9 October 2014

Charles Edward Beard

Your prayers are requested for a new St. John's member--retired Marine Charles Beard--who died on October 1st of a rare form of cancer in the Hampton Veterans Administration's Pallative Care Facility. Fr. Derek and Clifford were honored to visit and pray with Charles and the entire extended Beard family over the last month, and Fr. Derek administered Last Rites to Charles the day before his entrance into eternity.

Terri (Charles' widow) grew up in Olde Towne in the blue house beside our Memorial Garden. Charles' obituary can be found here. His Requiem Eucharist will be held at St. John's Church this Saturday, October 11 at 11am. All are encouraged to come support this brother in Christ and his family. We hope to see you on Saturday morning!

The family has requested that parish veterans and active military personnel serve as honorary pall bearers. If you can assist in this capacity, please contact Fr. Derek as soon as possible.

O God, whose mercies cannot be numbered:

accept our prayers on behalf of your servant Charles,

and grant him an entrance into the land of light and joy,

in the fellowship of your saints; through Jesus Christ our Lord,

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Pilgrims in Christ begins 10/16

Pilgrims in Christ, Journey #5 will begin in mid-October. Interested in strengthening your spiritual journey? Want to learn more about God and the History of Salvation? Always wondered what "xyz" means? Need to update your credentials to serve at St. John's (Diocesan Council, Vestry, Lay Eucharistic Minister, Lay Eucharistic Visitor, etc.)? Enjoy meeting new people? Want to learn more about how we worship in the Episcopal Church? Just want a great free meal and fellowship on Thursday evenings? Then Pilgrims in Christ is the process for you to experience.

Begin praying for those God is bringing to this process. Click here for easy, online registration!

an All Saints Day Women's Retreat

Calling all women! You are cordially invited to the All Saints Day Women's Retreat on November 1st sponsored by AWE Women's Ministries of St. John's Church. Invite your friends and neighbors to join you for this special day. The retreat runs from 9am to 3pm, includes a delicious lunch, and costs only $20/person. Register online today!

Need help registering online? Not a problem! Folks will be present this Sunday at 10am and Noon in Chisholm Hall to help you with this process. Nothing could be easier!

Carry a Banner for the Departed, 11/2

During worship on All Saints Sunday (November 2), we will remember those who have died and gone to God's heavenly feast since last year's All Saints celebration. Thanks to the talents of Mary Colby, worshippers at St. John's historically join the procession while carrying banners bearing the names of departed loved ones, reminding us that they are indeed "Christ's Own Forever."

If you have had a relative die since last November, please contact the Parish Office by Sunday, October 26 so that you can learn how to prepare your loved one's banner for this special day.

Bring Pictures of your saints past on 11/2

Scripture tells us that we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses who have gone before us. Bring the photographs of the past saints who have made a difference in your life (framed or unframed) and help us surround our worship space the earthly images of those who are now in the presence of Jesus.

St. John's Community Oyster Roast, 11/15

Celebrate fall as St. John's hosts an Oyster Roast for our wider community on Saturday, November 15 beginning at 2pm. Oysters, Brunswick Stew, Hot Dogs, Beer, and more! Live music will be provided by the Olde James River Jazz Band. $25 for adults (12+), $5 for children (ages 6-11), and young children (ages 5 and under) are free. Purchase your tickets online today!

Miscellany

Christian Formation Fall Break is Sunday, 10/12. There will be no 10am Christian Formation that day for adults or children. All Christian Formation will resume on 10/19.

The Parish Office will be closed on Monday for the national Columbus Day holiday.

Take a Pilgrimage to Scotland and England. Pilgrimage is truly praying with your eyes open. Spirits are renewed, friendships are formed, and lives can be changed forever. Just ask those who participated in the transformative Advent 2012 Holy Land pilgrimage sponsored by our parish! St. John's Church is pleased to announce that our next pilgrimage opportunity will be September 12-25, 2015 as we explore the spread of Christianity from its roots in the Holy Land to England and Scotland. In Exploring our Anglican Spirituality, pilgrims will walk in the footsteps of many early Celtic and Catholic saints who were central to forming the unique Anglican heritage we cherish in the Episcopal Church today. Though sponsored by St. John's Church, this pilgrimage is open to anyone who desires to journey with us. The pilgrimage is limited to a total group size of 30. Brochures are available in Chisholm Hall or via this link. Is God calling you to be a part?

