The Good Shepherd (Atlas Mountains, Morrocco), Tanner (ca. 1930)

Sunday, April 21, 2024

The Fourth Sunday of Easter

Nursery care available in the Parish Hall

9:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.

Sunday Forum

9:15 a.m.

Parish Hall

Holy Baptism & Eucharist

Church

10:30 a.m.

Live-streaming available on YouTube at 10:30 a.m.

Children's Chapel

Parish Hall

10:30 a.m.

Coffee Hour

Parish Hall

11:45 a.m.

Service for Stewart Gamage

Church

4:00 p.m.

Reception following in the Parish Hall

Bulletin Draft



Watch services on YouTube

Listen to sermons

Get involved

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From Amelie with Love

Dear Friends,



This Sunday we will hear from the section in the Gospel of John called the “Good Shepherd” discourse, where Jesus compares himself to a shepherd who does all that he can to protect and provide for the sheep of his flock. “I am the Good Shepherd,” Jesus tells his friends.

One of the earliest most indelible images of Jesus from my childhood is this same Good Shepherd, the subject of this Sunday’s gospel. And if there is a psalm most of know by heart, I can bet it is Psalm 23. “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures….” This person of God loves me, loves all of us, protects and cares for us, gathers us up, and sets us on his shoulders with endearment.

Over the years I’ve pondered Jesus as the Good Shepherd from a variety of perspectives. For a long time, the image became for me too sentimental for the One who was rejected, betrayed, and denied two thousand years ago and still suffers in the cries of so many people and the Earth.

Five times in Sunday’s reading we are told that the good shepherd freely lays down his life for his sheep. I struggled with this idea, too, until reading a commentary that explains how herders in Jesus’ world would lay their own bodies down for a night’s rest in the gap of the fence, the body of the shepherd thus serving as the gate to keep them safe.

In other words, the shepherd is the one who extends radical hospitality to the sheep; he protects them against whatever would threaten them. This shepherd intimately cares about each sheep, especially the lost one, and wants the flock to flourish as a whole. His love even extends to the sheep in other flocks. In the presence of this shepherd, we all are welcomed, tended, heard, accepted, watched over, and loved beyond death. It is a beautiful love upon which to model our relationships.

Jesus here reminds me of God’s absolute loyalty and dedication to our sense of belonging, belonging in community. As I move through these last few weeks before leaving on my sabbatical, it is this sense of belonging that I am treasuring the most. I have had the privilege of “pastoring” and “pasturing” right alongside you, tending, herding, accepting and being accepted, loving as Jesus loved. Now I’m being called to spend some time in other pastures in which to rest and play, learn, and replenish. I hope that this will be true for you, too.



I pray that we always have shepherds and flocks of belonging in our lives in which we are inspired to listen and respond to the voice of God in our souls and in the heart of the world. It is within these flocks that we are cared for and it is within these flocks that we called to care for our common life. The good news is that we are not alone. 

In Christ,

Amelie+

Sunday Forum Easter Series:

Practicing Resurrection

This Sunday, we conclude a two part series on Sabbath and Sabbatical time, led by the Rev. Robin Teasley.

All are welcome to join us as we engage topics and ideas that form us personally, spiritually and as a community.

For more information, please contact Amelie.

Sundays

9:15 a.m.

Parish Hall

Nursery care is available 

Professor John Carroll Returns to Sunday Forum   

On Sunday, April 28 and May 5, Prof. John Carroll of Union Presbyterian will lead us in a two part series: 

 "God Beyond Borders: Encounters with the Holy Spirit in Acts 8 & 10"

Week 1, April 28

"A Sermon for One: Philip & An Ethiopian Eunuch"

 (Acts 8:26-40)

Week 2, May 5

"Calling a New People: The Conversion of Cornelius and Simon Peter"

 (Acts 10:34-48)

All are welcome to attend, and we encourage your participation. To learn more about Professor Carroll, click here.

Sundays April 28 and May 5

9:15 a.m.

Parish Hall

We Remember Stewart Gamage

This Sunday

St. John's will offer a service of remembrance for Stewart Sunday, April 21, at 4:00 p.m., so that our community can gather to remember her and to dedicate a tree planted in her honor. A reception will follow in the Parish Hall. During the reception, there will be time to share memories or brief words of reflection.                                  

Stewart's family has created two fellowships through William and Mary—one focused on advancing global diplomacy and the other focused on serving Virginia—two causes she cared deeply about. You can make a donation here. 

Read Obituary

View Stewart's Memorial Service at Christ Church, Alexandria

Sunday, April 21

4:00 p.m.

St. John's Churchyard

Wednesday Online Programming

The Difficult Words of Jesus

Join us for an online series based on the book The Difficult Words of Jesus by biblical scholar Amy-Jill Levine. Each week we consider some of the more perplexing of Jesus’ instructions to his followers, such as to hate members of their families (Luke 14:26), to act as if they were slaves (Matthew 20:27), and to sell all of their belongings (Luke 18:22). We are learning how these difficult teachings would have sounded to the people who first heard them, how they have been understood over time, and how we might interpret them in the context of Jesus’ teachings of love and reconciliation. 

