To St. John's Parishioners and Friends:

Our Bible Study on the Gospel of Luke is nearing its end with only a few chapters to go. (We'll start up a new text in the fall. Stay tuned for what's next!) For the most part, I've been turning to the collect for Proper 28 (for the Sunday closest to November 16), originally written for the 1549 prayer book, to open our discussions:

"Blessed Lord, who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen."

As we turn to new chapters in the third gospel, we pray that we are able to wrestle with these texts--to hear them, read them, learn from them, and reflect on them. According to this prayer, the Scriptures are an education in hope, "that we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ." We bring our doubts, our questions, our struggles to the text, to lay them before God's word, and somehow find hope. It's not that we aren't concerned with the events of the past. We have to be. The authors, editors, and translators of the Bible certainly were, and, when we read the Bible, we join with them in their faith. But we're also concerned, if not more concerned, with the blessed future ahead, that kingdom of God, in which we all have a share. And that's why we're reading the Bible: for hope.

Faithfully,

Kevin

The Rev. Kevin Laskowski

Priest-in-Charge

St. John's Episcopal Church

Blessing of Backpacks and Devices, August 17

Fairfax County students head back to school in August. Bring your backpacks, devices, briefcases, purses, or whatever you're carrying into the fall to worship August 17 at 9:30 AM for a special blessing.

Retirement Ceremony for Emori Moore, August 24

You are invited to attend Capt. Emori Moore's retirement ceremony on August 24 at 4:00 PM in the St. John's Parish Hall. Join us as we celebrate a parishioner and vestry member's faithful and honorable service to our country.

Please click here to view the invitation and to RSVP.

Save the Date: Centreville Day, October 18

The 33rd Annual Centreville Day celebration is October 18, 2025 from

10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The festival is located in Historic Centreville Park, right in St. John's front yard (!), in the heart of the Centreville Historic District. Stay tuned for more details on the day's events, and how you can represent St. John's.

Evangelists Wanted

The Vestry is looking for additional volunteers to assist with evangelism and marketing, helping with a revamped website, social media, and other promotional materials. If interested, contact Fr. Kevin or Lisa Heller.

Altar Flowers Needed

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

WORSHIP

Sunday Sermon

View all our services on our YouTube channel. And look for new sermons as always 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.

Upcoming Readings for the Ninth Sunday after Pentecost

• Genesis 15:1-6
• Psalm 33:12-22 
• Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16
• Luke 12:32-40

New Worship Customary

Bishop E. Mark Stephenson has updated liturgical guidelines for the Diocese of Virginia. Remember: "individual communicants may not dip their own hosts or bread in the wine." The minister will intinct for you, if you so desire. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please contact Rev. Kevin.

Saint of the Week: W. E. B. Dubois

William Edward Burghardt DuBois was an American civil rights activist, Pan-Africanist, sociologist, historian, author, and editor. Historian David Levering Lewis wrote, "In the course of his long, turbulent career, W. E. B. DuBois tried virtually every possible solution to the problem of 20th century racism— scholarship, propaganda, integration, national self-determination, human rights, cultural and economic separatism, politics, international communism, expatriation, third world solidarity.“

Read more about him here.

Registration for Education for Ministry (EfM) Now Open

Are you looking to deepen your faith? Are you hoping to understand how your personal experiences and beliefs bring you closer to God and God's people? If "yes," EfM (Education for Ministry) may be for you.

Through study, prayer, worship, and reflection, EfM seminar groups journey together through scripture, church history, and theology. EfM is delivered through small seminar groups and meet for 36 weeks over a year. Participants in years 1 & 2 study the texts and context of scripture; Year 3 looks at Church History; Year 4 delves into Christian ethics and spirituality. Also built into the group is a fifth voice: Wide Angle, which offers a taste of each of the four years into one year.

Registration is open. Contact Walt Cooner to inquire about the upcoming EfM year at St. John's - where we have deep conversations about things that matter – always looking for ways God is active in our lives.

Join Us for Bible Study!

We are nearing the end of our journey through the Gospel of Luke, but you can always join us in the library Wednesdays at 11:00 AM or Thursday nights at 7:00 PM. We're using N.T. Wright's Luke: 26 Studies for Individuals and Groups (2011) to explore the third gospel. No need to RSVP for individual classes. For more information, contact Father Kevin or Lisa Heller.

Adult Lectionary Forum

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.)

Backpacks and School Supplies for Local Students Due This Sunday

St. John's is collecting backpacks for two local elementary schools and school supplies for children in need at Katherine Hanley House.

If you signed up to bring in backpacks or school supplies, please to get your items to St. John's by this Sunday, August 10 for blessing and delivery.

Pizza at the Hanley House

The folks at Hanley House were very happy with pizza month in July! And we are doing it again this month!

We served about 50 folks in July. We get pizza delivered in July and August, so we just need to provide the side items. Please take a look at the sign up and see if you can help out. And you can always join us anyway even if all the volunteer slots are filled.

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 August 12 to serve. Contact Deacon Steve for more information.

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.

Shop for Western Fairfax Christian Ministries

Please bring donations of food and more to Sunday services, or drop at the church office. These items are especially needed:

Food:

• Canned Meat (chicken, salmon, sardines, Vienna sausages)
• Canned Vegetables (carrots, beets, potatoes, mixed vegetables)
• Pancake Mix
• Syrup
• Cereal (low sugar preferred)
• Flavored Rice and Pasta (Rice A Roni, Knorr pasta sides)
• Canned Fruit (peaches, pears, pineapple)
• Canned beans (black and red)
• Macaroni & Cheese
• Cake Mix or Brownie Mix
• Family Sized Snacks (crackers, pretzels, nuts, etc.)
• Hot Beverages (ground coffee, tea bags, etc.)

​

Toiletries:

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

• Body Wash
• Toothpaste
• Hair Shampoo
• Hair Conditioner
• Feminine Hygiene Products (Pads preferred)
• Baby Wipes

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.

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.

Centreville Immigration Forum Raises Alarm

The Centreville Immigration Forum has received word that Governor Youngkin is preparing to commit the Virginia National Guard to support US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in deportations. This is in addition to the February signing of a 287(g) agreement, enabling state and local agencies to act as federal immigration enforcement.

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

Help the Shepherd's Center of Western Fairfax

St. John's has three volunteers supporting the Shepherd's Center of Western Fairfax. They provide rides to people who are over 50 and and can no longer drive by offering driving services to:  

• the WFCM Food Pantry
• Medical & Dental Appointments
• Therapy Services

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.

To assist, you must live in western Fairfax County in or around Clifton, Centreville, or Chantilly. For more information and to volunteer, visit the Shephed'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 online contribution, you are part of St. John's offering of healing, hope, and hospitality to all God's people. Join us now!



• Click the button below to set up a recurring gift online, or text "STJOHNSCENTREVILLE" to 73256 to give using your mobile device.
• Pledge to give using this online form.
• Explore more about giving to St. John's on our website or by contacting Father Kevin.