www.stjohnsportsmouth.org31 March 2016
Missionary visit continues our Easter celebration


Russ and Heidi Smith, our missionaries serving in Temuco, Chilé, will visit St. John's Church this Second Sunday of Easter during all three Eucharists and Adult Forum. 
 
Russ and Heidi were both raised in the Church and gave their lives to Christ at a very young age.  Russ had an interest in being a missionary from childhood.  Even though Heidi heard her calling as a missionary during her college years, her mother wasn't surprised to hear that she wanted to be a missionary.  Before Heidi was even born, her mother had dedicated her in service to the Lord, much like Hannah's prayer in 1 Samuel 1:27!
 
Heidi has been a SAMS (Society of Anglican Missionaries and Senders) missionary since 1980.  This year is SAMS 40th Anniversary and their headquarters was located near Fr. Derek's home parish in NC.  Heidi  met Russ only a few years after she began missionary work when she was training SAMS missionaries (Russ was a SAMS candidate at the time).  They married and six months later left for Chile.  They've now been working there together as a couple since 1986!
 
Russ is teaching at the Bible Institute helping to train indigenous leaders.  Russ and Heidi visit rural churches to bring encouragement. Heidi is involved in children and women's ministries.


Bishop Holly & Lizzie Hollerith with Clifford King Harbin & Fr. Derek Harbin

Wow!

With an attendance of more than 650, participants embraced with gusto the liturgies and activities of Holy Week and Easter Day, the pinnacle celebration being our Easter Vigil liturgy with the immersion baptism of four new sisters and brothers in Christ, twelve confirmations, receptions, or reaffirmations with our bishop, and the fantastic Resurrection  party that ended well after midnight!   The first few images of the Easter Vigil are included in this eNews.
 
Such celebrations cannot occur without the generous giving of time by so many in our wonderful community of faith...far too many to name by name!   Thanks to each one of you who helped in any visible or invisible way to make these occasions such a blessing to all!  I am particularly thankful for the following leaders and groups whose sacrificial preparation was exceptional:  Mary Colby, Peggie Wiggins, and the Altar Guild; Linda Buchanan, Sue Fritz, and the Flower Guild; Margaret Perkins, Della Stearns, Cassie McBride, Gina Fremeau, Sue Fritz, Doreen Sheler, Donna Vick and the Maundy Thursday Agape Meal  & Easter Vigil Reception Teams;  Megan Timm & Juliann Krogh for the Baptism cake and Baptism banner; the musicians of our band and choir; Sid Barteau and the Paschal Fire team; The Calling all Men paint, yard, set up, tear down, and cleaning crews; and especially all who followed Jesus' example of servant ministry by quietly working behind the scenes and taking part in our liturgies throughout the week.  
 
Lastly, I want to offer thanks for the servant and sacrificial work of our ministry staff members--Keith Byers, Taraleigh Casteen, Courtney Devers, Philip Goodrich, Clifford King Harbin, Christopher Rusk, and Justin Young--whose cheerful willingness to do whatever was needed during Holy Week was a rich blessing to all of us.
 
I am truly in awe of each of you!
 
J. Derek Harbin, rector



Help us Connect and Reconnect
 
What a glorious time the St. John's community of Christians had last week as we celebrated the services of Holy Week and the Sunday of the Resurrection.  We saw many new faces as well as old friends, members, children and grandchildren of members who return home to their family church.
 
If you met someone new, brought someone to worship, or saw a familiar face who hasn't worshipped with us in some time, please contact the parish office and provide the names (and contact information if you know it) of the people you saw.  If we can, we would like to welcome new folks to our community of faith or welcome those home who have been away for a while.


The bishop confirms & seals the newly baptized with Chrism.

Upcoming Eastertide Events
 
Easter is a fifty-day feast with many opportunities.  Join in the festivities beyond Sunday morning and Wednesday evenings as we continue to celebrate Christ's victory over death!
 
Feast of the Annunciation - April 6: Normally we celebrate the visit of the Angel Gabriel to Mary on March 25, but this year that date was Good Friday so the feast is transferred by the Church until after Easter Week.  St. John's will celebrate this important major feast on Wednesday, April 6 @ 6:30pm.
 
Children's Easter Egg Hunt:  The tentative date for our rescheduled Egg Hunt is the Third Sunday of Easter, April 10.  Look for confirmation in next week's eNews when we can be sure of the weather forecast.  We don't want another weather washout as there are thousands of eggs waiting to be retrieved by the children of this community!
 
St. Fiacre Garden Party & Silent Auction - April 29:  Join your community neighbors as we celebrate Spring's return at this not-to-be-missed evening of savory cuisine, spirits, and silent auction fun!  Auction items include OBX beach house weekend, sailboat dinner cruises, catered dinners, small furniture, paintings, decorator items, plus much more!  Purchase tickets here for $30.  Sponsored by St. John's Women's Group (AWE) with assistance from the Calling all Men group ; profits benefit the mission of St. John's Church.
 
