To St. John's Parishioners and Friends:

Our Bible study groups continue to make their way through the Gospel of Luke. We just read the story of the man possessed by demons in Luke 8:26-39. Our study guide and my study Bible's footnotes pointed out something I've missed in many readings. There's a difference between what Jesus asks of the man, now healed of his afflictions, and what the man actually does:

"The man from whom the demons had gone out begged that he might be with him [Jesus], but Jesus sent him away, saying, 'Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.' So he went away, proclaiming throughout the city how much Jesus had done for him" (Luke 8:28-39, italics added).

When asked to proclaim God at work in his life, the man immediately speaks of Jesus. Jesus doesn't misspeak; the man doesn't misunderstand. Jesus and God are one and the same. To experience Jesus is to experience God.

To encounter God is to encounter Jesus.

Faithfully,

Kevin

The Rev. Kevin Laskowski

Priest-in-Charge

St. John's Episcopal Church

P.S. I will be away beginning Thursday, March 27, and returning to the office Wednesday, April 2. In the meantime, if you have a pastoral emergency, please contact Deacon Steve. For administrative and other issues, please contact our senior warden Lisa Heller.

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!

Saturday Spring Spruce-Up, March 29, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

All are invited to help spruce up the church cemetery, parking lot and grounds. 

We need to clear fallen tree branches, provide flower bed TLC, fill some holes, rake parking lot gravel, and secure wheel stops all in preparation of Easter.

Come and go as your schedule allows. Bring garden rakes, shovels, brooms, wheelbarrows, 5-gallon buckets, and work gloves if you have them. We will have coffee, water, donuts and bagels. Many hands make light work! See you this Saturday.

Funeral for Harriet Ritchie, April 8, 10:00 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 10:00 AM. A brief service in the historic church will be followed by her committal in the churchyard.

Palm Sunday Palm Cross/Easter Egg Stuffing Event

Easter week will soon be upon us. Please save Saturday, April 12 at 10:00 AM for the annual combined Palm Sunday palm cross/Easter egg stuffing event. For the egg hunt, we have plenty of plastic eggs but would welcome any donations of small candies or stickers to stuff inside. All candies will be kept for safekeeping in Fr. Kevin’s office. We’re also looking for volunteers to assist with the egg hunt on Easter morning. Please see a member of the vestry if you can help. Thank you. 

Save-the-Date: Progressive Dinner, May 24

Our annual Progressive Dinner will take place May 24. Save the date for this special occasion.

Altar Flowers Needed

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

Fence Repaired!

Many thanks to the awesome builders who repaired our fence this weekend. We noticed that some recent utility work relocated several of the support and rail sections of the fence at the corner of Wharton Lane and Mt. Gilead Road. Our quick action team jumped in and in less than 15 minutes had it back in place.

WORSHIP

Sunday's Sermon

Moses wonders, "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?" But, in the Scriptures, who we become is less about what we believe, think, and do, and more about who the God working through us is--a God of liberation who keeps God's word. From this God, we have the strength to overcome our demons and even the courage to return to places of shame and regret to free others.

View all our services on our YouTube channel. And look for new sermons as always 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.

Upcoming Readings for The Fourth Sunday in Lent:

First Reading: Joshua 5:9-12

The Israelites mark Passover, and the crops of Canaan replace manna as their sustenance.

Response: Psalm 32

Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:16-21

All reconciliation begins with God reconciling fallen people to himself.

Gospel: Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32

Jesus tells one of his most beloved parables, which demonstrates God’s love for repentant sinners.

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.

Saint of the Week: Gregory the Illuminator

This week's saint is St. Gregory the Illuminator, the Apostle of the Armenians.

Read more about him here.

Bible Studies!

There will be no Bible study tomorrow, Thursday, March 27. Fr. Kevin will be away. We will back to our normal schedule next week.

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.

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.)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The Shepherd's Center of Western Fairfax

The Shepherd's Center needs drivers and support for local seniors.

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 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.