To St. John's Parishioners and Friends:

Alleluia! Christ is risen!

Happy Easter! We were joined on Easter Sunday by dozens of eager Easter egg hunters and their families, more than 120 people. Here I am explaining cascarones, dried, colored eggshells filled with confetti that you gently smash over your head - or a friend's - at birthdays, Carnival, and Easter. Green, gold, magenta, and purple now fleck our churchyard. That will fade and disappear over the next week. As our Book of Common Prayer says, "All of us go down to the dust; yet even at the grave we make our song: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia."

I am so grateful to all our staff and volunteers who made this past Holy Week a special one:

• Organist and choir director Mandy Hull and our choir for the beautiful music
• Katharine Lavery for her trumpet on Easter
• Marcia Evans - who baked Communion bread for Maundy Thursday - and for all the Altar Guild for their care for our altar on Maundy Thursday and the gorgeous flowers of Easter
• Terri Katon for setting us up and Susie Pike for seeing our bulletins through
• David Weir and John Tucker for livestreaming and recording our services
• the Rev. Jason Lody of St. Anthony's for co-celebrating Maundy Thursday and Good Friday
• our Passion reading participants on Palm Sunday and Good Friday
• everyone who provided coffee and refreshments and helped with setting up and breaking down
• our ushers, crucifers, and readers...

And I know I'm missing people. Thank you, thank you, thank you to all our volunteers who made palm crosses, stuffed Easter eggs, hid them and our cascarones, and more. Thank you to all of you who gave God glory in ways large and small on the feast of our Lord's resurrection - and to the Holy One who made and makes all things new.

Our Easter celebration continues for fifty days. As always, you can contact me via email or click here to book a time directly.

Grace and peace,

Kevin

Save the Date: May 13: The Progressive Dinner

Our progressive dinner will be held May 13! Diners gather in one place for appetizers, move on to another home for main courses, and on to another for dessert. Use the form below to sign up!

Tree of Life. St. John's fed 68 individuals at the Sterling Community Center last night, April 11. We partner with several other local churches to prepare and serve a meal once per month with the Tree of Life Charity. Last night, we provided barbecue chicken, slaw, chips, fruit, cookies, and Easter candy.

St. John's now has two teams supporting this outreach effort. For more information and to join us, contact Andrew Wade or visit:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4EAAAB2DA6FC1-tree.

The Fire - Wood Fundraiser for Outreach

Bigger Bundles this year! The Woodchucks have been out chopping, and there is a lot of wood in store! $10 for a large bundle, $25 for 3 large bundles! Right outside the front door. Please drop the envelopes with $$ or checks in our mailbox adjacent to the wood.

Western Fairfax Christian Ministries

CURRENT PANTRY NEEDS as of Apr. 1, 2023

Food & Beverages​

• Flour / Maseca Flour / Vegetable Oil / Hot Cereal (Oatmeal, Grits)
• Ramen Noodle Soup / Canned Stewed Tomatoes
• Jelly / Juice (shelf stable, family size, plastic bottle)
• Ketchup and Mayo (family size, not small packets)
• Canned Stewed Tomatoes (low salt preferred)
• Mixed Vegetables (low salt preferred)
• Mashed Potatoes 
• Fruit Cocktail (no sugar added preferred)
• Canned Mandarin Oranges (no sugar added preferred)
• Juice (shelf stable, family size, plastic bottle)
• Ketchup, Mustard, Mayo (family size, not small packets)

​

Toiletries NOTE: Toiletry items cannot be purchased clients with SNAP​​

• Body Wash / Shampoo / Conditioner / Lotion
• Large size pull-ups (SIZE 4T/5T for toddlers)
• Diapers size 5 & 6 
• Baby Wipes 

​

Centreville Immigration Forum & Labor Resource Center

Volunteer & Intern Opportunities



• http://centrevilleimmigrationforum.org/

The Shepherd’s Center of Western Fairfax - needs drivers and support for elderly.

The Katharine K. Hanley Family Shelter

Needs: Toothpaste / Shampoo / Conditioner / Body Wash /

Bar Soap / Hand Soap / Deodorant

The items may be dropped off at the box in the office.

VOLUNTEER SIGN - UPS

St. John's You Tube Link to view the Sunday Services

The services continue to be live streamed at 9:30 AM on Sunday morning, and they can be watched later as well. On Saturday, we will resend the link, along with a link for the bulletin and the lectionary class.

https://youtube.com/@stjohnscentreville

How to help Ukrainians If you would like to help those in need, Episcopal Relief and Development is working closely with a group that is on the ground in Ukraine. You can make a contribution: at https://www.episcopalrelief.org/ 

A Prayer for all those involved in the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

God of peace and justice, we pray for the people of Ukraine today. We pray for peace and the laying down of weapons. We pray for all those who fear for tomorrow, that your Spirit of comfort would draw near to them. We pray for those with power over war or peace, for wisdom, discernment and compassion to guide their decisions. Above all, we pray for all your precious children, at risk and in fear, that you would hold and protect them. We pray in the name of Jesus, the Prince of Peace. Amen

(written by Archbishop Justin Welby and Archbishop Stephen Cottrell)

We can prepare our hearts & minds

by reading ahead for

the Sunday Service lesson.

The Second Sunday after Easter

April 16, 2023

The First Reading: Acts 2:14a,22-32

If Pentecost is the birth of the Church, here Peter delivers its first sermon, preaching the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the one the prophets spoke of, the one the world was waiting for.

The Psalm: 16 page 599, BCP

The psalmist rejoices in the constant presence and protection of a loving God.

The Second Reading: 1 Peter 1:3-9

Jesus's resurrection means a new birth and a new hope for the resurrection and salvation of all in the last time.

The Gospel: John 20:19-31

Thomas is somehow absent for an appearance of the resurrected Jesus, but Jesus appears again. Thomas may miss church but never the resurrection.

Masks are optional during the service

The Pledge payment button may be used only to make your pledge payment (after signing up to be a pledger, which may be done at any time in the year.

The Facility Campaign button may be used only for any contribution for the facility's buildings and grounds.

The Donation button may be used for any other type of donation to St. John's. To designate a special purpose (i.e. please send a note to sjeccentreville@aol.com.