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 July 23

Videos, Pentecost 8, July 23, 2024

Hymn of Praise – “Praise to the Living God”

Sequence Hymn – “What wondrous love is this”

Gospel and Sermon – Rev. Tom Hughes

Prayers of the People

Communion

Concluding Hymn – “On Christ the solid rock I stand”

Lectionary, Proper 11, Pentecost 8, July 23, 2023

I.Theme –   Conquering fear and uncertainty

 "Parable of the Wheat and Tares" – Lucas Gassel, 1540

The lectionary readings are here  or individually: 

Old Testament – Isaiah 44:6-8
Psalm – Psalm 86:11-17 Page 710, BCP
Epistle –Romans 8:6-11
Gospel – Matthew 13:24-30,36-43 

These texts speak eloquently to the problem of fear, and fear is what many people are currently experiencing. We are confronted with fear in our jobs, our homes and our world. It is ever present and diverts us from productive activities. Despite our increasing knowledge and interconnectedness, fear is very much a part of our world and maybe even more in the last generation. We look to someone, something for security. 

So what causes the fear ? There is an “enemy” in each of these readings – Isaiah – Babylonians since the Jews were in captivity, Psalm – by a force that nearly killed the writer – Romans – “flesh” Gospel – “Devil” . In the latter we can be our own worst enemy by our propensity to judge others. The truth is that none of us are qualified to judge, only God has that privilege!  The Gospel also emphasizes that it is often difficult tell the good from the bad and separate them.  The Psalm indicate our enemies cause us to turn from God.  We feel the absence of God’s grace and we petition for this to return.

The readings emphasize that God is with us in all the things of our lives and is involved with us throughout our lives helping through his Spirit to maximise our potential. We will not be abandoned!

Read more

Celebrating the legacy of James the Apostle, July 25

Cathedral,Santiago Spain where James is buried and celebration on July 25 with swinging of the a giant censer.

We celebrate James the Apostle on July 25. With his brother, John, the Gospels (Matthew 4, 21-22; Mark 1, 19-20; Luke 5, 10-11) record that they were fishermen, the sons of Zebedee, partners with Simon Peter, and called by Jesus from mending their nets beside the sea of Galilee at the beginning of his ministry

Jesus nicknamed them ‘the sons of thunder’ – perhaps justified by the story (Luke 9, 51-56) that they once wished to call down fire from heaven to destroy a village which had refused them hospitality.

They made it to key events in Jesus life – the Transfiguation, Gethsemene and at various healings and miracles – Peter’s mother-in-law and raising of Jairus’s daughter. Obviously, James was of Jesus closest followers.

He is known as James the Great to distinguish him from James the Less, or James the brother of the Lord.

The movie, The Way celebrates the wonderful cathedral in Santiago where his remains lie and pilgrimage that grew up around St. James life, routes that have been followed for 800 years. Read more about James and the Santiago Cathedral …

Recent Articles, July 23, 2023

Village Harvest, July 2023 – A Quick Analysis

CLIENTS

For the first 7 months average clients are done from 88 to 79, a 10% reduction.

Clients increased from June from 65 to 72 in July.

Total clients served is 552 in 2023 vs. 617 in 2022, a 11% reduction.

FOOD

Total food is down from 8,844 pounds for first 7 months in 2022 to 7,576 in 2023, a 14% reduction.

Food at 1,206 was over June at 949. It was the second largest supply in 2023.

Pounds per person is 13.7 in 2023 first 7 months vs. 14.3 in 2022 for 7 months.

Considering just June to July, pounds per person, rose from 14.6 to 16.75, the second highest figure in 2023.

FOOD TYPES

In terms of supply, there was a smaller percentage of produce 41% in July vs. 45% in June.  However, it was a larger percentage than a year ago in July, 2022. In July, 2022, it was 34% produce.

OTHER

Cookie bought can openers for those who requested them. We are keeping a list of those who requested to make sure sure they will get them if they were not there in July.

The Free Lance-Star had an additional article recently on other food sources. We have had our “Grab and Go” meals list plus a texting method of finding summer meals