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Upcoming Events
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Friday, Mar 30
Hypothermia Shelter, 8:30 PM
Saturday, Mar 31
Hypothermia Shelter, 8:30 PM
Sunday, April 1
PALM SUNDAY
(No 8:00 AM service)
Liturgy of the Palms and Holy Eucharist, 10:30 AM
Thursday, April 5
Maundy Thursday Service, 7:30 PM
Friday, April 6
GOOD FRIDAY, services at 12 PM and 7:30 PM,
Stations of the Cross, 1:00 PM
EASTER DAY, April 8
(No 8:00 AM service)
9:00 to 9:30 a.m. Bell choir practice
9:30 to 10:00 a.m. Youth and Adult choir practice
9:30 AM Easter Egg Hunt
10:00 to 10:15 a.m. Children's Choir practice
10:20 AM: Resurrection of the Alleluia.
Holy Eucharist, 10:30 AM April 13-15
Spring PYM Sr. High Weekend at Shrine
Mont
Saturday, April 14 Car Trunk Sale & Car Show at St. Pat's (Rain date: April 21st) Sunday, April 22 Guest Preacher and Celebrant: The Rev. Dr. Richard Jones. Youth & Children's Activity (4th Grade and Up) Sunday, April 29 Preacher: Toua Vang. Seminarian Committee meets after church. Odeon Concert, 4 PM Saturday, May 5 Altar Guild Meeting, 10 AM (Rain date: May 12) Trinity School Music Event, 6 PM - 9:30 PM Sunday, May 13 Odeon Concert, 4 PM Sunday, May 20 Preacher: Christopher Miller. Christopher's last Sunday at St. Patrick's as Young Priest Initiative Intern. Youth Activity (7th Grade and Up) Sunday, May 27 Day of Pentecost. Holy Baptism Sunday, June 24 Pool Party at the Aulds, after church |
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Birthdays
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31 Jennifer Phan 31 Gisela Johnson-Harbers April 5 Douglas Payne, Jr. 8 Philip Nicholson 10 Joseph Dubas 11 Anna Chanu 17 Hong Nguyen 17 Audette Frazer 19 Savannah Frizzell 21 Cheryl Gardner 22 Amy Phan 24 Lindsay Gardner 27 Pat Gardner 28 Carolyn Auld 30 Cate Johnson May 1 Nancy Burch 2 Erin Marie Dubas 2 Gaohmong Vang 3 Carey Miga 3 Chris Nicholson 4 Ngoc Nguyen 5 Muachee Vang 8 Caroline Houston 9 Margaret Moreau 10 Steve Lebo 13 Alice King 15 Bi Phan 16 Tuyet Mai 16 Vivian Benjamin 17 Cuong Tran 27 Louise Gibney 28 Mouachee Vang 29 Ann Nelson 29 Christine Moya 30 Alex Benjamin 31 Brian Leonard 31 Kathleen Oliver 31 Janice Mills |
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Our Prayer List
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We remember in our prayer:
Harry Babatunde Benson, Kari Boeskov, Mary Anne Bogie, Mary Carper, Thomas Cascella, Marie Cosimano, Jane Chapman, Tim Clary, Dorothy Connelly, John Davis, Donald DeVaughn, Michael Dickinson, Laura Đoàn, Loretta Dougherty, The Edsall Family, Mary Farmer, The Faubion Family, Nance Finegan, Luis Garay, Thomas Garner, Anne Goodwin, Jean Graham, Katie Grosse, Nick Giuliani, Canedo Guillermo, Katherine Hafele, Anne & Thomas Edsall, Margaret Ellis Harris, Eldon Paul Henry, Betty and Bill Henderson, Alek Hensley, Bill Herbert, Leslie Hogan, Cindy Hogman, Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., Michael Horn, Virginia Hughes, Lindsay Johns, Gray and Bob Johnson, Jamie Kaplon, Robert Kelley, Quinn Kimball, Jeffry King, The Kontess Family, Susan Lawrence, Bau Le, Joe Magrogan, Colleen Mavrikas, Margaret Mills, Michael Mills, Danielle Morgan, Evelyn Morgan, Que Nguyen, Chick Nixon, Keslie Nolan, Olive Oliver, Jim Owens, Gary Owens, Joann Piper, Faith Poole, William Ross, Molly Saviola, Nora Searle, Bill Sitler, Irene Skowron, Karine Simpkin, Brian Smith, Josh Smithers, Candi Stewart, Barbara Stefl, Art Stroud, Kara Stryker, Walter Sushko, Steven Talbert, George Thomas, Clara Torres, George Torres, Thelma Trout, Nhon Thanh Vo, Bryan Webber, Michael Weekes, The Westfall Family, Paula Wiech, Meredith Wiech, Donna Wolfe, Peter Kosutic, Chris, Tasha.
