St. John's Episcopal Church - Centreville, VA | |
Parish News - March 12, 2025 | |
To St. John's Parishioners and Friends: | |
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This past Sunday, I saw the usual coffee hour area decked out with a "Happy Birthday" banner and wondered whose birthday we were celebrating. I must have missed something, I thought. I had. The special coffee hour was for me: March 5 marked my second anniversary as your priest-in-charge. March 5 was Ash Wednesday, so folks waited until Sunday to mark the occasion. There were donuts and Mountain Dew in addition to the usual refreshments and coffee.
Many thanks to all who had a hand in celebrating. This anniversary is as much yours as it is mine; our ministry in Christ is mutual. I look forward to what God has in store for all of us in this St. John's family.
Faithfully,
Kevin
The Rev. Kevin Laskowski
Priest-in-Charge
St. John's Episcopal Church
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Spring Craft Party, Saturday, March 15, 2:00 PM
Nancy Brannegan will host a craft party at her Centreville home March 15 at 2:00 PM. Participants will make DIY pressed flower lanterns and bookmarks. A donation of $10 is suggested. Bring a snack to share for fellowship time before the crafting begins! Space is limited, so RSVP to Nancy directly here.
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Holy Week and Easter Worship at St. John's
- Palm Sunday, April 13, 9:30 AM
- Maundy Thursday, April 17, 7:30 PM
- Good Friday, April 18, 12:00 Noon and 7:30 PM
- Easter Sunday, April 20, 8:00 AM and 10:30 AM followed by our Easter Egg Hunt!
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Save-the-Date: Progressive Dinner, May 24
Our annual Progressive Dinner will take place May 24. Save the date for this special occasion.
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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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Sunday's Sermon
In the Gospel of Luke, we find, "Then the devil led him up and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And the devil said to him, 'To you I will give their glory and all this authority; for it has been given over to me, and I give it to anyone I please. If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.'" Granted, the devil may be lying, but, amid many Scriptures supporting the divine ordination of kings and others, here, politics is the devil's domain. So how can we tell between good and bad, just and unjust authority? Perhaps, the sin of partiality can give us a clue. Good people, good rulers, and good systems of government do not treat people differently on some arbitrary basis.
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Ash Wednesday Sermon
Psalm 103 says, "As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our sins from us." If Lent is a time of repentance, how do you put distance between yourself and the evils of the world? How does God put distance between us and the sins that are in the ground we walk on, the air we breathe, the thoughts we think?
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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 Second Sunday in Lent:
First Reading: Genesis 15:1-12,17-18
The Lord assures Abraham of his faithful care, made evident both in abundant descendants and in a land for the Israelites.
Response: Psalm 27
Second Reading: Philippians 3:17-4:1
Paul urges Christians to avoid idolatry of our earthly bodies, which will be transformed into resurrected life because of Christ’s resurrection.
Gospel: Luke 13:31-35
Jesus grieves for Jerusalem, the city he loves and the city where he knows he will be crucified.
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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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Saint of the Week: Araminta Ross (Harriet Tubman)
Born Araminta Ross, Harriet Tubman was an icon of courage and freedom, known as the Moses of her People. Her feast day is March 10.
Read more about Araminta Ross here.
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Bible Studies!
Join us in the library Wednesdays at 11:00 AM or Thursday nights at 7:00 PM, for a weekly Bible study on the Gospel of Luke. We'll be using N.T. Wright's Luke: 26 Studies for Individuals and Groups (2011) to explore the third gospel. No need to RSVP for individual classes. For more information, contact Father Kevin or Lisa Heller.
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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. (This is the new link for meeting #826 4944 0667. Please make sure you use this new, updated link.)
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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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Lent Madness
Lent Madness is upon us! Lent Madness is an offering of Forward Movement that pits 32 saints of the church against each other in an alternative March Madness bracket for the ages. Participants vote for their favorite saint in daily matchups over the course of Lent until one is awarded the "Golden Halo." Visit Lent Madness to learn more about these saints and to vote for your favorites. Follow the action online, or in the St. John's breezeway, where our bracket poster will be updated. Thanks to Lisa Heller for bringing Lent Madness to St. John's.
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Volunteering at Hanley House
In March we served 50 dinners at Katherine Hanley house! We had a fun crowd of servers and are grateful to everyone who dropped off the delicious food! The residents were very appreciative!
Our April dinner is set for the 8th. We will be providing Baked Ziti with meat.
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 April 8 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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Shop for Western Fairfax Christian Ministries
Please bring donations of food and more to Sunday services, or drop at the church office. These items are especially needed:
Food:
- 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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Creation Care Garden Gearing Up!
St. John's Creation Care Garden committee is making preparations for the 2025 growing season. Last year, this ministry grew over 216 pounds of vegetables for Western Fairfax Christian Ministries. Monetary donations are requested to purchase seedlings and needed garden supplies.
There are several ways to make a donation:
- by check made out to St. John's Episcopal Church with the words "Creation Care Garden" in the memo field, and
- by cash accompanied by a note with your name and address.
Online giving coming soon.
Donations can be placed in the alms bag during a church service or dropped off at the church. Thank you in advance for your generous support of this worthy ministry.
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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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Supporting Wildfire Response
According to Episcopal Relief and Development, emergency responders are still working to contain the 100-mph wind-fueled fires that are consuming land, homes, places of worship, parks and businesses all across Southern California. Already 28 people are dead and more than 130,000 had to evacuate their homes – many of whom no longer have a home to which they can return.
For more information and to donate to relief efforts, visit Episcopal Relief and Development's Wildfire Response Fund and the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles' Fire Response.
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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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