To St. John's Parishioners and Friends:

In a meditation for this second Thursday of Lent, scholar Walter Brueggemann reminds us we are "summoned beyond ourselves." Recalling the Canaanite woman and her daughter (Matthew 15:21-28), he writes, "God calls us out beyond our comfort zones to be surprised by the fact that 'her daughter was healed instantly.'" He prays, "Gathering God, draw us out beyond our cramped circles of care. Draw us toward the neighbor, the other, the outsider, the hurting one. May we practice compassion. Amen."

We certainly can be wrapped up in "cramped circles of care." We empathize more readily with - and care more deeply for - those closest to us, those who look, act, think, talk, and believe like us. God calls us out to cross the lines we've drawn for ourselves to bring humanity together.

But perhaps you're already there. It's true; some of us do need to get outside of our comfort zones. Some of us, however, get thrown. Maybe you're already outside your comfort zone. Maybe you've lost someone. Maybe things are just difficult. Maybe you - or some part of you - is the neighbor, the other, the outsider, the hurting one, in this season. You don't need to be told to get outside your comfort zone because you're already there.

So if you're feeling perhaps a little too comfortable this Lent, how will you get outside that comfort zone before Easter?

If you're already there, though, know that God is already there, too, walking every step of this Lenten way with you.

Peace,

Kevin

The Rev. Kevin Laskowski

Priest-in-Charge

St. John's Episcopal Church

Celebrate Lent!

Our observance of a holy Lent has begun. Join us for worship Sundays at 9:30 AM in the historic church, and mark your calendars for Holy Week:

• Palm Sunday, Mar 29, 9:30 AM
• Maundy Thursday, Apr 2, 7:00 PM
• Good Friday, Apr 3, Noon & 7:00 PM
• Easter Sunday, Apr 5, 8:00 AM & 10:30 AM - followed by our Easter Egg Hunt in the churchyard

Voce Chamber Singers: Lead Me Home

Voce Chamber Singers presents our “greatest hits” from the past five years! This program features audience and singers favorites: including folk songs from three continents, spirituals and gospel tunes, and contemporary works by Caroline Shaw, Ken Burton, and Elaine Hagenberg. Don’t miss out on our most virtuosic and diverse concert of the season! Tickets available online or at the door:

• Saturday, February 28, 7:30 PM - Church of the Holy Cross, Dunn Loring
• Sunday, March 1, 4:00 PM - Church of the Holy Comforter, Vienna

Funeral for Gene Milunec

St. John's parishioner and trustee Eugene Paul Milunec will be laid to rest here at St. John's Monday, March 2 at 11 AM. The service in the historic church will be followed by burial in the churchyard and a reception at Pierce Funeral Home in Manassas. Thank you to all for your outpouring of love and support. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Gene to St. John’s Episcopal Church.

Easter Candy!

Please bring donations of Easter candy to worship or to the office during Lent so that eggs can be stuffed ahead of our Easter Egg Hunt. They'll be kept in the priest-in-charge's office, where they'll certainly be safe ahead of the festivities.

St. John's is hiring!

We are hiring a part-time Ministry Partner Liaison to enhance coordination between our many Ministry Partners and to ensure that Saint John's building is maintained and protected. This compensated position is envisioned to be 10-15 hours a week. The specific hours are flexible. If you know of someone who may be a fit for this opportunity, please be in touch with the church office or the Senior Warden. 

Spring Cleanup, March 21, 9 AM

Our annual spring cleanup of the grounds before our Easter Egg Hunt will be on Saturday, March 21, at 9:00 am. All hands are welcome. Pickup trucks, wheelbarrows, rakes, shovels, and gloves are also welcome. 

Possible Pilgrimage to the Holy Land in 2027?

Years ago, St. John's parishioners went on pilgrimage to the Holy Land, an amazing experience pilgrims still talk about. Episcopal churches in the South Fairfax region are exploring a combined pilgrimage with St. George's College in 2027. Do we have a volunteer - perhaps an experienced pilgrim - to coordinate St. John's potential participation? Contact Fr. Kevin for more.

Altar Flowers Needed

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

WORSHIP

Sunday Sermon

We experienced some technical difficulties with YouTube with this past Sunday's sermon. We'll publish it along with next Sunday's as available.

View our services on our YouTube channel and look for new sermons 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 Second Sunday in Lent

First Lesson: Genesis 12:1-4a

Abram trusts in God and he and his family move from their own country to a strange land, where he is to become the father of many nations.

Response: Psalm 121

In one of fifteen "songs of ascent," likely songs for pilgrims, the Psalmist declares their confidence in a sleepless God's never-failing care.

Second Lesson:  Romans 4:1-5, 13-17

Paul presents an example of how we are justified before God. He uses Abraham as an example of how righteousness comes through faith and not by works of the law.