Please pray especially for Baby Harry Benson, Bill Herbert, Karine Simpkin, Pauline Leonard and Alice King.
We give thanks for the successful surgeries of Bill Herbert.
We pray for all US personnel serving overseas, especially Garway Thomas and Cate Johnson.
We pray also for the orphans and those who care for them at Abba Home in Pakistan, and for all orphans in the world.
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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, Rector
Mr. Toua Vang,
Seminarian Assistant
Mr. Christopher Miller,
Young Priest Initiative Intern
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
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, a mission of the Diocese of Virginia, and has become more and more multicultural. In January of 2012, Saint Patrick's full parish status was restored and recognized at the 217th Annual Council meeting of the Diocese. 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 if you wish to see the previous 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; Feed the Homeless: Amelia Nicholson; 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; Flea Market: Chris Nicholson
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Phơtos
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 Wanda Nolan and Pat Gardner shared their 90th birthday cake with friends at St. Pat's, last Sunday, with Justice Lebo in the background. (Pictures by Joua Vang)  |
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Parish Notes
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- Please note: Worship service will be held only at 10:30 AM on Palm Sunday and Easter Day. There will be no service at 8:00 AM on those days. - A thank you note to our parishioners who participated in last Saturday's clean-up of the church! The group included Kathy Oliver, Ann Nelson, the Spinellis, Kim-Anh Huynh and the Dubas Family.
- Many thanks to Nancy Briggs, My-Linh Tran, Toua Vang and Christopher Miller for the Lenten series presentations, with aspiring words on mission.
 - Please remember to bring your UTO box to church this Sunday, if you have not yet done so. Thank you!
- Many thanks to all of you who volunteered in the Hypothermia Shelter Program at Saint Patrick's. Our participation in the program will end this Saturday.  - Easter Flowers. If you would like to offer flowers in "Memory of a loved one" or as an "Offering of Thanksgiving" at Easter, please send $10 to the Altar Guild. Checks should be made payable to the "Altar Guild of Saint Patrick's," earmarked "Easter Flowers." Deadline: this Sunday, April 1.
 - Spring PYM Sr. High Weekend at Shrine Mont. April 13-15 (the weekend following Easter).
For more information, please speak with Bobby Dubas when you see him at church, send him an email at littledubas@gmail.com, or call him at 703-207-0424.
 - Mark your calendar for St. Pat's Car Trunk Sale & Car Show, Saturday, April 14th, 9 am - 12 pm (rain date: April 21st). We will need a lot of volunteers. A sign-up sheet will be posted in the narthex. Rent a space ($15), clean out the basement, sell your possessions out of your car, and keep all the money you make!
- Christopher Miller and other adults of Saint Patrick's are planning for a youth event (4th Grade and up) on Sunday, April 22nd, after church. Most likely they will go to a baseball game in Washington, DC -- the Nationals will have a home game on that date. More details TBA.
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Liturgical Note
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This Sunday, April 1st, will be Palm Sunday, which begins Holy Week in the Christian tradition. The Palm Sunday service begins with the Liturgy of the Palms, which will be held outdoors, at the front of the church.  As we gather outside, we will read the story of Christ entering Jerusalem and being greeted by the people as king. We will then bless and distribute the palms, and will process in singing hymn, "Prepare the way, O Zion." When all are in church, we will hear scriptures about Christ's suffering. The story of the Passion of our Lord will be read by eight parishioners, with the participation of the congregation in the shouting, "Crucify him." The one perceived as King of the Jews was actually the King of the Universe. Ironically, the King could not help himself. He actually chose not to do so. During Communion, the celebrant will chant the following Preface for Holy Week: "Through Jesus Christ our Lord. For our sins he was lifted high upon the cross, that he might draw the whole world to himself; and, by his suffering and death, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who put their trust in him." (Book of Common Prayer, Page 379).
The King of kings became vulnerable and powerless, and died for the forgiveness of our sins and healing of our souls.
