To St. John's Parishioners and Friends:

This past Sunday, Bishop Stevenson visited St. John's and confirmed Derek Walsh and received Laura Walsh and Craig Staresinich. Many blessings upon them in the next steps of their journey with God and their ministry at St. John's.

Thanks to Bishop Stevenson and to Canon Hazel, our canon to the ordinary and Bishop Stevenson's chaplain for the day.

And thanks to all who prepared our altar, took photos, and provided dishes and snacks for our festive reception!

Peace,

Kevin

The Rev. Kevin Laskowski

Priest-in-Charge

St. John's Episcopal Church

Progressive Dinner, May 2

The tradition returns May 2, 2026 at 5 PM. Respondents should receive their details and itineraries soon, and we look forward to a fun evening!

Ministry Meetings

Are you interested in serving at the altar? Curious about reading the word? Would you like to help prepare the church for worship? What about welcoming newcomers and parishioners alike? Now's your chance! Liturgy is a "work of the people," and we need you to make worship everything it can be at St. John's.

If you're interested in serving in some way, or you're already serving, join us after worship on upcoming Sundays to renew and expand our ministry teams:

• May 3: Lectors/Readers
• May 10: Altar Guild
• May 17: Ushers

We'll review responsibilities and new expectations, and arrange for additional training for newcomers. Our acolytes met before our bishop's visit. More ministries and more meetings to come. This is just getting started. If you can't make a certain meeting but would still like to be involved, email Fr. Kevin.

Security at St. John's

St. John's Episcopal Church is home to St. John's and many faith communities and organizations. We've had several lapses in recent weeks. Security is vital. Be sure to take steps to protect each other and all the groups that call St. John's home:

• If you're the last to leave the office, be sure the copy room and priest-in-charge's office doors are closed and locked. Ensure the main office door is closed and locked and the security system armed. Never leave the office unlocked and unattended.
• When your group leaves the building, close and lock all exterior doors your group may have used, even if other groups are still on campus. For example, if you were in the historic chapel or the office, close and lock the doors at the upstairs entrances when you depart to protect groups meeting downstairs in the parish hall from unwanted intrusions from the other side of the campus. Similarly, if you were in the parish hall, close and lock the patio, kitchen, and other exterior doors to protect those who may still be upstairs.
• If your group is the last to leave the building (double-check!), be sure ALL exterior doors (not just the ones you used but ALL of them) are closed and locked. Take the extra five minutes to walk around the building and try every exterior door to make sure they're all closed. Doors do not always close fully behind us. Then, properly arm the security system before departing.

If you have any questions or encounter problems, please contact the parish office. And, as always, if you see something, say something by contacting the church office or leadership, and, if necessary, the Fairfax County police.

St. John's is Hiring!

We are hiring a part-time Ministry Partner Liaison to enhance coordination between our many Ministry Partners and to ensure that Saint John's building is maintained and protected. See the description on the diocesan job page. If you know of someone who may be a fit for this opportunity, please be in touch with the church office or the Senior Warden. 

Spring Clergy Retreat

Fr. Kevin will be out of the office for the diocesan Spring clergy retreat at Shrine Mont, beginning April 27 and returning the morning of April 29.

Please pray for the clergy of our diocese.

Altar Flowers Needed

Dedicate the altar flowers in thanksgiving or in memory of a loved one here.

WORSHIP

Sunday Sermon

Bishop Stevenson delivered Sunday's sermon during his visit to St. John's. Amid the challenges and distractions of this life, when we double down on our own assumptions, biases, and certainties, we can miss the gift of Jesus. We are called to attend to a God who was present with us - and to share his gift of love with everyone.

View our services on our YouTube channel and look for new sermons here.

Join Us In Person or Online

Join us in the historic church at 9:30 AM Sunday or watch live via YouTube. Additional links to the livestream, worship bulletin, and lectionary class are sent Saturday and also available on our website.

Readings for the Fourth Sunday of Easter

First Reading: Acts 2:42-47

The newly formed community of Christian disciples is solid in its commitment to the apostolic faith and to each other, living joyfully in the abundance of charity.

Response: Psalm 23

Perhaps the most famous psalm, and one frequently used at funerals, Psalm 23 praises God the shepherd who provides for and protects the faithful.

Second Reading: 1 Peter 2:19-25

As an encouragement to persevere against unjust suffering, Peter recounts the story of Jesus’ death with words that echo the prophet Isaiah’s image of the Suffering Servant.

Gospel: John 10:1-10

Jesus uses a parable to highlight the qualities of a good shepherd, then explains that he is the standard by which we should judge faith-filled leadership.

Saints of the Week: Anselm

Anselm (1033/4–1109) was Archbishop of Canterbury and a theologian, most famous for his work as a Scholastic on the ontological argument for God and the satisfaction theory of atonement.

Read more about him here.

Join Our Bible Study on

1 Corinthians

Join us in the library Wednesdays at 11:00 AM or Thursday nights at 7:00 PM for Bible study on St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians.

This week, we're talking about sexual immorality, and, next week, we'll be talking about idolatry. Join the conversation. No need to RSVP for individual classes. Jump in anytime.

For more information, read a series overview with syllabus, watch our website, and/or contact Father Kevin or Lisa Heller.