Next week, we will explore the ideas in Chapter 2, based on Jesus' challenging instructions to "Hate Father and Mother." All are welcome to attend, and the format lends itself to drop-in participation. And note: it's not necessary to read the book to find meaningful engagement in our sessions. A study guide for our next session will be posted in our Monday email.           

The book is available through most online booksellers, both in electronic and hard copy. If you need assistance with the purchase, please reach out to Amelie. 

Wednesday Evenings

Through May 22

7:00-8:00 p.m.

Via Zoom

First Fruits

The Christ Ascension food pantry needs peanut butter, green peas (along with all kinds of vegetables), pork 'n' beans, saltines, cereal, spaghetti sauce, tuna, chicken, and canned pasta. 

Join us for Morning Prayer in the Parish House Garden Saturday morning at 9:30 a.m.

Collection Times :

Saturday, May 4, 10:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m.

Sunday Morning, May 5 during church

Can You Read

in a Foreign Language?

If you can read aloud in a foreign language, please let Victoria Hauser know so that she can assign you a part in our gospel reading on the Day of Pentecost, May 19.

On the Day of Pentecost we read the gospel in foreign languages to commemorate the apostles' ability to speak in foreign tongues for the purpose of evangelism after the Holy Spirit descends upon them at Pentecost, which we recognize as the birthday of the Church. 

You do not have to be fluent in the language you read, and this is a low-pressure performance, as others will be reading aloud in other languages at the same time you are reading.

Save the date for Shalom Farms

Shalom Farms is a local non-profit that grows and distributes fresh produce to areas of our community that have limited access to fresh vegetables and fruit.

St. John's will volunteer at Shalom's Powhatan Farm on Saturday, June 8, arriving at 8:45 a.m. and working until 12:00 noon.

Participants will enjoy an educational tour that will provide an overview of the farm's crops and programs before helping with planting, harvesting, mulching, weeding, cleaning, sorting. and packing produce.

We invite all parishioners ages 6 and older to join.

Please contact Victoria Hauser to express interest.

Saturday, June 8

8:45 am. - 12:00 noon

Shalom Farms

2676 Venita Rd., Midlothian, Virginia

Record Turnout for RISC Event

RISC’s Justice Ministry Celebration (the fourth and final big Assembly of our RISC year) will take place on Monday, June 3, at 6:30 pm. At this event, we will celebrate the progress that was made at this year's Nehemiah Action in addressing gun violence, affordable housing, and healthy homes. For more information about this event or RISC in general, contact Sarah Mattingly.

Richmonders Involved in Strengthening Communities (RISC) is a grassroots, direct-action organization made up of 24 congregations throughout the Richmond Metro Area. Founded in 2002, RISC uses the power of large numbers of people to hold our public officials accountable and solve critical community problems. St. John’s joined RISC in 2020. 

Stitch and Chat Looks Forward

to Your Company

If you're looking for good company and time to work on your latest handiwork, or if you've always wanted to learn how to do some type of needle work (knitting, crocheting, embroidery, etc.) you're invited join a group of crafters each Tuesday morning in the Parish House Library.

Contact Martha Broughton for more information.

Tuesdays

10:00 a.m. to 12 noon

Parish House Library

2319 E. Broad St.

Next Vestry Meeting,

Tuesday, May 14

at 6:00 p.m.

in the Parish Hall

All members of St. John’s Church are welcome to attend vestry meetings as observers. Minutes of recent meetings are posted on the bulletin board in the Parish Hall foyer. Please share your ideas or questions about the life of our parish with a vestry member.

Support the Ministries of St. John's Church

Episcopal Relief & Development

Responds to Israel-Hamas War

Episcopal Relief & Development is partnering with the Al Ahli Hospital, a ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, to provide emergency support in Gaza following the outbreak of war in the region. Please pray for peace in the Holy Land as they experience violence, and consider making a contribution to the Episcopal Relief & Development Middle East Fund. Support of this fund will help to provide medicine and other supplies and help our partners tend to the physical and psychosocial wounds of all people affected by this conflict.

Read Episcopal Relief and Development's full statement here.

The Collect for Peace

Eternal God, in whose perfect kingdom no sword is drawn but the sword of righteousness, no strength known but the strength of love: so mightily spread abroad your Spirit, that all peoples, especially those of Israel and Palestine, may be gathered under the banner of peace as children of one God; to whom be dominion and glory, now and for ever. Amen.

--adapted from The Book of Common Prayer, p. 815

Sunday Nursery Care Available

9:00 a.m.-11:45 a.m.

Parish Hall Nursery

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.

For more information, contact the Rev. Anne Lane Witt.

Sundays

10:30 a.m.

The Parish Hall

Eucharistic Visits

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.

St. John's Church

2401 East Broad Street

www.saintjohnsrichmond.org

 The Rev. Amelie Wilmer, Rector

The Rev. Robin Teasley, Interim Assistant to the Rector

The Rev. Anne Lane Witt, Children's Chaplain

The Rev. Deacon JD Dickinson, Deacon

Cabell Jones, Deacon Intern

Patty Duffy, Parish Administrator

Curt Sydnor, Minister of Music

Lora Toothman, Senior Warden

Laura Streat, Junior Warden

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.