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In This Issue
Parish Notes
The Propers
This Sunday's Flowers
Sermon
From the Diocese
Community News
Bài Giảng
Tin Tức Sinh Hoạt.

Upcoming Events


Saturday, May 18

Feed the Homeless, time TBA

Sunday, May 19
(Day of Pentecost)

Baptism of Viet-Long Tran
Preacher:  Toua Vang

Thursday, May 23:

Toua Vang's Graduation from VTS -- 9:15 AM in the Callaway Chapel of Episcopal High School.

Region 8 Council meeting, 7:00 PM

Sunday, May 26:

Farewell to the Spinellis -- Potluck after church

Saturday, June 1:

Spring Festival, 9 AM - 2 PM

Sunday, June 9:

Celebration of Sunday School.

Pool Party at the Aulds after church (potluck)

Tuesday, June 11:

Commissions, 6:30 PM
Vestry:  7:30 PM

Saturday, June 15:

Feed the Homeless, time TBA

Sunday, June 16

Farewell to the Vang family (Potluck).  Preacher:  Toua Vang

Tuesday, June 18:

Last day of public schools

Thursday, June 20:

The Vang family leaves Virginia for Minnesota

Sunday, June 30:

Supply Clergy.

Pool Party (rain date)
 
Easter Cross

Birthdays


May

16   Tuyet Mai (today!) 

16   Vivian Benjamin

17   Cuong Tran

27   Louise Gibney

28   Mouachee Vang

29   Ann Nelson

29   Christine Moya

30   Alexander Benjamin

31   Brian Leonard

31   Kathleen Oliver

31   Janice Mills

 

June

1   Kim Anh Huynh

1     Reese Miller

2   Maggie Spinelli

4   Christopher Lam

5   Bradley Pizzola

6   Evelyn West

7   Virginia Brown

11   Pa Ying Vang

12   Rylton Thomas

13   Miriam Balding

24   Vashti Leonard Curtis

25   Ruth Spinelli

25   Claire Dubas

25   Reed Dexter

25   Mariko Hiller

26   Le Cao

26   Tuyet Mai

27   Jessica Mills

28   Asa Mills

28   Catherine Dubas

28   Melissa Burris

30   Cindy Rhoad

Our Prayer List

We remember in our prayer:

 

Maria Ash, Dee Bailey, Harry Benson, Kari Boeskov, Mary Anne Bogie, Hoang Thi Ngoc Bich, Brandon, Thomas Cascella, Marie Cosimano, Debbie Clark, Tim Clary, Dorothy Connelly, John Davis, Donald DeVaughn, Michael Dickinson, Loretta Dougherty, The Edsall Family, Nance Finegan, Luis Garay, Anne Goodwin, Jean Graham, Katie Grosse, Nick Giuliani, Katherine Hafele, Anne & Thomas Edsall, Margaret Ellis Harris, Alek Hensley, Leslie Hogan, Cindy Hogman, Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., Michael Horn, Mary Isibel, Lindsay Johns, Gray Johnson, Jamie Kaplon, Robert Kelley, Quinn Kimball, Jeffry King, Peter Kosutic, Susan Lawrence, Joe Magrogan, Lois Magrogan, Jim Magrogan, Colleen Mavrikas, Gregory McGinnis, Kylee Mei and her families, Margaret Mills, Evelyn Morgan, Danielle Morgan, Que Nguyen, Chick Nixon, Christine Nolan, Olive Oliver, Jim Owens, Gary Owens, Moi Phan, Faith Poole, William Ross, Bill Sitler, Ron Sipes, Irene Skowron, Josh Smithers, Candi Stewart, Barbara Stefl, Kara Stryker, Walter Sushko, Steven Talbert, George Thomas, Clara Torres, George Torres, Tammy Vanphung, Nhon Thanh Vo, Michael Weekes, Warren Weinstein, The Westfall Family, Paula Wiech, Meredith Wiech, Bernard Williams, Donna Wolfe.

 

 

We pray especially for Chick Nixon,

Ben Nindel, Polly DuJany, Lois Magrogan,  Mary Isibel,  Debbie Clark, Greg McGinnis, Danielle Morgan, Pao Yang and Christine Nolan.