All are invited to join us in worship during Holy Week and on Easter Day.
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Last Sunday's Sermon
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Lent 5 - Year B - March 25, 2012
Text: John 12:20-33
Preacher: Seminarian Toua Vang
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Jesus said, "...unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit."
Jesus might have talked about the Crucifixion, his death on the Cross. He died and was raised on the third day, his body of human flesh transforms into a Godly and Mighty one, and ascended into heaven. Jesus died to glorify God's name and to save us.
 A few weeks ago, Kim-Anh gave some beautiful and nice smelling limes to Joua. I am not sure about the food in other cultures, but lime leaves and skin are used as herbs in many of the Southeast Asian delicious dishes. As the weather here in Virginia got better, Joua and I thought about planting some of the lime seeds. Joua learned how to germinate seeds from our son Muachee, who acquired the skill from his Kindergarten class. Joua and Muache wrapped the lime seeds in wet paper towels and placed them in zip lock bags, and then hung them by the window where there was a lot of sun light. The lime seeds germinated!
Yesterday morning, as Joua and I took the seeds and planted them in several pots. The above verse lighted up in my mind again. "...unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit."
Today's Gospel reading reminds me of the stories about the great mission of the French missionary priests in Laos in the 1950's and 60's. Many of them were killed or simply disappeared. I was overwhelmed, saddened thinking of their demises, but my heart is then filled with love and compassion. Life in Laos is uncertain even today, especially the life of Christians and priests when persecuted by the Communists.
Fr. Mario Borzaga, Pere Michel Coquelet, Pere Jean Wauthier, and Catechist Thao Xiong, were killed while taking the Gospel to the Hmongs and other highlanders in the mountains of Laos. Their bodies were never recovered. Their exceptional works, however, had touched the heart of thousands of Hmong Christians, the Khamu, and other highlanders in Laos, and strengthened our faith and relationship with God. Fr. Yves Bertrais, Dr. William Smalley, and Dr. Linwood Barney created the Hmong written language that is widely used by the Hmongs around the world today. The Hmongs call it their own language, like every nationality in this world embraces their own. These are just a few of the great servants of God who had left their brothers and sisters and parents at home, and took a journey and the Gospel to a foreign country facing the uncertainties that only God knew.
God calls each of us to be missionary, to become like the seeds that were broken open to bear fruits.
As Christians, we each have a challenging mission as we serve God in this world. There are times that our mission is not what we enjoy doing. We have to be the dying seed that bears fruit. God loves us so much that He gave his only son to die on the Cross for us.
Each Sunday when we share the Communion, the bread is broken, and we say the body of Christ is broken open. As Christians, we believe that the body of Christ is broken like the seed being broken open for us, and when we share the Communion, the seed of Christ actually take root and rise within us. A new world is coming to being, as we enter into God's expanding heart and mind.
Jesus is lifted up and glorified. This is an authentic spiritual path. In this spiritual path, one has to be broken open like the seed in order to grow and evolve. When we do this we allow the light of Christ to shine on our path.
Christians are called to follow and die for Jesus. Sometimes we may feel uncomfortable and uncertain. Nevertheless, as we reflect on our worship and personal discipleship to God during this Lenten season, we may see ourselves a people of hope.
Can we have a relationship with and trust in Almighty God, our Maker and loving Father? As we embrace the Holy Spirit, we are empowered to speak God's words. New life happens.
As we follow Jesus to the Cross through out our lives and through out this Lenten season, we may come to understand that passion of life is born, and as we die, the forging and loving God offers us new life that is found in Jesus Christ. We are the dying seed to bear fruit so that the world can bear fruits, the way to be glorified and discipleship of Christ. Amen.
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Tin Tức Sinh Hoạt
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- Hội Thánh cám ơn quý anh chị em đã tham dự vào ngày làm sạch sẽ Nhà Thờ vào thứ bảy vừa qua, ngày 24 tháng 3, 2012.
- Cám ơn quý tín hữu Nancy Briggs, Mỹ-Linh Tran, Toua Vang và Christopher Miller về các buổi thuyết trình về mục vụ trong Mùa Thống Hối.
- Nếu quý anh chị em chưa mang hộp tiền dâng cho quỹ UTO đến nhà thờ, xin mang đến trong Chúa Nhật tuần nầy. Xin cám ơn quý vị.
