E-bulletin

ADULT ED, 9:00 a.m. During Lent, we will look at the last week of Jesus’ life as recorded in the Gospel of John. This Sunday, Deacon Pat Morris-Rader will lead a discussion about parts of these scriptures: John 17 & 18.

ART A LA CARTE, APRIL 1st 2011
The 1st Friday Art a la Carte season opens Friday April 1st at 4 p.m. St. John's will be exhibiting works by Mosaic Artist Liz Earnhart and Icons by our own Zee Wilks.
The mosaics that Liz creates are made almost exclusively from broken or second-hand pottery or glass. Most of Liz's pieces are worked onto left-over scraps of mortarboard and plywood that she gleans from her husband's job as a contractor.
Zee writes: Join us for a chance to view many Icons all displayed in the West Wing Conference Room. Artists will share their history in Iconography. Examples of the process will be available to view.
Books on Iconography will be available to view.
The Icon artists are all associated with Trinity Iconography Institute, Trinity Cathedral, Portland, Oregon.
There will be poetry readings as well taking place in the Sanctuary starting at 6pm. Come on down to Milwaukie and St. John's in particular to check out the fun happenings.
Art will also be on display after the 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. services on Sunday, April 3rd.

St. Johns Youth Group

Saturday April 2 – 30 Hour Famine activities (9 a.m.-7 p.m.)
Sunday April 3 – (No activity)
Friday April 8 – Sunday April 10 – Bishop’s Ball
Sunday April 17 – Palm Sunday – (5-7 p.m.)
Sunday April 24 – Easter Sunday (No activity this week)
Sunday May 1 - Karaoke (5-7 p.m.)

(3rd or 4th Sunday in May – Westside Youth project with “New Avenues for Youth”

Sermon: Lent 3, The Very Rev. Anthony Thurston

Over the last two weeks we’ve begun to explore the topic of God—not a theological definition or explanation of God, but one in which we ask the questions of “how do we believe” and “what does it mean to believe” and “who really rules my life.” Each of these questions has to do with our perception of God in our lives. And each of these questions asks us to respond to God in our own way.

My wife, Chris, and I have a variety of art in our home. Art is a very personal thing, and what looks wonderful and beautiful to one person is not necessarily the taste for another person. We enjoy having pictures and a few paintings that mean something to us and this art has given us much pleasure over the years. In order to enjoy these pictures, we have to hang them up and someone—a friend of ours here in Portland—told us how to hang pictures. “You have to squint.” What is the squint? Well, after the picture is up you squint and move your head from side to side, back up, move forward, in order to change your perspective—to get a different view, to change the overall perspective and effect of what is seen.

Try that for a few seconds. Pick a spot in front of you—the organ, or stained glass window, or the altar, or candles up here in the chancel. Look at these objects with your head straight, your eyes wide open. Now, squint your eyes and move your head and look at the same thing.

What happens? Do you see the object a bit differently?

Readings for the Third Sunday in Lent: March 27th, 2011

Almighty God, you know that we have no power in ourselves to help ourselves: Keep us both outwardly in our bodies and inwardly in our souls, that we may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

E-bulletin

ADULT ED, 9:00 a.m. During Lent, we will look at the last week of Jesus’ life as recorded in the Gospel of John. This Sunday, Fr. Al Miller will lead a discussion about these scriptures: John 15:1-16:33.

ART A LA CARTE, APRIL 1st 2011
The 1st Friday Art a la Carte season opens Friday April 1st at 4 p.m. St. John's will be exhibiting works by Mosaic Artist Liz Earnhart and Icons by our own Zee Wilks.
The mosaics that Liz creates are made almost exclusively from broken or second-hand pottery or glass. Most of Liz's pieces are worked onto left-over scraps of mortarboard and plywood that she gleans from her husband's job as a contractor.
Zee writes: Join us for a chance to view many Icons all displayed in the West Wing Conference Room. Artists will share their history in Iconography. Examples of the process will be available to view.
Books on Iconography will be available to view.
The Icon artists are all associated with Trinity Iconography Institute, Trinity Cathedral, Portland, Oregon.
There will be poetry readings as well taking place in the Sanctuary starting at 6pm. Come on down to Milwaukie and St. John's in particular to check out the fun happenings.
Art will also be on display after the 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. services on Sunday, April 3rd.

