January | February | March 2024

LIVING FAITH

MINISTRY HIGHLIGHTS

This quarter we focus on the Living Faith ministries at St. John’s, lead by Angela Schulze. Look for how your offerings are used and the “why we get involved” within each event. It is a congregational response to the question, “What good can we do around here?” and are examples of the Kingdom of God at work in everyday life.

There is so much going on in the Early Childhood Education Center (ECEC). A teacher workday held in January resulted in much collaboration and laughter! Rooms were deeply cleaned and re-arranged. Staff training was completed. They are focusing on increasing knowledge in early childhood development and continuing education for the staff. ECEC will cover the cost for Main Assistants in each classroom to get their Child Development Associate credentials with an agreement from the teacher to stay in place for an additional year or to reimburse cost. A partnership with Grand Canyon University provides free professional development courses for staff. In addition, they have a degree opportunity at reduced tuition. It is a solid program, yet still expensive in time and money. This action requires individual FAFSA and scholarship support and will be ongoing. For our 50 available ECEC spots in the fall, 46 are confirmed and families are considering for another 2. Admin is working to fill the 2 remaining spots.  

More than 190 adult English language learners began our spring session of English classes, which are held at St. John’s and on Zoom. The students come from 42 countries, with largest groups from Afghanistan (17 percent) and Chile (12 percent). Others come from El Salvador, Vietnam, Honduras, Peru, South Korea, Mexico, Venezuela, Ethiopia and elsewhere. As a group, they speak 19 languages, with 50 percent of students speaking Spanish and 17 percent speaking Dari/Pashto. Most English language learners continued from the fall session; 74 were new. We are grateful for the 34 volunteers teaching 13 classes. Students seek to learn English to get better jobs and integrate into U.S. society. We celebrate their hard work with an international potluck at the end of a 12-week session. There are many ways to help. Learn more

A new group has formed: Humanitarian Community Support Group. The purpose is to consider the needs of the immigrant families and individuals God has placed before us. We can offer support by defraying the high costs of immigration and citizenship applications; training to improve employment options, and navigating support offered by county agencies or other non-profits. This work does not require expertise, just a desire to do something. This quarter we have paid for green card applications, assisted movement into an apartment for 2 families seeking asylum, gave rent to ensure safe housing, facilitated medical bill forgiveness, and supported a single parent through court. Join the group in the SJLC app or CCB and see God at work.

In March we renewed our relationship with Scout Troop 1107 and Cub Pack 867, adding another year of commitment to the Franconia area (Cubs 62+ years, Boy Scouts 43+ years.) New this year is a Troop 1107 group for girls. Scouts use our campus for meetings base and storage. Their Eagle projects, such as the bridge behind the ECEC, contribute to our congregation especially during National Night Out. They are a huge help each year with this important community outreach. Scouts are valuable to citizen and character development for local youth. Some families attend St. John’s. Most families live in near-by neighborhoods. Girl Scout members from local troops helped with ushering duties during a worship service.

This year, Souper Bowl of Caring raised $250 for Koinonia Support. You can be ready for next year! Especially for children, it is a great project to “save your allowance” or “give a holiday gift” for the weeks leading up to the Big Game. Also, three Share Sundays, (the 1st Sunday of each month) brought in many bags of food and necessities which Jurgen G. carted to Koinonia for distribution. There were a few extra trips this quarter with a  winter clothing drive kicked off by a Scout completing a Merit Badge requirement. Thank you to him and to Koinonia for being a great conduit of food, clothing, and other well-being and needed support to clients in our geographic area!

St. John’s people supported 2 days of the Fairfax County Hypothermia Shelter hosted by St. Mark’s Lutheran Church the week of 1/28- 2/4. We provided dinners, snacks, breakfasts, and bagged lunches for the 49 homeless guests. Altogether, 48 SJLC people volunteered in various ways to make this happen. Some households made main dish casseroles and other food at home which was transported to St. Marks. Others came onsite at the shelter and helped by finalizing and serving meals, sharing social time talking to guests and playing games with them. Two individuals stayed overnight each night to care for guest’s needs. Others came very early in the morning to serve breakfast and prepare lunches to go. $500 of ministry funds purchased food, drinks, and snacks beyond what was made at homes. The homeless guests are extremely grateful for these shelters and those who serve at them as they have no other place to sleep in cold winter months. This support is vital as hypothermia can quickly set in when people are exposed even in a short amount of time to frigid temperatures. The churches throughout the county that host the shelters and those that support them live out and share their faith by caring for those in desperate need of basic life necessities.

With very generous contributions from the congregation, Creative Fellowship collected sheets, blankets, cleaning supplies, personal hygiene items, and laundry detergent for Bethany House in Northern Virginia. Bethany House is a Christian non profit organization providing help and support to women and children experiencing domestic violence. They also delivered, after a blessing in church, 12 hand tied, 60 by 80 inch quilts, 24 school backpacks, and 24 personal care bags to the Lutheran World Relief (LWR) warehouse in New Windsor, Maryland. These items are shipped overseas for distribution where needed. At the same time they dropped off 12 clean up buckets for Church World Service. These stay in the US for use after disasters such as hurricanes or tornados. (LWR shares the warehouse with Church World Service.) This is the 13th year Creative Fellowship has engaged in this outreach. Supplies are purchased with funds generated by the annual Craft Fair.

In addition, over 150 Hypothermia Care Packages were assembled by a congregant family and taken by worshippers after services for distribution from their cars and at St. Mark’s. One bag made it to Nashville, TN! Each bag contained a $25 gift card, tooth brush, towel, hand warmers, thermal socks, blanket, tampons, and a poncho. They are much appreciated by recipients. Thank you to those who distributed. Also we purchased the gift cards using a program that earned cash to defray costs for our youth attending the 2025 National Youth Gathering. Another win!

