A Note from

Father Kevin

In the Collect for this Sunday (Transfiguration), we pray, “Mercifully grant that we, being delivered from the disquietude of this world, may by faith behold the King in his beauty”. There are a couple actions that stand out to me as I consider this prayer. First, is there isn’t a prayer that God would deliver us from the disquietude of the world, but that we have in fact, have already been delivered by God. The work that Jesus did on Calvary and through his resurrection not only give us hope, but assurance, that the noise of the world cannot permeate the love that God has for us. The conflicts and distractions that exist in the world, in our country, communities, and even our own lives are powerless in the end, because Christ has removed ultimate power and authority from the kingdoms of this world.

The second point identifies how we ask God to allow us to develop the faith required to behold Christ in his beauty. I wonder if perhaps, part of being able to behold Christ in his beauty is to separate from the distractions of this world and focus on Jesus. Where is the beauty of Jesus, you may ask? I saw the beauty of Jesus as people gathered from throughout the area to listen to music and enjoy Saint John’s. For a brief period, the conflicts of the world were quieted by people gathered, singing, dancing, eating, and celebrating life. I saw the beauty of Jesus as I came into the church to find someone silently praying at the shrine of the Blessed Mother. I saw the beauty of Jesus as we were able to help someone in the community who needed a helping hand. The beauty of Jesus is all around us. When we focus on him, when we ask the Holy Spirit to help us learn to tune out the distractions that take away hope, we can experience Christ in his beauty of mercy, resurrection and eternal life. That makes me filled with joy and I rejoice! Rejoice in the Lord always, and again, I say rejoice!

In Christ,

Father Kevin D. Beesley

XV Rector

[email protected].

Serving This Sunday

Serving This Week

Clergy......................................... Father Kevin D. Beesley, Deacon Buck Close

Music.......................................... Peter S. Berton

Altar Guild................................ John Garagliano & Amy Garrison

Sunday, August 7, The Transfiguration

Acolytes (8 a.m.)....................... John Garagliano

10 a.m.......................................... TBD

Ushers (8 a.m.):......................... Marvin Abney and Walter Chase

10 a.m.......................................... Chris Schillaci and Volunteer

Lectors (8 a.m.)......................... Marvin Abney

10 a.m.......................................... Jenn Berton

Sunday, August 14, The Tenth Sunday after Pentecost

Acolytes (8 a.m.)....................... John Garagliano

10 a.m.......................................... TBD

Ushers (8 a.m.):......................... Walter and Mary Lou Chase

10 a.m.......................................... Duenna Karner and Volunteer

Lectors (8 a.m.):........................ Gertrude Patenaude

10 a.m.......................................... Ann Boyer

Sunday

Low Mass

8:00 a.m.

High Mass (with Choir)

10:00 a.m.

Monday

Morning Prayer

8:30 a.m.

Evening Prayer

5:30 p.m.

Tuesday

Music on the Lawn

6:00 p.m.

Wednesday

Low Mass

6:00 p.m.

Feast of Laurence the Deacon

Thursday

Morning Prayer

8:30 am

Evening Prayer

5:30 p.m.

Music at Saint John's...

Besides Music on the Lawn, Newport County residents and tourists might enjoy special offerings of the St. John's Adult Choir this month, which we are promoting. It's a great time to invite a friend to church, when all other Newport church choirs hibernate during summer vacation months. In particular our choir will sing choral settings of the ordinary of the Mass, excepting the usual congregational setting of the Creed. Rather than a concert, you might think of it as a moment of all-but-air-conditioned relief and delight as the choir prays stirring settings of the texts of the Kyrie, Gloria, Sanctus, Benedictus, and Agnus Dei (during the administration of communion) on our behalf. 

August 7 The Feast of the Transfiguration

Mass setting: Messe Solennelle, Jean Langlais

Anthem: The Transfiguration, Larry King

August 14 The Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Mass setting: Missa brevis Sancti Johannes de Deo, Joseph Haydn

Anthem: Ave Maria, Franz Biebl

August 21 The Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost

Mass setting: Communion Service in F, Herbert Sumsion

Anthem: Lord, thou hast been our refuge, Ernest Walker

August 28 The Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost

Mass setting: Communion Service in E, Harold Darke

Anthem: Sing we merrily, Sidney Campbell

Two of our most experienced singers, Juno our Head Chorister and Sophie our past Head Chorister, attended a nine-day intensive camp as members of the Girl Chorister Course at Saint Thomas Church, Fifth Avenue, New York which culminated in two services this past Sunday. 

Their singing of a challenging Mass setting by French composer Jean Langlais directly influenced the choice of that setting for our Transfiguration choral service this weekend. You can hear the St. Thomas Girls Course and the men of the St. Thomas Choir sing the setting in this July 31 Sunday streamcast, and also enjoy their sound in four lovely Evensongs from the past week, on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday. What a week! The singing was balanced by tourism (a Circle Line cruise, a Broadway show), church and organ tours, social opportunities, recreation in nearby Central Park, and new friendships. Our own choristers are soon off to camp in Connecticut August 14-19, to learn music for the coming fall. Some of what Juno and Sophie learned will be passed on at our camp in other repertoire we will get to hear in the months ahead. 

Greetings to All

The Samaritans have been busy with sending notes and sharing support for those who may need a little bit sunshine.

July is a 5th Sunday month. Gift Cards have allowed us to have a greater reach and impact. Cards in amounts of $25.00- $50.00 are best suited in allowing us to provide support to members of our community in greater numbers. The following are of most benefit gas, Walmart, Aldi’s, Shaw's, Stop & Shop and the Dollar Store. We wish to thank you all for your unconditional support for our ministry of out reach.

With love

The Samaritans 

Fondly with love,

The Samaritans of St. John's