NEWSLETTER - MAY to AUGUST, 2008
ST. JAMES' CHURCH, MONTROSS, VA &
ST. PETER'S CHURCH, OAK GROVE, VA

From the desk of our Rector
~ PENTECOST SUNDAY ~ May 11, 2008 ~

     The Feast Day of Pentecost is one of the three great feasts of the Church, Easter and Christmas being the other two. In the Book of Acts and in the Gospel according to St. John we can read about the disciples receiving the Holy Spirit. 
     Both of these accounts focus on the Holy Spirit being given to Jesus’ followers. We believe the Holy Spirit is the presence of God residing in each of us.  And, by virtue of our Baptism, we all have the Holy Spirit working within us. When we wish to have a deeper awareness of the Holy Spirit, the first and most simple thing we can do is ask … to pray that God's Spirit will be evident in new and fresh ways in our lives.
     May we choose to make our hearts and souls available and responsive to the power of God's Spirit, ready to forgive, to love and to be joyous channels for God's love, forgiveness and hope in this hurting and yet wonderful world.
                                                         Yours in Christ,  Dr. Kinser +

Special Dates

Pentecost Sunday, May 11:
9:15 AM – Festival Holy Eucharist- St. Peter’s Church
11:15 AM – Festival Holy Eucharist- St. James’ Church

Sunday, June 8, Joint Parish Picnic &  Pig Roast at St. Peter’s Ch. 3:00 PM

 June 29, Joint Parish Confirmation Service & HE: 10:30 AM–at St. Peter’s, Oak Grove, pot-luck reception to follow in Parish Hall to honor Bishop Johnston and all of  the candidates.

WHY GO TO CHURCH?

     A churchgoer wrote a letter to a newspaper editor and complained that it made no sense to go to church every Sunday.  “I’ve gone for 30 years now,” he wrote, “and in that time  I have heard something like 3,000 sermons.  But for the life of me, I can’t remember a single one of them.  So I think I’m wasting my time and the pastors are wasting theirs by giving sermons at all.”  This started a real controversy in the “Letters to the Editor” column, much to the delight of the editor.

     The controversy went on for weeks until someone wrote this clincher:  “I’ve been married for 30 years now.  In that time, my wife has cooked me some 32,000 meals, but for the life of me, I cannot recall the entire menu for a single one of those meals.  But I do know this: They all nourished me and gave me the strength to do my work.  If my wife had not given me these meals, I would be dead today.  Likewise, if I had not gone to church for spiritual nourishment, I would be spiritually dead today!

Important Phone Numbers
Joint Parish Office- St. James: 493-8285
St. James’ Parish Kitchen: 493-9087
St. Peter’s Kitchen & Office: 224-7309
Dr. & Mrs. Kinser at Rectory: 493-1637
Phil Goodwin – St Peter’s Senior
Warden: 224-6126
Charles Flemer– St. Peter’s Junior
Warden: 224-2572
Bonnie Chandler– St. James’ Senior
Warden: 493-8182
Frances O’Dell – St. James’ Junior
Warden: 493-8190

Joint Parish Picnic and Pig Roast
At St. Peter’s Church  
Sunday,June 8^th

Starts at 3 PM, we will eat at 4 PM (rain or shine)   

Bring lawn chairs, drinks, and a favorite dish or dessert to share; join us for fun and games; provided will be: paper products & utensils, slaw, baked beans, and fantastic barbequed pig by Fuzzy Flemer!!!