www.stjohnsportsmouth.org5 December 2013
 
Presiding Bishop's Advent Message 
  

Advent is a time of waiting and for many people it's a time to reflect on what Mary must have experienced as she waited for the birth of this unusual child. 

 

You may never have been pregnant or lived with someone who was, but put yourself in her place for a while.  Consider what it would have been like to have a new life growing within you.  And reflect on what new is growing within you this season of Advent. 

 

What new concern is growing for the people around you? What new burden is on your heart for the woes of the world?  What new possibility do you see emerging in the world around you, and how might you be part of that? 

 

Advent is a quieter time of the year in the Church's understanding. It's a time to be still and listen, listen deep within to what is growing, ready to emerge into new life. 

 

And as the season for the birth of the Christ Child arrives, I would encourage you to consider how you yourself will be present in the world in a new way this year.  How will you give evidence of love incarnate to the world around you? 

 

I pray that you have a blessed and joyful and peace-filled Advent.  God be with you. 

 

+Katharine Jefferts Schori 

 

Advent Pilgrimage

 

Feeling rushed and stressed getting ready for Christmas?  Take a 30-minute time out on Wednesday 12/11 & 18 from 7-7:30pm and give the Spirit a chance to prepare your heart for the coming of Jesus once again.    Visual reflections will be offered by parishioners who made an Advent pilgrimage to the Holy Land in 2012. 

 

Giving to Christ at Christmas

Christmas will be here in three weeks.  As we prepare for the upcoming Christmas season, our parish is offering each of us the opportunity to do the single-most important act of the holidays: give a gift to Jesus Christ.  Giving to Christ at Christmas is based on a simple idea.  It's Jesus' birthday.  That's why we give gifts to each other.  Let's have our gift giving begin with a gift to him.

 

Each year we invite followers of Jesus associated with St. John's Church to give the most generous, one-time cash gift we can-above and beyond our normal giving, as we would any Christmas gift-to fund the twin heartbeats of our Lord: evangelistic witness and relief of human suffering, locally, nationally and internationally.  This year, at our Annual Parish Meeting, we have chosen to direct our gifts to the Westmoreland Children and Youth Association of Portsmouth.

 

Founded in 2009 by Tyrone and Pat Hines, Westmoreland Children and Youth Association works with the most at-risk children in Portsmouth to keep them out of gangs.  Their goal is to promote an understanding of basic values, team work, community service, and character development through mentoring and involvement in a wide variety of sports and cheering.  They have no paid staff and work closely with Zion Baptist Church who provides adult mentors and coaches. 

 

So what's involved?  It's simple.  On December 24, bring your offering marked Giving to Christ at Christmas to services on Christmas Eve and give it as part of our parish Christmas festivities.  If you can't be with us that night, simply place your gift in the offering basket at any Christmas worship event through Epiphany (January 6) or mail it to the Parish Office.  Please note on the memo line: Giving to Christ at Christmas. 

 

Each dollar we give this year will be matched, doubling our gift in Jesus' name.  This Christmas we have the opportunity to forever change the lives of children in our own community.  Our prayer is that this gift will truly honor the One whose birthday we shall soon celebrate.

 

Miscellany

  

Christian Formation for all ages continues this Sunday.

 

Three flower arrangements need to be delivered to the homebound this week.  If you can help, please contact Fr. Derek.

 

Congratulations to the Greater Hampton Roads area for winning the 2013 Turkey Trot at St. John's. Our congregation was able to supply 40 Thanksgiving Baskets to those in need in our community (this is an increase from 30 baskets in 2012!)  Special thanks go to Franklin Marzullo and Walter Short who shopped around for the best turkey prices in Hampton Roads, purchased the turkeys and pies, and delivered everything to Oasis.

 

Congratulations to our newest vestry members: Dick Devers, Allison Foytik, and Debbie Jones who were elected by unanimous consent to a three-year term on the Vestry at our Annual Parish Meeting on November 17.  

 

The Epiphany Pageant is coming!  Sign up this Sunday or email to be in the cast. Please note if you would like a speaking role.  Adults and Children are encouraged to participate. The Pageant will be presented on Monday night, January 6 at 6:30pm.

 

Cookies for the Vintage Homes of Olde Towne Holiday Tour may be brought to the church on Thursday, December 5 from 10 to 3:30pm; Friday, December 6 from 10-1pm; or Saturday morning, December 7 from 11:30am.  The reception will be from 1 to 7pm.  The Vintage Home tour features five homes, including the Harbin's home on Court Street in Olde Towne Portsmouth, as well as our spiritual home at St. John's Episcopal Church.  Tickets may be purchased at any tour location.

