To St. John's Parishioners and Friends:

I'm headed to Shrine Mont Camps today to serve as a youth chaplain for the final session of All Saints Camp and the end of the summer season. I'll returning for worship August 2 (don't forget your school supplies - see below). If you have a pastoral emergency, contact Senior Warden Lisa Heller, or call the church, leave a message, and I'll get back to you as soon as I can. Email and phone will otherwise intermittent. The Rev. Carol Hancock will return to St. John's this Sunday, July 26 to celebrate the Lord's Day with you!

All Saints Camp combines several of Shrine Mont's specialty camps: Art Camp, St. Sebastian’s Sports Camp, and Music and Theater Camp. Campers choose one of those as electives while they have a blast with all the usual camp experiences, cabins, camping, the dining hall, the pool, the shrine, the mountain, and, of course, worship and chaplain's time.

As a chaplain, I'm pastor, priest, and teacher to campers for the week. I'll be helping them write their own prayers, find readings, and choose songs for daily worship and talking about the heroes and heroines of our faith. I always end chaplain's time with an Ask-Me-Anything, where campers get to ask whatever they want: what we're having for dinner, why did you become a priest, can we get more candy (there's candy if you can answer trivia questions), where's your church (Centreville!), why do bad things happen, what's the Trinity, and who's your favorite Disney princess.

The whole thing culminates in a final worship service, featuring all the visual arts created that week, a sportscast of the week's achievements, and a for-one-afternoon-only performance of the musical theater project. It's all about exploring your talents and interests in light of the gifts of saints past, from our tradition and others.

Almighty God, you have knit together your elect in one communion and fellowship in the mystical body of your Son Christ our Lord: Give us grace so to follow your blessed saints in all virtuous and godly living, that we may come to those ineffable joys that you have prepared for those who truly love you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

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.

A Parishioner Prepares for a PhD

St. John's parishioner, Finance Committee Chair, and acolyte Monti Zimmerman is about to defend his doctoral dissertation. For the past seven years, he has been working toward a PhD in Environmental Science and Public Policy at George Mason University. He's just completed fascinating research on protecting Thailand's rivers from heavy metal pollution, and he’ll present and defend that research at summer’s end. Congratulations and good luck to Monti!

St. John's is helping out with a practice run. Stick around after worship on August 16 to hear more about his work and help him prepare for this important day of decision.

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: Don't Judge

Jesus teaches us to withhold judgment, to let the truth reveal itself in time. We are to look beyond sorting others into good and evil to the good and evil at work in us all. Then, we can participate in God's judgment of the systems, powers, and forces that set us against God, ourselves, and one another.

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 Ninth Sunday after Pentecost

(Proper 12A)

First Lesson: 1 Kings 3:5-12

Given the opportunity to ask God for whatever he wishes, Solomon requests the gift of an understanding mind to better govern the people. God is pleased, and grants Solomon wisdom and discernment.

Response: Psalm 119:129-136

In this excerpt from the longest Psalm and the longest chapter of the Bible, the Psalmist praises God's law.

Second Lesson: Romans 8:26-39

Paul offers the reassurance that at those times when prayer is difficult for us, the Holy Spirit prays for us and will bring us comfort.

Gospel: Matthew 13:31-33,44-52

Jesus uses five parables to reveal the unexpected nature of God’s kingdom. His stories reveal God’s mercy and justice.

Saint of the Week: John Cassian

John Cassian was a fourth-century monk and theologian. His insistence that individual perfection can only be sought in community shaped monastic communities for generations. His theology of asceticism and God's grace expressed a fully human and fully divine view of salvation.

Read more here.

Summer with the Psalms On Break This Week

Bible Study is on break this week while Fr. Kevin is away. We'll resume August 4 and 5 and go for a (figurative) walk with Psalms 120–134, the Songs of Ascents.

Jump in anytime. 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. Bring your donations to Sunday worship or the church office by next Sunday, August 2 for blessing and 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.