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

Upcoming Events

 Sunday, Nov. 16:

Odeon Concert, 4:00 PM


 
Thursday, Nov. 27:

Thanksgiving service, 10:30 AM followed by pot luck


 

Saturday, Dec. 6:
Worship Ministries Training 9 AM to Noon 


 

Sunday, Dec. 7:

Annual Meeting after service


 
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, 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, 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 13. 2014
Photos


Altar flowers arranged by Nhung Dang
Parish Notes
- The flowers for Sunday November 16th are given by Wanda Nolan in memory of her loved ones.

- 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+


- Kneelers 

 On Sunday, November 2, 2014 after services, we started sharing the stories of the treasured items which adorn the Communion Rail, our sanctuary kneelers.

 

Kathy Oliver created a wonderful binder with 4x6 sized photos of the top design of the kneelers along with the dedication on the bottom.  This binder will keep the kneelers history in one place.

 

To increase the value of this binder, we would like to add notes about each of the kneelers.  Can you please send in your short story about the kneeler(s) you and your family sponsored?

 

Thank you to the generous souls who sponsored and dedicated and stitched these cushions.  We will remember you always.

For more information see Kathy Oliver or Lois Cascella

 

  

- FCS Thanksgiving Baskets

Save the Date:  Saturday, November 22nd is the Falls Church Community Service Council (FCS) Thanksgiving "Basket" delivery date.  FCS has committed to providing Thanksgiving dinner for 140 families in our immediate area.  Drivers will be needed that Saturday to pick up food at Knox Presbyterian Church (on Rt. 50 across from the Thomas Jefferson Library) and deliver to these most needy families.

Click here to find out how to sponsor a basket, volunteer or find out needed food donations...


 

- 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


 

The Propers 

Sunday, November 16, 2014

Twenty-Third Sunday after Penticost 

 

Texts: 

First Reading: Zephaniah 1:7, 12-18

Psalm 90:1-8, 12

Second Reading: 1Thessalonians 5:1-11

Matthew 25:14-30       

  
Collect: 

Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who 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 9, 2014

 

The Scriptures beginning this morning and continuing for the next two weeks are eschatological or concerned with the end of time. Eschatology, the study of the end of the world, has always been a fascination to many. In fact, in some places, the visions conjured up by the end times is financially lucrative. There is a book series entitled, Left Behind that has sold millions of copies worldwide. A movie is about to be released that portrays the storyline of one of the more popular books. Eschatology is big business!

The problem with hyping the Eschaton in such an elaborate way is that much of what has been written about the end times as a period of violence, upheaval, fear and suffering is pure fiction. Eschatology has much more to do with the coming of God that calls people of faith to a specific lifestyle that more closely resembles Jesus Christ.

I recently, as you know, attended a wedding. The wedding was held in Newport Rhode Island. Newport is a scenic place where the America's Cup sailing tournament is held. It is also famous for being the city where President John Kennedy and his wife, Jackie, were married.

Relatives and  from Pennsylvania, Boston, Virginia, Ft, Lauderdale Fl, San Juan Puerto Rico and Brazil all made the trip to celebrate the joyous event with the  happy couple. The bride was radiant and the groom was glowing. It was a joy to see young love staking a claim for love in the midst of a world where love is often is short supply.

The wedding was held outdoors at the spectacular property called Castle Inn. It overlooked the water and was beautiful. As the wedding guests waited and waited for the wedding to begin, the winds became stronger and the temperature dropped. Now imagine the majority of the family comes from tropical and sub-tropical climates! Waiting was not much fun in the chilly outdoors! But once the wedding march began, the waiting did not seem to be as difficult as we witnessed the joy and promise of the couple.

This morning's Gospel features a wedding with 10 bridesmaids who wait for the groom's arrival. Jesus was referring to the wedding customs of His time when the groom walked from his father's house to the home of his bride to be. The bride and the groom walked together with the bridal party to the home of the groom for the ceremony and the wedding banquet which often lasted for days.

Matthew tells a parable of the 10 Bridesmaids. In this story, the bridesmaids are all waiting for the groom to show up. The bridesmaids had the task of standing outside the bride's home and light the path for the couple as they made their way to the new in-law's home for the ceremony and the party.

The groom is delayed. The waiting becomes longer and longer and eventually all the bridesmaids grew sleepy and finally feel asleep. While they were asleep the oil in their lamps diminished. Matthew observed that that some of the bridesmaids had prepared for the groom's delay and brought extra oil with them while the others did not have enough oil to keep their torches lit. The unprepared maidens asked their counterparts who brought the extra oil to share some of theirs. The ones with the extra oil refused to share what they had stating that if they shared the extra then there would be no light for the procession at all and the groom's family would be shamed.

When the maids leave in search of oil for their lamps, they find the party already in full swing. The doors are locked and they knock on them loudly to gain entrance. The bridegroom's voice informs them that he doesn't know who they are and that they are not coming in to the party. This probably sounds harsh especially since the bridegroom is Jesus. The point Jesus is making in telling this story is that we are supposed to live our lives every single day so as to brighten the path of the Lord's arrival.[1]

Jesus has already told His disciples that "You are the light of the world". He wants His followers to bear His light of love and truth in the world. Let us consider the parable from a different perspective. What if Jesus is encouraging disciples of all ages and nations to be more like the first group of bridesmaids who encouraged one another not to forget to bring some extra oil in case the oil ran low while waiting for the bridegroom and to keep their lamps lit? Perhaps the oil remained lit because of the cooperation and caring demonstrated among them.

And what about the foolish maidens? Could it be that the lackadaisical group of bridesmaids became that way because no one in their group dared to go against the prevailing attitude of the day? Apathy is just as contagious as ardor. We as Christ's people are called to be people of hope and a community that builds one another up in Christ by our actions as well as our prayers. Jesus tells us to be prepared.

Let's take a look at what ingredients need to be in our oil while we await the coming of the Lord in His fullness. Kindness is an excellent ingredient to pour out into the world. And let's not forget patience mixed with an extra helping of forbearance. Forgiveness is another key ingredient to use in the healing of the world for Christ's sake. Mix in a little generosity and a keen sense of justice to spice things up. The oil of our making is just what Jesus asks us to bring to our work in the mission of spreading the Gospel.

As we wait for the Lord's coming again into our midst, let us not lose sight of the fact that, indeed, He is already here among us. May He find us all ready to receive Him so we can enter into the banquet of eternal life with Him forever.

And for this we all pray, AMEN



[1] Chesser, Dawn Rev. Preaching Helps, Pentecost 22, United Methodist Church, General Board of Discipleship, 2014


 

 


 

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