Frontpage, Feb. 6, 2022

We are a small Episcopal Church on the banks of the Rappahannock in Port Royal, Virginia. We acknowledge that we gather on the traditional land of the first people of Port Royal, the Nandtaughtacund, who are still here, and we honor with gratitude the land itself and the life of the Rappahannock Tribe. Our mission statement is to do God’s Will in all that we do. We welcome all people to our church.



Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany

“The Miraculous Draught of Fishes” by Raphael.. This is the Gospel story for Epiphany 5, the conversion of Peter. “For he and all who were with him were amazed at the catch of fish that they had taken; and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people.” When they had brought their boats to shore, they left everything and followed him.” This is one of 10 images made by Raphael (1483–1525) and his assistants in 1515–1516 for a set of tapestries to hang in the Sistine Chapel.


Feb. 6 – 11:00am, Holy Eucharist, Congregational Meeting – Join here at 10:45am for gathering – service starts at 11am Meeting ID: 869 9926 3545 Passcode: 889278

Feb. 6 – 7:00pm, Compline on Zoom – Join here at 6:30pm for gathering – service starts at 7pm Meeting ID: 878 7167 9302 Passcode: 729195


Feb. 7 – 6:30am – Be Still Meditation group in a 20 minute time of prayer Meeting ID: 879 8071 6417 Passcode: 790929


Feb. 8 – 7:00pm – Preparing Your Legacy Meeting ID: 821 8558 7210 Passcode: 957811

More information on the 5 week series…


Bible Study 10am-12pm on Wed. Feb. 9

Feb. 9 – 4:30om-6pm, Village Dinner . Take out only. Menu-Pork Chops, Sweet Potatoes, Veggie Medley, Candied Apples, Dessert. Please contact Susan Linne von Berg for a reservation.


Preparing Your Legacy – An online series, that began Jan 18, 7pm

Being prepared for the future by having a will, getting your estate in order, talking with a trusted financial planner, learning about medical issues that may arise with age, and even planning your funeral can relieve worry and anxieties now, not only for you, but for your family. Planning ahead and making decisions early will spare family and loved ones the need to wrestle with what to do about things we have left undone before we die.

The series will cover various aspects of the planning that can take place to ease the transition from life to death, and to leave clear information for family and friends after death. St Peter’s speakers included a lawyer, financial planner, funeral home director, and an RN with Hospice experience to provide information and answer questions.

The talks will be about an hour with the guest speaker talking for 30 minutes leaving another 30 minutes for your questions and discussion

These talks will happen by Zoom on Five Tuesday nights beginning on Tuesday, January 18 and ending on Tuesday, February 15th.

Join Zoom Meeting Meeting ID: 821 8558 7210 Passcode: 957811


Preparing Your Legacy – Schedule


Tuesday, February 8, 2022, 7PM  Financial Considerations

Mr. Michael Williams, Senior Wealth Advisor and Senior Vice President, South State Wealth, Richmond, VA 

Michael earned a B.A. in Economics from the University of Virginia in 1983. Following college, he was employed by First Virginia Bank in Retail Banking. After receiving his MBA from the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia in 1988, Michael worked for Andersen Consulting (Accenture) for 3.5 years before entering the trust and wealth management industry where he has held numerous positions.   Michael leads the South State Private Wealth team based in Richmond, VA.  He joined South State Bank in 2014. 


Tuesday, February 15, 2022, 7PM   Estate Planning 

Leigh Frackelton, Jr., Attorney

Leigh’s law practice focuses exclusively in the areas of wills, trusts, estate administration and taxation.  Leigh graduated in 1974 from Washington and Lee University where he majored in History.  He earned his law degree in 1977 from T. C.  Williams School of Law at the University of Richmond and then went on to William and Mary where he earned a Master of Law in Taxation in 1978.  He passed the Virginia CPA exam in 1989.  After finishing his formal education in 1978, Leigh began the practice of law in Fredericksburg.  From 1986 until 2021, Leigh taught full time at the University of Mary Washington and is currently a Professor Emeritus in the College of Business.  He currently practices law at Parrish, Snead, Franklin, Simpson, PLC in Fredericksburg, VA.  


Bless a nurse at Mary Washington Hospital – contribute to the Blessing Cart

The chaplains at MWH have created a “blessing cart” for the nurses. They are collecting individually wrapped treats–energy bars, candy, mini-muffins, etc., and bottled Gatorade and water.

Please bring donations to church next Sunday and place in the basket in the front of the church.


The Sacred Ground Scholarship.A scholarship fund has been established which will help minority students pay for education after high school. Contribute by donating to St Peter’s and put “Sacred Ground Scholarship” on the memo line


Celebrating the lives of Absalom Jones and Abraham Lincoln this week

Absalom Jones died this week in 1818 not only the first trained black minister in any denomination but the first black minister ordained into the Episcopal Church and the first to create a Black religious organization in Philadelphia. More information is here

Abraham Lincoln was born this week, 210 years ago. What was his relationship to the Episcopal Church ? No he wasn’t a member but attended St. John’s Episcopal during his years in Washington, just across from the White House. He also made time with Bishop Whipple, first Episcopal Bishop in Minn. 300 Indians has been sentenced to death in the Dakota Indian Wards. Lincoln made the decision to reduce the number to 38. Was it related to Bishop Whipple’s influence ? The historian of the event writes “it is difficult to imagine that Whipple’s visit did not count in the president’s decision.” Read the entire story on “Lincoln’s Bishop”


