Readings for the Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost: October 2nd, 2011

Almighty and everlasting God, you are always more ready to hear than we to pray, and to give more than we either desire or deserve: Pour upon us the abundance of your mercy, forgiving us those things of which our conscience is afraid, and giving us those good things for which we are not worthy to ask, except through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ our Savior; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

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The Worship/Server’s Schedule is ready to be picked up. If you are serving this Sunday, it has either been mailed or emailed to you. Everyone else, please pick up your copy in the narthex on Sunday to save on postage. If you would like a copy emailed to you, please reply to this email.

Adult education will resume on Sunday! Join Deacon Denny at 9 a.m. to hear about his recent trip to Israel. On October 9 come to discuss the topic The Concept of Sin in the Old Testament.

Laurel Hart wishes to invite you to her ordination: The Rt. Rev. Michael J. Hanley, Bishop of Oregon, by the grace of God, will ordain Laurel Hart to the Sacred Order of Deacons on Saturday, October 1, 2011, at two o’clock in the afternoon. Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, 1704 NE 43rd Avenue, Portland, Oregon. The festive color is red. A reception will follow.

Sermon: Pentecost 15, The Very Rev. Anthony Thurston

Every now and then we give our friends and family a shock by doing something which, seems to them, to be completely out of character. Some of you know that last weekend I visited my elderly mother. I make this trip once a year and recently it was necessary for her to leave her home of many years and go to an assisted living facility.

My shock came when I realized that she was entirely different then I have ever seen her before. She has moved into dementia, she alternated between being angry and lashing out at her caregivers and family members. She has taken up swearing and calling people by a new variety of names. She wants to know why she can’t go home—despite the fact that she is unable to walk, to manage her own toileting, to cook her own food. Within a period of just a couple of minutes she can go from being vituperous to being logical and loving.

But what about those of us who aren’t living in this kind of a setting or having these irresolvable problems?

There is a sense of light and darkness in each of us. And when we do shock our friends and family with character differences they—and we—begin to understand that we aren’t as consistent as we seem.

Readings for the Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost: September 25th, 2011

O God, you declare your almighty power chiefly in showing mercy and pity: Grant us the fullness of your grace, that we, running to obtain your promises, may become partakers of your heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

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Did you know that Alzheimer's is the 6th leading cause of death? That every 69 seconds someone develops Alzheimer's?Help the youth group make a difference by making a donation as we participate in the 2011 Portland Walk to End Alzheimer's on September 25. You can make a donation by going on-line and making a donation directly to Alzheimer's at http://2011alzwalk.kintera.org/pdx/stjohnsmilwaukie or you can write a check made out to "Alzheimer's Association Oregon Chapter" and of course we will accept cash as well!

Adult education will resume this coming Sunday at 9 a.m. with the topic The Meaning of God.

BABE: Buy a bottle, everyone, for the Harvest Dinner as you make your Wine Tour purchases! Sparkling Cider is also needed for the Harvest Dinner.

Laurel Hart wishes to invite you to her ordination: The Rt. Rev. Michael J. Hanley, Bishop of Oregon, by the grace of God, will ordain Laurel Hart to the Sacred Order of Deacons on Saturday, October 1, 2011, at two o’clock in the afternoon. Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, 1704 NE 43rd Avenue, Portland, Oregon. The festive color is red. A reception will follow.

Readings for the Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost: September 18th, 2011

Grant us, Lord, not to be anxious about earthly things, but to love things heavenly; and even now, while we are placed among things that are passing away, to hold fast to those that shall endure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

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Meet the Artist
September 18th from 9–10 a.m. and after the 10:00 service Dawna Bell, our September exhibitor, will be available to discuss her art and answer any questions you may have. She will take orders for her 2012 calendar and have individual and boxed cards for sale as well.

The 6th annual wine tour is scheduled for Saturday, September 24th. We will be leaving St. John’s at 9:15 a.m. sharp and traveling to the Salem area again to visit four wineries.The first one we’ll visit will be St. Innocent, then on to Cubanisimo, where we’ll have a wonderful boxed lunch. Due to popular demand from last year (and because it’s close), the third stop will be at Left Coast Cellars, then to Johan Vineyards to end the day. We should be back to the church by 5:00 to 5:30 p.m.
The choices for the boxed lunch are as follows:
1. Roast Beef sandwich on sourdough w/pickled onions, lettuce, swiss cheese
2. Turkey on Ciabatta w/pesto, cream cheese & spinach
3. Caprese on Ciabatta w/fresh mozzarella, tomato & basil
Each choice will include a salad and fresh fruit. Please let Sharon Fontaine know as soon as possible which sandwich you would prefer.
The cost of the tour is $45.00 again this year. To reserve your space, please send your payment to the church or to me no later than Tuesday, September 20th. If you are paying by check, please make it out to St. John’s Episcopal Church. Please call if you have questions. Keep your fingers crossed for good weather!
Proceeds from the wine tour will be given to the Children’s Clothing Center, Feed the Hungry program, Youth Group and Sunday School. Please stay tuned for more information.

