St. Peter's Episcopal Church, Port Royal, VA
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.
Here are 2 minutes of archival footage from the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom that celebrates the people who made the march possible – inspiring us years later to keep working, marching, and fighting for jobs, freedom, equal rights, liberation, and inclusivity
It was cold but clear Sunday after a week of heavy rain. Back in 2018 we have pictures of ice on the river. No ice now.
Attendance was 31 which was exceptional. A number were guests.
The 2nd Week after the Epiphany – Jesus calls the first disciples this week.- Andrew and Nathanael and next week it is Simon (Peter) and Andrew as well as James and John
It is 2 weeks after Christmas when Jesus was born and important to realize what has taken place.
Jesus has been born, the shepherds visit, the Magi visit, Joseph & Mary’s flight to Egypt with Jesus , Herod has children killed, Jesus’ family returns to Nazareth, Jesus in the temple at age 12, John the Baptist preaches and baptizes, Jesus’ baptism, Jesus’ temptation –, John the Baptist identifies Jesus as the Messiah , Jesus begins to gather followers. As Jesus says in Matthew “Come, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19).
So how old is Jesus? – About 30. He has 3 years to preach. It is estimated that after he has 18 months left when the disciples are called to be apostles. Not much time considering the tasks to be done!
The following information on the disciples comes from a wonderful book by John F. MacArthur Twelve Ordinary Men How the Master Shaped his Disciples for Greatness, and What He wants to do with You
Celebrating the Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King on his birthday, Jan. 18
“Today I find myself a long way from you and the children. I am at the State Prison in Reidsville which is about 230 miles from Atlanta. They picked me up from the DeKalb jail about 4 ’0 clock this morning. I know this whole experience is very difficult for you to adjust to, especially in your condition of pregnancy, but as I said to you yesterday this is the cross that we must bear for the freedom of our people. So I urge you to be strong in faith, and this will in turn strengthen me. I can assure you that it is extremely difficult for me to think of being away from you and my Yoki and Marty for four months, but I am asking God hourly to give me the power of endurance. I have the faith to believe that this excessive suffering that is now coming to our family will in some little way serve to make Atlanta a better city, Georgia a better state, and America a better country. Just how I do not yet know, but I have faith to believe it will. If I am correct then our suffering is not in vain.”
-An excerpt from a letter from Dr. King to Coretta King -October 26, 1960