To St. John's Parishioners and Friends:

Happy Birthday, St. John's!

Thanks to all who helped celebrate the 172nd Anniversary of St. John's consecration on Sunday! Together, we blessed nearly $90,000 in improvements to our campus over the past year. We sang, prayed, preached, and gave thanks for the fellowship of many years and those to come. We rejoiced with cake, brownies, delicious dishes, and sundaes on Sunday.

Thanks to all the generous donors who contributed more $2,000 in birthday gifts to maintain our buildings and grounds.

We are fortunate and grateful witnesses to all that God has done, is doing, and will continue to do here at St. John's, in Centreville, and beyond.

Peace,

Kevin

The Rev. Kevin Laskowski

Priest-in-Charge

St. John's Episcopal Church, Centreville

P.S. Sunday ministers - readers, acolytes, ushers - don't forget to scroll all the way down to the usual link and sign up to serve. And if you're interested in serving on Sundays, contact Fr. Kevin.

Volunteer Opportunities: The Want Ads

There are so many ways to serve at St. John’s. We’re looking for a new treasurer and volunteers for communication, digital ministry, and Centreville Day. Our Sunday ministries welcome ushers, acolytes, readers, and more. If you feel called to serve, or are curious about these ministries, please contact the Senior Warden or Fr. Kevin.

Save the Date: Centreville Day, October 17

Centreville Day will be held October 17, 2026. This annual community celebration in the historic district features food trucks, local vendors, history, entertainment, and, of course, St. John's! The stage is in our parking lot!

Planning with local leaders has already begun. If you'd like to assist Fr. Kevin on that committee, or help St. John's prepare for the day, email Fr. Kevin.

Scam Alert!

Sadly, once again we need to warn all members of the church about the persistence of scammers looking to steal money. St. John's, like all churches these days, is a frequent target of those who would try to impersonate our priest or other member of the church in a text or email in order to take advantage of members' care and generosity towards each other. No one from the church will ever ask you to purchase a gift card or send money by any means other than our website (which uses Realm and Square) or via the Sunday offering. It's always prudent to verify any request in person since even telephone calls can be fake in the era of artificial intelligence.

Altar Flowers Needed

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

WORSHIP

Sunday Sermon: Where God Lives

On the 172nd anniversary of the consecration of St. John's, Centreville, we proclaim the Church is not only the people - it's the buildings, too. It's true: Jesus did not come to create institutions. He came to protect them, to call houses of prayer to the sacramental purposes for which they were built. Houses of prayer hallow and hold space in a world of darkness, signs of a kingdom not of this earth. Sure, God can be found in lots of places, but God lives here.

St. John's has invested almost $90,000 in improvements to its buildings and grounds over the past year and a half. We didn't do it to create one more den of robbers to our own comfort, status, or survival. By the grace of God in Jesus Christ, we did it for the sanctuary, freedom, and abundant life found here. God lives here. And because God lives here, so do we.

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.

Readings for the Eighth Sunday after Pentecost

(Proper 11A)

First Lesson: Isaiah 44:6-8

As the Lord has promised, he will pour out his blessings on his chosen people and his Spirit will sustain those who have been faithful.

Second Lesson: Romans 8:12-25

Paul declares that those who have chosen to follow Jesus can live in joyful hope because they are sons and daughters adopted by God.

Response: Psalm 86:11-17

Gospel: Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43

Jesus teaches that the righteous God will sort the wheat from the chaff and that we often do not know the difference.

Saint of the Week: William White

William White was an Anglican patriot in the American Revolution and chaplain to the Continental Congress. He was chosen unanimously as first Bishop of Pennsylvania and would become the first Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church.

Read more here.

Summer with the Psalms This Week

The book of Psalms is the Bible’s hymnal, and a key to understanding all of Scripture. Each week, we read and discuss several of these vital songs. This week: imprecatory psalms, songs that call down God's judgment in psalms too dangerous for church on Sunday.

Jump in anytime. See you this summer Tuesdays at 7 PM or Wednesdays at 11 AM. See here for the complete syllabus.

Contact Father Kevin or Lisa Heller for more information.

Registration for Education for Ministry (EfM) Opening Soon

Through study, prayer, worship, and reflection, EfM seminar groups journey together through scripture, church history, and theology. St. John's EfM cohort currently meets Wednesday nights in the St. John's library and online.

Registration for the 2026-2027 EfM year opens soon for both the Classic (4-year) and Wide Angle (1-year) options. Contact Walt Cooner for more information.

Adult Lectionary Forum on Summer Break

Our weekly discussion of the Sunday readings is on hiatus for the summer. We'll resume August 23.

Backpacks and School Supplies!

School is around the corner! St. John's is once again partnering with Western Fairfax Christian Ministries and 10 other local congregations to provide students in need with backpacks and school supplies.

This year, we'll be supporting Rocky Run Middle School, and we've doubled our usual commitment. We're looking for 50 large backpacks (laptop sleeves not required).

Rocky Run has also requested the following:

• zippered pen/pencil pouches in black
• multicolored highlighters
• multicolored two-pocket, plastic folders

Monetary donations are also welcome. Click the Realm button above to designate a gift to outreach, or the priest-in-charge's discretionary fund. These funds will be helping with additional requested school supplies and future charitable endeavors.

Bring your donations to Sunday worship or the church office by Sunday, August 2 for timely delivery that week.

Pizza Night at Hanley House!

In July we served 47 people! Every July and August we give our cooks a break and serve pizza! But there are other items we serve that we still need donations for. Please take a look at our current sign up for our next dinner on August 11th.

Thanks to everyone who helps with this fun and tasty outreach!

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 August 11 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.

The Harvest Continues at the Creation Care Garden

Pounds of produce continue to make their way to Western Fairfax Christian Ministries: banana peppers, jalapenos, basil, mint, and more. Sign up here to assist the watering team.

About the Garden

St. John's Creation Care Garden raises fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs for Western Fairfax Christian Ministries' free food markets. Last year, St. John’s Creation Care Garden Committee grew, harvested, and delivered more than 180 pounds of produce, totaling 667 pounds over the past four years. Contact Jean Makurat or the parish office for more information.

Donate to Western Fairfax Christian Ministries

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:

• Sugar (1 lb. or 2 lb. bag)
• Oil (canola, vegetable, olive)
• Oatmeal (Quaker Oats)
• Cereal (low sugar preferred)
• Shelf Stable Juice (apple, cranberry, grape)
• Canned Fish (tuna, salmon)
• Canned Tomatoes (crushed, whole paste)
• Canned Fruit (pineapple, mandarin oranges)
• Pasta Sauce (no glass jars)
• Mashed Potatoes 
• Pancake Mix 

Toiletries:

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

• Toilet Paper
• Baby Wipes 
• Body Wash
• Bar Soap
• Toothpaste
• Lotion
• Shaving Cream and Disposable Razors
• Pull-Ups Size 4T/5

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.

Support the 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. 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. 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.