Gospel: John 3:1-17

Jesus tells Nicodemus, one of the Pharisees, that the life abundant and eternal is a gift from above and is not attained by achievement, claim or proof. Jesus tells him that in order to see the kingdom of God, he must be born anew.

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: Margaret of Cortona

Margaret of Cortona was a 13th century monastic, an Italian penitent of the 3rd Order of Saint Francis. While in prayer, Margaret heard the words, “What is your wish, poverella (little poor one)?” and she replied, “I neither seek nor desire for anything but You, my Lord Jesus.”

Read more about her here.

Journey through Acts... and Coming Soon: 1 Corinthians

Join us in the library Wednesdays at 11:00 AM or Thursday nights at 7:00 PM for Bible study.

We're reading Acts of the Apostles, using N.T. Wright's Acts: 24 Studies for Individuals and Groups. No need to RSVP for individual classes. Jump in anytime.

We will wrap up Acts by Easter, take a break for Holy Week, and resume our study by tackling First Corinthians. Join us!

For more information, read a series overview with syllabus, watch our website, and/or contact Father Kevin or Lisa Heller.

Education for Ministry (EfM)

Through study, prayer, worship, and reflection, EfM seminar groups journey together through scripture, church history, and theology.

St. John's EfM cohort meets Wednesday nights in the St. John's library, unless otherwise announced. Registration for this year is closed. Contact Walt Cooner for more information.

Adult Lectionary Forum This Week

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.)

Dead Sea Scrolls at the Museum of the Bible

The Museum of the Bible in Southwest DC is featuring a special exhibit on the Dead Sea Scrolls until next September. There will be three sets of the scrolls displayed on three-month rotations. Featuring some of the oldest fragments of the Hebrew scriptures, the scrolls offer a glimpse into the development of our modern Bible. More information about the exhibit and tickets can be found at Dead Sea Scrolls: The Exhibition | Museum of the Bible.

Valentine's at the Hanley House

St John's served 47 residents at Hanley House in February! The food was excellent, and we had some Valentine treats for the kids. Thanks, Julie!

March 10th is our next Hanley dinner. Please join as we serve Pulled Chicken BBQ and Mac and Cheese.

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 March 10 to serve.

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.

Donate to Western Fairfax Christian Ministries

Food banks are often well-stocked with nonperishable items this time of year. What they can really use is money to buy perishable items (meat, eggs, dairy, etc.) for families. Please keep those food donations to the church for WFCM coming, but consider contributing as well. Click the link to WFCM below.

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

Food:

• White or Wheat Flour (5 lb. bag or less)
• Sugar (1 lb. or 2 lb. bag)
• Oil (canola, vegetable, olive)
• Similac Baby Formula (blue label)
• Shelf Stable Juice (apple, cranberry, grape)
• Canned Meat (salmon, Vienna sausages, sardines)
• Canned tomatoes (whole, crushed)
• Canned Vegetables (spinach, potatoes, beets)
• Tomato Paste
• Refried Beans
• Garbanzo Beans
• Kidney Beans
• Family Size Snacks (crackers, nuts, popcorn, pretzels)

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Toiletries:

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

• Feminine Hygiene Products (Pads preferred)
• Baby Wipes 
• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Body Wash
• Toothpaste
• Pull-Ups Size 4T/5T

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.

Supporting Centreville Immigration Forum (CIF)

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.

If you're interested in supporting or volunteering with CIF's labor resource center and other work:

• Donate men’s work clothes and boots (they do not need to be new). Bring them to worship or to the St. John's office, or deliver them directly to CIF at 5944 Centreville Crest Ln, Centreville, VA 20121. Be sure to let the parish office know if you deliver directly to CIF. We like to keep track of St. John's impact!
• Volunteer to provide rides to CIF clients to medical appointments. Sign up on the CIF website.
• Volunteer to accompany immigrants to court hearings. CIF's Volunteer Coordinator will provide training to interested individuals. Contact the parish office for more.

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

Helping the Shepherd's Center of Western Fairfax

St. John's has several volunteers supporting the Shepherd's Center of Western Fairfax. They provide rides to medical and therapy appointments and other important errands for people who are over 50 and can no longer drive. 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.

Volunteers do not have to commit ahead to a specific day of the week or time of day. As a driver, you check the Shepherd Center website for the client list, and select the ride you'd like to provide. All pickups are local, and all appointments are in northern Virginia (no DC or Maryland). You don't stay with the client in the doctor's office, if you don't want to. You can volunteer as much or as little as your schedule permits.

To assist, you must live in western Fairfax County in or around Clifton, Centreville, or Chantilly. For more information and to volunteer, visit the Shepherd'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 contribution, you are part of St. John's offering of healing, hope, and hospitality to all God's people. Click the button below to give online or visit our website for more.