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In This Issue
Photos
Parish Notes
Marian's Corner
The Propers
Last Sunday's Sermon

Upcoming Events

Tuesday, Nov. 11:

Commissions and Vestry,

6:30 PM


 
Sunday, Nov. 16:

Odeon Concert, 4:00 PM


 
Thursday, Nov. 27:

Thanksgiving service, 10:30 AM followed by pot luck


 
Saturday, Dec. 27:

Feed the Homless

10:30 AM

 

Altar at Easter 2013

       

Birthdays

November

1   Bennett Miller

4    Brian Dubas

7    William Herbert

9    Colby Leonard

10    Tom Auld

12    Nhung Dang

18    Nam-Tran Mai

24    Thomas H. Wetrich

25   Kiet Samuel Tran

 

December

 4    Irene Graham

 5    Jennifer Moya

 6    Jean Pierre Chanu

10    Winnie Lebo

11    Graham Parvinkarimi

14    Lois Cascella

15    Laurie Los

15    Moi Phan

24    Jane Chapman

25    Amelia Nicholson

28    Paul Los

30    Patricia Phan

31    Trang Diep

31    Chon Kim Huynh

 

Our Prayer List

We remember in our prayer:

 

Cathy Anderson, Dee Bailey, Brandon, Rachel Burgess, Jane Chapman, Marie Cosimano, Tim Clary, Dorothy Connelly, John Davis, Michael Dickinson, Loretta Dougherty, Steve Escobar, Nance Finegan, Luis Garay Pat Gardner, Carolyn Gawarecki, Louise Gibney, Jean Graham, Katherine Hafele, Margaret Ellis Harris, Alek Hensley, Leslie Hogan, Cindy Hogman, Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., Michael Horn,  Lindsay Johns, Gray Johnson, Jamie Kaplon, Laura Kennedy, Iona Kiger, Quinn Kimball, Alice King, Michael Knowles, Ashley Kolitz, Peter Kosutic, Susan Lawrence, Thai Lee, Bruce Lineker, Sharon Lineker, Evelyn Morgan, Danielle Morgan, Que Nguyen, Chick Nixon, Mary Esther Obremskey, Tom Olander, Olive Oliver, Jim Owens, Gary Owens, Valerie Parkhouse, William Ross, Fern Shuck, Irene Skowron, Josh Smithers, Inez Stanton, Candi Stewart, Patrick Stefl, Barbara Stefl, Kara Stryker, Walter Sushko, George Thomas, Elizabeth Trigg, Tammy Vanphung, Michael Weekes, Warren Weinstein, The Crowley Family, The Westfall Family, Meredith Wiech, Bernard Williams, Rev. Letha Wilson-Barnard, Rudy Zimpel.

               ____ 

 

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 Winnie Lebo at

thelebos@verizon.net  or call her at 703-536-2075.  Also, should a name need be removed from the list, please let Winnie 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 Rev. Marian Humphrey, Interim Rector

 

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: Kathy Oliver; Junior Warden:  Bill Houston;
Registrar: Winnie Lebo;
Treasurer:  Kathy Oliver; 

Other members of the Vestry:   Elisabeth Nguyen, Milton Thomas, Victoria Kennedy, Ann Nelson. 

 

GROUPS AND ACTIVITIES

 

Altar Guild:  Lois Cascella;  
Bell Choir:  Mariko Hiller; 
Sunday Service Bulletin:  Diem Nguyen, Steve Lebo;
Offering Counters:  Bob Cascella; 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:  Hao Nguyen; 
The Epistle Newsletter Editors: Winnie Lebo; Flea Market:
Prison Ministry: Nancy Burch;
Meals-on-Wheels: Sunrise/Bluemont:
Michael Knowles   

 

 

Join Our List
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November 6. 2014
Photos

Altar flowers arranged by Ann Nelson 

All Saints Day Table of Memories

Blessing of the Memorial Walk

When "The Saints Go Marching In"

Discussion about hand-crafted kneelers
Parish Notes
- The flowers for Sunday November 9th are given by the Mark Mills family.

- Coffee hour volunteers needed

Please consider signing up to provide refreshments.

"Benefit Concert to Combat Ebola in West Africa"
St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Bailey's Crossroads, under the direction of their Music Director, Anna Ko, is planning a Benefit Concert to Combat Ebola in West Africa which will be held on Sunday, November 23 at 4:00pm in the sanctuary at St. Paul's located at 3439 Payne Street, Falls Church, VA. Some of the most talented and popular musicians in the northern Virginia area, including Emma Resimi on flute, Neil Brown of the Trumpet Trio and former member of Navy Brass, Rich Kleinfeldt from the Washington Saxophone quartet, Janet Bailey violin trio from Army Strings and Classical FX Quartet from the Washington National Opera, have volunteered to donate their time and talent to this concert. The suggested donation is $20, but additional donations for this cause are welcomed. The proceeds will go to Episcopal Relief and Development and to St. Paul's missionaries on the ground in Monrovia and Mbaloma to meet the immediate needs of those affected by Ebola. There will be a reception in St. Paul's Fleming Hall immediately following the concert.


