Steeple-to-Steeple Tour – The Steeple-to-Steeple tour provides insights into the art, architecture, stained glass, and memorabilia of eight houses of worship in Olde Towne Portsmouth. The tour will be on Saturday, May 13, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and includes Trinity, Portsmouth and St. John’s, Portsmouth. To purchase $21 advance tickets, go to www.steepletosteeple.com, or if tickets are available, you may purchase on the day of the tour for $25. Lunch included. Limited to the first 100 ticketholders. Proceeds benefit Edmarc Hospice for Children.

Save the Date – We will have a special Eucharist celebration in honor of our 375th Anniversary. The Rt. Rev. Wayne Wright will be the celebrant and preacher at our Pentecost Sunday service on June 4, 2017. There will be a reception following the service.

Thank you – Charles came over and cut the back three acres. Don restored the cooling to the Parish House.

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May 6, 2017, 10:30 am Holy Eucharist Rite II

Lessons for the Fourth Sunday of Easter
First Lesson:  Acts 2:42-47
Psalm 23
Second Lesson:  1 Peter 2:19-25
Gospel:  John 10:1-10

Lay Participants for May 6, 2017 – 10:30 am service
Acolyte:  Jim
Lector:  Suze
Prayers:  Jim
Ushers:  David and Marcella

Refreshments:  Marcella

Sermon for Apr. 30: http://chirb.it/yCByBx
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Rise Against Hunger – Oakland Christian UCC campaign on May 6th from 10 am – 12 pm. They are looking for people to assist package (hopefully) thousands of meals. This event is appropriate for all ages. For more information please contact the Oakland Christian church office at 255-4353 or Robert Fly at 757-509-2604. They need a total of 60 volunteers and need a lot of assistance. If you can help follow this link http://events.stophungernow.org/OCUCC2017 to sign up or get a signup sheet copies available in the Narthex.

Piano – The piano in the Parish Hall was donated by Jim and Margaret. The instrument is more than 100 years old and needs to be treated gently. Please stop by and see the new-to-us piano.

Flowers – There is a new flower sign-up sheet for 2017 with instructions is posted in the Narthex. This covers the entire year. Please sign-up for your special two weeks. If you have more questions, please contact Lynn.

Church Quiz – Over the coming weeks we will have a “Church Quiz” as part of our announcements and e-News. All are invited to think about and answer the week’s question. Answers will be provided the following week.
Last week’s question and answer: Question: What is the outward and visible sign in the Eucharist? Answer: The outward and visible sign in the Eucharist is bread and wine, given and received according to Christ’s command. (BCP 859)
This week’s question: What is the inward and spiritual grace given in the Eucharist? Look for the answer next week.

Formation Classes – This week we will discuss our first reading, Acts 2:42-47, “The First Converts,” and “Life among the Believers.” Next week’s class will discuss our first reading Acts 7:55-60, “The Stoning of Stephen.” All are invited to join the conversation in the Parish Hall from 9:15 to 10:15 am.

Sunday’s Psalm – This Sunday we will read Psalm 23.

Hospitality hour Sign-up – The sign-up sheet is on the bulletin board; please sign-up for an upcoming Sunday. If you would like to help but cannot provide all the items for coffee hour/lemonade on the lawn any assistance, even a single item, will be graciously accepted.

Upcoming Parish Events – May 9 – Vestry meeting; May 14 – Mother’s Day; May 29 – Memorial Day; Church office closed; Jun 4 – Pentecost Sunday.

Thought for the week – Joy: Joy will not spare you of suffering, nor did it Jesus. We are not spared the cross; we’re shared the cross… but also the joy that follows. Joy will give you a place in your heart to be well, to be passionately alive, even amidst the changes and chances and sufferings of your life.

– Br. Curtis Almquist, SSJE
Society of Saint John the Evangelist

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Upcoming Events:
Online calendar: http://stjohnsepiscopal-suffolk.org/parish-calendar/
Online events listing: http://stjohnsepiscopal-suffolk.org/events/
Tue. May 9th            * Spring Clergy Conference – 10:00 am – 3:00 pm (Camp Chanco)
* Vestry Meeting – 7:00 – 9:00 pm (Parlor)
Wed. May 10th        * Village Garden Club meeting – 4:00 – 10:00 pm (Parish Hall)
Mon. May 29th        * Memorial Day Holiday – Office closed
Tue. May 30th          * Card Crafters meeting – 10:00 am – 12:00 pm (Parish Hall)
Sun. Jun. 4th             * Pentecost and 375th Anniversary Luncheon
Mon. Jun. 19th         * G. F. W. C. Pizza Night (Parish Hall)
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PASTORAL CARE

For Michael, our presiding bishop; Holly, our bishop; Jay our assistant bishop; and for Les, our priest.

Meriwether, Allen, Lon, Steve, Marvin, Leone, Virginia, Gary, Jimmye, Kevin, Margaret, Richard, Mike and Gail, Karen and family, Opal, Aleck, Carolyn, Kay, Al, Barbara, Rev. Greg Ryan, David, Carroll, Michael, Diane, Tanya, and Michael & Rebecca.

Serving in the Armed Forces and Overseas: Alexander, Leon, Thomas, Alan, Sheldon & Elizabeth, and Bryan.

Parish Cycle of Prayer: Roger
Diocesan Cycle of Prayer: Mr. Glenn Scott; The Rev. Barbara & Craig Ryder.
Anglican Cycle of Prayer: The Rt. Rev. David Obiosa; Bishop of Ndokwa, Bendel, Nigeria.

The Flowers on the altar Marion Kirkpatrick and Elvira Flynn by Suze & Steven.

Anniversaries in May
Alan & Sarah 25

Birthdays in May
Margaret 10              Claudia 10
Bert 24 

If you are in need of Pastoral Care
Please call Father Ferguson.
Home:  757-484-8409 

Minister of Music: Roger Peyton

Website: http://StJohnsEpiscopal-Suffolk.org
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