Readings for Palm Sunday: April 1, 2012

At The Liturgy of the Palms

Mark 11:1-11When they were approaching Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples and said to them, "Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately as you enter it, you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden; untie it and bring it. If anyone says to you, `Why are you doing this?' just say this, `The Lord needs it and will send it back here immediately.'" They went away and found a colt tied near a door, outside in the street. As they were untying it, some of the bystanders said to them, "What are you doing, untying the colt?" They told them what Jesus had said; and they allowed them to take it. Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it; and he sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut in the fields. Then those who went ahead and those who followed were shouting,

"Hosanna!
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!
Blessed is the coming kingdom of our ancestor David!
Hosanna in the highest heaven!"

Then he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple; and when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve.

E-bulletin

Palm Cross Making Scheduled for Saturday, March 31. Join us at 9:30 a.m. in the Parish Hall for our annual palm cross making session. Contact Nancy Lane.

The Maundy Thursday Service will begin with a potluck meal in the Parish Hall. If you would like to come to the service but skip the meal, know that the service will start at approximately 6:45 in the church.

Do you need a special dessert for your Easter dinner? Let the Youth Group help! On Sunday the Youth Group will take pre-orders for the following desserts: Cheesecake ($15), Gluten-free Cheesecake ($16), Carrot Cake ($12), Gluten free Carrot Cake ($14), or a dozen Sugar Cookies ($6). The desserts will be available to be picked up Saturday night at the Easter Vigil or Sunday morning at either of the Easter services.

Sermon: Lent 5, The Very Rev. Anthony Thurston

Over the last several weeks of Lent we have focused on the question, “Who is Jesus for us today?” We’ve talked about the humanity of Jesus, the carpenter of Nazareth along with his extraordinary ability to call us to a life with God.

One of you, when leaving church last Sunday said to me, “Well, I hope you’re going to talk about how Jesus is God. After I recovered from the comment, I decided to undertake that challenge. I may actually fail at this sermon this morning, because you’re asking me to explain a theological question that is at once the most mysterious within the Christian faith: how is Jesus fully man and fully God.

Readings for the Fifth Sunday in Lent: March 25, 2012

Almighty God, you alone can bring into order the unruly wills and affections of sinners: Grant your people grace to love what you command and desire what you promise; that, among the swift and varied changes of the world, our hearts may surely there be fixed where true joys are to be found; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

e-bulletin

Adult Education Program designed for Lent: We are going to spend each adult class at 9 a.m. 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

LEAVE YOUR MARK with SPRING BREAK ART! Meet us in the Church School area on Tuesday, March 27th @ 1pm to leave your mark on the walls! We’ll be using hands and feet as our tools, so wear appropriate clothing! If you would like to participate, please contact Hillary Regan:hillaryregan@yahoo.com or 503.705.2548.

Palm Cross Making Scheduled for Saturday, March 31. Join us at 9:30 a.m. in the Parish Hall for our annual palm cross making session. Contact Nancy Lane.

Art Camp

For: Children Ages 4-13

When: June 25 –29, 2012   8:30am—12:30pm

Cost: $25 per child  Scholarships Available
(St. John’ s Parishioners are free)

Contact: Donna Halpin
Church School Director
donna0207@hotmail.com


The full brochure is available to view online. 

Sermon: Lent 3, The Very Rev. Anthony Thurston

Two weeks ago we began some thinking about the life of Jesus and I suggested that our task today in our time, is to see and experience Him in light of our contemporary world. Today I would like to paint a picture of Jesus as He was and is within the context of the human experience.

The concept of God becoming human in Jesus is one of the core teachings of the Christian faith. Christianity says that the invisible God took the form and shape of a human man; that God became specific in the person of Jesus; that God became Jesus of Nazareth—this is the heart of the Christian religion. And this heart of the gospel puts before us the mysterious God who in the fullness of time became the incomparable carpenter of Nazareth. A mystery? Absolutely!!

So let’s look at the man, Jesus—the touchable, visible and specific person of God, as though we were seeing him for the first time.