 

 - Telling Our Story

Do you enjoy hearing a good story? Can you picture the events in your mind as the storyteller relates every detail? Does your family have a favorite story about one of your relatives?

Most of us do enjoy hearing a good story and many of the stories we tell have been told more than once. And the funny thing is that no matter how often we hear that story told; we never grow tired of listening to it. Stories have the power to touch something within us. Stories help us identify a part of ourselves and connect it to the story being told. Story builds empathy between individuals because through stories we are able to discover that we are more alike than we are different. We share a common humanity no matter where we come from or who we are.

Over the next month, I invite us all to take a step back and remember. We will begin the month with the celebration of All Saints. We remember those individuals whose lives have mirrored that of Jesus. St. Patrick and his ministry among the Irish people and St. Francis of Assisi who taught us the importance of living simply are just two examples of human beings who gave themselves completely to Christ. We also remember the 117 Martyrs of Vietnam who endured years of persecution and eventual death for practicing their Christian faith.

Telling our stories about our cultural heritage and how we came to call St. Patrick's our faith home will be another activity planned for us. 

Watch the bulletin for a complete schedule of events! Hope to see you there!

Faithfully in Christ,

Rev. Marian+

  

- Pastoral Search Prayer

Our Heavenly Father,

Your love for us is unfailing. You surround us with a hedge of spiritual protection against the storms of life keeping us from harm's way. You have blessed this church- a sacred place we love, a diverse and caring community where all are welcome and each is valued. Look graciously upon us during this time of transition.

 

We ask your guidance as we seek a faithful priest who will: lead us in worship, care for us, celebrate our diversity, help us to know Christ and make him known, and equip us for ministry using the gifts and talents of our congregation to share Christ's love within our community and in the world beyond.

Encourage us in this endeavor. Renew our faith, and inspire us to conceive that which is beyond our experience. Let us be of one mind and heart in Christ.

 

We pray especially for those who have been called to serve on the search committee: give them clarity of purpose and help them listen carefully to your still, small voice. In all of these things, let us be mindful that it is you who is calling the right person to shepherd your flock at St. Patrick's.

We ask this in the name of your Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ,

 

Amen


 

Marian's Corner

An Attitude of Gratitude

A recent popular musical called "Rent" features a song that I think is especially appropriate for this time of year. The song extols the blessings that are given to us each day. The words urge you and I to treasure each moment as a gift.
Five Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand
Six Hundred Minutes
How Do You Measure a year?
In - Five Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand
Six Hundred Minutes
How Do You Measure
How do you measure, measure a year?
In daylights, in sunsets
In midnights, in cups of coffee
In inches, in miles, in laughter, in strife
In five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes
How do you measure, a year in the life?
How about love?
How about love?
Measure in love

It is difficult to appreciate all we've been given sometimes especially when we are experiencing grief and loss or anxiety about what the future will bring or when we've been hurt. Pain often forces us to close our hearts and it is a natural reaction. When in pain, most of us turn inward rather than opening ourselves to God's healing love. Once we've turned inward on ourselves we begin to see our lives in terms of scarcity- that we will never have enough of whatever we want. We tell ourselves that we need more in order to be happy. Even though we know that our joy does not consist in things.

Jesus assures us that we can, "Come to me (Jesus) all you who have heavy burdens and I will refresh you" (Matt.11:28) Sharing our burdens within the Eucharistic community is a way for God to minister to us. Burdens seem lighter when we know that others are praying for us. We can be glad that as we come to Christ, we receive the hope we seek that reassures us that we are never alone. We rejoice in the knowledge that our sufferings are redeemed and healed in Christ.
Jesus has given us all that we need both as individuals and as a community. Beautiful sunsets, friends, loving spouses, a church community are just some of God's blessings in this life for which we can be grateful. Jesus challenges us to view ourselves and our world in terms of abundance. Jesus tells us, "I have come that you might have life and have it abundantly" (Jn.10:10). St. Patrick's has great abundance. The parish has lovely buildings and grounds to share with others seeking a peaceful place in a busy neighborhood. We have generous people with hearts that respond to the needs of others. God is pleased when the resources we have are placed in service to others. That is how we demonstrate our gratitude by sharing what we have.
Instead of viewing ourselves as small, perhaps we might view ourselves as agents of Christ's love for everyone and be willing to freely open ourselves to the direction of the Holy Spirit. We will always have enough of what we need but through sharing what we have we will come to know an abundance that we can barely imagine. Jesus tells us, "Those who want to save their will lose it and those who lose their life for my sake will find it" (Lk.9:24) And as author Joan Chittister writes, "The simple virtue of enoughness [is] knowing that what I have is sufficient for me, and knowing that what I give will end the destitution of others."

