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.

Sunday links, Pentecost, May 28, 2023

  • Web site
  • YouTube St. Peter’s Page for viewing services
  • Facebook St. Peter’s Page
  • Location – 823 Water Street, P. O. Box 399, Port Royal, Virginia 22535

    • Celebrate Pentecost!”

  • Ecumenical Bible Study, Wed., May 24, 10am-12pm, Parish House Reading Lectionary for May 28,
  • Sun. May 28, 2023, 11am Holy Eucharist, St. Peter’s Live and on YouTube 823 Water St. Port Royal, VA 22535
  • Lectionary for May 28, 2023, Pentecost, Pentecost
  • Sun. May 28, 2023, 12am Pentecost picnic
  • Sun., May 28, UTO Boxes reception
  • The Psalms study Mon, May 30, 7:00pm Zoom link Meeting ID: 879 7169 4710 Passcode: 803192 Participants, choose one Psalm to share with the group (starting with Psalm 24-41 for Book 1 and 42-72 for Book 2)
  • Jamaica Fundraiser until mid-June
  • May, 2023 Newsletter
  • All articles for Sunday, May 28, 2023

    • Videos, Pentecost, May 28, 2023

    Larry Saylor, guitar – Prelude

    Hymn of praise- Glory to You – John Rutter

    Gospel and Sermon – the Rev Catherine Hicks

    Affirmation of Faith

    Prayers of the People

    Larry Saylor, guitar – Offertory

    Holy Communion

    Blessing and Extinguishing of the Paschal Candle

    Sweet, Sweet, Spirit

    The one with the “Tongues of Fire”!

    Sermon, Pentecost Year A May 28, 2023

    Come, Holy Spirit! 

    From the beginning, the breath of the Holy Spirit pours out, bringing life.   The Holy Spirit gives life to smallest microscopic organisms that can be seen only with the help of a microscope, and yet are essential to the world’s food chain.  And the Holy Spirit works in and through the sweeping grandeur of this earth’s magnificent and ever changing landscapes, covered in life, that the earth sustains.

    All of this life exists and thrives through the power of the Holy Spirit, uncontrollable, wild, and free.  As Jesus told Nicodemus, “The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” 

    We Christians have been given the knowledge that the Holy Spirit is at work in our lives.  I guarantee you that even  when we don’t acknowledge or recognize the Spirit, the Holy Spirit is always at work in those born of the Spirit, and that’s us. 

    So today, I’d like to talk about how the Holy Spirit works in our lives so that we can more easily recognize the Spirit’s presence in each of us and among us. 

    Read more

    Special Pentecost videos

    Pentecost represents the end of the Easter Season and a time of transition. Besides being the “Birthday of the church” and the arrival of the Holy Spirit, it is a feast day. Yes a day to have fun!

    Over the years we have had special events on Pentecost such as Prayer Walks, picnics, receptions and special music. Some guests have appeared as well. We have also had some pictures and videos. Some videos just take stock of who are while others record part of the Pentecost services

    Here are 5 videos through the years beginning in 2016

    1. 2016 Church with with front piece replacement and 3 priests! A wild gathering at Pentecost!

    2. Prayer Walk 2018

    3. “Sweet, Sweet, Spirit”, 2019

    4. Pentecost People 2011-2015 created in 2021

    5. 2022 Day of Radiant Gladness

    It’s Pentecost!

    In the Christian tradition, Pentecost marks the end of the 50 Days of Easter. In Acts 2, the apostles and friends are gathered together in Jerusalem. Suddenly there is a great rushing of wind, and tongues of fire rest on each of the apostles. They begin to speak in different languages, and the crowds around them, Jews from across the diaspora, having come to Jerusalem for the Festival of Weeks, understand them, although some disparaged them as drunks. It was at this moment that Peter stood up and preached, revealing the will of God in Jesus Christ, as prophesied by Joel, and affirming a continual outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon repentance and baptism. 

    There are at least three reasons to start with:  

    1. It marks the birthday of the church. Pentecost was a turning point. Before the rushing wind, the flames, and the speaking in tongues, the apostles were a group of followers who listened to Jesus and assisted as he helped those who came to him for healing and grace. Without Jesus, they were aimless and confused. After the Holy Spirit enters that room, after Peter preaches repentance and baptism, they no longer look inward. The end of Acts 2 records that they devoted themselves to the teaching and to fellowship, they performed wonders and signs, they gave to others in need…and the Lord added to their number daily those who were saved. 

    The Holy Spirit gave the disciples direction and power to form the Christian community, which would become “the church.” So, Pentecost is a birthday, and some churches today celebrate with cake! 

    2. Pentecost completes the Trinity. Christian theology is grounded in a doctrine of three in one, and Christians often pray in the “name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.” Pentecost was the first and definitive moment in which we can say that the Father sent the Holy Spirit to make the Son present. No Pentecost, no Trinity. 

    3. Jesus kept his promise. In Matthew 28:20 Jesus told his followers, “I will be with you always, even until the end of the age.” He promptly ascended and was seen no more. What gives? Well, in John 15:26 he says, “I will send you the Advocate-the Spirit of truth. He will come to you from the Father and will testify all about me” (NLT). The point is: Jesus is present through the Holy Spirit. Pentecost marks the fulfillment of Christ’s promised presence. 

    from buildfaith.org