www.stjohnsportsmouth.org15 October 2015
Want to help flood victims?

In the midst of overwhelming destruction, it is sometimes hard to determine how to help.  St. John's Church has a connection to an Episcopal priest serving in Columbia, South Carolina.  All donations for flood relief collected here will be sent directly to her discretionary fund where the need is great.  If you would like to assist, please write your check to St. John's Church and note "flood relief."  Thanks so much in advance for your generosity!

Spaghetti Supper, 10/24, 5-7pm
 
Our own Hannah A. with her friend, Elizabeth H., are working on their Gold Award for Girl Scouts.  They are raising money to assist with kitchen renovations for Ida Barbour Early Learning Center.  All proceeds from the Spaghetti Dinner will be earmarked for their project.  Let's help the girls reach their goal!
 
Adults and children over 12 - $10.00
Children 4 - 12 - $5.00
Children 3 and under - free
 
The full purchase price of tickets is tax deductible if you make your checks payable to St. John's or place cash in an envelope with your name.  Please email the parish office by 10/22 if you plan to attend so the girls can have some idea of how much to prepare!
 
Please contact Della Stearns for more information or to volunteer, 757-309-7586.
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 are in Chisholm Hall.  Contact Clifford King Harbin if you have any questions!

Carry a Banner & Bring Pictures for All Saints
 
During worship on All Saints' Day (November 1), 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 25 so that you can learn how to prepare your loved one's banner for this special day.  We have a limited number of banners for each worship service, so banners will be reserved in the order of contact until we run out.
 
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 with the earthly images of those who are now in the presence of Jesus. 

James Chisholm Centennial & Chisholm Hall Centennial
 
From October 2015 to September 2016 St. John's Church is celebrating the bicentennial of our first rector's birth, the centennial of the construction of Chisholm Hall, and the enduring legacy of this saint's life and witness as a hero of the 1855 Yellow Fever epidemic.
 
"It may be your intention to erect a monument on the spot where his mortal remains are laid-side by side with the saint who was a help mate to him in this life.  But consider that a nobler, a prouder, a more lasting monument shall be reared to his name by the holy lives of those who were his charge on earth.  As the church of the living God is not built of the hard rocks dug from the quarry, but of believing hearts, saved and sanctified by grace...so let his monument be built of living stones, of a whole congregation that follow their departed pastor in the course of truth and holiness, and faith and love." 
 
From an Advent 1855 sermon at St. John's preached by Charles Minnigerode, rector of Christ Church, Norfolk

Miscellany
 
Christian Formation for adults and children continues this Sunday.
 
Sunday, 11/15 is our congregation's Consecration Sunday.  Please plan now to attend two important events on that day: morning worship at 8, 9 or 11 and a brunch following each worship celebration (a catered meal, not a potluck.) 

Chisholm Hall is a Sunday quiet zone.  While the vestry continues the roof and HVAC ductwork repair process to eliminate the second floor water intrusion in our Christian Formation rooms, the Good Shepherd Atrium (ages 3-6) will be meeting in their relocated atrium in Chisholm Hall.  Chisholm Hall will be closed to adults from 10:10-11:30am each Sunday.  We ask that those arriving for 11am worship walk around the building from the parking lot and enter the worship space through the Washington Street doors.  Disabled adults are asked to pass quickly and quietly through Chisholm Hall during this time.  Thanks so much in advance for your cooperation and assistance!
 
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!
 
St. John's has a blog!  Think of a blog as an online magazine where we will share church events, personal stories, and highlight wonderful things happening behind the scenes  at St. Johns.  Visit the site here and sign up to follow St. John's new blog!  Thanks to Fallon and Matt Graham for their work in bringing this vision to reality!  

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, 10/27 @ 6:30pm in Chisholm Hall.  The first three 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.   Remining dates for the study will be 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.
 
Save the date!  The Annual Oyster Roast with live band will be Saturday, November 21.
 
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, Jessi Staley, 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; 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; Brenda Wolter; 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: Nancy (Andy Gray's mother); Cameron (Taraleigh Casteen's godson); Scott (Franklin Marzullo's son); Maddie (friend of Doreen Sheler); Patsy (friend of Andrea Graham); Trevor (husband of Kim Hyde); Robbie (friend of the congregation); Patients at the Naval Hospital & EDMARC hospice for children

For those impacted by the devastating flooding in South Carolina
                                                        
Thanksgivings
For the national launch of the "Who are you, Jesus?" app in Chicago this weekend and for Fr. Derek and Clifford King Harbin who are representing our parish for this exciting moment
 
Departed
Betty (mother of Steve Buell) 
Stewardship of God's Resources for the week of 10/11  

Ministry/Worship Attendance: Sunday 8am (10), 9am (72), 11am (98); 
Wednesday 6:30pm (19)

Worship Offering:  $5,444
 
Income needed for ministry expenses each week: $6,977

This Sunday in Worship
 
Twenty-first Sunday after Pentecost, 10/18: Hebrews 5:1-10 & Mark 10:35-45
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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