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In This Issue
Parish Notes
A Thank You Note
The Propers
This Sunday's Altar Flowers
Sermon

Upcoming Events

Sunday, September 8:

 

Sunday School begins 

 

Tuesday,September 10:

Commissions, 6:30 PM
Vestry, 7:30 PM


Saturday, Sept. 14:

Clean-up Day, 9 AM-2 PM

Saturday, Sept. 21:

Feed the Homeless, time TBA  

 

Sunday, Sept. 22:

Odeon Concert, 4 PM

 

Saturday, Sept. 28:

 

Dental Clinic Registration, 9-5 

 

Saturday, Oct. 5:

PYM Volunteer Day, 10 AM - 2 PM

Sunday, Oct. 6:

Blessing of the Animals, 4 PM


Sunday, Oct 13:

UTO Sunday


Saturday, Oct. 19:

Feed the Homeless, time TBA.

 

Free Dental Clinic at Saint Patrick's, 9 AM-4 PM -- Hope For Tomorrow Mission 

 

Sunday, Oct. 20:

 

Odeon Concert, 4 PM

Nov. 8th-10th:

PYM Senior High Weekend @ Shrine Mont

 Altar at Easter 2013      

Birthdays

  

September

1   Felix Spinelli

1   MyChi Haan

4   Laura Kennedy

8   Lucille Selby

8   Nghia Dao

10   Rachel Burgess

11   Oanh Phan

13   Debbie Clark

13   Doan Huynh Tucker

13   Michael Knowles

14   Thanh Nguyen

18   Pauline Leonard

19   Mark Houston

23   Hannah Knowles

24   Deani Coker

28   William Houston

29   Justice Lebo

30   Michael Spinelli

 

Our Prayer List

We remember in our prayer:

 

Dee Bailey, Kari Boeskov, Brandon, Jane Chapman, Marie Cosimano, Tim Clary, Dorothy Connelly, John Davis, Donald DeVaughn, Michael Dickinson,  Loretta Dougherty, The Edsall Family, Dotty Eisenhour, Nance Finegan, Luis Garay, Louise Gibney, 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, Sarah Jackson, Lindsay Johns, Gray Johnson, Jamie Kaplon, Robert Kelley, Geoff Kent, Quinn Kimball, Jeffry King, Michael Knowles, Peter Kosutic, Susan Lawrence, Lois Magrogan, Colleen Mavrikas, Gregory McGinnis, Margaret Mills, Evelyn Morgan, Danielle Morgan, Ed+ and Margaret Morgan, Que Nguyen, Chick Nixon, Christine Nolan, Olive Oliver, Jim Owens, Gary Owens, Faith Poole, Mandy Rothenhoefer, William Ross, Bill Sitler, Ron Sipes, Irene Skowron, Josh Smithers, Inez StantonCandi Stewart, Barbara Stefl, Kara Stryker, Walter Sushko, Steven Talbert, George Thomas, Clara Torres, George Torres, Elizabeth Trigg, Tammy Vanphung, Nhon Thanh Vo, Michael Weekes, Warren Weinstein, The Crowley Family, The Westfall Family, Paula Wiech, Meredith Wiech, Bernard Williams, Donna Wolfe, Rudy Zimple.

 

    

____ 

 

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

 

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.

   

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 

 

SAINT 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; 
Church Office:  Lois Cascella
;  Offering Counters:  Bob Cascella; Diocesan Council Delegate: Kathy Oliver (Amelia Nicholson, 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:  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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August 29, 2013
Parish Notes
 
Westlawn Elementary School 
If you would like to donate school supplies to the needy children of Westlawn Elementary School, please bring them to the church.  There is a box in the narthex to collect them.  Some of the things the children need are:
- Large and small Elmer's Glue sticks
- 8 oz. bottles of Elmer's Glue
- 4 oz. bottles of Elmer's Glue
- 8 - 10 count Crayola Classic Markers
- 24-count Crayola Crayons
- Yellow highlighters
- 12-count colored pencils
- Large Expo Whiteboard markers
- #2 pencils
- Pink Pearl erasers, eraser caps
- Fiskar scissors
- Packs of wide rule loose-leaf  paper
- Packs of college rule loose-leaf paper
- Spiral notebooks
- Composition notebooks
- 3x5 index cards, sticky notes
- Pocket folders with brads
- Pocket folders without brads
- 1-inch and 2-inch 3-ring binders
- Hand sanitizer, tissues and disinfectant wipes.  

     If you wish to donate money for the purpose, please make your check payable to St. Patrick's with Westlawn on the memo line.  The church mailing address is:  3241 Brush Dr., Falls Church, VA 22042.   If you wish to give cash, please put it in an envelope with Westlawn on the front and place it in the alms basin.  We thank you for your love and support of these children.