Sermon: Pentecost 13, The Very Rev. Anthony Thurston

For most of us, September 11th is a day that we all remember. And it will be remembered for years to come. The targeting of the World Trade Center is a reminder of the pain, devastation and loss experienced by death for over 3,000 people as well as thousands of families in this country when those planes came crashing into the twin towers, the Pentagon and the fields of Pennsylvania. It is a reminder, also, of the hatred, bitterness, anger and desire for different groups and individuals to cause harm not only to citizens of the United States, but also to all of the people of the world who value and desire freedom. For Christians it is a reminder that we live in a world that is broken by human sin and frailty. A world that abuses its children, a world of gangs and drug violence, a world where suicide bombers take the lives of innocent bystanders in the name of God, a world where the unforgivable is perpetrated upon innocent men, women and children every day.

It makes me wonder how we forgive and live in a world where the gift of forgiveness is challenged everyday by the reality of the events around us. What is it like to forgive? What do we do when the trespasses against us are intentional and often repeated? These are hard questions that we struggle with.

The 6th Annual Wine Tour

SAVE THE DATE! The 6th annual wine tour is scheduled for Saturday, September 24th. We will be traveling from St. John’s by bus and visiting three or four wineries.

Proceeds from the wine tour will be given to the Children’s Clothing Center, Feed the Hungry program, Youth Group and Sunday School. Please stay tuned for more information.

Please reserve your seat early by calling Sharon or Bruce Fontaine. There will also be a sign up sheet available in the narthex.

Readings for the Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost: September 11th, 2011

O God, because without you we are not able to please you mercifully grant that your Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule our hearts; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

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Children's Clothing Center
Thank you to all who have supported the Children's Clothing Center with your donations and by volunteering to help staff a Saturday. In our first two weeks of operation we have served 20 children, and it does not look like things will slow down any time soon. If you still have donations to bring, please do so either on Sunday, or drop them off in the office during the week. All donations are greatly appreciated!

Church "pioneer" picnic
What a great time we had at the Oaks Park picnic following the service at the Pioneer Church. Plans are underway to continue this tradition for the "2nd annual Oaks Park Picnic" next year.

Scrip
Scrip sales will resume this coming Sunday, so bring your order form or grab one from me (Linda Kidd) on Sunday. We are on track to once again have a very successful scrip year at St. John's. If you would like more information about the scrip program, be sure to ask!

Sermon: Pentecost 11, The Very Rev. Anthony Thurston

It’s great to be back at St. John’s. Chris and I enjoyed our vacation time and I’m grateful that Ric Simpson was available to take services while I was away. I have heard many good comments about Ric’s being here. I’m also grateful for some time away.

I want to talk a bit today about the Eucharist. I think there are two critical ways in which we need to learn to understand this idea, actually this mystery, of the Lord’s Supper.

First, the Eucharist is a reminder to the church of the sacrifice that Jesus makes for the whole world—a giving of His life that our lives might have fuller meaning—forever;

And secondly, the Eucharist is not a private act, but a public one—it’s not like praying, but it is the way in which we gather as Christians to share and to be together—it’s the central act of our worship experience.

So let me wander around a bit on this topic and talk for a moment about communion and what I think is important for us to remember.

Readings for the Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost: September 4th, 2011

Grant us, O Lord, to trust in you with all our hearts; for, as you always resist the proud who confide in their own strength, so you never forsake those who make their boast of your mercy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

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Service at the Pioneer Church: Once upon a time, the pioneer church that now graces the Sellwood area was located where our Parish Hall is now. In fact it was the original St. John's! Once a year we celebrate this history and our connection to that lovely church by having our 10:00 service in the old church. Plan on joining us there this coming Sunday morning*. In addition, there will be a picnic at Oaks Park following the service, so bring your family and friends for a day of worship and fun in the park!

*The 8 o’clock service will be at St. John’s.

Children's Clothing Center... The Children's Clothing Center needs volunteers that can help match children with new clothing. It is a wonderfully rewarding ministry, so if you can commit to a little bit of time on a few Saturdays this fall please let us know. There are two ways to sign up. You can either sign up with Linda Kidd in the narthex of the church on Sunday, or you can give her a call at her home.