This Week at
St. John's Church
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Temptation in the Wilderness, Riviere (1898)
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Sunday, February 26, 2023
The First Sunday in Lent
Sunday Forum
Parish Hall
9:15 a.m.
COVID-safe Nursery care available in the Parish Hall.
Holy Eucharist
In-person
Live-streaming on YouTube at 10:30 a.m.
COVID-safe Nursery care available in the Parish Hall.
Children's Chapel
Parish Hall
10:30 a.m.
Coffee Hour
Parish Hall
11:45 a.m.
Masks are optional for those who are fully vaccinated, though encouraged for those who want additional protection.
The side aisles of the church and the balcony are available for those who
prefer to social-distance.
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From Amelie, with Love
Dear Friends,
Last night as I drove home from our evening Ash Wednesday service, I was listening to an interview on NPR's “Well Woman” show featuring three black women who had achieved remarkable success as entrepreneurs, even as they recognized the challenges they have faced in achieving balanced self-care. Anxiety, burnout, insecurity…all those things were hidden behind the veneer of being a “resilient, powerful leader.” What touched me the most, and has remained with me, is the temptation that they, and we all face—to appear stronger, more capable, more invincible than humanly possible.
During the season of Lent, we tend to focus on self-denial, and try to eliminate whatever self-indulgences are getting in the way of our relationship with God and with one another. But I’m not sure that is where our focus always needs to be. What we may need to be focusing on is what it means to take better care of ourselves so that we don’t succumb to habits and appetites that diminish our souls and our relationships.
The 12-step movement suggests an acronym, HALT, to remind us to pay attention when we become Hungry, Angry, Lonely or Tired. Unheeded, these natural human conditions can make us vulnerable to temptation. As ridiculous as it sounds, many of us try not to notice our needs. To admit that I get hungry, angry, lonely, tired—and the list goes on—is to acknowledge my vulnerability and the reality that I’m always leaning on a power beyond myself. Not just leaning, but inexorably linked, totally dependent on re beyond my own.
HALT gives us permission—in fact, orders us—to stop and notice who we really are, fragile and limited, and acknowledge our need for connection – to God and to others. In other words, we will not overcome temptation through placing greater restrictions on ourselves, a common Lenten mistake, but by following our deeper intuition to embrace the disciplines that will help us “let go and let God.”
Jesus is driven into full HALT mode when the Spirit leads him into the wilderness. He experiences every temptation of the human condition. Our raging thirst for power, prestige and honor, our ravishing hunger for material goods and lives of ease, our desire to go it alone yet never be alone. It seems significant that Jesus, who certainly was no loner, who was known for sounding the call, “Follow me,” makes this sojourn without human companionship. In the words of one writer, “all of us will face such times, when the crowded life must be left behind, when we must peer into the dark well of our own need, our lust for what we do not have, our weariness with what we do have, our temptation to do and be and possess far beyond our capacity, beyond God’s callings for us.”
During this season of Lent, I invite us all to “call a HALT” —to identify the ways we respond to our hunger, anger, loneliness, and tiredness and to consider whether they are giving life or taking it away. And then, let’s have the courage to lose our false ideas about ourselves and try to find God’s idea of our selves—the true selves that God made and loves, still.
In Christ,
Amelie+
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Sunday Forum
Join us Sunday as we begin our Lenten Series, Lenten Lectionary. This week’s session, “Into the Wilderness,” explores the three temptations of Christ.
Sunday, February 26
9:15 a.m.
Parish Hall
Nursery care is available
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About Lent
The word Lent comes from the Anglo-Saxon word lencton--meaning "spring" or "lengthening" from the time of year when the days grow long.
The season begins on Ash Wednesday with the imposition of Ashes, Litany of Penitence, Solemn Absolution, and Holy Eucharist. This observance initiates the 40-day period of self-examination and repentance, prayer and fasting, and reading and meditating on God’s word that the church has honored since its earliest years.
Lent is also a time to prepare with joy for the coming feast of the Resurrection and to ready ourselves to receive God’s mercy and renewal. When we prepare for Lent, therefore, we may decide to give up a habit in self-denial or to add a new spiritual practice that adds joy and renewal to our faith. We may do both. This is a deeply personal and holy decision.
Throughout Lent, our rector will be available by appointment to offer counsel or private confession online through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Just email Amelie.
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Lenten Supper Series
The Way of Love
Plan to join us on Wednesdays during Lent for our Lenten Supper Series, “The Way of Love,” a series presented jointly by St. John's and St. Peter's Churches, with the parishes taking turns hosting the weekly dinners and sessions. St. John's will host the first session.
We'll meet for a light supper followed by engaging Lenten study on the foundational practices for a Jesus-centered life encouraged by our Presiding Bishop Michael Curry.
By entering into reflection, discernment, and commitment around the practices of Turn – Learn – Pray – Worship – Bless – Go – Rest, we will grow together as a community following the loving, liberating, life-giving way of Jesus. To learn more about "The Way of Love" program created by the Episcopal Church click here.
