To St. John's Parishioners and Friends:

As the summer winds down, school begins, and Fall approaches, your Vestry and I are hard at work. Our Vestry retreat in July created some Vestry working groups to (1) review major maintenance needs, (2) strengthen our work with our many ministry partners who worship at St. John's, (3) look at marketing and evangelism for St. John's, and (4) prepare for Centreville Day. Contact me if you're interested in hearing more about or joining these efforts.

We met for a typical monthly Vestry meeting in-person for the first time in a long time this past Sunday. Among other things, Vestry voted to revive our Outreach Committee. Stay tuned for more there as Deacon Steve Busch and Vestry volunteers will be working to shape that effort in the coming weeks and months. And the Vestry voted to support rebuilding efforts in Maui. See below for more details.

It's energizing to work with this talented and dedicated Vestry and to get a jump on the discussions I know the program year will bring. And it's a joy to see what God is doing here at St. John's.

Thank you to our Vestry: Dave, Dick, Durinda, Tom, Susie, Elise, Sandy, Val, Emori, and Tom. And thank you to all the ministers and staff whose work makes this house of God so vibrant.

Grace and peace,

Kevin

The Rev. Kevin Laskowski

Priest-in-Charge

St. John's Episcopal Church

Centreville Day: October 14, 2023

The 31st annual Centreville Day will be held October 14, 2023 from 10 AM to 4 PM right here in the Centreville Historic District. The day features a parade, safety expo, Eco Expo, cavalcade of pets, historic tours, entertainment, rides for the kids, amazing food vendors from all over, and more! Admission is free. Bring family and friends!

Some 3,000 people are expected over the course of the day, and, of course, St. John's will be here to welcome them all. If you're interested in assisting with our booth, pet blessings, tours, and Centreville Day presence, please contact Rev. Kevin.

Summer with the Psalms, August 24: Psalm 94

"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 an in-depth look at one of the Psalms from each of the book's five sections. Last week, we examined Psalm 80. Click above for last week's recap, and view all the recaps here. Up next: Psalm 94. No homework required. Join us in the office/library or online. Click here for additional info and to register.

WORSHIP

Last Sunday's Sermon

Deacon Steve reflects on Jesus and the Canaanite woman: When we cross the boundaries that separate us from one another, we are transformed. We find our deepest and purest lives and the blessing of God.

View the entire August 20 service here, and look for new sermons here.

Upcoming Readings for August 27, 2023

Let us prepare our hearts and mind for worship with the readings for the Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost:

First Reading: Isaiah 51:1-6

God promises deliverance, blessing, and justice to his people.

Psalm: Psalm 138

The Psalmist gives wholehearted thanks to the God who has cared for them and kept them safe.

Second Lesson: Romans 12:1-8

God gives his people talents, skills, and spiritual gifts for the good of the whole body of Christ; the apostle Paul exhorts the church in Rome and us today to offer these gifts freely, just as we have freely received them.

Gospel: Matthew 16:13-20

The Holy Spirit reveals to Peter that Jesus is the Son of God; this truth is the foundation and root of the Church.

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.

Adult Lectionary Forum

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

Education for Ministry (EfM)

Education for Ministry (EfM) is a unique four-year distance learning certificate program in theological education based upon small-group study. St. John's EfM group is gearing up for the fall. If you've indicated interest in your first year or the next year of this amazing program, be sure to contact Walt Cooner to secure registration.

Summer with the Psalms

Click here for additional info and to register.

Tree of Life: September 12

Be sure to sign up to prepare and serve at Tree of Life on September 12!

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

The shelter is in need of volunteers to serve meals and help with dinner preparation. For more information, and to volunteer, contact Deacon Steve.

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.

Hawai'i Emergency Response

The recent fire in Maui that destroyed the town of Lahaina was the deadliest wildfire in the United States in over a century. At its meeting Sunday, the Vestry of St. John's approved a $500 gift to Episcopal Relief & Development's Hawai'i Emergency Response Fund. For more information, see their statement here about their work with the Episcopal Diocese of Hawai'i. You can contribute personally here.