April | May | June 2024

CONNECTING

MINISTRY HIGHLIGHTS

This quarter we focus on connecting. At St. John’s, we are intentional about getting to know one another. Why? Life can be tough, and it is always easier with other people around. You don’t have to know everybody at St. John’s, but we want everyone to know someone! The Connecting Ministry is led by Barbara Wright. Events highlighted here happen annually. The connecting questions that help us join Jesus on His mission include: Who are we talking with? Who are we hanging out with and enjoying time with? These questions apply to our home or work community neighbors and strangers AND to the people in our church family. We are the body of Christ, gathered, formed and fueled, and sent out to invite others to a life transformed by Jesus. Each element in this mission requires relationships and teamwork. Let’s connect. 

Throughout this period, Creative Fellowship met on Thursday evenings in the Fellowship Hall after 7:00pm. They will continue to meet during the fall months as they are preparing for the 29th Annual Craft Fair to be held November 9, 2024. You can join in if you enjoy doing crafts and such. Help will be needed setting it up beforehand and on the day of the fair. Also, beforehand you will be able to bake your favorite goodies and sweets as a contribution to sale items. Watch for details.  

In April, St. John’s scrapbooking group held an annual 2-day event to benefit Operation Smile. We had 40 attendees and raised $10,000. Operation Smile is a non-profit organization that delivers safe cleft palate surgeries in over 37 countries and has 6000 volunteers. Each surgery costs $240 and changes lives. Amazingly, this is the 14^th year of this event. Ladies arrive from all over the United States, supported by a few members and former members of St. John’s. If you want to know more, connect with Sandra Herring or Kathy Sullivan. Their contact information is in Church Community Builder (CCB).

Old and new friends gathered in May, at the Ladies Tea. Everyone enjoyed a tasty and varied buffet of goodies while enjoying heavenly harp music. The Fellowship Hall looked like an English garden. Friends came from Fredericksburg and other outlying areas to partake. Also, two ladies, originally from Afghanistan joined in. They became friends with each other and with us while in St. John’s English classes and receiving support from our special humanitarian aid fund. On this day we shared cultural differences and laughter over a common cup of tea.  

In early June we recognized high school graduates and their families. Such a huge milestone deserves celebration. This year, graduates were Mychal Burroughs, Lily Pflugradt, and Lauren Fosse. Congratulations! Our prayers are with you wherever you are and whatever you do over the next few years. Great job, young people! Great job, parents!

Our church picnic was also held in early June following worship. This year, a coloring contest started the barbecue luncheon with fabulous side dishes brought in by the congregation. A treasure hunt and water balloon toss entertained the younger participants. It is our casual way to meet people we do not know. Folks stop in for lunch, good conversation, and the thrill of being around children having fun. This event is a delightful and stress-free way of celebrating the end of the school year and the start of our summer months.

And finally, one of the most critical ministries under Connecting is our Tender Loving Care (TLC) group. These ladies coordinate a communal lunch after a memorial or funeral service held in our sanctuary. This is a sad but very important time where we gather as a church family and offer comfort to each other, the bereaved family, and friends. The TLC ministry was called to serve in June with the memorial service for Robert (Bob) Rexrode. Overwhelming generosity from the congregation filled the tables in the Fellowship Hall with delicious bounty. This set the stage for comforting conversations and important connections between all the people gathered. TLC does not enjoy the circumstances but understands the importance of supporting in this way. If you are interested, connect with Barbara (Barb) Gilliland. Her contact information is in CCB. 

The Lay Eucharistic Ministry (LEM) connects within the Gathering ministries. The LEM provides Holy Communion and visitation to those who are homebound or hospitalized. This practice started in the year 2000 with Barbara and Chuck Herbert, continuing for 13 years. It was reinstated in 2022. We use trained volunteers, Andi and Eric Klanderman, Christy Hoins, Karen Kemmet, and Yvette Moy, in teams. Teams visit the same people each month, so relationships and trust grow. Visits provide spiritual refreshment through Holy Communion, prayer, and fellowship. The Communion of the Sick and Homebound from the Lutheran Service Book Pastoral Care Companion provides the format and content for the communion service, which typically lasts from 20 to 30 minutes, but can be shortened if necessary. The elements in each individual communion set are consecrated in worship each month and LEMs are sent forth at the close of service. Team members offer encouragement and learn of prayer concerns, that are conveyed to Pastor Meehan and St. John’s Prayer Team, as needed. This is a meaningful way of keeping in community with those who are unable to gather on campus. 

Under the Living Faith ministries, the Humanitarian Community Support group connects people to people while solving real problems for families in our community. This support sets an environment for relationship growth over time and as desired. When we learn that immigrant families in our circle have needs, normally financial but not always, a small group of people explores ways to help. This is a continuation of the work we started with Afghan Allies in 2021. A dedicated fund supports this work and the families that have no other option or outlet for relief. We strive to help new immigrants get acclimated and improve their status in our community. In the last quarter we provided monetary grants to cover the costs of immigration paperwork (green card) applications and medical examinations. We paid costs for Engineer licensing and certification and a seat in an entry-level plumbing course, as well as some rent and utilities. Most of the recipients initially connect with us through English classes. We know we cannot solve all problems, but we can respond to those placed before us. The St. John’s people involved receive much in return. Over cups of tea, initially awkward meetings, and the occasional delicious meal, stronger relationships grow. The relationship grows from “grant giver and receiver,” to real friends. Within these friendships we have conversations about everything that is important to us. Connect with Angela Schulze if you are interested in this ministry. Her contact information can be found in CCB. 