Readings for the Fourth Sunday in Lent: March 18, 2012

Gracious Father, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ came down from heaven to be the true bread which gives life to the world: Evermore give us this bread, that he may live in us, and we in him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Sermon: Lent 1, The Very Rev. Anthony Thurston

“If you’re the Son of God, make bread out of these stones.” “If you’ll follow me, I will give you glory and authority over all the kingdoms of the world.” “If you’ll throw yourself down from the very top of the temple, who will take care of you and save you?”

Jesus—the man who feeds everyone. Jesus-- the manager of the kingdom. Jesus-- the one who arbitrates the life of God to you and me. Simple. Clear. This is the way most people see and understand Jesus.

Over the next few weeks of Lent, we’re going to look at some pictures of Jesus. And each week we’re going to paint or show a different view of Jesus. I hope that you will find this helpful and challenging in terms of how you see and know the man called Jesus.

E-bulletin

Scrip Update: Our profit so far this year has reached $873.17. That is about average when compared to previous years, but it goes to show that every little bit helps. If you are a scrip supporter, thank you so much for what you do for St. John's. If you want to know more about the scrip program, please see me on Sunday morning, and I'll be glad to give you information!

We have been informed of the death of Joan Waite, parishioner and resident of Willamette View. Her memorial service will be held on April28 at 2:00 p.m. at the Willamette View Terrace Auditorium.

St. Martha's Guild reminds you that there are labeled places for donations to Rahab's Sisters and Clackamas Women's Shelter in the cupboards in the East Narthex. By using these designated spaces for your donations, you can be sure that we can find them all together and your items may be put to good use as soon as possible! Thank you!

Leave Your Mark Day Camp

LEAVE YOUR MARK

with

SPRING BREAK ART!

Tuesday, March 27th

1pm-3pm

Meet us in the Church School area to leave your mark on the walls!

We’ll be using hands and feet as our tools, so please wear appropriate clothing!

If you would like to participate, please contact Hillary Regan: hillaryregan@yahoo.com.

Church School News

The latest edition of the Church School News is available for viewing online.  Follow this link to the google document.

Readings for the Third Sunday in Lent: March 11, 2012

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

Daylight Saving Time starts this Sunday. Remember to set your clocks ahead one hour on Saturday night or you’ll be late to church.

Please join us for MOTHER'S DAY TEA planning in Parish Hall after 10:00 service on Sunday, 3/11. This wonderful event is an annual fundraiser for Rahab's Sisters.

Report from the Rector Search Committee: Our ad and parish profile were sent to the Diocesan office last week. Our Rector position will be posted in Province VIII, which includes the western United States and Taiwan. We look forward to receiving the names of some nominees soon and we’ll keep you posted on our progress! Please keep the search committee in your prayers.

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 4 and 5 are blank in the electronic version where a calendar was physically cut and pasted before mailing. 

Church School News

FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT & PIZZA: Please join us on Saturday, March 10th @ 5pm for Pizza and a Movie on the ‘”Big Wall” in the West Wing. Feel free to bring your PJ’s, blankets and cuddlies. If you would like to bring a supplement to dinner, please contact Hillary Regan .

EGG HUNT DONATIONS WELCOME! The generosity of our parish is greatly appreciated by the Church School. Once again, we welcome donations of small toys, stickers, trinkets, bobbles, candy and other items to fill up our eggs for the Annual Easter Egg Hunt. We could also use more baskets for collecting eggs. Items gladly accepted on Sunday mornings or in the church office. Empty eggs will be in the Narthex starting March 4th, should you like to fill eggs yourself. Many thanks

LEAVE YOUR MARK WITH SPRING BREAK ART: Meet us in the Church School area on Tuesday, March 27th @ 1pm to leave your mark on the walls! We’ll be using hands and feet as our tools, so wear appropriate clothing! If you would like to participate, please contact Hillary Regan.

Readings for the Second Sunday in Lent: March 4, 2012

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

The new Parish Directory is out! Pick up your copy in the East Narthex.

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 following this link. Thanks so much for your participation.

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.