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.

Banners

With many other congregations, we have a custom of not speaking the word “Alleluia” during Lent. For this contemplative season we put away this joyful proclamation. As a visual reminder we removed our Alleluia banners in February at the end of worship. Accompanied by a soulful oboe, we sang “Farewell to Alleluia” as the banners were taken out of the sanctuary. They returned after the Easter Vigil service. It was an enthusiastic reminder of our Easter joy and who we are, beloved children of God. Alleluia! Alleluia!

Word of the Day - Narthex

This is our lobby. In the very early church, it was a porch with columns or a separate antechamber. In modern times, it is the space between the outside doors and sanctuary entrance. It is a transitional space, a gathering space. It is a place for sign-ups, information, and making friends after a worship service.

From the Worship Bulletin What does Agnus Dei mean? It is a song we sing before communion while officiants are receiving their gifts. The title is in Latin. Agnus means lamb. Dei means God. Lamb of God. This phrase comes from the Gospel of John, chapter 1, verse 29. John the Baptist sees Jesus coming toward him and declares him to be the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. Latin scholars in our midst can translate the original words: Agnus Dei, qui tolis peccata mundi, miserere nobis. Agnus Dei, qui tolis peccata mundi, miserere nobis. Agnus Dei, qui tolis peccata mundi, dona nobis pacem.

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Colors

We follow (you can also say ‘we celebrate’) a liturgical calendar designating holidays and church year seasons. Each season has a specific color used in sanctuary paraments and altar coverings. The seasons in our church year are Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Holy Week, Easter, and Pentecost. In the last three months you’ve seen Green, White, Gold, Purple, and Red. What season are we in now? What color is present? What do the colors represent? Answers and more explanation out next quarter.

QUESTIONS AND STORIES OF

JOINING JESUS ON HIS MISSION*

We are disciples of Jesus. He says, “Follow me.” But how does that work in 2024? We learn from each other by sharing our experiences. Conversation are focused using five simple questions. From our congregation here are real, recent, and relatable answers. The asterixis (*) refers to the book Joining Jesus on His Mission, by Greg Finke.

How did you see God at work in your life this week? This question is often overwhelming. I remember the basics: God is already at work in the people and circumstances of my life. He’s ahead of me doing the hard stuff. Yesterday a neighbor interrupted my quiet lunch. She needed to vent. She needed reassurance about family relationships. She needed some prayers. We talked for about 35 minutes. My ham and cheese sandwich with a side of crossword puzzle could wait. 

What has God been teaching you in His Word? I heard there are many ways to actually ‘hear’ God’s Word. A friend shared a sermonette from the phone app Streetlights. I realized I could listen to the Bible via app while I taking a walk. Bingo! Two habits in which I want more consistency, done. I also pay better attention when listening. Win-Win-Win.

What kind of conversations are you having with people, especially those who might not know Jesus yet? My hobbies and volunteer work supply many friends who are not believers. I don’t force conversations. These are friends, not projects. I am patient and available. We talk about problems. I get to share my perspective. I learn more of their story. I care about them. I pray for them and with them.

What good can we do around here? Editor’s note: Read page 1 & 2 to understand the breadth and depth of love being shared in our community.

How can we help you in prayer? My adult daughter, living in another city, asked for advice. Her girlfriend is in a problematic romantic relationship. My daughter sees red-flags and wonders what to say. Along with practical advice, we prayed together, for the friend and her beau; for my daughter and her friend. I also reminded her that she could pray for, and with, her friend when they were together.

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

MEASURING OURSELVES

 Consider the period of January, February, and March:  

NEXT STEPS

Maybe this newsletter sparked a thought or interest. Perhaps you want to go deeper. Consider a next step. Everyone is at a different stage and has different amounts of available time. We have different personalities and preferences. Do what works for you and your household.  

• Meet a new person on any Sunday. Get to know the other people in your pew. We are all strangers until we say hello. If you know names, ask questions.
• Explore service opportunities in CCB or the SJLC App. Join a group. 
• Read one of the books by Greg Finke. These are Joining Jesus on his Mission, Joining Jesus Show Me How, and Joining Jesus As a Family. Copies are available where all books are sold. DVD with videos are in the church library and available electronically in CCB under a group by the same name.
• Use the 5 questions at your next meeting or family gathering. Be patient with each other. Pray. Pay attention. God is at work in the people around you. Stop and notice what is happening. Share that experience.
• Send in a prayer request asking for guidance using online link or connection card.
• Join any of the bible study groups in CCB or SJLC App or show up Sunday at Adult Education hour, 9:15 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall.
• Carve out 10 minutes and establish a daily rhythm that accommodates prayer and Bible reading. Intentional consistency is always effective. Use a devotion book or Bible app to find reading plans. Focused consistency is a path forward.
• Join a huddle or missional community. Find what is available by searching groups in CCB or the “get involved” tab on the SJLC App. Start one if existing ones are not convenient. We have people to help.
• On any Sunday, talk to a friend at the Welcome Desk in the narthex. These people know all about getting connected and getting questions answered.
• Insert your idea here: _____________________________________________.

FEEDBACK

This newsletter might raise a question or remind you of an experience. Share your story and/or questions with us at this link: Share with SJLC. Remain anonymous and we’ll try to answer in future issues. The first 20 people to provide contact information and a comment will find a good surprise in their mailbox!

Next edition: April, May, June 2024, Ministry Highlights - Connecting, released early in July.