St. John's Episcopal Church - Centreville, VA | | Parish News - March 19, 2025 | | To St. John's Parishioners and Friends: | |
I hope your Lenten disciplines are going well. Easter will soon be upon us! Help us prepare for the celebration of the Resurrection!
First, save Saturday, April 12 at 10 AM for our annual Palm Sunday Palm Cross/Easter egg stuffing event. Join us to make palm crosses and stuff Easter eggs in time for Palm Sunday and Easter.
Second, while we have plenty of plastic eggs, we welcome any donations of small candies or stickers to stuff inside. You can bring them to church or to the church office. They'll be kept in my office, where I promise that they'll be safe ahead of the festivities.
Third, we’re looking for volunteers to assist with the egg hunt on Easter morning. Please contact me, our senior warden, or a member of the vestry if you can help.
Faithfully,
Kevin
The Rev. Kevin Laskowski
Priest-in-Charge
St. John's Episcopal Church
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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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Funeral for Harriet Ritchie, April 8, 10 AM
Harriet Ritchie, a long-time parishioner among the founding families of St. John's, who in the 1950s and 60s made St. John's a parish, will be laid to rest April 8 at 10 AM. A brief service in the historic church will be followed by her committal in the churchyard.
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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 Sunday's Gospel, Jesus gives his disciples and us a parable about how a hen protects her chicks from the fox. Jesus is the hen, giving up his life to protect the chicks. Herod is the fox, supporting the Roman occupation and abusing his power over the people of Israel. Jesus opposes Herod the fox's political and social ambitions and will set his face to Jerusalem so that his blood will draw us into a renewed covenant with God.
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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 Third Sunday in Lent:
First Reading: Exodus 3:1-15
God reveals the divine name to Moses: I am who I am.
Response: Psalm 63:1-8
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 10:1-13
Paul urges Christians to learn from the example of the Israelites in the wilderness, and reminds them that will not be tested beyond their strength.
Gospel: Luke 13:1-9
Jesus teaches that suffering calamity is not a measure of who has sinned the most, but also warns his followers to bear the fruit of obedience.
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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: Patrick
One of the patron saints of Ireland, St. Patrick's feast day is famously March 17.
Read more about him 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,
- by cash accompanied by a note with your name and address, or
- online here and donating to "Creation Care Garden."
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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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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