   

____ 

 

Note: If you have a loved one or friend who needs prayer please call the church and leave a message at 703-532-5656, or write to Tinh+ at

[email protected]  or call him at 703-405-9571.  Also, should a name need be removed from the list, please let Tinh+ know promptly, and give the reason.  

 

 

Saint Patrick's Ministers 

The Ministers of Saint Patrick's Church are the People of this Parish

 

supported by

 

The Reverend  

Tinh Trang Huynh, Rector

 

The Reverend

Toua Vang,  

Seminarian Deacon

 

Ms. Kerry Hual

Director of Youth and Children's Ministry   

 

Ms. Mariko Hiller,  

Music Director

 

Ms. Rachel Burgess,

Nursery Care

 

We serve our Lord as part of the Diocese of Virginia

 

led by

our chief pastors

 

The Rt. Rev. Shannon Sherwood Johnston, Bishop

 

The Rt. Rev. Susan Goff

Bishop Suffragan 

 

and  

The Rt. Rev. Ted Gulick,

Assistant Bishop 

The Vision of St. Patrick's

Saint Patrick's Episcopal Church is a community of care, called to be Christ-centered and multicultural in worship, Christian education and action to proclaim Christ's love to the world.

Altar at Easter 2013  

Previous Issues of the Epistle
Please click here if you wish to see the previous issues of The Epistle

St. Patrick's Organized for Missions and Ministry 

 

Vestry Committee:  Senior Warden:  Tom Auld;  Junior Warden:  Bill Houston; Registrar:  Winnie Lebo; Treasurer:  Kathy Oliver;  Other members of the Vestry:   Elisabeth Nguyen, Milton Thomas, Jocelyne Miller, Pierre Chanu, Chris Nicholson.

 

GROUPS AND ACTIVITIES

 

Altar Guild: Lois Cascella; 

Bell Choir: Mariko Hiller;  Offering Counters: Bob Cascella; Youth Ministry:  Kerry Hual; Region VIII Representative: Felix Spinelli;  Diocesan Council Delegate: Bill Houston (Kathy Oliver, alternate delegate); St. Margaret's Circle:  Ann Nelson;  Telephone Chain: Alice King; Feed the Homeless:  Elisabeth Nguyen; Odeon Chamber Music Series:  Mariko Hiller; Westlawn Elementary School:  Winnie Lebo; Falls Church Community Services: Catherine Dubas; Hypothermia Shelter Program:  Felix Spinelli and Hao Nguyen;  The Epistle Newsletter Editors: Winnie Lebo and Cindy Rhoad; Flea Market: Chris Nicholson; Prison Ministry: Nancy Burch; Meals-on-Wheels: Amelia Nicholson; Sunrise/Bluemont: Michael Knowles  

 

  Church

 

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May 16, 2013

Parish Notes



The Spinellis
From left:  Felix, Maggie, Louis and Ruth Spinelli   

  
- Next Sunday, May 26th, will be the Spinelli Family's last Sunday with us. They are moving to live in Montana. Please bring food for the potluck to bid farewell to our friends.

-  Congratulations tAnne Hiller and Chris Longo Mariko and Joe Hiller on the wedding of Anne Hiller and Chris Long, which was celebrated on April 27th.


 

 

 

- Congratulations to Patricia Phan, who graduated from Ringling College of Art and Design, on May 3rd, and to Diem Nguyen, who will graduate from George Mason University tomorrow, May 17th.

 

-  Happy Birthday to Tuyet Mai and Vivian Benjamin

 

-  Seminarians Toua Vang and Bernard Yung will graduate from the Virginia Theological Seminary on May 23rd.  Bernard will be ordained deacon on June 8th at Church of the Epiphany in Herndon;  Toua will be ordained priest on June 27th, in Minnesota.
 
