175th Anniversary kickoff celebration. Thomas Marshall organist from William and Mary presented four centuries of organ music on the George Stevens 1850 organ. About 40 people attended, including Denise Symonds, former organist.
Photos
Blessing of the Animals, Oct. 2, 2010
We had about 15 dogs and 20 humans to attend the service. Festive treats were provided Elizabeth Heimbach (mouse cookies with licorice tails) and was helped by ;Terri Harrison who brought the dog biscuits. Cookie brought plants and a sweater with cats, which were luckily not chased by the dogs here. The weather was gorgeous with lots of sunshine and moderate temperatures.
“Belfry” – The NEW – OLD – Saint Peter’s Church – going back to the future
The creation of a new belfry in late 2009
Farewell to Denise Symonds
We will miss Denise’s music ministry and witness at St. Peter’s. Aug 15, 2010 was her last Sunday before embarking upon a new job
Gospel on the River, September 12, 2010
Although the event had to be moved to Portabago Bay to St. Peter’s due to the early morning rainfall, about 40 people participated in the annual gospel sing-a-long preceded by and followed a wide variety of foods. Thanks to Nancy Long for her direction of the events and for cooks Liz Heimbach, Linda Beck, Terri Harrison, and Nancy Long as well as musicians Helmut, Marilyn, Mildred and returning for this event Denise Symonds.
Best of Holy Week and Easter, April 13-20, 2014
From Palm Sunday to Easter, 2014 we held 5 services with 203 in attendance, compared to 166 in 2013. We also participated in the Port Royal Sunrise service on Sunday morning. Yes, we did walk with Jesus in his suffering and hardships and then shared and proclaimed the resurrection.
Vacation Bible School, Day 1, July 6, 2015
Vacation Bible School is the consummate summer event for kids. The expressions in this picture speak volumes about these children and their personalities. It was great getting “our gang” together on a relaxing, summer day. It’s a wonderful time for them to have fun with each other.|Day 1 was about “God is Love”. It was taught in what they colored, what they sang and ultimately about an outreach project they did. Catherine and Becky are our teachers with the assistance of Judy and Tucker. In most of what they did they learned to work together, an invaluable lesson. There was plenty of time for just fun and games.
Sunrise Service, April 20, 2014
We started out at the Sunrise Service at the Long’s House, bright and early at 6:30am. The sun was clearly visible down the river but did fully manifest itself until the Rev. Bobby Greene of Memorial Baptist was in the midst of his sermon. Catherine read twice, the opening prayer and the Apostles Creed and Nancy and Helmut provided the music for the opening hymn “Christ the Lord is Risen Today” and “He Lives.”
Easter Sunday, April 20, 2014
By 11am we were basking in full sunlight with blue sky. Temperatures were in the 60’s. The Osprey were out building nests in the gentle breeze, certainly one of the memories of this week. 75+ people were in attendance augmented by some families – Longs and Dukes, especially. Bonnets were everywhere including Boyd’s. A great time to greet parishioners.|Easter is a time of celebration and that included music with Marilyn providing music inside during the lighting of the Paschal fire, Mary Lawrence on trumpet echoing the hymns, Brad performing the intricate “Prelude and Fugue in F major” (Bach) and the choir adding “Up from the Grave” during communion
Good Friday, April 18, 2014
We had 30 people on an overcast day with still a chill in the air. There was a “Good Friday” type of mood in the air – somewhat introspective thinking about what happened.|Certain images come to mind after tonight’s service. First the wonderful music. Marilyn played her best on” Domino”, an introspective but biting melody that could be easily remembered as Marilyn went through variations. A very moving rendition to say the least. The music swirled around the church|After the sermon was the veneration of the cross, the dramatic entrance of the cross. Then a chance for prayer and to put a taper in the sand in the front. By the end there were 18 candles and many prayers said.
Maundy Thursday, April 17, 2014
We had 28 on a beautiful night with several visitors. While remaining cool, the clear conditions provided a wonderful backdrop for the service. Today we had the added benefit of watching osprey watch over a nest they are a making in an old sycamore tree in the front. This takes the old and brings new life, which is a theme of Easter.|Marilyn brought her new 60 string harp tonight for the first time and graced us with music in the prelude “Near the Cross and in the ending Keep Watch segment. Helmut and Nancy provided a vocal and violin duet in the offertory “O Loving Father.” Helmut also provided the mounful accompaniment to the foot washing in “Abendsegen (Evening Blessing).”
Palm Sunday, April 13, 2014
The weather was warm (70’s) and glorious with abundant sunshine. We had 51, including the Andersons who returned from Texas. We had a few guests also. All the children were present for Godly Play.|Lent wrapped up this week. It was the Liturgy of the Palms before the service at 10:45am and then the Liturgy of the Passion which is the extended Holy Week reading, this year from the Gospel of Matthew. We had less than 20 for the Litany of the Palms last year when it was colder in March, 2013. We had 30-40 this year with the excellent weather.|The altar was stripped for the passion narrative. One by one Eunice brought objects to the altar which were symbolic of the event and also provide a lesson for us. It included the bread and wine, a sword, a bowl of water and towel, fair linen, a rock, 30 pieces of silver, a crown of thorns and scarlett robe. After the passion narrative Catherine explained the symbolism as the sermon.
Tenebrae, April 16, 2014
Tenebrae on April 16, 2014 was the opening of the Holy Week services. After several warmer than normal days, we had a refreshing (but cold!) rain on Monday day and Monday night that set the stage for a day with glorious sunshine and mild temperatures. We had 20 at Tenebrae which was a good turnout. This was an unusual service with its own Liturgy. 14 candles are lit and extinguished gradually throughout the service until one is left. “This service makes use of the power of light and sound to emphasize the darkness of death. The service ends on a note of hope. One candle remains, a solitary light in the darkness into which we depart.