www.stjohnsportsmouth.org26 March 2015
Community Palm Sunday Celebration is Sunday

A tradition for many decades, Christians from all over Portsmouth will meet in the courtyard of the historic Norfolk County Courthouse (Court and High Streets in Olde Towne Portsmouth) to celebrate Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem.  This year's celebration begins at 10:30am.  Meet us there or depart with a group leaving Chisholm Hall at 10:15am.  See you Sunday!

 
Will you be present for the Three Holy Days?  

  

Maundy Thursday...April 2nd @ 6:30pm: "Maundy" is an English derivative of the Latin word mandatum (commandment), referring to Jesus' words on this night recorded in John 13:34:  I give you a new commandment, that you love one another.  As young and old sit in our Chisholm Hall "Upper Room," we reflect on this commandment of Jesus while we taste 1st century-era food, follow his servant example by washing one another's feet and then move to the nave of the church to share in the Eucharist, the sacred meal our Lord instituted on this holy night. 

Want to help with this event?  Contact Della Stearns.

 

Following the Eucharist, we strip the altar and all decorations from the worship space.  The altar is cleaned with a mixture of vinegar and water, reminding us of the gall given to Jesus as he hung on the cross.   In our tradition, the altar is the place where Christ makes his presence available to us each week through his Body and Blood.  By stripping it bare, we remember the eventual abandonment of Jesus by his disciples.

 

Opportunity is then given to follow Jesus to the Garden of Gethsemane where he asked his disciples, "Can you not watch with me for one hour?"  From 9pm on Thursday until 11am the next morning, the Blessed Sacrament will be present in our Memorial Garden, providing an opportunity to pray with Jesus during this time of waiting and trial before his crucifixion.  A security guard will be on duty until daylight.  Those who don't drive at night are encouraged to watch during daylight hours on Friday morning.

 

Sign up in Chisholm Hall for both these opportunities to aid in our preparations.   

 

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Good Friday...April 3rd @ 12 noon & 6:30pm: The Good Friday Celebration is the second part of the Liturgy for the Holy Triduum.  Using scripture, ancient prayers and song, we walk the journey with Jesus to the cross.  A large wooden cross is brought into the worship space with opportunity for any or all to come forward to touch and experience the awesome love of our God through a sacrifice that truly makes this day "good."  Finally, the Blessed Sacrament is brought into the worship space from the Watch, and Jesus' Body and Blood is offered as strength for our journey to Easter.  The worship space will remain open for silent prayer following the noon liturgy until 3pm. 

 

Good Friday is a fast day; those who are physically able are encouraged to abstain from food.  (Remember that children and those with other physical needs can observe a medically-appropriate modified fast.)

 

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Holy Saturday morning, April 4th @ 9:30am:  On Saturday morning, a brief liturgy helps us observe how Jesus' body lay dead in the tomb.  How empty our world would be without the presence of the risen Jesus!  During this service, our catechumen Amy Boswell, who is preparing for baptism, will recite the Apostles' Creed in anticipation of her evening baptism.  Following worship, those who would like to help for about two hours to prepare our worship space and parish hall for our Easter celebrations are invited to participate.  There are many jobs that don't involve flowers, too!

 
The Great Vigil of Easter, April 4th @ 7:31pm: According to the Gospel accounts, the resurrection of Jesus occurred "on the third day" (which begins at sunset on Saturday night).  At sunset (after 7:31pm) parishioners from Trinity Church will join St. John's as we begin the third part of the Liturgy of the Holy Triduum with the Great Vigil and First Eucharist of Easter, the most ancient feast of Christianity that celebrates with all our senses the central truth of the Christian faith: that Jesus Christ is risen from the dead.  Bring a bell or noisemaker to use as we proclaim the Lord's resurrection.  We begin outside with the lighting of the new fire of Easter and process by candlelight into the worship space.  We hear the story of God's salvation, baptize a new sister in Christ, renew our baptismal vows and feast on the risen Jesus' Body and Blood. 

 

For those who love a great party, the festive reception that follows is a not-to-miss opportunity!  St. John's will supply champagne and non-alcoholic punch, beef tenderloin, shrimp and wedding cake (celebrating that we, the church, are the bride of Christ).

 

Here's where the wonderful cooks of St. John's and Trinity come in:  bring your favorite, elegant hors d'oeuvres (appetizers) on a special, beautiful plate or tray to share on this night to complete our feast!


 Want to help with this reception?  Contact Doreen Sheler.  We especially need food "receivers" from 6:30-7:30pm at the parking lot entrance.  The only entrance to the church for evening worship will be at the corner of London and Washington Streets.  

 

Please sign up in Chisholm Hall and let us know what you will be bringing! If you have any questions about the logistics of this request, please contact the Parish Office. 

 

Miscellany

 

Altar Guild Polishing Party is Saturday, March 28 @ 9:30am.  Calling all Altar Guild members!  Come help polish silver and brass for our Easter celebrations.

 

Christian Formation for all ages is on Spring break for Palm Sunday (3/29), Easter Sunday (4/5), and the Second Sunday of Easter (4/12).  Christian Formation for children will resume on the Third Sunday of Easter (4/19).  Adult Forum will resume on the Fourth Sunday of Easter (4/26).

 

Easter Vigil and Easter Day Flowers: St. John's is accepting donations for flowers to decorate our worship space for Eastertide.  These flowers may be given in memory of or in thanksgiving for a loved one or a special event.  Forms are available in our worship space.  Please either mail your donation and form to the Parish Office or place both in a sealed envelope in the offering plate.  Please be sure to note "Easter flowers" on the check memo line.  Your gift will be reflected on your contribution statement for the year.