Feed the Homeless 1    - Feed the Homeless:  We need volunteers! This Saturday, May 18th.  Our Amelia Nicholson will be leading us.  We need volunteers to help in the cooking and serving.   Food will be made in Saint Patrick's kitchen, beginning at 9:30 AM, and will be served at the Bailey's Crossroads Shelter, at 5:00 PM.  A sign-up sheet has been posted in the narthex.  Note:  You may consider participating in this ministry by sending money to the church.  Check should be made to Saint Patrick's, with memo for Feeding the Homeless, and sent to Saint Patrick's Episcopal Church, 3241 Brush Drive, Falls Church, Virginia 22042.

First Prize Antique Car
-  Saint Patrick's Spring Festival.  Mark your calendar:  June 1, 2013, 9 AM ~ 3 PM --  Auto Show, Bake Sale, Pet Parade, Clothing, Books, Games for Children, Lunch, etc. 
     We need your help!  A sign-up sheet has been posted in the narthex.  Please sign up!  If you would like to help with advertizing (coming up with a flier or sandwich board sign) or any other prep task, please contact Catherine Dubas ([email protected]) and/or Liz Nguyen ([email protected]).  Thank you!

The Propers 

Sunday, May 19th, 2013
This Sunday is the Day of Pentecost    

Texts:   

Genesis 11:1-9 

Psalm 104:25-35b

Acts 2:1-11 

John 14:8-17, 25-27 

 

Collect:  Almighty God, on this day you opened the way of eternal life to every race and nation by the promised gift of your Holy Spirit:  Shed abroad this gift throughout the world by the preaching of the Gospel, that it may reach to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.  Amen.

This Sunday's Flowers 

Sunday, May 19th, 2013

The flowers on the Altar this Sunday are to the glory of God, and are given by Kevin and My-Linh Tran as a thank offering on occasion of the baptism of their son Viet-Long.

Last Sunday's Sermon 

7 Easter, Year B - The Sunday after Ascension  

-- May 12, 2013.     Tinh Huynh+
Text:  Acts 16:16-34; Psalm 97   

--------------------

 

"Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved."

In the Name of God: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

------------------

Last week Kim-Anh and I attended the annual Bishop,Clergy and Spouses retreat at Shrine Mont.

For the free time  

I and the priests from the Korean and Hispanic congregations

climbed the hill,  

to reach the cross at the top.

It was raining.

The walk was not arduous,

but water got into my shoes.

It was peaceful.

As we stood on the high platform of the cross,

Father Han said he loved the color of the new leaves.

Father Roberto agreed.

I shared with them on what I learned from a TV program

about life and behavior of trees and plants --

the trees and plants have feelings,

some of them can defend themselves to some extent,

and they compete or yield to each other for nutrition underground. 

 

Shrine Mont 2

-----------

Creation and providence are just wonderful to think about.

God created the universe,

and God continues to create,

with our participation.

God cares about the world

-- all humans, animals and plants,

and God is interested in us.

The new leaves

speak to resurrection.

By God's grace, things are made anew.

We can be alive again!

It is just good to have faith in the living God.

-----------------

The story from the Book of Acts

is one of the most intriguing in the Bible.

Paul and Silas on their mission performed exorcism on a slave girl.

The evil spirit left her,  

and she lost her ability to tell fortune.

She could no longer make money for her owners.

The owners of the slave girl falsely accused Paul and Silas  

of causing disturbance in the city.

The authorities then ordered them flogged,  

and put them in jail.

They fastened their feet in stocks.

At midnight,  

while the two apostles were praying and singing hymns,

an earthquake took place.

The doors of the prison were opened,

and the chains broken.

The jailer wanted to kill himself,

but Paul shouted to him,

"Do not harm yourself,

for we are all here."

The jailer then asks,

"Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"

Paul said, "Believe on the Lord Jesus,

and you will be saved,

you and your household."

----------------------

How could Paul and Silas pray and sing  

while in captivity and pain?

When the faithful remain faithful,  

even as they face atrocity,  

miracle happens.

------------------

"Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved."

This is the author's punch line.

Luke, the writer of the Book of Acts, certainly wanted to say something.

"Believe in the Lord! Trust in Him!"

Liberation also came to the jailer.

He could overcome his fears,

and faith in God through Jesus brought joy to him.

Notice the mentioning of chains being broken,  

prison doors being opened,

lamps being lighted  

and wounds being washed. 

