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St. John's will host a Strawberry Festival and yard sale on Saturday, June 19th from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at 11040 Baltimore Ave, Beltsville, MD 20704. There will be strawberry jams, shortcakes, chocolate dipped strawberries, baked goods, yard sale treasures, children's games and activities. A silent auction of the wonderful gift baskets you've come to know at St. John's will be held and lunch will be available. Bring your friends and come meet your neighbors for a good time.

Today we remember the Blandina and her companions, the Martyrs of Lyons. Around 177, Christians living in Lyons and Vienne in Gaul began to endure severe persecution. Slaves from Christian households were tortured to extract information which could be used against their Christian masters. Christians were socially excluded from Roman homes, public baths, markets, and were subjected to mob attacks. Their homes were vandalized, and Christians were taken in for questioning, imprisoned and subjected to harsh torture. Among the most famous Christians during this era was Blandina, a slave. Blandina was filled with exceptional power to withstand torture; therefore, her individual tormentors eventually gave up. Other Christians were tormented with red hot irons, and publicly beaten in the amphitheater. Following many Christian free persons, Blandina was eventually sent to the amphitheater too, beaten, torn, burned with irons, wrapped in a net and tossed about by a wild bull, unto death, although spectators were amazed at her endurance. The example of Blandina and her companions reminds us that we can endure great suffering, with God’s help, for the glory of God to be revealed through us. Let us also remember those who are going through great trials and suffering, as we turn to our corporate prayers …

Happy Birthday this week to Sarah Noland on May 31, Melissa Sites today, June 2, Llatetra Brown on June 3, Kenneth Lewis June 5.

We give God thanks for those who have graduated from High School, College, Graduate and Special Programs this year: Catherine Allen, Dylan Burkett, Kwame & June Eva Poku, Alison Martin, Megan Roper, Kevin Smallwood, Jackson Robert Wesley Zeipolt, and Matthew, grandson of Peggy & Curtis Hall.

Your prayers are requested for our sick, shut-in or troubled parishioners: 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; Benjamin Blume, friend of Paula Green; Willie Clark, father of Paula Green; Kevin Wells, relative of Rex and Jan Wells; Mary Downs, friend of Lori Allen; Lynn Griffin; Marybelle Small, friend of Eleanor Clark; Andy Britton, son of Paulette Colburn; Scott Wetzel, friend of the Abe family; Carole Garel and Dawn Selman, cousins of Yvonne Brooks; Mary “T” Tschabrunn, friend of Peggy Hall & Nancy Ward; Ryan Diviney (who remains in a coma), great-nephew of Doris Roberts; Judy Brock, cousin of Liz Campbell; Chau, friend of Emily Romani; Bill Lawser, father and father-in-law of Matt & Julie Lawser; 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; Nema & Nia Manuel, friends of Kafi Lewis; Chris Foreman & George Mayhew relatives of the Allen family; Lynette Hutson, mother of Ian Hutson; Joseph Lewis, friend of Lita David-Harris; Mollie Rose and family, granddaughter of Pat O’Bryhim; Edith Johnson, mother of Karen Patterson; and Lashawnda Bowden, granddaughter of Shawn Bowden; Deirdre Maloney, friend of Pauli Colburn; Douglas Hautieat, father of co-worker of William Bowman; Donald McKend, friend of Ian Hutson, Christopher Kidd, nephew of Kathy Kidd; Tom Ross, relative of Brenda Lewis who is waiting for a heart transplant; Celia, niece of Theresa Romani; and Deandrea.

We ask your prayers for those serving in our armed forces, especially: Sandy Myers, friend of Karen Patterson who is serving in Afghanistan.

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.

Acolytes: 8 am Tevin Bascom

Eucharistic Ministers: 8 am Norm Jacob & Maureen Callanan

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

Altar Guild: Jan Wells, Barbara Shearin & Lana Krawczel

Intercessor: 8 am Maureen Callanan

Visiting Minister: Maureen Callanan

June 6 8 am Holy Eucharist Rite I. 10 am Holy Eucharist, Rite II, Youth Led Service.

June 8 7 pm, Knitting Circle, Church Parlor

Youth Led Service This Sunday: The Sunday School will lead our 10 am service this Sunday, June 6. Graduating Senior Alison Martin will preach at the 10 am service, our High School Graduates sent off, and all graduates recognized.

Please Honor Your Sunday Ministries (or Switch with Someone): As summer approaches, so do vacations and Sundays “off.” Please ensure that you switch with another person if you are unable to serve as an Acolyte, Greeter, Eucharistic Minister or Intercessor. If you know now you will not be able to serve on particular Sundays in July, August, and/or September, please let Church Administrator Marie Labonte know by reply email or at (301) 937-4292, so that you won’t be scheduled.

St. John’s Strawberry Festival and Yard Sale: St. John's will host a Strawberry Festival and yard sale on Saturday, June 19th beginning at 8:00am. There will be strawberry jams and shortcakes, chocolate dipped strawberries and baked goods, yard sale treasures, children's games and activities, and a silent auction of wonderful gift baskets. Lunch will also be available. Donations for the yard sale are being accepted as well as baked goods to be sold at the festival. Please sign up on the Narthex Bulletin Board. You may bring items to be donated for the yard sale to the church, but ensure they are in good condition. (No books will be sold.) Mark your calendars, bring your friends and come meet your neighbors for a good time.

Theme Baskets needed for the Strawberry Festival: We need people to donate 20 theme baskets to be used for our Silent Auction at the Strawberry Festival. If any group/individual is interested in donating one, please email Liz Campbell at lizcinmd@gmail.com. We would need to have the baskets by 6/18.

Security Matters & Volunteers Needed for Security Committee: The security challenges we’ve been experiencing lately are of great concerned. We must ensure doors are properly locked, and valuables secured. Please be careful with your items, and aware of any security threats (i.e. ensure doors are locked when services are over, be mindful of unsecured valuables, and take precautionary measures.) We also need volunteers to serve on the re-established Security Committee, a group who ensure all doors are secured after services and St. John’s activities. Volunteers serve on a rotating basis, staying behind to check that the building is secure. If you are willing to serve on the Security Committee, please call the Church Office at (301)937-4292.

10:00 am Sunday Parking—Courtesy Please: We are experiencing somewhat of a traffic jam in the Upper Parking Lot during the 10:00 am service. Some have been double parking, blocking others in parking spaces. This is a reminder that both the Upper and Lower Parking Lots are available on Sunday mornings. Please continue around the driveway and park in the Lower Parking Lot if all spaces are taken in the Upper Parking Lot, so we can come and go freely on Sunday mornings. Thanks!

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.

Shepherding Forms: The rector maintains “Shepherding Forms” which provide for contact information on all members of the church, as well as ministry and pastoral requests. Many members of St. John’s have not completed “Shepherding Forms.” Forms can be found on the Narthex bulletin board. Please complete a Shepherding Form for you and your family members if you have not already done so, and put them in the rector’s box so accurate contact and spiritual information can be maintained for pastoral purposes.

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

Peace & Blessings,

Paula+

Regular church office hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon. In case of emergency after regular office hours, please contact the Rector at (202) 722-2298.