To St. John's Parishioners and Friends:

If you're getting this, you're loved.

Depending on where you are in our culture, you're valued in proportion to what you do or could do. You're valued--and only valued--based on how much you can pay, how much you can contribute, or how much you can reasonably be expected to mess with someone's day. We've all stood in line. We've all waited on hold. We've all appealed to trusted others who either don't get us or betray us. We appear to each other as numbers, statistics, consumers, workers, bosses, constituents, movements, bodies, political questions and perspectives, threats to ways of thinking, ethnicities, and nationalities, but seldom as full human beings. There are very few places where you're valued, just as you are, and cared for, just because you're you.

The church strives to be such a place. Because that's how God values you and cares for you. God loves you. So, if you're getting this, know that you're loved.

Grace and peace,

Kevin

The Rev. Kevin Laskowski

Priest-in-Charge

St. John's Episcopal Church

Last Call for School Supplies TODAY!

St. John's is collecting school supplies for London Towne Elementary School. Help us fill an urgent and immediate need, and help our kids start the year off right. Please bring donations of backpacks (K-3 students), composition notebooks, and gluesticks to the church office today, Wednesday, August 9 for delivery tomorrow morning, August 10.

Summer with the Psalms: Psalm 46

"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 of the Psalms from each of the book's five sections. Last week, we examined Psalm 29. Up next: Psalm 46. No homework required. Join us in the office/library or online. Click here for additional info and to register.

WORSHIP

Last Sunday's Sermon

Reflecting on Jesus's Transfiguration, Rev. Kevin recalls his experience last week on the mountain at Shrine Mont as a youth chaplain, calling for a renewal of our image of God in Scripture, in others and in the face of others.

Upcoming Readings for August 13, 2023

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

First Reading: 1 Kings 19:9-18

God visits and encourages Elijah in the calling he has been given. Elijah returns to ministry.

Psalm: Psalm 85:8-13

Second Lesson: Romans 10:5-15

The apostle Paul has great affection for his blood brothers, the Israelites. No one is treated with partiality before God; all have sinned, all are offered redemption.

Gospel: Matthew 14:22-33

Jesus finds renewal in prayer and communion with his heavenly Father; when he approaches the disciples on the sea, Peter fears the weather more than he trusts God.

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

Click here for additional info and to register.

Tree of Life

Thanks to all who assisted with Tree of Life last night!

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.