Readings for the First Sunday in Lent: February 26, 2012

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.

E-bulletin

The youth participating in Story Line are learning through creating their own church. In this process they are trying to decide how many services to offer each week. Please take just a moment to answer just two questions by clicking on the following link. Thanks so much for your participation.
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/XYBFX3N

There will be a meeting of the Kitchen Users group on Tuesday, March 6, at 7:00 p.m., to discuss the potential kitchen remodel with architect Larry Abell.

Milwaukie Lumber has no problem with us using their parking lot on Sundays or other times when they are closed, but they are concerned about people parking in places other than the designated parking spots, especially blocking their gates. The gates must be kept clear for access by the fire department and their fuel trucks which come in when they are closed. If you park there, please use the designated spaces. Beginning March 1st, they will start towing violators.

Lent begins Wednesday, February 22

Services will be at 10:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.

Support the Youth Program and Mission Trip 2012!

Come to the Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper
Tuesday, February 21, 5-6:30 p.m.
Cost $5.00

Also- The youth participating in Story Line are learning through creating their own church. In this process they are trying to decide how many services to offer each week. Please take just a moment to answer just two questions by clicking on this link. Thanks so much for your participation.

Readings for the Last Sunday after the Epiphany: February 18, 2012

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

There will be a meeting of the Kitchen Users group on Tuesday, March 6, at 7:00 p.m., to discuss the potential kitchen remodel with architect Larry Abell.

The Out to Lunch Bunch will be meeting on Thursday, February 26th, at Applebee’s Restaurant on 82nd Avenue, near King Road. For information, call Rob Long.

Milwaukie Lumber has no problem with us using their parking lot on Sundays or other times when they are closed, but they are concerned about people parking in places other than the designated parking spots, especially blocking their gates. The gates must be kept clear for access by the fire department and their fuel trucks which come in when they are closed. If you park there, please use the designated spaces. Beginning March 1st, they will have to start towing violators.

Sermon: Epiphany 6, Rev Deacon Stephen Denny

In preparing today’s sermon, I read Rev Thurston’s sermon from last week. After reading it, I was tempted to say, “Yah, what he said,” and be done with it. The lessons for the two Sundays share the common theme of healing and Bud’s sermon was deep. If you have internet access, I suggest going to the church website and read his sermon, giving ample time to reflect on all he shared.

In his sermon, Bud indicated the body, mind and spirit are not isolated parts of the self; rather they are unified, intertwined, with each part affecting the other.

In reflecting on the lessons for today, I somehow got to thinking about why I come to church week after week after week, month after month, year after year. I’m guessing most of us could come up with a reason or two to miss church on Sundays; but, we are here today.

Adult Education for Lent

Beginning on February 26 a program will be offered for Adult Education which I believe will be interesting and captivating. We are going to spend each adult class at 9am during Lent looking at the week of the Passion. We will be studying the events that lead up to the Passover Feast, the Last Supper, the Agony and Arrest in the Garden, the Accusations and charges, and the Crucifixion and Death of Jesus. We will be looking at how the four Gospels treat these events and will have time for discussion. Bring a Bible with you and come to prepare yourself for a discussion of the Last Week of the life of Jesus.
-Frs. Bud Thurston and Ric Simpson

Readings for the Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany: February 12, 2012

O God, the strength of all who put their trust in you: Mercifully accept our prayers; and because in our weakness we can do nothing good without you, give us the help of your grace, that in keeping your commandments we may please you both in will and deed; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

E-bulletin

Call for Delegates to the 2012 Diocesan Convention and Metro East Convocation. Each year, St. John's sends delegates to the Diocesan Convention. These delegates are also members of the Metro East Convocation, which meets between conventions. Based on our number of pledges, St. John's will have four delegates again this year. We are also looking for three alternates. This year's convention will be held in Portland on Friday, October 26th and Saturday morning, October 27th. Delegates and alternates are elected by the Vestry. If you are interesting in serving as a delegate or have questions, please contact Jan Childs by Sunday, February 12th.

The Rector search committee is up and running! The committee members are Sharon Fontaine, Stephanie Egbers, Nathan Cougle, Ken Hoyt, Tim Mills, Rose Reardon, Barbara Bullard, Donna Mell, Zee Wilks, Fred Van Drimmelen and Val Wallace. We met with Neysa Ellgren from the Diocesan staff this week and she gave us an overview of the process. We will keep you updated regularly on our progress. Please keep St. John’s and the search committee in your prayers as we go through this journey together.

Sermon: Epiphany 5, The Very Rev. Anthony Thurston

“And he came and took her by the hand a lifted her up and the fever left her; and she served them. That evening, at sundown, they brought to him all who were sick with various diseases and cast out many demons.”

No one I know—doctor, philosopher, member of the clergy, nor anyone else can explain the reality of suffering and disease in the way that it distorts human lives. People curse God, they blame the devil, or they may even refuse to accept any responsibility for the problems they face. Often God seems to take the brunt of any physical or mental problem by our suggesting that it is God’s way of teaching us a lesson.

However, there is, in suffering, sometimes a place where we grow and which compels in us respect and sometimes even silences as we experience the wholeness of God. And most of us here, at one time or another, have been brought to silent wisdom through some kind of knowledge of suffering and disease.

Sermon: Epiphany 4, The Very Rev. Anthony Thurston

This last Wednesday, January 25, we celebrated St. Paul’s Day. There were only a couple of us present, but Paul is second only to Jesus, himself, as being so instrumental in the life of the church--so I want to talk about the greatest figure in the Christian church, next to Jesus himself.

Let’s hear, once again, the story. Paul was a young Jew in his early thirties. He was born in a large city in the Roman Empire, Tarsus—up on the shore of Asia. Tarsus was a commercial center of considerable size and the seat of a great university. Paul’s family was wealthy and they enjoyed Roman citizenship. Paul’s father and mother were conservative Jews which mean that Paul didn’t mingle with other young people from Greek or Roman backgrounds.

Readings for the Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany: February 5, 2012

Set us free, O God, from the bondage of our sins, and give us the liberty of that abundant life which you have made known to us in your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

E-bulletin

Call for Delegates to the 2012 Diocesan Convention and Metro East Convocation. Each year, St. John's sends delegates to the Diocesan Convention. These delegates are also members of the Metro East Convocation, which meets between conventions. Based on our number of pledges, St. John's will have four delegates again this year. We are also looking for three alternates. This year's convention will be held in Portland on Friday, October 26th and Saturday morning, October 27th. Delegates and alternates are elected by the Vestry. If you are interesting in serving as a delegate or have questions, please contact Jan Childs by Sunday, February 12th.

The Worship Servers’ Schedules for February through the Day of Pentecost are ready for pick-up. It has been sent by email to those who have requested to receive it in that way; if you would like to have it emailed to you please let me know. For everyone else, “hard copy” is in the East Narthex in an envelope with your name on it.