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Today is the Feast Day of John & Charles Wesley. The Wesley brothers, John born in 1703, and Charles in 1707, were leaders in the evangelical revival of the Church of England during the 18th Century. Both were ordained priests in the Anglican tradition, and educated at Oxford University. While at Oxford, the brothers and several friends undertook a strict adherence to worship and the disciplines of the Book of Common Prayer. Their strict observances gained them the nickname “Methodists.” Following Oxford, John went to the American colony of Georgia as a missionary, and Charles went as secretary to the local governor. They became disheartened and returned home to England a few years later, but shortly thereafter experienced spiritual awakenings which were like personal conversions. Their experiences inspired them to become powerful voices on behalf of Christ. John was an exceptional preacher and one of the most beloved men in England at the time of his death in March 1791. Charles was a gifted hymn writer, and wrote over 6000. Charles has left with us some of the most beloved hymns in our tradition including: “Christ the Lord is risen today;” “Come thou long expected Jesus;” “Hark, the herald angels sing;” and, “Oh for a thousand tongues to sing.” The Wesleys and their colleagues intended that their “Methodist Societies” would remain within the structure of the Anglican Church. However, after their deaths the Societies in America and some in England developed a separate status, which we now know as the United Methodist Church. We honor John and Charles Wesley today for their passion for the Gospel of Jesus Christ expressed powerfully in word and song. We deepen our faith and passion for the Gospel in prayer, so let us turn now to our corporate prayers …

Happy Birthday This Week to Michael Green and Mandi Chidinma Onyinyechim on March 1, Ismay Hutson and Enesia Wilson on March 2, Liz Campbell and Stephen Hosein on March 6. Happy Anniversary this week to Polly Colburn and her husband.

Your prayers are requested for our sick, shut-in or troubled parishioners: Emily Romani, Charles Nweke, Joanne Sutton, Stan Marshall, Theresa Derenberger; Anne Holland; Joecille Morris; Pauline Grant; Olga Allen; Dorothy Rittenhouse; Bob Osborne; and Maryalice Thomas.

We pray for our friends and loved ones who are ill or in need: Charlie Walthall; Carl Obecny, husband of Joan Obecny; Daniela Bals Roland, daughter of the late Marge & John Bals; Nancy Sandy and Patty Cutright, friends of Mahadeo & Shanty Ramkissoon; Victor Revron, son-in-law of Bob & Joan Osborne; Darlene, Malou, Cristina, Nelda and Folen, friends of Stan & Jacinta Marshall; Roland Beard, father of Leslie Roper, and Linda Beard, sister-in-law of Leslie Roper; Cameron, friend of Deb Stefany; Juan, friend of Stan & Jacinta Marshall; Grace & George Albrittain, parents of Barbara Neitzey; Barbara Shank, aunt of Pam Piper-Yeung; Edna Gilliam friend of Mike Green; Willie Clark, father of Paula Green; Phyllis Davy, mother of Errol Archer; Kevin Wells, relative of Rex and Jan Wells; Mary Downs, friend of Lori Allen; Lynn Griffin; Frances Humphrey, participant in the Transitional Housing program; Marybelle Small, friend of Eleanor Clark; Andy Britton, son of Paulette Colburn; Scott Wetzel, friend of the Abe family; Cubby LaHood, friend of Karen Patterson; Carole Garel, cousin of Yvonne Brooks; Mary “T” Tschabrunn, friend of Peggy Hall & Nancy Ward; Marj Gross, friend of Pat O’Bryhim; Ryan Diviney (who remains in a coma in Atlanta), great-nephew of Doris Roberts; Kareen Dixon, co-worker of Ismay Hutson; Judy Brock, cousin of Liz Campbell; Midge Olsen, mother-in-law of Pastor Kermit Medeberg; Laird White, son of Ira and Clara White; Chau, friend of Emily Romani; Bill Lawser, father and father-in-law of Matt & Julie Lawser; McCormick & Oler families, friends of Liz Campbell; Steve Thaxton, friend of the Ziepolt family; Ken Jordan, father of Theresa Romani; Mildred Knights, grandmother of Lola Knights; Amen Igbonosun, friend of Micha Green, John Clarke, father of Mae Mgbaja, and Carol Johnson, friend of Mae Mgbaja; and Nema & Nia Manuel, friends of Kafi Lewis.

Our Sympathies are extended to Mae Mgbaja on the death of her friend Paula Ross.

We ask your prayers for the people of Haiti: “Eternal God, our Rock and our Refuge, we turn to you aching and tender as we offer our prayers for the people of Haiti. We pray for the dying and those who have died, may death have dignity, may mercy be abundant. We pray for those who lost family, friends, and possessions, for those whose lives are blighted with suffering. Do not be far from those who cry out to you: We pray for all rescue workers, caregivers, and peacekeepers; may their hands be steady and their resolve be sure. Fill them with your grace and courage. Guide us in all that we undertake on behalf of the people of Haiti. May we respond with generosity and compassion as we work to alleviate suffering and rebuild lives. You O God; shall be our faithfulness, for You are the Rock of our salvation. We ask all this in the name of your Son, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God forever and ever. Amen.” (Collect from the Washington National Cathedral prayed at the request of the Bishop of Washington.)