They all speak to liberation.

The joy of the jailer was actually the joy of being set free. 

--------------------

What does "Believe on the Lord Jesus" mean?

Paul, who was once on his way to Damascus,  

to find and imprison Jesus' followers,

encountered the Christ whom he was persecuting.

Paul was struck by the light  

and he heard the voice of Jesus calling him.

He was blind until he met with a believer in Damascus,

who prayed for him.  

His eye sight was restored after that.

Paul became a believer.

The early Christian believed in Jesus:

"Christ has died,

Christ is risen,

Christ will come again."

Although they could not explain all about Jesus,

they held on to the belief that by calling upon his name  

they would be saved.

--------------------

What does "being saved" mean?

If life is always easy,  

we seldom pay attention to the matter.

If calling upon the Name of Jesus could spare us an accident, a disaster or disease,

the church should be full every Sunday.

In fact, prayers are answered.

Many Christians find their faith strengthened after certain drastic events in their earthly lives.

Yet the word "saved" in the Book of Acts has meanings beyond what we just said.

It is about the salvation of the soul.

Believing in the Lord Jesus assures us of a place in heaven, in the after life.

----------------

The word "salvation" is mentioned for many times in the Bible.

God acts in human history.

Only God can save us.

We cannot save ourselves.

Christ came into the world by his own will,

and he was willing to die

to save us from sins.

We say that we are saved by the death of Christ,

in which God forgives us our sins.

God has reconciled us to himself through Christ.

Isn't that wonderful? 

-------------------

  Shrine Mont 1

 

Is believe all we need to do?

Paul says that

we have to work out our salvation

with fear and trembling.

Theologian Bonhoeffer, who spoke out against Hitler

and was murdered in captivity,

once said that grace is not cheap.

Salvation is costly to the saved.

--------------

Salvation is not merely about solutions  

for difficult circumstances,

neither is it merely about  

admission for the soul at the pearly gate.

-------------- 

Although

many people go through difficult times in their lives depending on their faith in God,

and 

prisoners and those in captivity may survive by trusting in God,

salvation is about liberation in the Name of Jesus.

 

Believing in the Lord Jesus Christ is, therefore, doing what He tells us to do.

 

-------------- 

We can be imprisoned in various ways.

Some people may find themselves imprisoned by anger.

Many are imprisoned by choosing not to forgive.

Our anxiety is also the source of a lot of troubles.

But salvation is about resurrection moment by moment.

--------------

Saint Julian of Norwich was optimistic in her saying,

"...All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well."

Psalm 97 reads,

"Rejoice in the Lord,

O you righteous,

and give thanks to his holy name."

The Lord is king!

He is in control.

He can make us alive again.

He can give us new life.

He will not leave us comfortless.

All we have to do is trust in Him.

Above all, we must put into practice what we believe,

and obey Jesus' commandments.

Amen.

 

From the Diocese 

Bishop goffBishop Susan Goff had a hiking mishap over the weekend and broke a bone in her foot. She is in a cast and using a knee scooter. Bishop Goff is recuperating well, and in fact has already resumed her visitation schedule. Please keep her healing in your prayers.

From the Diocesan Disaster Preparedness & Response Ministry Team.

        While tornadoes have no "official" season, they frequently strike during the spring and summer months.  

        Before:

       Get a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Weather Radio (NOAA) with warning alarm tone and battery backup to obtain information directly from the National Weather Service. This is the quickest way to learn that a tornado is heading your way. Many models are available for a wide range of prices.

         Know the difference between a tornado watch and tornado warning. A watch indicates that conditions are prime for a tornado. A warning means that an actual tornado has been spotted.

Tornado          Determine in advance where you will take cover in case of a tornado warning. Keep this safe location uncluttered. Storm cellars or basements provide the best protection.

         If underground shelter is not available, go into a windowless interior room, closet or hallway on the lowest accessible floor.

         Stay away from windows, doors and outside walls. Go to the center of the room. Stay away from corners, because they attract debris.

          If you are in a high- or mid-rise building, you may not have enough time to go to the lowest floor. Locate a place in a hallway in the center of the building.

