The Lector & Eucharistic Minister training was taught by Fr. Fred Poteet who led an instructed Holy Eucharist. Approximately fifteen current and interested parishioners attended and will soon be participating in our services. We welcome those who are new to the ministry, and extend our appreciation to those who have been serving in our services. For those who missed the opportunity to attend this session and have expressed interest in this ministry, Fr. Fred will be holding another session in early Fall in the evening.

We welcome with gratitude, Peggie Wiggins as the leader of the Greeters/Newcomers Area of Ministry. Mills Tomlin graciously reprised a recent workshop that was held at St. John’s for developing a plan to make our newcomers and parishioners welcome with Peggie’s assistance. Many thanks to both for a job well-done.

B. Anne Davis, Chair
Worship Committee

[View with PicLens]

July 25 – 29, 2010
6:30 – 8:30 pm

At St John’s Galactic Blast Vacation Bible School 2010, your cadets will voyage into outer space praising God. Through daily missions, your kids will see space like never before, gain a new perspective on our planet Earth, and learn easy “green” earth tips they can practice at home. This cosmic combination of faith and fun will have your cadets developing a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

Imagine if Martha responded by sitting down next to Mary at Jesus’ feet and let go her many distractions. Saint Augustine imagined just such a moment:

Imagine if all the tumult of the body were to quiet down, along with all our busy thoughts about earth, sea, and air; if the very world should stop, and the mind cease thinking about itself, go beyond itself, and be quite still; if all the fantasies that appear in dreams and imagination should cease, and there be no speech, no sign: Imagine if all things that are perishable grew still – for if we listen they are saying, “We did not make ourselves; he made us who abides forever” – imagine, then, that they should say this and fall silent, listening to the very voice of him who made them and not to that of his creation; so that we should hear not his word through the tongues of men, nor the voice of angels, nor the clouds’ thunder, nor any symbol, but the very Self which in these things we love, and go beyond ourselves to attain a flash of that eternal wisdom that abides above all things: And imagine if that moment were to go on and on, leaving behind all other sights and sounds but this one vision that ravishes and absorbs and fixes the beholder in joy; so that the rest of eternal life were like that moment of illumination that leaves us breathless: Would this not be what is bidden in scripture, Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord? Saint Augustine

Please join the AWE women of St. John’s Church on Sunday, Aug. 1, following the 10:00 service for a salad lunch and book discussion of Beth Moore’s latest book, So Long Insecurity.

Bring a salad to serve six. Beverages and breads will be provided.

Hope you have enjoyed your summer reading of this book and are ready to discuss.

Questions: Call Doreen Sheler at 397-4388

St. John’s, in partnership with five other downtown churches, serves supper to Portsmouth’s homeless through the summer.  Join us at 5:00 pm, Tuesday, July 20 to set tables, serve food and beverages and straighten up the the parish hall after supper. We expect to feed 60 people, so your help will be greatly appreciated.

This 10:00 combined service gives us a wonderful opportunity to draw our community together in unity, to explore our strengths and common visions, and to return to our customary worship schedule with a better understanding of one another.