Education for Ministry (EfM)

Through study, prayer, worship, and reflection, EfM seminar groups journey together through scripture, church history, and theology.

St. John's EfM cohort meets Wednesday nights in the St. John's library, unless otherwise announced. Registration for this year is closed. Contact Walt Cooner for more information.

No Adult Lectionary Forum This Week

There will be no Adult Lectionary Forum this Sunday. We’ll resume on May 3.

Join us Sundays in person in the church library or online via Zoom to discuss the day's lessons. (This is the new link for meeting #826 4944 0667. Please make sure you use this new, updated link.)

Register for the Golf Tournament by this Sunday and Donate to Western Fairfax Christian Ministries

St. John's is a founding partner of Western Fairfax Christian Ministries, which provides food and financial support to more than 600 local families every month. Please bring donations of food and more to Sunday services, or drop at the church office. These items are especially needed:

Food:

• White or Wheat Flour (5 lb. bag or less)
• Sugar (1 lb. or 2 lb. bag)
• Oil (canola, vegetable, olive)
• Oatmeal (Quaker Oats)
• Similac Baby Formula (blue label)
• Shelf Stable Juice (apple, cranberry, grape)
• Canned Meat (salmon, Vienna sausages, sardines)
• Canned Tomatoes (crushed)
• Canned Vegetables (spinach, potatoes, beets)
• Canned Fruit (pineapple, mandarin oranges, pears, peaches, applesauce)
• Tomato Paste
• Refried Beans
• Garbanzo Beans
• Kidney Beans 
• Family Size Snacks (crackers, nuts, popcorn, pretzels)

Toiletries:

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

• Feminine Hygiene Products (Pads preferred)
• Baby Wipes 
• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Body Wash
• Toothpaste
• Lotion
• Shaving Cream and Disposable Razors
• Pull-Ups Size 4T/5T 

Note: we are not currently in need of diapers due to our partnership with Greater DC Diaper Bank. Please only donate baby wipes if you want to donate items for babies.

Join Us in May at the Hanley Shelter

We served 65 people in April at the Katherine K Hanley Family Shelter. Kitchen renovations at the shelter meant a pivot to cold offerings this time out. Our new menu included sandwiches, wraps; chips; coleslaw, pasta, macaroni, potato and lettuce salads; grapes, watermelon and blueberry fruit cups; and chocolate cake and cookies for dessert. Many thanks to all those hands that prepared the food and provided the drinks.

Our next dinner is scheduled for May 12, menu to be determined. 

St. John's makes and serves a meal every second Tuesday of the month at the local family shelter. Sign up to prepare or provide food ahead of time and/or join us on May 12 to serve.

Bring donations for our local family shelter to church or drop by the office.

Their needs may be found on their In-Kind Donations Wish List through Amazon.

Support the Centreville Immigration Forum (CIF)

CIF provides immigrants in need with the means to improve their lives and become more integrated into the community, improve communication and cooperation among all groups serving immigrants, and build community recognition of our strength in diversity.

If you're interested in supporting or volunteering with CIF's labor resource center and other work:

• Donate men’s work clothes and boots (they do not need to be new). Bring them to worship or to the St. John's office, or deliver them directly to CIF at 5944 Centreville Crest Ln, Centreville, VA 20121. Be sure to let the parish office know if you deliver directly to CIF. We like to keep track of St. John's impact!
• Volunteer to provide rides to CIF clients to medical appointments. Sign up on the CIF website.
• Volunteer to accompany immigrants to court hearings. CIF's Volunteer Coordinator will provide training to interested individuals. Contact the parish office for more.

You can support Centreville Immigration Forum's work and advocacy here.

Helping the Shepherd's Center of Western Fairfax

St. John's has several volunteers supporting the Shepherd's Center of Western Fairfax. They provide rides to medical and therapy appointments and other important errands for people who are over 50 and can no longer drive. The Shepherd's Center needs additional drivers and support for local seniors. They've had to turn down a number of recent requests because of a lack of volunteers.

Volunteers do not have to commit ahead to a specific day of the week or time of day. As a driver, you check the Shepherd Center website for the client list, and select the ride you'd like to provide. All pickups are local, and all appointments are in northern Virginia (no DC or Maryland). You don't stay with the client in the doctor's office, if you don't want to. You can volunteer as much or as little as your schedule permits.

To assist, you must live in western Fairfax County in or around Clifton, Centreville, or Chantilly. For more information and to volunteer, visit the Shepherd's Center here.

Prayer Requests

If you would like to add yourself or someone you care about to our Sunday prayer list, please contact clergy or the church office.

Sunday Services

Additional readers and ushers are needed. Sign up here.

Coffee Hour

We gather after worship for food and fellowship. Assist with snacks here.

Katherine Hanley Monthly Dinner

We cook and serve every second Tuesday of the month. Sign up here.

Altar Flowers

Dedicate the altar flowers in thanksgiving or in memory of a loved one here.

Photos?!

Have any photos or short videos from St. John's events? Send them to us.

Support St. John's Episcopal Church

With your contribution, you are part of St. John's offering of healing, hope, and hospitality to all God's people. Click the button below to give online or visit our website for more.