Wednesdays, March 1-29
6:00 p.m. Dinner
6:30 - 8:00 p.m. Program and Discussion
St. John's Parish Hall: March 1, 15, 29
St. Peter's Parish Hall: March 8 and 22
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Lenten Suppers Assistance Needed
We invite your help setting up before and cleaning up after the Lenten Suppers we host here at St. John's. If you would like to help out, please contact Amelie.
Wednesdays, March 1, 15, 29
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The Calm Before the Storm
The Story of the 1800 Slave Rebellion
When Gabriel Prosser led the planning of the 1800 slave rebellion in Virginia, his devoted wife Nan knew about his plans.
St. John’s Church Foundation invites to join them for award-winning storyteller Valerie Davis's embodiment of Nan's spirit as she tells the story of the night before the rebellion was to begin. Nan will take you on a journey mapped out by Gabriel in search of freedom for the enslaved population.
The program lasts 45 minutes with Q&A to follow.
Saturday, February 25
2:00 p.m.
St. John's Church
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We give thanks for the 73 family units who have made their 2023 pledge to St. John’s, bringing us to $222,512, which is 93% of our goal.
Our stewardship theme “Be Courageous” reminds us that our congregation has faced the changes and challenges of this time while still living the values Christ teaches us and staying true to who we are.
Last year we were blessed with 77 pledges, and we are hopeful that those of you who have not yet pledged for 2023 will do so in the coming weeks. Our parishioners’ pledges make up the largest source of our revenue and are critical to supporting our many ministries and compensating our remarkable staff.
Whoever you are and wherever you find yourself, you are welcome at St. John’s Church, and we are so glad you’re here.
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First Saturdays Morning Prayer
Join us in the Parish House garden the first Saturday of each month preceding the First Fruits Collection for outdoor Morning Prayer.
Bring a chair, your coffee (or tea), and the Book of Common Prayer. Pets are also welcome, and we will have extra prayer books on hand for those who need one.
Saturday, March 4
9:30 a.m.
Parish House Garden
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February First Fruits Food Collection Days
Christ Ascension's Food Pantry needs the following items: canned tuna, chicken, black beans, diced tomatoes, spaghetti and spaghetti sauce, peanut butter, canned fruit, all kinds of canned vegetables, Rice-a-roni, toilet paper, all kinds of canned soups, saltines, and ramen noodles.
Saturday, March 4
10:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.
24th & Broad
Sunday, March 5
During Church
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2023 Inquirers' Class Forming
Preparations are underway for our annual formation series for those who are interested in learning more about the Episcopal Church or in becoming a member through Confirmation, Reception, or the Re-affirmation of Baptismal Vows.
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Sunday Nursery Care Available
9:00 a.m.-11:45 a.m.
Parish Hall Nursery
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Children's Chapel
Children’s Chapel meets each Sunday in the Parish Hall during the first part of the service. Children join their parents in church during the offertory so that they can participate in the Eucharist.
Sundays
10:30 a.m.
The Parish Hall
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Prayers at the Colonial Altar
If you have a special prayer concern, a member of the congregation is available to pray with you at the Colonial Altar each Sunday during communion.
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Supporting Partners in Turkey and Syria
Episcopal Relief & Development has mobilized with long-term partners after a 7.8-magnitude earthquake in Turkey and Syria on Monday, February 6, 2023.
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Support Ukrainian Refugees
Episcopal Relief and Development has established a Ukraine Crisis Response Fund, to support their work with organizations on the ground in Europe.
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Eucharistic Visits are Available
We invite those who wish to have communion brought to their homes to contact Amelie.
You may also contact Amelie if you are interested in learning about serving in this important ministry.
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Pastoral Care
Opportunities to Assist
Many of you have asked how you can help our Pastoral Care team provide care to our members during times of need.
Here are two very helpful ways to assist:
- deliver meals to members during recovery or illness (they don't need to be homemade)
- drive members to and from appointments
If you are interested in helping, please contact Barbara Bayler, our Pastoral Care Ministry team leader. |
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A Note about Pastoral Appointments and Emergencies
To schedule an appointment with one of our clergy, please email Amelie or leave a message on her voicemail at 649-7938; you will hear from her or another member of our clergy staff within 24 hours.
And if you learn of a pastoral issue concerning one of our parishioners, please reach out to Amelie as well.
If you have an emergency, please contact Patty Duffy at 649-7938, and she will ensure a more immediate response.
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Sign-up at Kroger
for the Good of St. John’s
To link your card, sign up here.
Use account code 81386 and click "Search.” Funds received support St. John’s ministries, and we are grateful.
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St. John's Church
2401 East Broad Street
Office: 2319 E. Broad Street RVA 23223
804-649-7938
The deadline for submitting copy for the weekly bulletin insert and parish-wide email is Wednesday morning, but earlier is always appreciated. Please send your content to Patty Duffy. Please note that content may be edited to accommodate space limitations and style guidelines.
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