We ask your prayers for the people of Chile who have experienced massive loss of life and property as a result of the earthquake last week.

We ask your prayers for the parents and children who use the Transfer Center here at St. John’s every other Friday and Sunday, as well as participants in the Transitional Housing program.

March 7 8 am Holy Eucharist Rite I in the Nave, followed by Contemplative Prayer Class in the Church Parlor. 10 am Holy Eucharist Rite II in the Nave.

Eucharistic Ministers: 8 am Norm Jacob, 10 am Ian Hutson & Kathy Kidd

Acolytes: 8 am Tevin Bascom, 10 am Steve Williams & Andrea Hutson

Greeters: 8 am Lana Krawczel & Shanthy Bowman, 10 am Errol Archer & Ayeshia Kabia

Altar Guild: Peggy Hall & Martha Gordon

Thanks for Safe Haven: Thanks to the combined efforts of the whole St. John’s family, the Safe Haven program which provided a hot dinner, overnight accommodations and breakfast for 15+ homeless men went very well last week. Saint John’s participates in the Safe Haven Program with other churches in the area. Thanks for pitching in to ensure we had “All Hands On Deck” for this very important ministry. Well done, good and faithful servants of God!

Lenten Contemplative Prayer Class Led By Our Seminarian Continues This Sunday: Seminarian Robin Taylor is leading a class on contemplative prayer during Lent which is focusing on the Lord’s Prayer. The class is using the following book for study, The Lord and His Prayer, by N.T. Wright. The class meets 9:15-9:50 on Sunday mornings during Lent. Please come and join this spiritually enriching class.

Children and Adults are Needed for the Stations of the Cross Service, Friday April 2: Today we complete our second full week of Lent, and we are now gearing up for Holy Week. There will be a “Stations of the Cross Service” on Good Friday, April 2, 2010, at 12:00 noon. We will need both adult and children participants to read/enact each station. If you or your child would like to participate in the noon Good Friday service, please let Mary Abe know by Sunday, March 21.

Easter Flowers: If you would like to donate toward the cost of our Easter flowers, look for the form in the Sunday bulletins for the next few weeks - fill it out and put it and your check in the collection plate clearly marked “Easter Flowers” or put it in Marie's box in the upstairs hallway. Please be clear about who you want remembered or honored and who is making the donation. We suggest a donation of $25. The spring flowers that decorate our window sills on Easter Sunday, after being cared for by a faithful parishioner until after the threat of frost, will be planted in the flower beds around the church having them do double duty.

Easter Items for Transition Housing Participants: St. John’s will be putting together “Easter Bags” for the children at Transitional Housing. The following items are needed to help make Easter a joyous time for the children: Small wrapped Easter Candy; Easter Stickers; Easter Grass; Easter trinkets; and Cash Donations. (Please make checks out to St. John’s and indicate for Easter Bags.) These items may be dropped off in the container in the kitchen (box available) no later than Sunday, March 28th. If you have any questions about this project, please feel free to call Karen Patterson at (301) 937-0322. Thank you again for your generous donations.

Do You Have A Favorite Hymn You’d Like For Us To Sing At St. John’s? The Worship Committee is working hard to ensure that our worship experience reflects the rich diversity of the St. John’s Episcopal Church family. If you have a favorite hymn that you would like to have included in our cycle of hymns at the 10:00 am worship service, please contact the Church Office at (301) 937-4292 or you may reply to this email.

Prayer Cards in the Narthex: Prayer Cards have been placed on the glass table in the Narthex for you to make prayer requests to the Intercessors Prayer Group or directly to the rector. If you would like the Intercessors Group to pray for you, one you love, or a particular issue, please complete the card and place it in the wooden box next to the cards. The rector and leaders of the Intercessors Group will check the box for your prayers. Prayers can be made in name, or anonymously.

St. John’s T-Shirts: There are still T-Shirts available is in Extra Large for adults and Medium and Large sizes for children. Jacinta Marshall will be place another order if people would like to order sizes we don’t currently have. If you would like to make a special order, please call Jacinta at 410-218-0964.

New Book of Reflections on Reggae Lyrics: Parishioner Yvonne Brooks has made available to our parishioners a new book by Lauris Faith titled, “My Life I Make Revisited: Spiritual Reflections on Reggae Lyrics.” The book takes lyrics from many popular Reggae songs, like “Get up, stand up, stand up for your right,” by Bunny Wailer, or “Emancipate yourself from mental slavery, none but ourselves can free our minds,” from “Redemption Song” by Bob Marley, and provides short, spiritual insights. The book would make a great Lenten reflection guide or a gift for a friend familiar with Reggae music. The cost of the book is $15.00, and can be picked up in the Church Office.

Weather Conditions Which Effect Church Services: With winter weather that always threatens, please remember to check the Church Office telephone number to inquire about cancellation of services. If no message is left, you may assume services will go forward as planned.

DO YOU HAVE NEWS to share with the St. John’s community? E-mail the Church Office at stjohnsbeltsville@verizon.net.

Lenten Peace & Blessings,

Paula+

Regular church office hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon. In case of emergencies after regular office hours, please call our Rector, The Reverend Paula Clark Green, at (202) 722-2298.