Summer Connecting: Watch your snail mail. Over the summer, a group of friends are writing cards and notes of greeting and encouragement to the households of St. John’s family. We want to strengthen the connection with long-time attending families and individuals. We also want to welcome and get to know newer folks. This is a small church advantage – getting to know one another. As stated at the outset, you don’t have to know everyone, but we want everyone to know someone. If the office does not have your mailing address, write it on a Connection Card one Sunday or email/call the office. Contact information is at the end of this publication. Say hello to your letter writer when you see them in the hall!  (Personal and private information is not used for business purposes or sold to third party organizations.) We really are just trying to get to know one another. 

Save the date: Friday, October 11. St John’s senior group is planning a day bus trip to the Sight and Sound theater for a performance of Daniel. Lunch will be at an Amish restaurant prior to the show. More details to follow.  

ST. JOHN’S TRADITIONS AND PRACTICES

These explanations are offered in case you do not know or do not remember what happens on campus and in worship services. This is the why behind what we do.

Red Lamp

Our Sanctuary has a lamp attached to the wall on the left side as you face the altar. It is always lit and burns oil. Altar Care team members refill the lamp regularly. In our sanctuary, this light reminds us of the abiding presence of Christ. We can also be assured that God’s presence is with us eternally, wherever we go.  

Word of the Day - Paraments

When Jennifer Hills used this word in a children’s message, I had to look it up to verify meaning and spelling. Church paraments are the cloths that adorn the altar, pulpit, and other parts of a sanctuary. The paraments are changed based on the church year calendar and have specific colors and symbols to highlight various seasons and festival days. St. John’s has a dedicated group of people who maintain and hang the paraments. Our paraments add color to the space; and, more importantly, add visual focus and meaning to worship. 

From the Worship Bulletin

Who selects the Bible readings for worship? Each worship service includes 3 readings from the Bible: one from the Old Testament, one from the New Testament letters (or epistles), and one from the Gospels. St. John’s follows a lectionary, or curated collection of readings from the Bible. This collection is arranged according to the Church’s calendar and is intended to be read at the regular, weekly gathering of God’s people. There are several versions of lectionaries. A lectionary does not include the entire Bible; but the Lutheran lectionary includes theologically important texts and stories of faith from both Old and New Testaments. As an LCMS congregation, we use the Three-Year (A, B, C) Series, printed by Concordia Publishing House. Year A focuses on the Gospel of Matthew, Year B focuses on the Gospel of Mark and Year C focuses on the Gospel of Luke. Gospel readings from the Gospel of John are interspersed throughout the three years. A recent Gospel reading was Mark 4:26-34. That tells you we are currently in year B of the 3-year series. When Advent starts a new church year in November 2024, we will start year C readings. 

QUESTIONS AND STORIES OF

JOINING JESUS ON HIS MISSION*

We are disciples of Jesus. He says, “Follow me.” How does that work in 2024? We learn from each other by sharing our experiences. We use the five simple questions listed below with their real, relatable, and recent answers coming out of our congregation.

How did you see God at work in your life this week?  At one point at a work party, I emotionally needed support (read: overcome by tears in the middle of a crowded room). Three people came up to help and comfort me. All were strangers but had kind hearts and words for me. I knew I was surrounded by love. God provides.

What has God been teaching you in His Word? I’m reading 1^st and 2^nd Peter. He (Peter) reminded his readers (and now us) of things even though he knows the readers know them. It is a demonstration of continued encouragement and the need to be reminded, even when we already know things. I can still be taught. I can be reminded. I can still learn things. Reinforce what is good; encourage other believers. Listen to the Peters in my life. Be a Peter in someone’s life. 

What kind of conversations are you having with people, especially those who might not know Jesus yet? I took Greg Finke’s advice and just enjoyed people where I was. Starting out with this attitude made my recent trip home a very different experience (in a good way). Wherever I was, I enjoyed the people around me. Sometimes they started talking first; sometimes I did. I listened to people. It didn’t make a difference where I went, I got to know the people I knew better, and met a lot of new folks. It was fun.  

What good can we do around here? Long story short – I made a grumpy Salvation Army worker laugh. He had been the focus of another customer’s frustration and vitriol, so his grumpiness was probably justified. But I was kind and said something sweet and sort of funny. He smiled, laughed, and continued with his work.

How can we help in prayer?  I would like to pray with my husband on a nightly basis. We are not newlyweds, and this has not been our normal habit, so it is difficult adopting a new routine. It is awkward also because neither of us is comfortable praying out loud. But we both believe it is important. 

Now, how about you? What are your experiences and answers to these questions?

MEASURING OURSELVES

 Consider the period of April, May, June:  

FEEDBACK

Did you enjoy this newsletter? Do you have questions or a story you would like to share? What can we learn from your expertise or experience? Click this link: Share with SJLC. Thank you in advance.

St. John’s Lutheran Church

5952 Franconia Road,

Alexandria, VA 22310

(703) 971-2210    

www.sjlc.com

office@sjlc.com

Next edition: July, August, September 2024, Ministry Highlights - Discipling, released early in October.