www.stjohnsportsmouth.org
28 July 2016
Transfiguration Week @ St. John's, 8/7-12
















































The Transfiguration by Fr. Sieger Köder (1925-2015)

The Transfiguration of Jesus (Luke 9:28-36) is one of a series of supernatural manifestations, by which God authenticated Jesus as his Son.  It is equal to the appearance of the angels at Jesus' birth and resurrection as well as God's voice and the descent of the Spirit at his baptism.  For a brief moment Peter, James, and John are permitted to see Jesus, not only as the earth-born son of Mary, but as the eternal Son of God shining in glory, brighter than the sun.  A cloud, a sign of divine presence, envelops the disciples, and a heavenly voice proclaims Jesus to be the Son of God.
 
St. John's Church will observe the Feast of the Transfiguration on August 7 at all three Sunday Eucharists.  At 10am on that day, we will host a reception to honor of Mary Colby for her decade of service as the Chairperson of the Altar Guild.    Want to help with food?  A signup sheet to bring an elegant, summer hors d'oeuvres is on the "Shine" Mission Bulletin Board.
 
On Friday, August 12, we will Transfigure our Neighborhood by hosting a parking lot summer cookout for our homeless neighbors.  St. John's Church is now accepting donations of new men's boxers, women's panties, and bus passes (or cash donations for passes) to give to our guests that night.  A container is located in the Parish House first floor hallway (across from the "Shine" Mission Bulletin Board) to accept your donations.  Come be a part of this very special night!     
Thanks for a great VBS Kidz Kamp!

Last week Trinity Church's Parish Hall rang with the voices of excited children!  Each night approximately 35 children (through grade 5) from St. John's, Trinity, and the neighborhood were invited to learn more about the Parables of the Kingdom and Jesus, the Good Shepherd, in age-appropriate ways.  They enjoyed dinner, sang, were awed by science (including a visit with a live sheep), completed art projects, and took time to reflect on these parables.   All this was made possible by the large group of St. John's pre-teen, teen, and adult volunteers who exuberantly participated to ensure that everything ran smoothly.  Thanks to Margaret Perkins and each of you for sharing your time and talent with our youngest brothers and sisters in Christ.  What a blessing you are!
A Gentle Reminder

As you have read in countless church bulletins as you've traveled around this summer, "Our costs do not decrease during the summer months.  There are still bills that must be paid."  To prevent cash-flow problems, we urge all those who have made financial pledges to the parish to do their best to stay current with their pledge payments and to everyone else to be as generous as they can with their giving.  We are grateful to all those who continue to support St. John's Church, especially in the summer!
Miscellany

Calling all Men will meet on Monday, 8/1 at 6:30pm.  Come join in the camaraderie!
 
Virginia is for Lovers not Racists will meet in Chisholm Hall on Monday, 8/22 @ 7pm.  All are welcome.
 
Blessing of the Backpacks will be Sunday, August 28 @ 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!

Want to give the gift of flowers at the altar and chapel on an upcoming Sunday?   Sign up on the "Feast" Mission Bulletin Board in the first floor Parish House hallway.
 
Want to serve as an Acolyte, Reader, Lay Eucharistic Minister/Visitor, or on the Altar Guild
Sacristan team?  Every person at St. John's has a ministry -- no matter how old, no matter how young.  All baptized persons at St. John's are invited and welcomed to explore ministry as an acolyte, reader, and altar guild sacristan team member.  All confirmed persons at St. John's are invited and welcomed to explore ministry as a lay eucharistic minister in worship or to the homebound.  Training for each of these ministries will begin in the next two months.  Contact Fr. Derek if you would like to be included in this upcoming training!
 
St. John's eNews will publish on a twice a month schedule during the summer months.  Upcoming summer publication dates will be 8/11 and 8/25, with weekly publication resuming on 9/1.  Content deadline is Wednesday at noon.
 
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).  Thanks to Charlie Burlingame, Lee Moore, and Taylor Pules, we now have a metal board on which to store your name badge if you desire.  Look for it in the first floor hallway of the Parish House.
 
The Parishioner Corner of our Website has news you can use.  Here you can access the July 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.
 
Access our Parish Calendar with this link.
In our Prayers this Week

For the Church
Justin, Archbishop of Canterbury; Michael, the Presiding Bishop; 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 and in Turkey; that gospel love may conquer the growing worldwide fear, prejudice, and violence against those who are different; for Barack, our president; Terry, our governor; Ken, our mayor; for the city of Portsmouth; for Clint Carlson; Kevin Carrigan; Erin Elliott, Greg Hicks; Carolyn Higgins, Charles Jackson; 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: Lorraine Barclay; Anne Bremer; Sharon Buell; Mary Colby; Virginia Cooke; Bill Edwards; Al Gregg; Adelaide Harper; Mavia Hudgins; Franklin Marzullo; Dody Mason; Martha Ann Oast; Carol Phipps; Barbara Stearns; David & Jean Stevenson; Sue Taylor; Peggy Tuthill; Bobby Wilkerson; Sonny Wilkinson; Joy Young  
 
Related to our Parish: Marylee & Amy (friends of Gina Fremeau); Victoria (granddaughter of Sherry Clem); Kim (friend of Robbie Bass); May (friend of Christopher Rusk and family); Bill (brother of Arlene Dragseth); Wilbur (friend of Donna Vick); Helenor (mother of Pete Ross, grandmother of Megan Timm, and great-grandmother of Cailey & Maddison Timm); Karen (cousin of Cassie McBride); Mary (sister of Dody Mason); the Hobden family (as they grieve the death of Jonathan);  Verlene (sister of Carolyn Colon); Patients at the Naval Hospital & EDMARC hospice for children
 
Thanksgivings
Mark & Amy Gilligan and Joshua & Stephanie Brown who are each expecting a child; those away attending summer camps
 
Departed
Fr. Jacques Hamel (French priest murdered this week by ISIS)
Stewardship of God's Resources 
for the week of 7/17

Ministry/Worship Attendance:  Sunday 8am (14), 9am (70), 11am (92); Kidz Kamp VBS (57)
Worship Offering:  $6,388

for the week of 7/24

Ministry/Worship Attendance:  Sunday 8am (17), 9am (54), 11am (108); Wednesday 6:30pm (12)
Worship Offering:  $3,002
 
Income needed for ministry expenses each week: $6,778
Upcoming Sundays in Worship

Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost (7/31):  Colossians 3:1-11 & Luke 12:13-21
 
Let your continual mercy, O Lord, cleanse and defend your Church; and, because it cannot continue in safety without your help, protect and govern it always by your goodness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.  Amen.

The Feast of the Transfiguration (8/7):  2 Peter 1:13-21 & Luke 9:28-36
 
O God, who on the holy mount revealed to chosen witnesses your well-beloved Son, wonderfully transfigured, in raiment white and glistening: Mercifully grant that we, being delivered from the disquietude of this world, may by faith behold the King in his beauty; who with you, O Father, and you, O Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever.  Amen.
Herman Hollerith, IV, bishop
J. Derek Harbin, rector

Keith Byers, bookkeeper
Taraleigh Casteen, bandleader
Courtney Devers, staff chef
Philip Goodrich, sexton
Clifford King Harbin, associate to the rector
Christopher Rusk, organist/choirmaster
Claudia Tomlin, organist emerita
Justin Young, publications

Welcome to our Sunday Worship Services
Contemplative Eucharist (Rite I) at 8am
Contemporary Eucharist (Rite II) at 9am
Classic Eucharist (Rite II) at 11am

Wednesday Healing Eucharist (Rite II) at 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, Monday - Friday.  We look forward to seeing you!