St. Fiacre Flower Festival - April 30 & May 1.  Fill your garden with flowering baskets, herbs, annuals, and perennials.  Shop vendors for gifts and garden ornaments.  Enjoy pastries, omelets, sandwiches, and soft drinks.  Sponsored by St. John's Women's Group (AWE); profits benefit the mission of St. John's Church.
 
Ascension Day & Death by Chocolate - May 5: Ascension Day is Jesus' triumphal entry, not into Jerusalem to die, but into the Heavenly Jerusalem as King: palms are waved in exaltation, the vault of heaven resounds, "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive honor and glory and blessing" (Revelation 5:12).  Ascension Day Worship will be Thursday, May 5 at 6:30pm followed by our now famous  "Death by Chocolate" reception.   Who can you invite?
 
Steeple to Steeple Tour of Religious Buildings in Portsmouth - May 7:  The Steeple to Steeple event is a walking tour of the seven historic churches and one synagogue in Olde Towne Portsmouth.  It will be held on Saturday, May 7 (Mother's Day weekend) from 9am to 2:30pm.  The tour is led by costumed guides and each place of worship has a docent to point out its specific treasures.  Proceeds from the tour will benefit the HER Center, the domestic violence shelter in Portsmouth.  Join us for history, stunning stained glass, architecture and sculpture.  Lunch is included in the price as well as an organ concert at Trinity Episcopal.  Tickets are $21 per person and may be purchased here.  This tour is limited to 100 participants; please purchase your tickets early so you're not disappointed. 
 
Feast of Pentecost - May 15: Our Easter feast concludes with a festive celebration of God's Holy Spirit at all three Sunday Eucharists with a baptism at the 11am Classic Eucharist.


Come renew your vows in the water of the font!

May Diocesan Youth Weekend

Are you a teen in grades 6-12?  St John's next youth event, We Are All God's Children, is a May 20-22 weekend retreat at our diocesan camp, Chanco on the James, sponsored by the Episcopal Youth Community (EYC) Board of our Diocese.  Check-in is 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday and departure is 11 a.m. on Sunday.  Throughout the weekend, teens will participate in large group program blocks, where they will hear talks by EYC Board members, and small groups, where they will have opportunities for discussion and lots of fun activities. The weekend also features the full cycle of daily prayer and worship with fantastic music.  Want more information?  Contact Clare Harbin.  Click here to register online.

Miscellany
 
Christian Formation resumes this Sunday for all ages.  Adult Forum will feature a presentation by our missionaries to Chilé.  
 
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 those Baptized at Easter Vigil
Stephanie Brown, Charles Burlingame, Chris Emery, & Addie Brown
 
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, Kevin Carrigan, Erin Elliott, Carolyn Higgins,  George Lang, Dakota Neel; Thomas Smetanka; Jessi Staley, Dariana Torres, and Shaun Tuttle 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; Virginia Cooke; Bill Edwards; Ron Fritz; Andy Gray; Al Gregg; Mavia Hudgins; Franklin Marzullo; Dody Mason; Cody Miller; Martha Ann Oast; Arlene Peterson; Carol Phipps; Anne Barbour Schwab; Barbara Stearns; Fran Taylor; Sue Taylor;  Claudia Tomlin; Peggy Tuthill; Patricia Viera; Ruth Waldo; Lauren Weaver; Bobby Wilkerson; Sonny Wilkinson; Joy Young 

Related to our Parish: John (brother of Lauren Weaver); Barb & Frank (friends of Clare Harbin); Cameron (friend of Miles Harbin); Eddie (step-father of Martha Rush and step-grandfather of Della Stearns); Sherri (sister of Gina Fremeau); Pam (friend of Cassie McBride);  Verlene (sister of Carolyn Colon); Kim (friend of Claudia Tomlin); James (friend of Steve & Sharon Buell); 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); Patients at the Naval Hospital & EDMARC hospice for children

Thanksgivings
For the birth of David Rae Knox (grandson of Pam & Dave Knox)
Stewardship of God's Resources 
Holy Week & Easter Week 

Ministry/Worship Attendance: Maundy Thursday (106); Good Friday (104); Holy Saturday (42); Great Vigil of Easter (180); Sunday 8am (20), 9am (72), 11am (130)
Wednesday in Easter Week (7)

Worship Offering:  $8,569
Offering for Jerusalem: $753.13
 
Income needed for ministry expenses each week: $6,778

This Sunday in Worship
 
Second Sunday of Easter, 4/3: Revelation 1:4-8 & John 20:19-31

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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