Box Tops -  Would you like to support Westlawn Elementary School field trip program?  Please consider bringing to church the box top cut offs and put them in the jar at the kitchen window.  The school will use these box tops to raise funds for its educational programs.

Coffee Cup
- We need people to serve coffee hour every Sunday.  Everyone is invited to stay after church for the time to visit with our friends and catch up on what has been going on in each others lives.  Please sign up to help! The sign-up sheet is in the kitchen. 
 
-  Would you like to volunteer to help Saint Patrick's with the Sunday service bulletin?  The work will take one hour per week at your home computer.  The very simple Microsoft Word form of the program has already been set up, and you will be working with the priest.  Please let Tinh+ know if you can help.

- Congratulations to the Rev. and Mrs. Ricky Tai on the marriage of their son Hezekia Tai and Jessica Chan.  The wedding was held in Toronto, Canada, on Saturday, August 24th.

-  Would you like to participate in feeding the homeless?  Saint Patrick's volunteers work at the kitchen of Bailey's Crossroads Community Center on the third Saturday of each month.  They start cooking at 3:30 PM and serve dinner at 6:00 PM.  Each time they feed about 70 people.  Donations from members and friends of St. Pat's help us meet the costs.  We welcome your donation.  Checks may be made payable to Saint Patrick's, with "Feed the Homeless" on the memo line.  If you would like to be a volunteer, please speak with Elisabeth Nguyen when you see her at church, or write to her at [email protected].

-  We thank Mr. Kregg Stovner, violinist, for the beautiful music he offered during worship at our church on Sunday, August 25th.  A thank you note is also to our Mariko Hiller for our music program.
Mr. Stovner

 

From The Rev. Dr. Edward Morgan III 

This week we received a note from The Rev. Dr. Edward Morgan III.  He thanks Saint Patrick's for praying for him as he recuperates from illness.  Dr. Morgan served as Interim Rector of Saint Patrick's in 1993-1994, following his retirement from the Virginia Theological Seminary as Director of Field Education.  Dr. and Mrs. Morgan are residing in Williamsburg, Virginia.  Please continue to pray for beloved Ed+ and Margaret.
Ed Morgan's Letter

The Propers 

Sunday, September 1, 2013
This Sunday is the Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost     
(Proper 17)

 

Texts:   

Sirach 10:12-18
Psalm 112:1-10
Hebrews 13:1-8
Luke 14:1, 7-14
 
Collect:    Lord of all power and might, the author and giver of all good things:  Graft in our hearts the love of your Name; increase in us true religion; nourish us with all goodness; and bring forth in us the fruit of good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.  Amen.

This Sunday's Altar Flowers  

The flowers on the altar this Sunday
are to the glory of God,
and are given by Pat Gardner
in loving memory of
Murray C.Gardner and Murray K. Gardner.

Last Sunday's Sermon 

Sunday, August 25, 2013   --  Ms. Nancy Burch

Proper 16 -- Year C -- Luke 13:22-30    

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

 

Grant, O Lord, that the words of my mouth

And the meditations of all our hearts

May be now and forever acceptable in thy sight

O Lord my strength and my redeemer.   Amen.

 

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

            As always when Tinh+ invites me to preach it is both a privilege and a challenge to do so - I say challenge because I am then faced with the question "What shall I preach about?" And there is the classic response which was given by a parishioner from the back of the church "about 5 minutes should do it!".   

           Ideally, I should talk about today's readings, but rather I want to share with you a letter I received from a resident at Fluvana Correctional Center for Women, because I believe it points to two important aspects of our Christian journey -- our need to be mindful of The Lord's Prayer, and our need to be mindful of our actions and words, because we never know how those actions and words are going to impact the lives of others.

                When I spoke to Tinh about my sermon topic (The Lord's Prayer) he very graciously sent me a book entitled "Understanding 'Our Father'" by Dr. Scott Hahn - a very interesting expose.   A couple of years ago with my Tuesday book study group we had made a fairly in-depth study of John Crossan's "The Greatest Prayer" - so I am well-prepared to speak on this topic.   But that isn't the approach I want to take - rather I want to address how WE THINK about the Lord's Prayer.   If in fact we do think about it!

                Sunday after Sunday I listen and observe this most well-known and most often-recited prayer raced through - it's almost as if there is a contest to see who can finish first - whether we recite it in English or "our own languages". This was also the situation at Fluvanna Correctional Center for Women and so a couple of years ago, at a time when we were told that in future there could be no physical contact with the residents (one of the more important aspects of Kairos involvement with the prisons was our ability to exchange hugs with our Kairos sisters).   This change was brought about by closer observation of the requirements of the 2003 Prison Rape Elimination Act - the only exception was the ability to join hands during the recitation prayers, and in particular the Lord's Prayer.