 

Stuff those Easter Eggs!  St. John's will once again host a community Egg hunt for children in Westminster Park across from the church on Easter Sunday morning at 10:15am.  We have plenty of plastic eggs that can be picked up from the church this Sunday.  Small toys, coins, and individually wrapped candies make excellent stuffers.  Please do not use chocolate candy as the day may be warm and chocolate will melt.  Eggs should be given to Renee Robbins or Elsie Fagan on Sunday mornings or left in Chisholm Hall.

 

Our oldest member, Vivian Hillman, will turn 100 years old on Wednesday, April 15.  Her caretakers, the Rick Bishop family, believe she is too frail to attend the traditional birthday luncheon offered by St. John's Parish (when one turns 90, 95, or 100).  Instead, we would like to swamp her with cards!  Please pick up a slip with her address at any of the next worship opportunities between now and 4/12.


The Thursday morning Ladies Bible Study will begin a new study on April 16.  Do you feel trapped in our culture of excess?  Explore The  7 Experiment  by Jen Haymaker as we learn together how to rid yourselves of excess clothes, spending, waste, stress, media, possessions, and food.  Study includes DVD teaching by Jen Haymaker plus a study guide.  If you would like to participate in this experiment, please e-mail Patti Devers to order your study guide.

 

The Prayer list will be "reset" as of 3/31.  Please contact the Parish Office to have your prayer request renewed for the second quarter.

 

The Sacrament of Reconciliation is available by appointment.  Contact Fr. Derek if you would like to participate in this sacrament.

 

CASA Volunteers Needed.  If you have a passion for children and time to devote to those lost in the welfare system, please call Melvina Snead at 757.397.2799 (extension 2).  The next Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) training class begins on April 14.

 

Parish Office volunteers needed: St. John's is in need of volunteer assistance to answer the phones and door from 10am-1pm on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday.  If you have a day to spare each week and are willing to assist, please contact Fr. Derek.

 

The Parishioner Corner of our Website has news you can use.  Here you can access the March 2015 Parish Directory, parish handbook, worship ministry schedules, and read approved minutes of vestry discussions and actions as well parish financial reports.  Need or don't remember the password?  Contact the parish office.


 
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; Derek, our priest; Heidi, Russ, & Amanda, our missionaries; Amy, our catechumen for baptism at the Easter Vigil and Colleen, her sponsor; and our parish staff, wardens and vestry

 

For Justice and Peace  

Peace in the Middle East and healing of racial divides in this nation; for those African nations suffering with Ebola;for Barack, our president; Terry, our governor; Ken, our mayor; for the city of Portsmouth; for Erin Elliott; Carolyn Higgins; Marcus Hyde; Trevor Jackson; Nate Kingsbury; George Lang; Tom Oast; Will Oast; Nicholas Reyes; Dariana Torres; 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: Jenanne Alexander; Bobby Barclay; Sophie Belouet; Donald Bowles; Kevin Carrigan; Mary Colby; Pete Colon; Bill Edwards; Dana Ellis; Ron Fritz; Vivian Hillman; Mavia Hudgins; Dody Johnson; Linda Kauffman; Mick Kauffman; Franklin Marzullo; Dody Mason; Bob McBride; Frank Orgain; Arlene Peterson; Carol Phipps; Betty Jo Ross; Martha Rush; Mark Stearns; Al Taylor; Sue Taylor; Ruth Waldo; Dave Walker; Sonny Wilkinson; Andre Williams

 

Related to our Parish: Janet (friend of Cassie McBride); Charlie (friend of Margaret Perkins & the McBrides); Denita (daughter of Larry & Lena Simmons); Andrew (nephew of Della Stearns); Debra (niece of Martha Rush); Anne & Kathy (friends of Andy Graham); Mary & James (friends of Nancy & Scott Johnson); Pam (co-worker of Alice Taylor-Smith); Leah Ann (cousin of Emily Schultz); Jack (friend of Alice Taylor-Smith); Scott (father of Brianna Nicholson); Shawna (a student in our area); Eliza (niece of Millie Wilkerson); Richael (website request); David & Deb (friends of Amy Rose); Benjamin (father of Lena Simmons); Isabelle & Jackson (grandchildren of Nancy Greskowiak); Linda (aunt of Al Gregg); Patients at the Naval Hospital & EDMARC hospice for children

Thanksgivings  

For Julie & Justin Young and Daniel & Natalie (Wiley) Rowland who are each expecting a child

 

Departed

For the 150 souls who died in the crash of Germanwings Flight 9525 in France.

 

Stewardship of God's Resources for the week of 3/22
 

Ministry/Worship attendance: Sunday 8am(11), 9am (59), 11am (77), Wednesday Feast of the Annunciation 6:30pm (60)

Worship Offering: $4,625

Income needed for ministry expenses each week: $6,977 

 

This Sunday in Worship
 

Passion/Palm Sunday, 3/29: Philippians 2:5-11 & Mark 15:1-39

 

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

The Rev'd Dr. J. Derek Harbin, rector

Keith Byers, bookkeeper

Taraleigh Casteen, bandleader

Philip Goodrich, sexton

Ellison Gregg, staff photographer 

Clifford King Harbin, associate to the rector

Rebecca Mina, creation atrium coordinator

Heather Rollins, technology 

Christopher Rusk, organist/choirmaster

Justin Young, publications

Claudia Tomlin, organist emerita

 

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

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