          A vehicle, trailer or mobile home does not provide protection. Plan in advance to go quickly to a building with a strong foundation.

          Assemble a kit of emergency supplies, and store it in your shelter location.

          Practice tornado drills at least once a year.

 

          During:

          When a tornado watch is issued, stay tuned to local radio, television and NOAA weather radio for additional information and possible warnings. Be prepared to take cover.

           When a tornado warning is issued, take cover in your safe location (see above) immediately. Protect your body from flying debris with a heavy blanket, pillows, sofa cushions or mattress.

           If you can't get to your safe location or the lowest level of a substantial building:

  • Open buildings (shopping mall, gym or civic center): Try to get into a restroom or interior hallway. If there is no time, get up against something that will support or deflect falling debris. Protect your head by covering it with your arms.
  • Cars and trucks: Get out of your vehicle and try to find shelter inside a sturdy building. A culvert or ditch can provide shelter if a substantial building is not nearby. Lie down flat and cover your head with your hands. Do not get under an overpass or bridge. You are safer in a low, flat location.
  • Outdoors: Try to find shelter immediately in the nearest substantial building. If no buildings are close, lie down flat in a ditch or depression and cover your head with your hands.
  • Mobile homes: Do not stay in mobile homes. Leave immediately, and seek shelter inside a nearby sturdy building, or lie down in a ditch away from your home, covering your head with your hands. Mobile homes are extremely unsafe during tornadoes.

        Stay in your safe location until the danger has passed.

 

        After:

 

Stay out of damaged buildings, and stay clear of downed power lines.

      Help injured or trapped people. Check on those who might need special assistance, such the elderly, children and people with disabilities.

 

Community News  

school band
-  Members of St. Pat's are invited to attend Westlawn's Spring Concert, at Westlawn Elementary School on Thursday, June 6 at 7:00p.m.  This concert features the chorus, band and orchestra and is free of charge. 
B�i Giảng Ch�a Nhật Vừa Qua

   

Ch�a Nhật thứ Bảy của M�a Phục Sinh

12 th�ng 5, 2013.     MS Huỳnh Trang Tỉnh
Kinh Văn:  C�ng Vụ C�c Sứ Đồ 16:16-34; Thi Thi�n 97   

--------------------

 

"H�y tin Đức Ch�a Gi�su th� anh sẽ được cứu."

Nh�n Danh Ba Ng�i Thi�n Ch�a: Cha, Con v� Th�nh Thần. Amen.

------------------

Tuần vừa qua Kim-Anh v� t�i dự hội đồng thường ni�n với Gi�m Mục/Mục Sư tại Trung T�m Sinh Hoạt Gi�o Phận ở Shrine Mont, Virginia.

V�o giờ rỗi rảnh, t�i c�ng hai mục sư kh�c, người Đại H�n v� người Hispanic,

tr�o n�i để l�n tới th�nh gi� tr�n đỉnh.

H�m ấy trời mưa.

Cuộc leo n�i kh�ng mấy kh� nhọc,

song nước ngấm v�o giầy l�m ướt ch�n.

Khung cảnh n�i rừng thật l� an b�nh.

Shrine Mont 2 Tới nơi, ch�ng t�i tr�o l�n c�c bậc thang gỗ

của c�i d�n cao l�m bệ ch�n th�nh gi�.

Đứng đ�, Mục Sư Han trầm trồ về những l� c�y non,

mới xuất hiện v� đ�y vẫn c�n l� m�a xu�n.

Mục Sư Roberto gật g� đồng �.

T�i th� n�i về một chương tr�nh TV mới xem h�m trước,

về chuyện khoa học kh�m ph� c�y cỏ c� cảm gi�c,

v� c� khi ch�ng tranh gi�nh hoặc nhường nhịn nhau

trong việc hấp thụ chất bổ dưỡng dưới đất.

-----------------

Tạo H�a v� sự quan ph�ng của Ng�i thật l� lạ l�ng.

Ch�a dựng n�n vu~ trụ,

v� c�ng tr�nh tạo dựng vẫn tiếp tục.

Ch�ng ta cu~ng tham dự v�o sự tạo dựng ấy.