                I gave this a lot of thought, and finally suggested at one of our monthly reunions that if we wanted to hold hands for longer, we should recite the Lord's Prayer more slowly, and at the same time think about the meaning of its words - well I didn't think this seemed to have much impact until I received this six page letter from Chick Nixon.

                You will find Chick's name on our prayer list - where it has been for more than two years, as she has struggled with cancer, and has undergone chemo, radiatioin and some surgeries.   She is a woman of great faith, and an incredible role model who is loved and respected by all who come into contact with her.   I wrote to Chick asking if I could share the contents of her letter with you - she responded "Please share my letter with whomever you would like.   I am always in prayer that God use me and my situation in any way possible.   I am His witness of His glory and grace through it all.   Jesus' story is never ending and is seen in all things.   My story is His story."

                So here - in part - is what Chick wrote:

              "You have been with me so much in this last battle.   I love the way Our Heavenly Father brings those to mind exactly when most needed.   Let me     tell you about your journey with me."

                Here Chick explains how she was supported - physically, mentally and spiritually by two of her room mates at Fluvanna - one of whom has now been paroled, and the other has been relocated to a different wing.

                "When the cancer came back in my skull, cheek, jaw, scapula, lung and lymph nodes in March of this year, my radiation began again.   I was heartsick over my two friends who always provided those precious scriptures to stand on. Donna Blanton brought me her prayer shawl down, and a book of the layman's views on the Lord's Prayer.   My spirit jumped inside.   I tented myself in the prayer shawl.   I touched the hems of this garment as I crawled on my hands and knees inside myself, just to reach Him. To be centered in Christ. Just as Kairos taught me with centered prayer."

                At this point Chick tells me that while she was undergoing treatment a bone in her left arm snapped because a tumor in that arm had been missed during one of her scans. She was warned that she would suffer considerable pain as they effected the repair of the broken bone, but Chick continued to recite the Lord's Prayer and by some miracle the bone slid right into place with the Doctor admonishing the staff "Nobody touch that and cast it right now"!

                "I don't know if you remember having the conversation with some of here about the Lord's Prayer, but God knew I needed to remember it at that moment in time. Just when I thought horrific pain was to come, peace took its place.   I came back to my cell and fell on my knees in thankfulness.   I dug through my box and found your church bulletin when my name was placed. . . . Thank you for being there for me and please thank your church.   My heart is so touched by the sight of my name on your list.   Thank you for slowing me down so His power could work through His Word.

                "Our conversation on the Lord's Prayer was a long time ago, but He placed it in my heart to be pulled upon in my time of need."

 

                "Please know that your ministry here has not landed upon deaf ears. Sometimes that seed you planted takes months and years before the harvest.   This sheep heeded the call.   I slowed down and literally saw     and felt the power of His words.   You planted that seed probably about 2 years ago.   He watered it in my heart and manifested it for all to see."

                I was deeply touched by Chick's words, and I am so honored to know this lady who constantly warms me with her positive spirit and her complete and utter faith in Our Lord.   She is a beautiful example of a prayerful and faith-filled life that embodies what it means to "be still and know that I am God", and to walk closely with Him.

                When I was at the prison on Saturday, July 13th, I was in one of the small share and prayer groups with Chick - she was sitting at my right hand side. Because of the surgery to her left arm we were not able to join hands when one of our team members was praying, so I gently put my hand on Chick's shoulder, said a little breath prayer (I don't know what our prayers leader was saying), and immediately I felt a burning sensation going out from my fingers - it lasted for only a few seconds, but it had quite an impact on me.   Imagine my surprise when, as we were leaving the facility, Chick turned to me and said how she had felt a tingling sensation when I put my hand on her shoulder!   The power of prayer -- even a little -- "throw away" line!

                And so the real purpose of this sermon is to encourage us all to slow down when we say together the Lord's Prayer (we are not completing in the Indy 500); to be deliberate and to think about what the words mean - how can God answer us if we don't take time to think about what we are asking of him? After all this is the prayer which Jesus taught us, when he preached the Sermon on the Mount and we should be mindful of that.

                In retrospect - perhaps we need to slow down in all of our prayers - we know them by heart and so perhaps there is a tendency just to rattle them off without thinking about their meaning.   For example - when was the last time any of you seriously thought about what was meant by the words of The Creed, or The Confession of Sin?

                Rolled into all of this is the second aspect of what I want to talk about - how our actions impact others.   I had absolutely no idea that what I said all those months ago reverberated with anybody, but obviously it did, so we do need to be mindful of our actions because we never know who may be watching or listening.

