St. John's Episcopal Church - Centreville, VA | |
Parish News - December 25, 2024 | |
To St. John's Parishioners and Friends: | |
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Merry Christmas to you and yours! I'll leave it to Linus Van Pelt, A Charlie Brown Christmas, and the King James Bible to tell you what this holiday is all about.
Faithfully,
Kevin
The Rev. Kevin Laskowski
Priest-in-Charge
St. John's Episcopal Church
P.S. Join us this Sunday, December 29 for a Festival of Christmas Lessons and Carols in lieu of our usual Eucharist. That's Sunday, December 29 at 9:30 AM in the historic church. Deacon Steve will officiate, and our choir will lead the hymns.
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St. John's Office Closed
St. John's offices will be closed December 25 through January 1, resuming normal hours January 2. If you have a pastoral emergency, please call the church office and leave a message, or contact Deacon Steve directly.
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Christmas Gratitude
Thank you so much to all who:
- Participated in our Clean and Green event earlier in December to ensure our historic church looked wonderful for Christmas services;
- Ministered at our three Christmas services on Christmas Eve and Day, coordinating and participating in our Come-As-You-Are Christmas Pageant, reading and serving at the altar, or providing wonderful music;
- Provided and delivered more than 60 Angel Tree gifts to Hanley House; and
- Gathered and delivered 26 Christmas boxes to Western Fairfax Christian Ministries.
Thank you to this beautiful community of St. John's. Merry Christmas!
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Altar Flowers Needed
Dedicate the altar flowers in thanksgiving or in memory of a loved one here.
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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.
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"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.
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December 22 Sermon
In the Magnificat, Mary sings of a world turned upside-down, and, speaking in the past tense, she sings as if that revolution has actually happened. It hasn't. Mary's wrong. But then again, when you believe, you can see the future so clearly that you become convinced it's already happened, that it's already starting, and that you can be part of it.
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View the entire Fourth Sunday of Advent service here. And look for new sermons as always here. | |
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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.
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Upcoming Readings for the First Sunday after Christmas Day: Lessons and Carols
Let us prepare our hearts and mind for worship:
- Genesis 3:1-15
- Isaiah 40:1-11
- Isaiah 35:1-10
- Luke 1:5-25
- Luke 1:26-58
- Luke 1:57-80
- Luke 2:1-20
- Luke 2:21-36
- John 1:1-18
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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.
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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. A group is taking shape, and we'll soon release a date for our first meeting in the new year. If interested, contact Father Kevin or Lisa Heller.
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Adult Lectionary Forum
There will be no Adult Lectionary Forum this Sunday, December 29. We will resume next Sunday, January 5.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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The Shepherd's Center of Western Fairfax
The Shepherd's Center needs drivers and support for local seniors.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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