Ch�a để � đến thế giới -- con người, lo�i vật c�ng c�y cối.

Những chiếc l� non của m�a xu�n n�i l�n � niệm phục sinh.

Do ơn Ch�a, mu�n vật được l�m n�n mới.

Ch�ng ta c� thể sống lại!

Đức tin nơi Thi�n Ch�a hằng sống quả l� một điều tốt.

-------------------

B�i đọc h�m nay trong S�ch C�ng Vụ C�c Sứ Đồ l� một trong những truyện t�ch đầy th� vị của Kinh Th�nh.

Phao L� v� Si La tr�n đường giảng đạo đ� đuổi quỷ ra khỏi một c� b� n� lệ.

Quỷ ra khỏi c� b�, l�m cho c� ấy mất khả năng b�i khoa.

C� kh�ng c�n sinh lợi cho chủ c� nữa.

Chủ c� nổi giận, tố c�o hai sứ đồ trước nh� chức tr�ch,

rằng Phao L� v� Si La g�y rối trong th�nh.

Nh� cầm quyền liền bắt hai �ng,

truyền đ�nh đ�n nhừ tử v� n�m v�o ngục,

xiềng ch�n họ trong c�m.

----------------

Nửa đ�m, khi hai �ng cầu nguyện v� h�t th�nh ca,

v� c�c t� nh�n kh�c lắng nghe,

th�nh l�nh c� một cơn động đất dữ dội.

Cửa ngục mở toang, g�ng c�m xiềng x�ch của c�c phạm nh�n đều rớt ra hết.

Người cai ngục hoảng sợ,

r�t gươm toan tự vận.

Song Phao L� la l�n, "Đừng tự hủy m�nh,

v� tất cả ch�ng t�i c�n đ�y."

Người cai ngục hỏi,

"�ng ơi, t�i phải l�m chi để được cứu?"

            Phao L� đ�p: "H�y tin Ch�a Gi�su, th� �ng v� cả nh� �ng sẽ được cứu."

-----------------

L�m sao Phao L� v� Si La c� thể cầu nguyện v� h�t trong cảnh t� đ�y đau đớn?

Khi những người tin k�nh trung t�n, ngay trong ho�n cảnh khắc nghiệt, ph�p lạ xảy ra.

 

Shrine Mont 1  

---------------

 

"H�y tin Ch�a Gi�su, th� anh sẽ được cứu."

Đ�y l� c�u then chốt của cả đoạn.

Lu-ca, t�c giả của S�ch C�ng Vụ, chắc chắn đ� c� một � định khi viết truyện nầy.

"H�y tin Ch�a! H�y đặt l�ng tin nơi Ng�i!"

Người cai t� cu~ng đ� được giải ph�ng.

�ng ta đ� tho�t khỏi sự sợ h�i.

Đức tin nơi Thi�n Ch�a qua Gi�su đ� mang đến cho �ng sự vui mừng.

Đọc đoạn nầy, xin qu� vị để � c�c từ sau đ�y:

Xiềng x�ch bị th�o rời,

cửa ngục mở toang,

thắp đ�n s�ng l�n,

v� rửa c�c vết thương.

Tất cả c�c chữ đ� n�i l�n � giải ph�ng.

Niềm vui của người cai t� l� niềm vui do được tự do.

-------------------

"Tin Đức Ch�a Gi�su" l� như thế n�o?

�ng Phao L�, tr�n đường đến th�nh Damascus để t�m bắt những người tin Ch�a, đ� bị một tia s�ng đ�nh v�o người, v� �ng nghe tiếng Ch�a gọi t�n �ng.

Từ đ�, mắt �ng kh�ng thấy đường, cho đến khi �ng v�o trong th�nh

t�m gặp một t�n hữu, v� người đ� cầu nguyện cho �ng được s�ng mắt lại.

Sau đ�, Phao L� trở th�nh một t�n hữu.

Những Ki-t� Hữu đầu ti�n x�c nhận niềm tin như sau:

"Đức Ki-t� đ� chết,

Đức Kit� đ� sống lại,

Đức Kit� sẽ trở lại."