                Many of you may know that I have a "short fuse" and several years ago - in a group setting - I "lost it"!! The result was receipt of a little note written on a 3 x 5 card which still adorns a small area of my kitchen countertop - please take a look at Ephesians 4:29 and you will see what I read every morning when I go into my kitchen.

               "Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear."   Amen.

 

Đại � Kinh Văn Ch�a Nhật Vừa Qua  

Ch�a Nhật, 25 th�ng 8, 2013  

Luca 13:22-30    

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

 

Trong truyện t�ch Ph�c �m h�m nay, một m�n đệ hỏi Đức Gi�su: "Lạy Ch�a, c� phải chỉ một �t người được cứu?"   Ng�i đ�p: "H�y cố v�o cửa hẹp; v� thầy n�i thật với anh, c� nhiều người muốn m� kh�ng v�o được."  Đọc đoạn nầy ch�ng ta nhớ lại hồi chạy loạn ở S�i g�n v�o năm 1975.  Nhiều người đ� tử vong tr�n Đại Lộ Kinh Ho�ng.  Nhiều người cố chen v�o cổng t�a đại sứ Hoa Kỳ, hoặc chen nhau l�n m�y bay. 

            C�c t�n hữu Kit�-gi�o của thế kỷ đầu ti�n quan t�m về vấn đề cứu rỗi linh hồn.  Trong S�ch C�ng Vụ C�c Sứ Đồ c� truyện Phao L� v� Si La bị giam.  Khi Phao L� v� Si La cầu nguyện v� h�t th�nh ca, c� một cơn động đất xảy ra tại chỗ.  Xiềng x�ch t� phạm đứt ra v� cửa t� mở toang.  Người đề lao hoảng sợ, định tự vẫn.  �ng hỏi hai sứ đồ của Ch�a: "T�i phải l�m g� để được cứu?"  Hai vị trả lời: "H�y tin Đức Gi�su th� �ng v� cả nh� �ng sẽ được cứu."

            Người Do Th�i tin rằng chỉ họ mới được v�o thi�n đ�ng, v� họ c�i nhau về c�c điều kiện để được v�o miền ấy.  Họ c� c�u: "Nhiều người được sinh ra, song chỉ c� �t được cứu."  C�u hỏi n�i tr�n của người m�n đệ l� c�u hỏi về số lượng.  Song Đức Gi�su kh�ng trả lời trực tiếp.  Ng�i ph�n: "H�y cố v�o cửa hẹp."  V� Ng�i th�m rằng cửa ấy chẳng bao l�u sẽ đ�ng lại.

            Cửa nước trời sẽ đ�ng lại đối với ai l�m �c.  Ch�a đ� kh�c v� điều �c dẫy đầy, v� v� người ta l�m ngơ về tội lỗi của họ.  Ng�i dạy, song họ kh�ng th�m nghe.  Ng�i giảng, song họ kh�ng hiểu.   Nước Trời m� Ch�a n�i đến c� nguy�n tắc của n�.  Vấn đề kh�ng phải l� bao nhi�u người được chấp nhận, m� l� ai được v� tại sao được.  Kh�ng phải chỉ người Do Th�i, m� l� tất cả mọi người từ mọi sắc tộc m�u da tr�n thế giới được Ch�a chấp nhận.   C� những người xưng m�nh l� Ki-t� hữu m� l�m điều �c.  Ở Hoa Kỳ c� người nhập v�o nh�m "Chiến Sĩ của Thi�n Ch�a," (God's Warriors) diễn h�nh dưới cờ đỏ v� nghe lời giảng th�c dục bạo h�nh, cho rằng chỉ c� họ mới l� th�nh thiện hơn người.  Đ� l� điều đ�ng sợ.  Người ta c� thể nh�n danh Ch�a l�m điều bất thiện.

            Lời cầu nguyện cho h�m nay xin Ch�a cho ch�ng ta biểu hiện được quyền năng của Ch�a trước mặt tất cả mọi d�n.   Đ�y kh�ng phải l� quyền năng của ch�ng ta.   Đ�y cu~ng kh�ng phải l� sức mạnh của nước ch�ng ta, m� l� sức mạnh của Thi�n Ch�a.  Với c�i nh�n ấy, ch�ng ta kh�ng c�n thấy m�nh th�nh hơn người, song chọn c�ch sống khi�m tốn v� hiến m�nh cho Ch�a, v� bởi đ� t�m được sự b�nh an.     

             Nếu ch�ng ta n�i m�nh l� con của Ch�a, ch�ng ta phải c� h�nh vi ng�n ngữ giống Đức Kit�. Tập theo Đức Kit� cu~ng kh� khăn như t�m c�ch l�ch m�nh qua cửa hẹp. 

 

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

 

The Rev. Tinh T. Huynh

Rector of Saint Patrick's Church