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, and we respect and honor with gratitude the land itself, the legacy of the ancestors, and the life of the Rappahannock Tribe. Our mission statement is to do God’s Will in all that we do.

2023 Sun Nov 19

Sermon, Nov. 19, 2023, Pentecost 25

In last Wednesday’s comics, the comic strip “Pearls before Swine” focused on Judgement Day.  Goat says to Rat, “Do you believe that if you do bad things, you’ll be judged after you die and go to hell?  Rat responds, “I do.”  Goat says, “But everything you do is bad.” Rat says, “I plan on pleading ‘oopsies.’ “ Goat says, “Not sure that’s a defense.”  Rat says, “OK, now I’m worried.” 

Today’s scriptures are worrisome.  The prophet Zephaniah describes the day of judgment in dreadful terms, a day of wrath, distress and anguish for those who have been complacent, and who say in their hearts that “The Lord will not do good, nor will he do harm.”  The complacent people who heard Zephaniah’s oracle, and we who give in to the modern day temptation to dismiss any thoughts of God’s judgement and to focus only on God’s goodness and mercy, or believe deep down inside that God is just looking the other way about most things may feel like Rat—“Now I’m worried ”  or at least shaken up a bit after hearing from Zehaniah.  Or, we can just dismiss the Day of Judgement as the raging of a crazy prophet. 

But let’s take these passages to heart.  The Nicene Creed, which is an outline of our Christian core beliefs, states that that Jesus will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.”  That statement challenges our thoughts like—“Jesus hasn’t come back yet, and it’s been over 2000 years,” or “We believe in Jesus, so we will be judged on faith alone.”  God’s assessment of how we try to carry out God’s will on this earth matters now, and will always matter, for God has entrusted us, the followers of Jesus, to carry out the work of Jesus until he returns.  And when we decide to follow Jesus, we accept that trust, and take on the challenge.

Today’s scriptures make clear that there is a finish line and a day of reckoning, and then gives us ways to reach the finish line as winners.    

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Village Harvest, Beginning 10th Year, Nov. 15, 2023

1,270 pounds of food goodness, second highest pounds in 2023!

We need both food and leadership to make the Harvest work. Saluting some of our leaders who come monthly – Johnny (and Cookie) Davis transporting the food 60 minutes away (Johnny with the potatoes), Andrea Pogue (with the apples), Jan Saylor (made the sign), and Linneth Feliciano (organizing, packing). Many of these people have been involved since 2014. Many thanks to all!

Some of the food we have today – potatoes, beets, meats, sweets, diced tomatoes, celery, macaroni, apples and Food Lion Feeds boxes (green beans, spaghetta, macaroni, corn, tomato sauce, white rice).

Sunday Links, Nov. 19, 2023

Scriptures about Judgment in November. This Sunday is the Parable of the Talents


  • 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

  • Sun. Nov. 19, 2023, 10:15am God’s Garden, children ages 5-9. They will be making cards for the grandparents.
  • Stewardship pledges for 2024 are due by Sun., Nov 19th. By pledge (Estimate of Giving) card or online
  • Sun. Nov. 19, 2023, 11am Church service – Eucharist Live or YouTube St. Peter’s Page

    • Lectionary link for Nov. 19, Pentecost 25

  • Art Auction for Mary Peterman’s paintings – Round 1 Nov 12-Nov. 18 (6pm). Bid here.
  • Serving – Holy Eucharist
    Lector: Elizabeth Heimbach
    Chalice Bearer: Elizabeth Heimbach
    Altar Cleanup: Linda Kramer
  • Ecumenical Bible Study, Wed., Nov. 22 10am-12pm, Parish House Reading Lectionary for Nov 26, Pentecost 26

  • Sun., Nov 26, 3:30 PM Advent workshop. Families, come make a family Advent wreath. The cost will be covered by the ECW. Kids can make nativity scenes, pinecone bird feeders and decorate cookies
  • ECM Christmas Donations due Dec. 3
    • Write a check to “ECM Christmas”

  • All articles for Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023
  • Nov., 2023 newsletter

    • Looking ahead…

  • Advent begins, Sunday, Dec. 3

    • Recent Articles, Sun., Nov. 19, 2023

    Pentecost 25, Nov. 19, 2023
    Bulletin
    Lectionary for Pentecost 25, Nov. 19
    Sermon
    Lectionary commentary
    Thessalonians – Should I Fear?
    November’s lectionary – JUDGMENT!
    Vanderbilt visual commentary
    Gospel – We had better get to work!
    Parable of the Talents fully alive

    Ministries
    God’s Garden, Nov 19
    Advent Workshop, Nov. 26
    Art Auction for Mary Peterman’s, Round 1
    Donate to Giving Tues, Nov. 28
    The Village Harvest, Oct. 2023, the end of 9 years
    Importance of the Village Harvest
    ECM Christmas donations due Dec. 3
    Mutual Ministry Review, Nov. 14

    Stewardship 2024
    To be a Church Rooted in Love
    Planning your financial giving
    Options for estimating your giving
    Ministry Connections

    About Stewardship
    5 Principles of Stewardship
    Stewardship is…
    Stewardship FAQ

    Fall photos
    Autumnal Tints
    Photos Mid-Nov
    Golden Days of early Nov.

    November Sundays- JUDGMENT!

    Matthew concludes this Lectionary Year A with the weighty subject of judgment from 3 stories from Chapter 25:

    Matthew 25:1-13 – Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids (Nov. 12) Matthew 25:14-30 – Parable of the Talents  (Nov. 19) Matthew 25:31-46 – The Sheep and Goats  (Nov. 26)

    The three parables in Matthew 25 examine the procedure, preparation, and intention required to enter the Kingdom of God.  Here is a Youtube video that covers these three stories.  There are some similiarities:

    First, in each parable the judgment occurs at the consummation of this age. While the timing of that event is unknown, each follower is to be ready for and anticipate the coming kingdom.

    Second, the judgment will render decisions that are eternal in nature,reflecting the status of each human being with regard to his or her eternal relationship to the kingdom. Phrases such as “the darkness outside,” the  “fiery furnace,” and “weeping and gnashing of teeth” describe eternal separation from the kingdom. They are not simply expressions of grief over a Christian life that did not count for much in the kingdom, for they are figures and phrases representing an eternal exclusion from the presence of God.

    With this in view, it has been suggested that salvation in these parables is viewed as a “whole,” not simply as a point of entry. The “sons of the kingdom” and the “sons of the evil one” (Matt 13:38) are on opposite sides of the soteriological divide. Those who are rejected are permanently excluded.

    Third, the basis for this eternal judgment is the individual’s works. In some cases the emphasis is on faithfulness to a job assigned: perhaps in a picture of preparation for an event, or a picture of the fruit of the believer. But however it was pictured, works were the key to the judgment.

    However, Works are not separated from the faith one exercises for entrance to the kingdom for works are evidence of that faith. A true change of heart will be reflected in a person’s life. A lack of that change is apparently enough to prevent entrance into the kingdom. Works are never ultimately separated from the faith of the individual, for it was also shown that works are not in themselves enough to impress the Son of Man positively in His role as judge.