Mặc d� họ kh�ng thể giải th�ch hết về Ch�a,

họ đoan quyết rằng hễ ai k�u cầu danh Ng�i th� sẽ được cứu.

--------------------

"Được cứu" l� g�?

Nếu đời ta lu�n dễ d�ng th� mấy ai để � tới chuyện đ�.

Nếu l�c n�o k�u cầu Danh Ch�a cu~ng tho�t khỏi tai nạn, đại họa hay bệnh tật, th� chắc l� nh� thờ m�nh l�c n�o cu~ng chật n�ch người.

Thật ra, Ch�a đ�p lời cầu nguyện.

Nhiều Ki-t�-hữu cảm nhận niềm tin th�m mạnh mẽ sau c�c khổ nạn trong cuộc đời tr�n trần thế nầy.

Song chữ "được cứu" trong S�ch C�ng Vụ C�c Sứ Đồ c�n c� � xa hơn điều mới n�i tr�n.

Đ� l� sự cứu rỗi linh hồn.

Tin Đức Gi�su bảo đảm cho ta một chỗ tr�n thi�n đ�ng, khi ta v�o c�i đời sau.

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Chữ "cứu rỗi" được d�ng ở nhiều chỗ trong Kinh Th�nh.

Thi�n Ch�a h�nh động trong lịch sử con người.

Chỉ c� Thi�n Ch�a mới c� thể cứu ch�ng ta.

Ch�ng ta kh�ng c� thể tự cứu m�nh được.

Đức Kit� đ� đến trong thế gian, tự nguyện.

Tự hiến m�nh hy sinh để l�m của hiến tế cứu ta khỏi tội.

Ch�ng ta n�i rằng ch�ng ta được cứu do sự chết của Đức Kit�.

Do sự chết ấy m� Đức Ch�a Trời tha tội cho ch�ng ta.

Đức Ch�a Trời đ� khiến ch�ng ta được h�a thuận lại với Ng�i,

qua Đức Kit�.

Đ� l� điều qu� b�u, phải kh�ng thưa qu� vị?

Đ� l� điều ch�ng ta tin.

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Song c� phải chỉ tin l� đủ?

T�i c� thể tin thật nhiều, v� n�i rất hay về niềm tin.

Song liệu chừng ấy c� đủ để t�i "được cứu" chăng?
�ng Phao L� n�i rằng ch�ng ta phải run rẩy sợ h�i l�m n�n sự cứu rỗi cho m�nh.

Niềm tin phải dẫn đến h�nh động.

Thần học gia Bonhoeffer người Đức,

đ� bị giết trong ngục ngay trước khi Thế Chiến Thứ Hai chấm dứt,

từng n�i rằng �n sủng của Ch�a kh�ng phải l� rẻ.

Người được cứu phải trả một gi� cho sự cứu rỗi.

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Sự cứu rỗi kh�ng phải chỉ l� một lối tho�t trong nghịch cảnh,

hay l� c�i giấy hộ chiếu visa ngang qua cổng thi�n đ�ng.

Sự cứu rỗi l� sự giải ph�ng trong Danh Đức Gi�su.

Ch�ng ta c� thể bị xiềng x�ch trong nhiều phương diện.

C� người thấy m�nh bị t� đ�y bởi những căm hờn.

Nhiều người bị giam h�m v� nhất định kh�ng tha cho ai đ�.

Sự xao xuyến nội t�m cu~ng l� nguy�n nh�n của biết bao chuyện lộn xộn.

Song sự cứu rỗi ch�nh l� phục sinh đến với ta từng hồi từng l�c.

Nhiều người nhờ niềm tin nơi Ch�a m� vượt qua được nghịch cảnh.

Nhiều t� nh�n v� nạn nh�n bị bắt c�c c� thể sống c�n nhờ tin cậy Thi�n Ch�a v� k�u cầu Danh Đức Gi�su.

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Th�nh Nữ Julian of Norwich c� c�u n�i lạc quan:

"Mọi sự sẽ tốt đẹp."

Th�nh Phao L� cu~ng n�i: "Mọi sự hiệp lại l�m �ch cho những ai y�u mến Ch�a."