Join a small group. Small groups at St. John's are called "Scott's Creek," in honor of the first such group that met in a home on the banks of Portsmouth's Scott's Creek. Small groups are a great way to deepen your faith, build friendships, and become more connected to the St. John's community. What began as one group has now multiplied to three! Scott's Creek Small Groups continue to multiply and we invite you to become a part. You are invited to become a part of Scott's Creek Group 3. The group meets Sundays at 5:30pm (October 12 & 26; November 9 & 23). Email Dick Devers or call him (757.630.6884) to get connected!

Content deadline for St. John's eNews is Tuesday before publication.

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.

For the Church

Justin, Archbishop of Canterbury; Katherine, the Presiding Bishop; Holly, our bishop who is away on sabbatical; David, our visiting bishop; Derek, our priest; Heidi & Russ, our missionaries in Chile; our parish staff, wardens and vestry

For Justice and Peace

For Peace in the Middle East & Ukraine; for Barack, our president; Terry, our governor, Ken, our mayor; for the city of Portsmouth; for Mac Baechtold; Erin Elliott; Trevor Jackson; Nate Kingsbury; George Lang; Nicholas Reyes; Dariana Torres; Bill Wolter who are serving our country overseas or away from home; for Joe, Stephanie, Claire and Kitty Ryder as they prepare to deploy to Goose Creek, SC (this Sunday is their last at St. John's); 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: Bobby Barclay; Sophie Belouet; Donald Bowles; Kevin Carrigan; Mary Colby; Jake Devers; Bill Edwards; Darryl Foytik; Ron Fritz; Vivian Hillman; Mavia Hudgins; Dody Johnson; Dody Mason; Bob McBride; Cody Miller; Arlene Peterson; Carol Phipps; Alice Robbins; Betty Jo Ross; Sue Taylor; Jennie Todd; Dave Walker; Sonny Wilkinson; Andre Williams; Willy Wolter; Mark Woodland; Joy Young

Related to our Parish: Kaleb (grandson of Lena & Larry Simmons); The Downes Family (daughter of Jeff & Doreen Sheler); Joseph (friend of Franklin Marzullo); Kathy (friend of Andy Graham); Betty (mother of Linda Mathews); Hope (premature granddaughter of Dave Jacobsen [Mardi Gras & Oyster Roast band leader]); Skip (brother of Anne Davis); Lowry (friend of Anne Davis); Wally (boyfriend of Heather Gonzalez); David (nephew of Heather Gonzalez); Linda (aunt of Al Gregg); Patients at the Naval Hospital & EDMARC hospice for children.

Thanksgivings

For our Catechists and all who lead Christian Formation in this parish

Departed

Charles Beard

Stewardship of God's Resources for the week of 10/5

Ministry/Worship Attendance: Sunday 8am (11), 9am (52), 11am (60); Wednesday (10)

Worship Offering: $8,278

Income needed for ministry expenses each week: $6,678

This Sunday in Worship

The Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost, 10/12: Isaiah 25:1-9 & Matthew 22:1-14

Want to give the gift of altar flowers? Sign up in Chisholm Hall.

The Rt. Rev'd Herman Hollerith, IV, bishop

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

Rick Bishop, kitchen manager

Keith Byers, bookkeeper

Philip Goodrich, sexton

Ellison Gregg, staff photographer & twitter

Clifford King Harbin, associate to the rector

Linda Mathews, receptionist & coordinator of office volunteers

Rebecca Mina, creation atrium coordinator

Sr. Heather Rollins, technology & facebook

Scott Rollins, organist and choir director

Position open, 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

Monday Contemplative Prayer, 6:30pm

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

Our office hours are 10:00am - 1:00pm M-F. We look forward to seeing you!

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