To St. John's Parishioners and Friends:

I've spent the past week at Shrine Mont Camps as a youth chaplain. Working with our youngest campers, we looked at images of God in Scripture: how God appears as spirit, fire, rock, light, peace, word, and love--and how each of us is an image of God. (I brought back some of our work to share this Sunday, including our "mad lib" prayers.) I encouraged them, whenever they were scared, or overwhelmed, or sad, to breathe or listen to the wind (spirit, breath, and wind are the same word in Scripture), to feel the rock beneath their feet, and look to friends and loved ones, who are images of God, just like them.

St. Athanasius wrote in his On the Incarnation that we are all made in the image of God, but, after a time, that image faded. The image had faded or been stained so much that it couldn't simply be touched up. What does one do when a painting goes that bad? Athanasius's answer was one had to get the subject of the painting to sit for the portrait again. Jesus, God become human, was the renewing of the image of God in humanity.

Whenever we're scared, overwhelmed, sad, or just need to reconnect, whenever it's difficult to see the image of God in ourselves and others, we look to Jesus. Jesus--who is spirit, fire, rock, light, peace, word, and love--is our image of God, and, with him, all creation is transformed.

Grace and peace,

Kevin

The Rev. Kevin Laskowski

Priest-in-Charge

St. John's Episcopal Church

Summer with the Psalms - STARTS TOMORROW!

"Nowhere do the Psalms have an ideal of silence. Their assumption is that one finds God not in silence but in noise." - John Goldingay, biblical scholar

Join Rev. Kevin as we explore the Psalms Thursday nights at 7 PM in August. Each week, we'll take a in-depth look at one or two of the Psalms from each of the book's five sections. How did the authors find God's song amid the noise of the world? How did they sing back? How might we do the same? No homework required. Join us in the library or online. Click here for additional info and to register.

WORSHIP

Last Sunday's Sermon

The Rev. Dr. Samuel R. Reddimalla considers the parables of Jesus. The kingdom of heaven is not exactly like a mustard seed but the tree that the seed eventually becomes. It is not like a great treasure or a pearl of great value but the response to finding such things. God acts in hiddenness, away from the centers of presumed power, in each human heart, awaiting our response.

Upcoming Readings for August 6, 2023

Let us prepare our hearts and mind for worship with the readings for the Transfiguration of Our Lord Jesus Christ:

First Reading: Exodus 34:29-35

Moses brings God’s law to the people. From his time in God’s presence, Moses’ face shines, frightening the Israelites.

Psalm: Psalm 99

The Lord is acclaimed as a king who established justice and righteousness from the mountaintop. The community is called to approach the Lord's home and worship.

Second Lesson: 2 Peter 1:13-21

The epistle gives us clear, practical advice regarding behavior and discernment in Christian life; may we be humble and wise in listening to God’s call.

Gospel: Luke 9:28-36

The night grows long, sleeping is a great temptation, but those disciples who persevere in prayer with Jesus see a vision of his glory.

Altar Flowers Needed

Volunteers to provide or purchase altar flowers are urgently needed for upcoming Sundays. Please contact Marcia Evans or sign up 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.

Blessing of the Backpacks, August 20

Join us in the historic church at 9:30 AM Sunday, August 20 for a blessing of the backpacks. School starts in Fairfax County the next day, so bring your backpack and school supplies to St. John's for a special blessing during our service. And, adults, bring your briefcases, purses, phones, messenger bags, too! Whatever you're bringing to your calling as summer vacation ends and school or work begins anew, bring it to church Sunday, August 20, so you can carry God's love and blessing with you as well.

Adult Lectionary Forum

Join us Sundays in-person in the church library or online via Zoom to discuss the day's lessons.

Summer with the Psalms - STARTS TOMORROW!

Click here for additional info and to register.

Creation Care Garden!

Congratulations and many thanks to the Girl Scouts, their leaders and parents, and parishioners of St. John's who have so faithfully watered and tended our Creation Care Garden this past month.

Within the last month we have delivered 42 pounds of fresh produce to the WFCM Food Bank, including 36 bell peppers, 40 jalapenos, 12 white onions, 8 large bags of green beans, 2 pints of cherry tomatoes, 2 large bags of radishes, 38 small bags of peppermint, 21 small bags of mint, 9 small bags of chives, and 3 small bags of basil.

Tree of Life This Tuesday

St. John's needs you for our dinner on August 8! St. John's partners with several other local churches to prepare and serve a meal to some 70 local residents every second Tuesday of the month at the Sterling Community Center. For more information and to sign up, contact Val Tucker, Andrew Wade, or click here.

Western Fairfax Christian Ministries

St. John's is a founding partner of Western Fairfax Christian Ministries, which provides food and financial support to families at risk of hunger and homelessness in western Fairfax County. Please bring your donations to Sunday services, or drop at the church office. Here are their current food pantry needs for this month:

Food & Beverages​​

• Flour
• Canned Pears (no sugar added)
• Canned Mandarin Oranges (no sugar added)
• Fruit Cocktail (no sugar added)
• Black Beans, Garbanzo Beans, and Great Northern Beans
• Ramen Noodle Soup
• Jelly
• Boxed Pasta and Canned Pasta
• Pasta Sauce
• Cake Mix and Brownie Mix 

​Toiletries

Toiletry items cannot be purchased by clients with SNAP​​

• Body Wash
• Bar Soap
• Toothpaste
• Conditioner
• Lotion
• Feminine Pads (not tampons)
• Large size pull-ups (size 4T/5T for toddlers) 
• Size 5 and 6 Diapers 
• Baby Wipes 

​Only size 5 and 6 diapers and large pull-ups are needed at this time thanks to a partnership with Greater DC Diaper Bank. 

The Shepherd's Center of Western Fairfax

The Shepherd's Center needs drivers and support for local seniors.

Centreville Immigration Forum

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.

The Katharine K. Hanley Family Shelter

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.

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.

Altar Flowers

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

Tree of Life

Help us feed hungry families. Sign up here.

For the people 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.

--a prayer from Archbishop Justin Welby and Archbishop Stephen Cottrell

Episcopal Relief & Development provides humanitarian assistance to people fleeing the violence in Ukraine, working with ACT Alliance and its Anglican partners in Europe. You can contribute to its Ukraine Crisis Response Fund here.