 tháng 1, 2012, tại nhà thờ Immanuel Church-on-the-Hill, Alexandria, VA, từ 9 giờ sáng tới 3 giờ chiều. |
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Đại Ư Kinh Văn Chúa Nhật Vừa Qua
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Đề tài chính của Mùa Trông Đợi là sự trở lại của Đức Giêsu. Trong hai tuần qua, chúng ta đă học về sự chờ đợi và sự chuẩn bị sẵn sàng. Hôm nay chúng ta học về lời hứa của Chúa.
Trong đoạn kinh văn Ê-sai, chúng ta thấy những chữ tiêu cực lẫn tích cực. Về phương diện tiêu cực có những chữ sau: nghèo khổ, áp bức, ḷng tan vỡ, tù đày, xiềng xích, than khóc, tro bụi, sầu thảm, đổ nát, hoang phế, trộm cướp. Về phương diện tích cực: tin mừng, tự do, phóng thích...
Êsai 61:1-11 là một bài ca chứa đựng lời hứa của Chúa cho con người mà Ngài thương: "Họ sẽ xây lại những nơi đổ nát xưa, dựng lại những chỗ hoang phế, những hoang phế từ bao thế hệ... Linh hồn ta sẽ hân hoan nơi Đức Chúa Trời, v́ Ngài mặc cho ta áo cứu rỗi, khoác cho ta áo choàng công chính.
Ngẫm nghĩ về những chữ "hoang phế" hay "tù đày," "than khóc," chắc chúng ta nghĩ về ḿnh hay về thân phận làm người. Đây không hẳn chỉ là một bài ca, mà là lời hứa của Chúa cho người tin nắm chặt lấy.
Tác giả Thi Thiên 126 cu~ng khẳng định: "Khi Chúa dẫn tù nhân Xi-ôn trở về, ta tưởng ḿnh như giữa giấc mơ... Ai nghẹn ngào ra đi gieo giống, mùa gặt mai sau khấp khởi vui mừng." Xi-ôn là tên ngọn đồi cao người ta xây thành Giêrusalem. Chữ "Giêrusalem" có nghĩa là "thành phố ḥa b́nh." Tác giả Thi Thiên mơ một ngày người Do Thái, bị bắt làm phu tù qua xứ Babylon (Iraq bây giờ), được thả về lại quê hương. Tù nhân được giải phóng không thể tin rằng ḿnh được tự do, mà tưởng như trong giấc mơ.
Trong Phúc Âm Giăng, ông Giăng Báp Tít tuyên bố về Đấng Cứu Thế mà ông chưa hề gặp. Ông nói, "Có một vị đang ở giữa các ông mà các ông không biết." Lời tuyên bố ấy chính là lời hứa cho người nghe. Họ chớ nên thất vọng, v́ Đấng Cứu Thế đang ở giữa họ, ở thời điểm mà Ngài chưa tỏ ḿnh ra cho họ thấy. Giăng nói rằng chính v́ Đấng Cứu Thế đă ở ngay bên mà mọi người phải chuẩn bị đón Ngài.
Đây là lúc chúng ta nhắc nhau về sự chuẩn bị sẵn sàng gặp Chúa. Chúng ta chuẩn bị như thế nào? Có những khi chúng ta nghe tiếng nói của Chúa Thánh Thần, song không muốn lắng nghe và làm theo. Ít khi chúng ta dám nghĩ về sự ngắn ngủi của cuộc đời và sự bất ngờ của cái chết. Nhưng khi chúng ta suy nghĩ về những điều nầy, th́ sự suy nghĩ ấy có thể là một khởi điểm cho một tiến tŕnh hoán cải, v́ không ai muốn qua đời thiếu chuẩn bị.
Đây không phải chỉ là sự sắp xếp về tiền của để lại cho con cháu, hay là nghi thức tang lễ phải ra sao. Quan trọng nhất là về phương diện tâm linh: giải quyết tất cả các nỗi giận hờn, và nếu được th́ làm thế nào khi ta chết đi th́ không ai phải ân hận. Đó chính là ư nghĩa của chuẩn bị. Khi đă sẵn sàng th́ tâm hồn thanh thản. Càng được thanh thản sớm bao nhiêu th́ cuộc đời lại an lạc hơn bấy nhiêu. Như thế, chuẩn bị chính là cả một cuộc hành tŕnh cho phần c̣n lại của đời sống; và chúng ta chuẩn bị v́ tin chắc Đấng Cứu Thế sẽ đến.
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