To St. John's Parishioners and Friends:

I have this page-a-day, tear-away calendar of prayers and meditations in my office. It includes quotations from many, many traditions, and, while some of them aren't all that compelling for me, every once in a while, I find one that I just have to look up and reflect further upon.

The other day, an Advent reflection from Dietrich Bonhoeffer came up. He wrote it from prison to his fiancée Maria von Wedemeyer in December 1943:

"...just when everything is bearing down on us to such an extent that we can scarcely withstand it, the Christmas message comes to tell us that all our ideas are wrong, and that what we take to be evil and dark is really good and light because it comes from God. Our eyes are at fault, that is all. God is in the manger, wealth in poverty, light in darkness, succor in abandonment. No evil can befall us; whatever men may do to us, they cannot but serve the God who is secretly revealed as love and rules the world and our lives.”

The busyness of this season makes it easy to forget the God who can be found not only peeking through our daily tasks but in them. Our ideas are wrong. Our eyes are at fault. Something new is coming, is already here, will return to us. The goodness, the justice, the forgiveness, the peace we have been longing for is at hand. The God who is secretly revealed as love and rules the world and our lives arrives among us in the miracle of Christmas.

Faithfully,

Kevin

The Rev. Kevin Laskowski

Priest-in-Charge

St. John's Episcopal Church

Advent and Christmas at St. John's

Advent began December 1. Mark your calendars for our services in the historic church!

Advent 4 December 22, 9:30 AM

Christmas Eve Early Service December 24, 4:00 PM

Christmas Eve Late Service December 24, 8:00 PM

Christmas Day Service December 25, 9:30 AM

Christmas Lessons and Carols December 29, 9:30 AM

Clean & Green the Historic Church

Thanks to all those who attended the Clean & Green event, Saturday, December 14 to clean the historic church. We are ready for Christmas!

Counters Needed

Counters are a trusted group of ministers, responsible for stewarding the offertory every Sunday, and we need more of them. If you are interested in becoming a counter, please contact Father Kevin or Marie McDermott.

Altar Flowers Needed

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

STEWARDSHIP

"Walk in love as Christ loved us and gave himself for us, an offering and sacrifice to God." - Ephesians 5:2

There is still time to pledge for 2025! As we work to bring in a new preschool or daycare, and as the vestry meets this week to work on the budget for 2025, your pledge is vital to St. John's mission.

Our stewardship campaign theme this year is Walk in Love, and it calls us to remember that our greatest gift in community is how we come together in purpose and mission. When we walk in the same direction with God and neighbor, we can achieve so much.

Read the recent letter from our stewardship chairs and your priest-in-charge, and watch videos from Sunday's worship below about our campaign. (If you haven't or didn't receive a pledge letter, please contact the church office to make sure we have your contact information.)

You can pledge online for 2025, or print a pledge card, fill it out, and bring or send it to St. John's. For more information, visit our website or reply to this email with your questions.

WORSHIP

December 15 Sermon

This Sunday's Gospel reminds us that, when we repent, as John the Baptist is calling everyone to do, we think about our actions and seek God’s forgiveness through Jesus Christ when we fail to live up to this calling.

View the entire Third Sunday of Advent service here. 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 Fourth Sunday of Advent

Let us prepare our hearts and mind for worship:

First Reading: Micah 5:2-5a

Micah proclaims Bethlehem’s future honor as the birthplace as the birthplace of the Messiah.

Response: Canticle 15

Second Reading: Hebrews 10:5-10

The author of Hebrews reflects on how Jesus has replaced ritual sacrifice with his onetime sacrifice on the cross.

Gospel: Luke 1:39-45

Upon hearing Elizabeth’s report of John the Baptist leaping in recognition of the Messiah, Mary offers God the hymn of praise known as the Magnificat.

Upcoming Readings for Christmas Services

Christmas Eve Readings

• Isaiah 9:2-7
• Psalm 96
• Titus 2:11-14
• Luke 2:1-20

Christmas Day Readings

• Isaiah 52:7-10
• Psalm 96
• Hebrews 1:1-4
• John 1:1-14

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.

Bible Study?

Several of us are interested in restarting a weekday Bible study. It could be during the day or evening, depending on group interest. We're thinking of exploring the Gospel of Luke, which we'll be reading in this lectionary year. If interested, 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.)

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. Contact Walt Cooner for more information.

Last call for Angel Tree Gifts!

In partnership with Lord of Life Lutheran Church, St. John's is offering an angel tree this holiday season. Please return your wrapped gifts with the angels on them today, Wednesday, December 18 for timely delivery to Hanley House.

Last Call for Christmas Boxes!

Thanks to everyone who took a Christmas box for Western Fairfax Christian Ministries. Please return your boxes with the listed nonperishable items by tomorrow, Thursday, December 19.

If you'd like to assist with delivery, we could use some additional folks Friday, December 20. Speak with Deacon Steve to volunteer.

Serving at the Katharine K. Hanley Family Shelter

In December we served 64 meals! We made pulled chicken BBQ and mac and cheese. It was a great evening! Besides serving food, we were also able to sit and chat with a couple of girls in high school and hear about their studies and aspirations. We really get to connect with our community at Hanley House. Next month we will be serving chili mac and corn bread. Please consider providing one of our items or joining us.

St. John's makes and serves a meal every second Tuesday of the month at the shelter. Sign up to prepare or provide food ahead of time and/or join us on January 14 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.

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 Shepherd's Center of Western Fairfax

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

Shop for Western Fairfax Christian Ministries

Please bring donations of food and more to Sunday services, or drop at the church office. Take one of the colorful slips at church as a reminder to shop. These items are especially needed:

Food:

• Flour (Maseca preferred)
• Sugar (1 or 2 lb. bags)
• Vegetable Oil
• Pasta Sauce
• Pasta
• Brown Rice
• Pancake Mix
• Family Sized Snacks (pretzels, crackers, nuts, seeds, dried fruit, etc.)
• Canned Chicken
• Hot Beverages (ground coffee, tea bags, etc.)

​

Toiletries:

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

• Body Wash
• Bar Soap
• Toothpaste
• Toothbrushes
• Hair Shampoo
• Hair Conditioner
• Toilet Paper
• Feminine Hygiene Products
• Size 6 Diapers 
• Large size pullups (size 4T/5T for toddlers)
• Baby Wipes​

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.

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.