Sermon: Lent 2, The Very Rev. Anthony Thurston

In Tuesday mornings Oregonian there was an article about a woman and man who severely abused the man’s young daughter. She was regularly beaten and locked in her room. She was burned with cigarettes. She was five years old and weighed only 29 pounds. The neglect of these two adults was horrendous. The police indicated that this was the worst case of abuse that they had seen in a very long time.

Every day—every single day, in the papers or on television we learn of someone who has been abused physically, or sexually or emotionally. Stories of drugs, of violence. Stories of neglect and humiliation.

There is an under-belly, seamy side of life that once upon a time wasn’t so visible to us as part of the human situation.

No one here lives at this level of human upheaval and degradation— at least anyone that I know of in this congregation.

At the same, we all experience many of the problems of being human in today’s world and culture. We experience the conflicts that exist between nations around the globe. We experience the decline of our country’s perceived power and influence as a source of hope in the world for peace and goodness.

Readings for the Second Sunday in Lent: March 20th, 2011

O God, whose glory it is always to have mercy: Be gracious to all who have gone astray from your ways, and bring them again with penitent hearts and steadfast faith to embrace and hold fast the unchangeable truth of your Word, Jesus Christ your Son; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

E-bulletin

ADULT ED, 9:00 a.m. During Lent, we will look at the last week of Jesus’ life as recorded in the Gospel of John. This Sunday, Deacon Stephen will lead a discussion about these scriptures: John 13:1-14:31.

The Out-to-Lunch Bunch will meet at Elmer’s, 16087 SE 82nd Drive in Clackamas, at 11:30 a.m. on the 24th of March.

Good News! We reported a few months ago that Leeann Hogan, a former parishioner of St Johns, had stage 4 lung cancer. We have recently learned that her tumors have shrunk or in one case, vanished, and no new tumors have occurred. Her doctor used the word “miracle” when reporting this to her. Thank you for your prayers.

Sermon: Lent 1, The Very Rev. Anthony Thurston

This morning, I’d like to ask you to think about something a long time ago—perhaps as far back in your memory to your childhood—of what you thought about God. And in your idea—it was in mine—that beyond the sky and the stars, beyond all that we could see or imagine, was a place called heaven. We might have thought of heaven as a perfect place—a geographic place where God lived.

Next, try, for a moment to think about what God looked like in this picture of yours. Perhaps you thought of God as an old man with a long white beard, sitting on a magnificent throne, and maybe there were throngs of angels all around. And on either side of this huge, impressive throne were two smaller thrones. Jesus was sitting in one of them (at least according to the Bible Jesus sits at the right hand of God) but perhaps the other throne was empty, or maybe you had the idea that the Holy Spirit sat on that side. And from this throne-like empire all kinds of decisions about the world were made—even decisions about you—what you were going to look like, how smart you would be, what the pathway would be for your life, whom you would marry (because after all, it’s said that marriages are made in heaven) and, even, how your daily life would work out?

Presiding Bishop's Lenten Message

Readings for the First Sunday in Lent: March 13th, 2011

Almighty God, whose blessed Son was led by the Spirit to be tempted by Satan: Come quickly to help us who are assaulted by many temptations; and, as you know the weaknesses of each of us, let each one find you mighty to save; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

St. Johns Youth Group

Sunday March 13 – Another Westside Episcopal Youth activity: Helping with William Temple House
Sunday March 20 – The beginning of Spring Break (No activity this week)
Sunday March 27 – Youth vs. Church team challenge (5-7 p.m.)

Note: Risa will be out of town from March 10-22.

E-Bulletin

Daylight Saving Time begins Sunday, March 13th. Remember to set your clocks ahead one hour on Saturday night.