Lectionary, Feb. 13, 2022, 6th Sunday after the Epiphany

I. Theme – Blessed! 


“Sermon on the Plain” – Sharon Geiser

Blessed is anyone who trusts in the Lord. (Jeremiah) Blessed are you when you are in need.(Luke)

The lectionary readings are here  or individually:

Old Testament – Jeremiah 17:5-10
Psalm – Psalm 1
Epistle – 1 1 Corinthians 15:12-20
Gospel – Luke 6:17-26

In the Old Testament, reading from Jeremiah God, through the prophet Jeremiah, contrasts the fates of the ungodly and the godly. To ancient peoples, the heart was the centre of emotions, feelings, moods and passions. It also discerned good from evil and was the centre of decision-making. Conversion to God’s ways took place in the heart.

In Corinthians 15:12-20, Paul continues his argument against those at Corinth who deny that Christians will be resurrected bodily. He has written of three basic doctrines he has received and passed on: Christ died, was buried, and rose. He now confronts these people with a logical argument. He confronts them with the consequences of their denial and tells the benefits of affirming resurrection.

In Luke 6:17-26, Jesus has ascended a mountain to pray. While there, he has chosen twelve of his disciples to be apostles. Now he descends part-way, to a “level place”. There he finds followers and many others, from Israel and beyond. He tells who will be admitted to his Kingdom – and who will not.

Read more..


Luke’s Beatitudes

There are two Beatitudes in the Bible, Matthew 5:3-12 and Luke 6:20-23 which is in the lectionary for Feb. 17. Both are similar in that they contain a guide for the conduct of the disciples on this earth. Of these shared beatitudes, Luke has written the equivalent of Matthew’s first, fourth, second and ninth beatitudes, in that order.

Similarities. Here is a beatitudes comparison using a table of the two accounts

1  Poor –. Matthew “Blessed are the poor in spirit,” and Luke “Blessed are you who are poor.” They will inherit the Kingdome of Heaven (Matthew) or God (Luke” Luke’s account contains some woes – “But woe to you who are rich,for you have received your consolation.”

2 Hungry – Matthew “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,” and Luke “Blessed are you who are hungry”. In both cases you will be filled. The rejoinder from Luke – “Woe to you who are full now, for you will be hungry

3  Hate/Persecution – Matthew “Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.” And Luke “Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man.”  In both cases your reward is in heaven. Luke’s “woe” – Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is what their  ancestors did to the  false prophets.

Read more..


A Powerpoint look at the Beatitudes


Read the Book of Exodus during Epiphany

The second book of the Bible, Exodus recounts the journey of the Israelites from slavery to freedom. We hear the great stories of Moses, from his discovery by Pharoah’s daughter on the bank of the river to the burning bush to his presentation of the Ten Commandments. Along the way, we encounter God’s covenant and explore the grand theme of redemption.

This year, we have a bonus time of scripture engagement: the Good Book Club will dive into the first twenty chapters of Exodus from Epiphany, January 6, to Shrove Tuesday, March 1. For those who want to keep reading, we’ll offer a daily reading guide and an overview of the second half of Exodus. That reading period will conclude on Easter.

Bishop Curry has written, “You can’t read the Book of Exodus without being stirred by the theme of the liberation of people. ”

Links

1. Get Involved

2. The Readings

3. Exodus primer

4. Exodus articles from Covenant

5. Resources for study


Give Online

Make a Gift Today!
Help our ministries make a difference during the Pandemic

1. Newcomers – Welcome Page

2. Contact the Rev Catherine Hicks, Rector

3. St. Peter’s Sunday News

4. Server Schedule Feb., 2022

5. Latest Newsletter-the Parish Post (Feb, 2022)

6. Calendar

7. Parish Ministries

8. This past Sunday

9. Latest Sunday Bulletin (Feb. 6, 2021 11:00am),  and Sermon (Feb. 6, 2022)

10. Recent Services: 


The Second Sunday after the Epiphany, Jan. 16,

Readings and Prayers, Jan. 16


The third Sunday after the Epiphany, Jan. 23,

Readings and Prayers, Jan. 23


The Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany, Jan. 30,

Readings and Prayers, Jan. 30


Mike Newmans Block print of St. Peter's

Block Print by Mike Newman


Projects 

Colors for Year C, 2021-22


Daily “Day by Day”


3-Minute Retreats invite you to take a short prayer break right at your computer. Spend some quiet time reflecting on a Scripture passage.

Knowing that not everyone prays at the same pace, you have control over the pace of the retreat. After each screen, a Continue button will appear. Click it when you are ready to move on. If you are new to online prayer, the basic timing of the screens will guide you through the experience.


Follow the Star

Daily meditations in words and music.


Sacred Space

Your daily prayer online, since 1999

“We invite you to make a ‘Sacred Space’ in your day, praying here and now, as you visit our website, with the help of scripture chosen every day and on-screen guidance.”


Daily C. S. Lewis thoughts


Saints of the Week, Feb. 6- Feb. 13, 2022

8
[Bakhita (Josephine Margaret Bakhita)], Monastic & Prophetic Witness, 1947
9
 
10
[Scholastica], Monastic, 543
11
11
[Theodora], Empress, c.867
Frances Jane (Fanny)
Van Alstyne Crosby
, Hymnwriter, 1915
12
Charles Freer Andrews,
Priest, 1940
13
Absalom
Jones
, Priest, 1818