 

St. John's new cookbook, Feast on Favorites, is available for purchase each Sunday
in Chisholm Hall during the Sunday hospitality times after worship. 

 

Mark your calendar for the annual Flute and Harp Concert at St. John's at 5pm on Saturday, December 14.

 

The Perfect Christmas Gift for the AWEsome lady in your life!  Surprise her with a St. John's Women's Retreat registration at the beautiful Hilton Ocean Front Virginia Beach on February 21 & 22.  Our guest speaker is Tracy Miles from Proverbs 31 Ministries.  Purchase your gift after worship in Chisholm Hall or online.  Your AWEsome lady will appreciate your thoughtfulness!

 

Sign up to prepare a meal for this year's Pilgrims in Christ group using the sheet posted in the Parish Hall.  Use your gifts of hospitality while you fulfill your baptismal promise to "do all in your power to support these persons in their life in Christ." 

 

Contribute by PayPal.  Our website now offers a PayPal option to receive contributions.  Click here or at the bottom of our website homepage.  

 

The Parishioner Corner of our Website has news you can use.  Here you can access the latest parish directory, parish handbook, access worship ministry schedules, and read approved minutes of vestry discussions and actions as well parish financial reports.  Need or don't remember the password?  Click here.  

 
Parish Calendar

Click here to access our Parish Calendar


In our Prayers this Week

If you would like to add a name to the prayer list, please contact the prayer chain.

 

Prayers for the Church

Justin, Archbishop of Canterbury; Katherine, the Presiding Bishop; Holly, our bishop

Derek, our priest; our parish staff, wardens and vestry

 

For Justice and Peace  

For Barack, our president, Bob, our governor; Ken, our mayor; Erin Elliott-Carrico; Roberto Gonzalez; Nate Kingsbury; Will Oast; Dariana Torres and Bill Wolter who are serving our country overseas or away from home; for the Coast Guard Personnel on watch and on patrol from Coast Guard Base Portsmouth

 

For those in any Need or Trouble  

In our Parish: George Booth; Donald Bowles; Bill Edwards; Mavia Hudgins; Linda Mathews;  Arlene Peterson; Carol Phipps; Alice Robbins; Paul Sarandria; Jennie Todd; Lauren Weaver; Andre Williams

Related to our Parish: Michael (sister of Sherry Clem); Walter (cousin of Dody Mason); Sally (mother of Fr. Derek); Tom (brother-in-law of Lindsey Hicks Thornton); Dylan (friend of Miles Harbin); Carolyn & Kevin (sister and brother-in-law of Brenda Wolter); Barbara (mother of Dody Johnson); Andy (father of Ray Symmes); Mary (friend of Alice Taylor-Smith); James (father of Bonnie Scott); Patients of the Naval Hospital & EDMARC hospice for children. 

 

Thanksgivings  

For those expecting a child: John & Katie Goodwin, Joe & Stephanie Ryder


Departed

Glenn (father of Chris Austin & grandfather of Hannah & Shelby Austin)


Stewardship of God's Resources for the week of 12/01:
 
Worship Attendance: Sunday 8am (11), 9am (45), 11am (68); Fr. Derek's 25th Ordination Anniversary reception (76); Wednesday 6:30pm (18)
Worship Offering: $2,384 (11/24); $12,569 (12/01)
Income needed for ministry expense each week: $5,874
 

Pledges of active parishioners in arrears as of November 30: ($26,982)


Sunday, December 29 is the last day to receive a contribution for 2013.  For those who mail their contributions through their bank, please advise them to mail early.  Any monies received after that date will be posted to 2014.


 
The Rev'd Dr. J. Derek Harbin, rector

Rick Bishop, kirchen manager
Keith Byers, bookkeeper
Philip Goodrich, sexton
Ellison Gregg, staff photographer & twitter
Clifford King Harbin, associate to the rector
Rebecca Mina, creation atrium coordinator
Sr. Heather Rollins, technology & facebook  
Scott Rollins, organist and choir director
Stephanie Ryder, publications

Welcome to our Sunday Worship Services
 Contemplative Eucharist, Rite I at 8:00am
 Contemporary Eucharist at 9:00am
 Traditional Eucharist, Rite II at 11:00am

Wednesday Healing Eucharist, 6:30pm

Holy Days as Announced

You'll find us at 424 Washington Street, Portsmouth, VA 23704 or by phone at 757-399-4967

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