www.stjohnsportsmouth.org21 August 2015

Don't miss the Blessing of the Backpacks!
 

The Blessing of the Backpacks will be Sunday, August 30 @ the 9 and 11am worship services.  All students and teachers are invited to begin the school year with some divine inspiration!  Bring your neighbors and teacher co-workers!

Calling all Men, 8/25
 
Join Jeffrey Fremeau and other men from St. John's on Tuesday, August 25 from 6:30-8pm for pizza, beer, soda, and an evening of discussion about world view.  As we get older, questions about life can get tougher.  As a man, how do you see yourself in the world?  What is your purpose in this life?  We will also discuss future men's meetings and agendas. 
 
This can be the start of something great with your participation!  Contact Jeffrey Fremeau (757.641.2686) to say you will come or to get more information.

Calling all women, 8/30
 
If you have been attending St. John's and would like to become involved with the Women's Ministries of the parish (called Anglican Women Empowered or AWE), please join with us on Sunday, August 30 at 12:15 pm in Chisholm Hall.  This is a great opportunity to learn more about AWE's ministries, help with the planning, and be part of the activities.  We will also vote on the Missionary outreach projects to which we donate our time and resources.
 
After we enjoy a salad luncheon, we will discuss the plans for a Fall or Winter Luncheon with a guest speaker, the over-night March Retreat, plus the St. Fiacre Garden Party/Silent Auction and Flower Festival April 29 & 30, 2016.
 
Please sign up to attend on the list in Chisholm Hall, then bring a salad to share and enjoy this afternoon together!  Questions?  Contact Patti Devers.
 
Miscellany
 
Sunday Christian Formation will resume in October.  There will be no Adult Forum or Atria through September as we finish the renovations on the second floor and get ready for the start of fall.  The Creation Atrium will be open from 10:45-11:30am for children not yet potty trained.
 
St. John's needs folks willing to serve the Sacrament in worship and to the homebound.  Contact Fr. Derek to be part of a training starting very soon!

Your gift can help make history.  Won't you consider joining with those faithful parishioners, Vestry, and Endowment Committee who have pledged or contributed funds to bring the installation of our new organ to debt-free completion?  Please contact Fr. Derek or Senior Warden Margaret Perkins to make a cash gift or pledge (up to 36 months) to help with the extra costs incurred to install this incredible instrument in our historic worship space.
 
Your funeral plan is not on file.  Four parishioners of St. John's now have a funeral plan on file in the parish office.  Summer is a great time to spend some time reflecting on the music and scripture readings you would like used at your funeral.  Print this form, fill it out, and bring it to the parish office where we can make a copy for you and keep the original on file. 

Wednesday Eucharist is not just for summer!  This worship was especially created for those who were traveling during the weekend so that all could still receive Christ's Body and Blood as strength for the journey.  This 30-minute Eucharist begins at 6:30pm and includes hymns, a brief homily, and healing prayers. Miss on Sunday?  Come on Wednesday.

Have someone to honor, remember, or celebrate?  Flowers offered to the Glory of God
and for your special intention are needed on almost all Sunday mornings of the summer.  The sign-up sheet hangs on the bulletin board in Chisholm Hall closest to the London St. Parking Lot entrance.  The cost is $75 per Sunday (and can always be shared with someone else) and is due in the Parish Office two weeks before your requested Sunday.
 
St. John's eNews will resume weekly publication on 9/3.  Content deadline is the Tuesday before publication. 
 
Want a St. John's name badge?  Are you ready to look outward and be welcoming, greeting those you do not know before you greet your friends and offering hospitality to those you meet?  If your answer is "yes," then complete a name badge request form found in the worship space and Chisholm Hall.  These badges have a magnetic back. (which should be kept away from medical devices and credit/debit cards).
 
The Parishioner Corner of our Website has news you can use.  Here you can access the August 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. 
 
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; Michael, the Presiding Bishop-elect; for Holly, our bishop; Derek, our rector; Heidi, Russ, & Amanda, our missionaries; and our parish staff, wardens and vestry

For Justice and Peace  
Peace in the Middle East; healing of racial divides in this nation; for Barack, our president; Terry, our governor; Ken, our mayor; for the city of Portsmouth; for Clint Carlson, Erin Elliott, Carolyn Higgins,  Nate Kingsbury, George Lang, Will Oast, Christopher O'Meara, Jessi Staley, Kristina Starcruiser; Dariana Torres, Shaun Tuttle, 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: Donald Bowles; Taraleigh Casteen; Mary Colby; Pedro Colón; Bill Edwards; Ron Fritz; Al Gregg; Mavia Hudgins; Mick Kauffman; Dody Mason; Cody Miller; Bob McBride; Amy Nicholson; Arlene Peterson; Carol Phipps; Ann Barbour Schwab; Barbara Stearns; Al Taylor; Sue Taylor;  Peggy Tuthill; Ruth Waldo; Mike Wall; Sonny Wilkinson;  Joy Young.  

We ask God's Holy Spirit to surround, protect, and move to successful completion the renovation of the second floor Christian Formation rooms and the installation of the new organ.

Related to our Parish: Sanise (friend of Claudia Tomlin); Joe (friend of Franklin Marzullo & Walter Short); Judy (mother of Crystal Gower); Tim (son-in-law of the Van Arsdale family); Marcus (husband of Kim Hyde); Delores (grandmother of Eri Brown); Sareana (friend of Barrie Harper); Francis (friend of Deb Soyk); Kenzie (friend of Erin Burke); "Mac" (friend of Raquel Pulido); Patients at the Naval Hospital & EDMARC hospice for children

Thanksgivings  
Matthew & Juliann Krogh, Stephen & Kat Taylor, and Matthew & Krissie Wiggins who are each expecting a child.  

Departed
Norma Barclay

Stewardship of God's Resources
Week of 8/09
Ministry/Worship Attendance: Sunday 8am (10), 9am (50), 11am (71); 
Wednesday 6:30pm (9)
Worship Offering:  $5,245
 
Week of 8/16
Ministry/Worship Attendance: Sunday 8am (19), 9am (66), 11am (116); 
Wednesday 6:30pm (17)
Worship Offering:  $6,205
 
Income needed for ministry expenses each week: $6,977

Upcoming Sundays in Worship
 
13th Sunday after Pentecost, 8/23: 1 Kings 8:22-30, 41-43 & John 6:56-69
Altar and chapel flowers are given to the glory of God in loving memory of Vivian Hillman and in thanksgiving for the tenth wedding anniversary of Megan and Shawn Timm.
 
14th Sunday after Pentecost, 8/30: Song of Solomon 2:8-13 & Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23  
No flower memorial has yet been given for this Sunday.

Herman Hollerith, IV, bishop 

J. Derek Harbin, rector

Keith Byers, bookkeeper

Taraleigh Casteen, bandleader

Bob Gilman, assisting priest

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

Claudia Tomlin, organist emerita

Justin Young, 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

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