T�c giả Thi Thi�n 97 n�i:

"H�y vui mừng trong Ch�a, hỡi c�c bạn c�ng ch�nh.

H�y cảm tạ danh th�nh Ng�i."

 

Ch�a l� Vua!

Ng�i điều khiển mọi sự.

Ng�i c� thể cho ch�ng ta một đời sống mới,

v� Ng�i kh�ng để ch�ng ta bơ vơ.

Điều ch�ng ta phải l�m l� tin cậy nơi Ng�i

v� tu�n h�nh mệnh lệnh của Đức Gi�su,

tức l� hết l�ng y�u mến Ch�a

v� y�u người l�n cận như m�nh. Amen.

 

Tin Tức Sinh Hoạt


 

- Ch�a Nhật tới, ng�y 26 th�ng 5, sẽ l� ng�y ch�t gia đ�nh �ng b� Felix Spinelli dự lễ tại nh� thờ.  Sau nhiều năm sinh hoạt v� đ�ng g�p tại Saint Patrick's, Felix, Maggie, Ruth v� Louis sẽ dọn đi tiểu bang Montana v�o đầu th�ng s�u, để sống gần với Michael hiện đang l�m b�c sĩ ở đ�.  Xin qu� vị mang thức ăn cho buổi tiệc potluck tiễn ch�n gia đ�nh Spinelli.

 

- Ch�c mừng �ng b� Mariko v� Joe Hiller về đ�m cưới của c� con g�i của �ng Joe l� Anne Hiller, s�nh duy�n với Chris Long, v�o ng�y 27 th�ng 4 vừa qua.


-  Ch�c mừng c� Patricia Phan, họa sĩ, tốt nghiệp Ringling College of Art and Design ở Florida v�o ng�y 3 th�ng 5; v� ch�c mừng c� Diễm Nguyễn, tốt nghiệp George Mason University ng�y mai, 17 th�ng 5.

 

-  Mừng sinh nhật Chị Tuyết Mai v� �ng Vivian Benjamin -- h�m nay!

 

-  Lễ tốt nghiệp của qu� vị chủng sinh Toua Vang v� Bernard Yung sẽ được cử h�nh tại Chủng Viện Virginia v�o ng�y 23 th�ng 5, 2013.  �ng Bernard Yung sẽ được phong chức Ph� Tế (Deacon) v�o ng�y 8 th�ng 6 tại nh� thờ Epiphany ở Herndon, Virginia;  Mục Sư Toua Vang sẽ được phong chức Trưởng Tế (Priest) v�o ng�y 27 th�ng 6 ở Minnesota.

 

 

- Ng�y mốt, Thứ bảy, 18 th�ng 5, ch�ng ta sẽ l�m thức ăn cho người homeless. Kỳ nầy việc nấu thức ăn sẽ thực hiện tại bếp của nh� thờ m�nh. Ch�ng ta sẽ bắt đầu nấu l�c 9 giờ 30 s�ng, v� mang đến trung t�m cứu trợ homeless cho bữa ăn chiều.  

  

- Xin qu� vị ghi v�First Prize Antique Caro lịch ng�y 1 th�ng 6 để tham dự ng�y "Spring Festival" tại Saint Patrick's, từ 9 giờ s�ng tới 3 giờ chiều. Sinh hoạt gồm c� phần triển l�m xe hơi, b�n đồ cu~, tr� chơi cho c�c em, thức ăn, vv.   Ban tổ chức cần qu� vị t�nh nguyện gi�p đỡ. Bảng ghi t�n c� đặt tại ph�ng narthex. Để biết th�m chi tiết, xin li�n lạc với b� Catherine Dubas hoặc c� Elisabeth Nguyễn.

 

  -   K�nh mời qu� vị tham gia lớp Trường Ch�a Nhật, mỗi s�ng Ch�a Nhật từ 9 giờ 30 tới 10 giờ 15, do �ng Tom Auld hướng dẫn. Lớp đang học s�ch C�ng Vụ C�c Sứ Đồ.

 

 

May God bless and keep you, and may God grant us peace. 

 

The Rev. Tinh T. Huynh

Rector of Saint Patrick's Church