 

The Propers 

Sunday, November 9, 2014

Twenty Second Sunday after Penticost 

 

Texts: 

First Reading: Amos 5:18-24

Psalm 70

Second Reading: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Matthew 25:1-13       

  
Collect: 

O God, whose blessed Son came into the world that he might destroy the works of the devil and make us children of God and heirs of eternal life: Grant that, having this hope, we may purify ourselves as he is pure; that, when he comes again with power and great glory, we may be made like him in his eternal and glorious kingdom; where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

 

Last Sunday's Sermon

Given by The Rev. Marian Humphrey  

November 2, 2014

 

The Feast of All saints is a wonderful time for the Church to take a step back and pause to consider such heady subjects such as life, discipleship, death, and eternal life. The Church invites its members to look beyond society's rampant consumerism with its overwhelming emphasis on the present moment and its disregard for the past and distrust of an uncertain future. The focus for today is to reflect on the lives of individuals a lot like ourselves who did the ordinary things in life extraordinarily well.
The Scriptures appointed for today's celebration contains the theme of community that runs throughout each of the readings. The first reading from the Book of Revelation offers a vision of community with a single-focus on God. The heavenly host sings as if one voice, "holy, holy, holy" before the throne of God.
The second reading describes a community marked by its diversity. Although drawn from every nation, people, and language; this diverse community sings the same song. Images of food and family speak to a communion table where all are welcome to the abundant feast.
And lastly, the community image speaks of a bond that transcends even death. The future remains unknown but at the same time the future is secured through the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus.
The Gospel this morning focuses on the already but not yet nature of the Christian Life. As followers of Jesus we live between heaven and earth- the sacred and the profane. Jesus told us that in Him, the Kingdom of God had come upon earth. The evidence of this claim was the blind received their sight, the ears of the deaf were opened, and the poor had Good News preached to them. Disciples have been tasked with undertaking the same work that Jesus did. When disciples follow the example of Jesus, the Kingdom of God continues to be made manifest on earth again.
The Beatitudes are not laws but rather a description of a people who are gathered and empowered by Jesus Christ. In the already, a disciple's life is characterized by the attitudes and behaviors extolled in the Beatitudes. This new community is the "light for the world and the salt of the earth" located in the life of Jesus. In the not yet, a transformed life in the time to come in the eschaton, the Beatitudes cast a vision of a new creation in Christ. This new creation is the Kingdom of God when all is reconciled in Christ and we can see one another and all of creation the way God sees us. This new community is the "light for the world and the salt of the earth" located in the life of Jesus.
Today, we celebrate the saints. Saints are those whose lives closely resemble the spirit of the Beatitudes and because the life they led was patterned after Jesus' life; they now live eternally in God's holy presence. The reading from Revelation gives us a glimpse of that life with God which we were all created to enjoy. The vision states that great multitudes of people from everywhere around the globe stand in God's presence with their newly washed robes and sing, "Salvation, glory, and honor belongs to our God and to the Lamb."
Celtic theology believes that God is present in everything and God is present everywhere. Celtic theology also believes that there are holy places on earth where the space between heaven and earth is so small that it is almost imperceptible. The Celts call these "thin places". Today we are celebrating a "thin place". The veil covering the space between heaven and earth is being pulled back by Jesus so we can peer into our future. This future with God is our inherent heritage. We, too, like so many before us are destined to live in God's presence forever. We are created for an eternal life with God.
Saints are human beings that instinctively know that when God is near; to expect the unexpected. God has a way of turning things upside down. Jesus says, "Happy are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. And happy are the meek, they will inherit the earth! And again, Jesus says, "Happy are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons and daughters of God." Saints are those who follow Jesus' way and share Jesus' values. Saints are those who reject the values of the world for Christ's sake. Saints endure the inevitable suffering that is a consequence of living differently from the values and ways of our society. "Because we are people of resurrection hope, All Saints Sunday is truly a day where the church can shout "Amen," live in abundant hope, and rejoice. Such rejoicing is an act of defiance in the face of the powers of death and darkness and an affirmation of our Lord's promises and teachings."
Let us go forth from this place renewed and strengthened by the faithful example of the saints. Let us go forward in confidence that Jesus will empower us to continue to strive to live the values of the Beatitudes. And let us become ready to enter into the joy of eternal life at the end of our days, when the One who made us and sustained in our lives welcomes us home.
And for this we pray, AMEN!
 

 


 

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

Please pray for Saint Patrick's throughout the process of transition 

 

Saint Patrick's Episcopal Church

Falls Church, Virginia