www.stjohnsportsmouth.org1 October 2015
James Chisholm, Ministry Fair & 
Atria Open House this Sunday

This Sunday (at 8, 9, & 11am) St. John's Church will host the annual observance of James Chisholm, our first rector (1850-1855) and parish saint.  Chisholm was added on the Episcopal Church's calendar of saints for giving his life in service of others during the 1855 Yellow Fever Epidemic in Portsmouth (& Norfolk).  This year's observances in worship will be special as they mark the bicentennial of Chisholm's birth and the centennial of the construction of Chisholm Hall.
 
At 10am on Sunday we invite you to visit Chisholm Hall.  Here you will be able to see the Good Shepherd Atrium (for children ages 3-6), temporarily located here until construction on the second floor is complete.  The Creation Atrium (newborns to toilet trained) and the True Vine Atrium (readers - age 9) will also be open for you to visit during this time.  Please also visit the Ministry Fair which will highlight many of the ministry, small group, and educational opportunities available in our parish.  

The annual review of the Parish Directory will also be available; stop by and initial that your information is current!  (If you are not present at the Ministry Fair, please contact the Parish Office if you have a change in address, phone number or email address).  Come this Sunday and see how God might be calling you to grow yourself and this parish during the upcoming academic year!  

Financial Peace University begins 10/5
 
Change your money.  Change your life. 
 
We all need a plan for our money.  Financial Peace University (FPU) is that plan!  It teaches God's ways of handling our finances.  Through video teaching, class discussions and interactive small group activities, FPU presents biblical, practical steps to get from where you are to where you've dreamed you could be.  This plan will show you how to get rid of debt, manage your money, spend and save wisely, and much more!
 
St. John's own Jason Lowe, who is a trained FPU group leader, will lead this first FPU class at our parish.  The first session will meet on Monday, October 5 from 6:30-8pm in Chisholm Hall.  Classes will meet weekly through November 30.  You can see what will be covered each week here and can get more information here.
 
Cost for the class is $93 for a couple or individual and is open to anyone in the wider Hampton Roads community.  Sign up in advance for the class using this link.  

Sunday Christian Formation Resumes 10/11
 
Sunday Christian Formation for adults and children will resume on Sunday, 10/11.  Don't miss the Atria Open Houses on Sunday, 10/4 to see the amazing Christian Formation Process we use here at St. John's! 
Discovering the Bible begins 10/14
 
Fr. Derek will once again offer this 26-week introduction to the central text of our faith on Wednesday evenings at 7pm beginning October 14.  This is a great exploration for those who have no prior study of the Bible and also for those who have taken some Bible classes in the past.  The Kerygma curriculum helps participants get familiar with the whole story of the Bible from cover to cover.  We'll look at the different books in chronological order, learning about the origins and themes, stories and characters to help us navigate our own faith in light of the Word.  The minimum class size is five adults (ages 16+).  The $30 fee covers the cost of your participant book.   Contact Fr. Derek to register.

Pilgrims in Christ begins 10/22
 
Pilgrims in Christ is a seven-month process that prepares adults (16 and older) to deepen their faith through baptism, confirmation, or reaffirmation of their baptismal vows.  Every meeting begins with a small evening prayer service, followed by a short teaching, a free hot meal prepared by Pilgrims alumni, in-depth teaching and conversation about Christianity, and small-group Bible study.  In the words of a past participant, "Pilgrims in Christ is amazing because it's learning and relearning aspects of our faith and church, but it is also an opportunity to forge bonds and friendships within the parish and community."
 
Pilgrims in Christ (Journey #6) begins Thursday, October 22 at 5:30pm.  Sign up cards will be in Chisholm Hall.  Contact Clifford King Harbin if you have any questions!

Miscellany
 
Fall is the time for visitors to worship.  Traditionally, the fall months are when St. John's has the largest number of visitors in worship seeking a new faith community.  Please be especially aware and greet those you do not recognize both during worship and in Chisholm Hall before you greet your friends!
 
Prayer List Reset this week.  One of the challenges of maintaining prayer lists is that names can unnecessarily remain on them longer than needed.  Each quarter we "reset" our prayer list by removing all names and requesting parishioners to submit names to repopulate the list.  Please use this link if you would like a name added to the new list we will use from October - December.
 
Pilgrims in Christ Meal Sign-up is now posted in Chisholm Hall.  Please consider providing a simple soup and bread meal for those strengthening their spiritual journey with Christ.  This can be part of your pledge to "support these persons in their life in Christ" as we vowed in our baptismal liturgy.  Team up with a friend, submit your receipts, if necessary, contact Bob McBride, this year's Meal Coordinator if you have any questions.
 
Calling all men.  You are invited!  The men will gather again on Tuesday, 10/6 @ 6:30pm in Chisholm Hall.  The first two gatherings of this new group have been energizing.  We hope you can join us!
 
The Magnificent Obsession is the title of the 10am Thursday morning women's Bible study that begins this week.  With video messages by Anne Graham Lotz, this study explores the life of Abraham as a model for embracing a God-filled life.   Dates for the study will be 9/3, 9/17, 10/1, 10/15, 11/5, 11/19, & 12/5.  For more information contact Patti Devers.   

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.  Multiple groups with diverse interests and age groupings are available and we invite you to be a part!  Email the Parish Office to get connected!
 
Jeremy Filsell, internationally acclaimed organist and artist-in-residence at Washington National Cathedral, will be giving the opening concert on our amazing new instrument at St. John's Church on Friday, November 20 at 7pm.  The organ will be blessed during worship on the Feast of St. John (Sunday, December 27).

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.
 
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 September 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

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, Tony Knight; 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: Barbara Bowles; Donald Bowles; Mary Colby; Bill Edwards; Ron Fritz; Al Gregg; Adelaide Harper; Mavia Hudgins; Dody Mason; Cody Miller; Arlene Peterson; Carol Phipps; Anne Barbour Schwab; Barbara Stearns; Al Taylor; Sue Taylor;  Peggy Tuthill; Ruth Waldo; Dave Walker; Lauren Weaver; 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: Scott (Franklin Marzullo's son); Maddie (friend of Doreen Sheler); Patsy (friend of Andrea Graham); Trevor (husband of Kim Hyde); Patients at the Naval Hospital & EDMARC hospice for children
                                                        
Thanksgivings
For Matthew & Krissie Wiggins who are expecting a child and for the birth of Stirling Barnidge Virginius, son of Matthew & Juliann Krogh; for the safe return of Sanise (friend of Claudia Tomlin)
Stewardship of God's Resources for the week of 9/27  

Ministry/Worship Attendance: Sunday 8am (14), 9am (54), 11am (93); 
Wednesday 6:30pm (10)

Worship Offering:  $11,187
 
Income needed for ministry expenses each week: $6,977

This Sunday in Worship
 
Feast of James Chisholm (transferred), 10/4: Sirach 38:9-17 & Matthew 24:1-8
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
 Classic 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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