ADULT ED, 9:00 a.m. During Lent, we will look at the last week of Jesus’ life as recorded in the Gospel of John. This Sunday, Fr. Bud will lead a discussion about these scriptures: John 11:45-57 (The plot to kill Jesus), and 12:1-8 (Mary anoints Jesus).

Lenten Quiet Afternoon: Practicing the Presence of God
Sunday, March 13
12:00 noon – 3:00 pm in the West Wing
The season of Lent, which begins on Ash Wednesday, is a period of time to strengthen and nourish our spiritual lives as we prepare for the miracle of the Resurrection on Easter.
Thus on the first Sunday of Lent, you are invited to a Lenten Quiet Afternoon which will provide an opportunity to explore a variety of spiritual practices through Bible study, prayer, small group discussion and time for personal reflection.
Bring a sack lunch – tea and coffee provided – and join with others in the parish for an afternoon of spiritual refreshment.
Facilitated by Paula Franck and Chris Thurston

Newsletter

The March-April addition of the newsletter, St. John's Revelation, is available.  This link will take you to a Google Document that you can read online.  Please note, pages 5 and 6 are blank in the electronic version where a calendar was physically cut and pasted before mailing. 

Shrove Tuesday Pancake & Gumbo Supper

Tuesday, March 8
5:00 – 6:30 p.m.
Cost - $5.00
Come celebrate Mardi Gras with us and enjoy the traditional all-you-can-eat pancakes and ham, or the savory Gumbo! Desserts and Chocolate are included. Support the youth and enjoy the fellowship!

Readings for the Last Sunday after the Epiphany: March 6th, 2011

O God, who before the passion of your only-­begotten Son revealed his glory upon the holy mountain: Grant to us that we, beholding by faith the light of his countenance, may be strengthened to bear our cross, and be changed into his likeness from glory to glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

E-bulletin

ADULT ED, 9:00 a.m., March 6th: continuing Survival of the Sickest: A question of faith vs. genes.
We will explore the possibilities of how human diseases (ex. diabetes) have served a purpose at one time in our population, and discuss how our faith becomes tested as we reveal more about our genetic make up. We will be using the book "Survival of the Sickest" as our reference. I look forward to seeing everyone again for a wonderful class. –Ford Morishita

It's time for a CHANGE!!!
Remember that the first Sunday of the month all loose coins in the collection plate go to the Sunday School program. This coming Sunday is the first Sunday in March, so please remember to bring your loose change and help support the Sunday School!

Many thanks to Pat Morris-Rader for putting together an outstanding "Newcomers" dinner on March 1st. It was a wonderful event. Thank you to Pat, and all of the volunteers who made it come together!

Sermon: Epiphany 8, The Very Rev. Anthony Thurston

Jesus said, “but if God so clothes the grass of the field—which is alive today--and tomorrow is thrown in the oven, will God not much more clothe you—O you of little faith.”

Punctuation. All of us who spend any time writing know that punctuation is pretty important. Periods and question marks help to define a sentence. Commas help separate out a list so that each item is distinct. The colon lets you know that what follows, links to what went before. The semi-colon can link two different ideas in one sentence. And then there is that other piece of punctuation grammar that is overly used by many, and rarely used by the best writers, but often used to great effect—and I refer here to the dash.

Most of us are old enough to remember the comedy routine that Victor Borges does, where he reads from a text and verbally adds in all the punctuation. A period sounds like (puuut). A question mark sounds like (keee-punt) and commas and so forth—it’s a hysterical routine.

Whenever I encounter a dash—Borge’s sign for a dash was (feeest)—whenever I encounter a dash in writing, I assume that the writer wants us to pause for a moment.

2nd Annual Childrens Theatre Camp

We will hold our 2nd Annual Theatre Camp July 11-15, 2011 from 8:30am - 2:30pm in the West Wing. This week-long camp is for children ages 4-13 and will culminate with a performance by the campers on Friday evening. The cost is $50 per child, with scholarships available to those who need it. Children of St. John's parishioners are free. More information to come!