www.stjohnsportsmouth.org18 February 2016
Musical Meditations

With a crowd of over 250 from Portsmouth and as far away as Georgia and Oklahoma, St. John's new Exsúltet Organ was opened in concert on November 20, 2015 by international virtuoso Jeremy Filsell.  In the words of one attendee, "You could feel the music move inside your spirit and soul...awesome what God gifted us with that night!"
 
The concert was professionally recorded and the first two videos have been uploaded to YouTube.  Utilize a good set of headphones or speakers and use these links to immerse yourself in God's gift of music!
 
 

Flower Arranging Workshop
 
Come join the Flower Guild for a flower arranging workshop on Saturday, February 27 from 10am to 1pm. You'll learn about choosing and conditioning flowers, simple arranging guidelines, and create an easy arrangement that you'll be able to take home. You don't need to have any arranging experience and you don't need to be in the Flower Guild to attend. It will just be a fun morning dreaming about spring time.
 
Email Linda Buchanan by the end of the day on Thursday, February 25, to reserve your spot so we can be sure to have enough supplies for everyone. A $10 fee will be collected at the workshop to offset the cost of supplies.

Women's Retreat is this weekend
 
St. John's AWE Women's Ministry Retreat begins this Saturday, February 20 at the Founders Inn in Virginia Beach.  If you would like to attend and have not registered, please contact Patti Devers today!

For those who are arriving Friday night, check-in begins at 4:00 pm.  There are no retreat activities on Friday evening.  You are free to enjoy the hotel and have dinner where you choose.

For those ladies who have chosen to spend the day on Saturday, please arrive by 9:00 am.  We are meeting in the second floor Benjamin Harrison Room.  We will begin with coffee, fruit, and breakfast breads.  Praise and worship will begin at 9:30 am followed by our special guest, Kirsten McGrath.  We will all have lunch together in the Swan Terrace Dining Room beginning at 11:30am.  Afternoon meetings will begin at 1:00 pm and conclude about 3:30 pm.

If you are staying Saturday night, please arrive between 8 and 9 am to pre-check-in your room.  Bags can be left at the front desk and your room will be available by 4pm.  There are no retreat activities on Saturday evening.  You are free to enjoy a relaxing evening at the hotel.

We are looking forward to an AWESOME weekend together!!

2015 Generosity
 
We give thanks to God for the generosity of the saints here at St. John's!  

Last year our vestry had to expend $10,000 above the budget to deal with building and equipment failures.  These expenses, combined with a staggering 2015 pledge income shortfall of $21,637, could have placed the parish in a precarious financial position.

However thanks to the generosity of many in this community who prayed and/or gave abundantly and generously (often above and beyond fulfilling their pledges), St. John's ended the 2015 fiscal year with a shortfall of only $1,344.  Thanks be to God!  
Miscellany
 
Sunday Christian Formation for adults and children resumes this Sunday.  We are excited that the Good Shepherd Atrium will return to its home on the second floor this Sunday!

The Rite of Reconciliation is especially appropriate in the Season of Lent.  It is available by contacting Fr. Derek for an appointment by email or phone (757.759.7371).
 
Calling all Men!  This active men's group of St. John's will meet Monday evening, February 29, at 6:30pm in Chisholm Hall.  They will be finalizing plans for the March 4 Lenten Fish Fry.  Contact Jeff Fremeau for more information.

Join a Small Group in the new year.  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!
 
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 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 February 2016 Parish Directory, parish handbook, worship ministry schedules, and read approved minutes of vestry discussions and actions as well as parish financial reports.  Need or don't remember the password?  Contact the parish office.
 
Content deadline for St. John's eNews is Wednesday at noon before publication.

In our Prayers this Week

For the Church
Justin, Archbishop of Canterbury; Michael, the Presiding Bishop; Francis, the Bishop of Rome; Bartholomew, the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople; 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; for an end to mass violence and 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,  George Lang, 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: Elaine Baker; Mary Colby; Bill Edwards; Ron Fritz; Andy Gray; Al Gregg; Clifford King Harbin; Barrie Harper; Richard Hill; Mavia Hudgins; Franklin Marzullo; Dody Mason; Cody Miller; Martha Ann Oast; Arlene Peterson; Carol Phipps; Anne Barbour Schwab; Lena Simmons; Barbara Stearns; Fran Taylor; Sue Taylor;  Peggy Tuthill; Patricia Viera; Ruth Waldo; Dave Walker; Mike Wall; Bobby Wilkerson; Sonny Wilkinson; Joy Young  

Related to our Parish: Vern (friend of Emily Schultz); Nancy (mother of Andy Gray); Marie (mother of Joshua Brown); Tom, Patti & Kelly (family of Dody Johnson); Mary Jane (friend of JoAnn Rose); Tim (friend of Andy Graham); Lynn (Cindy Carlson's sister-in-law); Mary (friend of Claudia Tomlin); Michael & Kelsey (children of Allison Foytik); Jacob (friend of Scott & Nancy Johnson); Tyrone (friend of Mick & Linda Kauffman); Eddie (Martha Rush's stepfather); Patients at the Naval Hospital & EDMARC hospice for children

Thanksgivings
For the completion of construction to the second floor of the Parish House and for all who worked so hard to restore the hallway and four Christian Formation rooms for use.
Stewardship of God's Resources 
Week of 2/14 

Ministry/Worship Attendance: Sunday 8am (11), 9am (46), 11am (68); 
Wednesday 6:30pm (11)
Worship Offering:  $3,746
 
Income needed for ministry expenses each week: $6,778

This Sunday in Worship
 
Second Sunday in Lent, 2/21: Genesis 15:1-12,17-18 & John 3:1-17

Herman Hollerith, IV, bishop 

J. Derek Harbin, rector

Keith Byers, bookkeeper

Taraleigh Casteen, bandleader

Courtney Devers, staff chef

Bob Gilman, assisting priest

Philip Goodrich, sexton

Clifford King Harbin, associate to the rector

Rebecca Mina, creation atrium coordinator

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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