- Hội Thánh cám ơn quý vị đã tình nguyện mở cửa cho người homeless trú lạnh tại nhà thờ theo chương trình Hypothermia Shelter. Chương trình nầy sẽ chấm dứt tại Nhà Thờ Thánh Patrick vào thứ bảy tuần nầy.
- Vào ngày 13-15 tháng tư sẽ có trại cho các em học sinh trung học ở Shrine Mont. Để biết thêm chi tiết, xin liên lạc với Bobby Dubas, 703-207-0424.
- Anh Christopher Miller và một số tín hữu sẽ tổ chức một buổi sinh họat cho nhi đồng và thiếu niên, từ lớp 4 trở lên, vào chiều Chúa Nhật, 22 tháng 4. Rất có thể là họ sẽ đi xem baseball ở Hoa Thịnh Đốn. Sẽ thông báo thêm chi tiết về sinh hoạt nầy.
- Chúa Nhật tuần nầy, ngày 1 tháng 4, sẽ là Chúa Nhật Lễ Lá. Theo truyền thống Hội Thánh, Chúa Nhật Lễ Lá bắt đầu Tuần Thánh. Vào ngày Chúa Nhật, chúng ta sẽ bắt đầu lễ ở bên  ngoài nhà thờ. Chúng ta sẽ đọc truyện Chúa vào thành Giê Ru Sa Lem, chúc phước trên lá và phát lá cho tín hữu, sau đó mọi người hát và tiến vào thánh đường. Khi đã vào bên trong nhà thờ, chúng ta sẽ đọc trong Kinh Thánh truyện Chúa chịu khổ và chịu chết. Sẽ có tám tín hữu đọc truyện từ Phúc Âm Mác, và hội chúng sẽ dự phần hô: "Đóng đinh hắn." Người bị gán nhãn hiệu "Vua Dân Do Thái" lại chính là Vua của cả vu~ trụ. Oái oăm thay, vị Vua nầy không tự cứu được mình. Thật ra, Người chọn làm như thế.
Trong Lễ Tiệc Thánh, Mục Sư sẽ ngâm lời Dẫn Nhập cho Tuần Thánh như sau:
"Qua Đức Giêsu Kitô, Chúa chúng con. Vì tội chúng con Người đã bị treo trên cây thập tự, hầu lôi kéo cả thế gian đến với Người; và do khổ hình và sự chết, Người đã thành nguồn cứu rỗi cho ai tin cậy nơi Người. (Sách Lễ Anh Ngữ, trang 379).
Vua của muôn vua đã chọn trở thành bất lực. Người đã chịu chết để tội chúng ta được tha và linh hồn chúng ta được chữa lành.
Kính mời tất cả quý anh chị em đến dự lễ trong Tuần Thánh và Ngày Phục Sinh.
- Chương trình thờ phượng trong Tuần Thánh như sau:
Chúa Nhật, April 1: 10:30 AM (Palm Sunday service)
Thứ Năm, April 5: 7:30 PM (Maundy Thursday service)
Thứ Sáu, April 6: 12 Noon (Good Friday service)
1:00 PM (Stations of the Cross)
7:30 PM(Good Friday service)
- Car Trunk Sale, thứ bảy, 14 tháng 4, 2012 (ngày 21 tháng 4, nếu trời mưa), tại bãi đậu xe của nhà thờ. Giá một chỗ để bán hàng là $15.00.
- Dâng Hoa Phục Sinh. Vào Ngày Phục Sinh, nhà thờ sẽ được trang hoàng bằng hoa huệ và hoa mầu trắng. Nếu quý vị muốn dâng hoa để tưởng niệm người thân hoặc tạ ơn Chúa về những ơn phước Chúa ban, xin đóng 10 đồng cho Ban Tế Tự. Quý vị có thể gọi nhắn điện thoại hoặc viết email cho nhà thờ, cho biết tên mình, tên người mình nhớ đến hoặc tạ ơn Chúa về một điều gì. Số điện thoại của nhà thờ là 703-532-5656; địa chỉ email là stpats3241@gmail.com. Xin viết chi phiếu cho St. Patrick's Altar Guild, gởi về địa chỉ nhà thờ là 3241 Brush Drive, Falls Church, VA 22042. Trong tờ chương trình lễ sáng Chúa Nhật cu~ng có in mẫu để quý vị điền vào và bỏ vào trong dĩa tiền dâng hoặc trao cho văn phòng nhà thờ.
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