St. John's Episcopal Church - Centreville, VA | |
Parish News - January 17, 2024 | |
To St. John's Parishioners and Friends: | |
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Tuesday was the first snow day of the year. Fairfax County schools were closed. Our ministry partner Elim Academy was closed, and I followed suit and closed the offices. But there was still work to be done! We made sure our walks were salted and shoveled so that, when all our partners returned today, the way was clear.
Weather calls for some additional snow later this week. If you live close to the church, and you can help us with salting and shoveling when needed, contact Senior Warden Dave Parker or Fr. Kevin.
Save the dates!
Annual Meeting, February 4, 10:30 AM. We gather after morning Eucharist to attend to the annual business of the church, including the election of new Vestry members.
Pancake Supper, February 13, 5 PM-7PM. Let there be pancakes! For dinner! Our annual Shrove Tuesday celebration happens February 13. Join us in the parish hall.
Grace and peace,
Kevin
The Rev. Kevin Laskowski
Priest-in-Charge
St. John's Episcopal Church
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STEWARDSHIP: ROOTED IN ABUNDANCE | |
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St. John's Episcopal Church is Rooted in Abundance, our theme for our 2024 pledge campaign. Rooted in Abundance, we draw on the rich tradition of the Church, on the history of Centreville and St. John's, and on the good things God has done for each and all of us. Rooted in Abundance, we follow Jesus Christ to ever greater things (John 1:50, 14:12) and more abundant life (John 10:10). Read letters from our stewardship chairs and priest-in-charge.
Thank you to all those who've already made their commitment for 2024. Our draft budget for 2024 to be approved this week includes funding for outreach, music, web development, and significant savings to cover maintenance of this historic property for future generations.
The greater our pledges, the more we can be sure all this and more is part of St. John's mission in 2024. If you haven't already, please prayerfully consider your own financial contribution now. With your pledge, you'll become part of our offering of healing, hope, and hospitality to all God's people:
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Healing: worship God and proclaim the Good News of God in prayer (worship and liturgy), sermon (proclamation online and off), and song (music ministry).
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Hope: form disciples of Jesus Christ, of all ages, in word (Christian education) and deed (mission and outreach)
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Hospitality: steward our historic building and grounds for our parishioners, ministry partners, and beyond
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Why We Give
Parishioner Jean Makurat writes:
St. John’s welcomed me in a little over 20 years ago. I was struggling spiritually and needed healing and direction. 'Healing, hope, and hospitality' isn’t just a catchy phrase – that really is what St. John’s is all about, and I’ve been blessed to call it my church home ever since...
Caroline Machen wrote to her husband in 1850, when the church was built:
...I believe, my dear Husband, that our crops would be more abundant & everything we undertake will succeed better by paying $50 to the Church than by the application of any amount of guano to the soil - we owe a large debt to our Maker; can we expect to prosper till it is paid? "Give unto the Lord the first fruits of all thine increase so shall they arms be filled with plenty and thy presses burst forth with new wine." Have we been sufficiently careful to perform this duty? We believe, let us hereafter endeavor more faithfully to show our faith by our works...
Read more from parishioners here.
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Envelopes
Pledgers who've requested giving envelopes in the past, those envelopes are available at the church. Please pick them up.
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Last Sunday's Sermon
Jesus teaches us to hope for "greater things." How do we cultivate a disciple's heart for greater things--a heart that can hold the contradictory greatness of this life--the awesome and the awful--together? When most Christianity is cerebral, and (good) reason masters (bad) emotion, we must pause to feel our emotions before we judge or make sense of them.
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View Second Sunday after Epiphany on January 14 here, and look for new sermons as always here. | |
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Upcoming Readings for the Third Sunday after the Epiphany
Let us prepare our hearts and mind for worship:
- Jonah 3:1-5, 10
- 1 Corinthians 7:29-31
- Mark 1:14-20
- Psalm 62:6-14
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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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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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Interested in Confirmation, Reception, or Reaffirmation? Save the Date for Bishop's Visitation
The Rt. Rev. James J. "Bud" Shand will visit St. John's on Pentecost, May 19, 2024. Bishop Shand is the retired Bishop Diocesan of the Diocese of Easton (Maryland), served as Chairman of the Board of the Virginia Theological Seminary, and is now the newest Visiting Bishop here in the Diocese of Virginia. If you're interested in Baptism, Confirmation, Reception, or Reaffirmation on Pentecost with the Bishop, or what these things might mean for you, please contact Rev. Kevin.
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Adult Lectionary Forum
Join us Sundays in-person in the church library or online via Zoom to discuss the day's lessons.
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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. St. John's EfM group is underway on Wednesday nights. Contact Walt Cooner for more information.
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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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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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Prayers for the Holy Land
Many prayers have been offered in the wake of terrorist attacks by Hamas and the outbreak of war. Presiding Bishop Michael Curry called for prayer again as an Anglican hospital in Gaza was destroyed. The Presiding Bishop and Pope Francis have both called for ceasefire, return of hostages, and humanitarian aid as the conflict continues. Pray along with Archbishop Hosam Naoum of the Episcopal Diocese in Jerusalem:
O God of all justice and peace we cry out to you in the midst of the pain and trauma of violence and fear which prevails in the Holy Land. Be with those who need you in these days of suffering; we pray for people of all faiths - Jews, Muslims and Christians and for all people of the land. While we pray to you, O Lord, for an end to violence and the establishment of peace, we also call for you to bring justice and equity to the peoples. Guide us into your kingdom where all people are treated with dignity and honour as your children for, to all of us, you are our Heavenly Father. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
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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.
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.
Photos?!
Have any photos or short videos from St. John's events? Send them to us.
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Support St. John's
With your online contribution, you are part of St. John's offering of healing, hope, and hospitality to all God's people. Click the GIVE button below or text STJOHNSCENTREVILLE to 73256 to make a one-time or recurring donation to St. John's Episcopal Church.
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