To St. John's Parishioners and Friends:

Holy Week is upon us. Walk the way of the cross and rise in hope this Holy Week and Easter!

• Palm Sunday, Mar 29, 9:30 AM.
• Maundy Thursday, Apr 2, 7:00 PM.
• Good Friday, Apr 3, Noon & 7:00 PM.
• Easter Sunday, Apr 5, 8:00 AM & 10:30 AM

Peace,

Kevin

The Rev. Kevin Laskowski

Priest-in-Charge

St. John's Episcopal Church

P.S. If you're looking to attend an Easter Vigil service this year, I'll be going to the Episcopal Church of the Holy Cross, Dunn Loring on Saturday, April 4 at 7 PM. My son will be confirmed there with his class during their bishop's visit. We're very proud, and you're welcome to join us in celebration. And we'll see you for St. John's Easter festivities on Easter Sunday.

St. John's Easter Egg Hunt!

Join us in the churchyard on Sunday, April 5 around 11:45 AM (upon the conclusion of the 10:30 worship service) for our annual Easter Egg Hunt! Invite friends and family to worship, and stick around for candy and cascarones (confetti-filled eggs!) in the churchyard.

Help us with the event:

• Join us to stuff Easter eggs and prepare palm crosses, tomorrow, Saturday, March 28, at 10:00 AM in the church.
• Continue to bring donations of Easter candy to worship or to the office right up until Easter Day.
• Volunteer to hide eggs, secure the churchyard during worship (some try to get a head start during worship...), and/or staff the hunt itself. Email Fr. Kevin.

Holy Week Ministers Needed

Acolytes, lectors, and ushers are needed for our Holy Week services. Sign up here today.

Tomorrow: DAR and SAR Event Honoring Patriot John Orr, March 28, 10:30 AM

Join the local chapters of the Sons of the American Revolution and Daughters of the American Revolution in the churchyard for an event celebrating American patriot John Orr. Orr's monument is in St. John's cemetery. Join us March 28 at 10:30 AM by the large magnolia to learn more about local history at the time of the American Revolution and to hear from John Orr.

Bishop's Visit, April 19, 9:30 AM

The Rt. Rev’d E. Mark Stevenson, Bishop of Virginia, joins St. John's, Centreville for worship, confirmations, receptions, and festive coffee hour on April 19.

Benefits Briefing for Survivors of Veterans and Military, April 19, 4:00 PM

Parishioners Col (Ret) Monti Zimmerman, USA and Col (Ret) Walt Cooner, USAF are inviting family members to a briefing at St. John's that will discuss important documents and information about benefits tied to procedures upon the death of the recipient of government benefits, including how to contact the government office, burial and financial benefits for survivors. If you have or expect to have a family and leave veteran, military, civil service, or Social Security benefits, join us.

Save the Date: Progressive Dinner, May 2

St. John's progressive dinner tradition returns May 2. Save the date, and watch this space for more details.

Ministry Meetings

Are you interested in serving at the altar? Curious about reading the word? Would you like to help prepare the church for worship? What about welcoming newcomers and parishioners alike? Now's your chance! Liturgy is a "work of the people," and we need you to make worship everything it can be at St. John's.

If you're interested in serving, or you're already serving, join us after worship Sundays for a series of meetings to renew and expand our ministry teams:

• April 12: Acolytes
• May 3: Readers
• May 10: Altar Guild
• May 17: Ushers

More ministries and more meetings to come. This is just getting started. If you can't make a certain meeting but would still like to be involved, email Fr. Kevin.

Spring Cleanup a Success

Thanks to all who came out to help spruce up the churchyard ahead of Easter celebrations. Junior Warden Lee Griffith led the troops, and the results look pretty good. As usual, we ended with more tools than we started with... Be in touch with the church office if something's missing. Thank you!

St. John's is Hiring!

We are hiring a part-time Ministry Partner Liaison to enhance coordination between our many Ministry Partners and to ensure that Saint John's building is maintained and protected. See the description on the diocesan job page. If you know of someone who may be a fit for this opportunity, please be in touch with the church office or the Senior Warden. 

Altar Flowers Needed

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

WORSHIP

Sunday Sermon

People, relationships, careers, callings, and even countries can die long before someone comes along to pronounce them dead. Death is unfortunately a way of life for us. Jesus calls us out of our tombs to breathe life into a world bound by sin and death.

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 Holy Week

Palm Sunday

First Lesson: First Reading: Isaiah 50:4-9a

The prophet encounters opposition as he boldly proclaims God’s truth. His vindication is found through remaining steadfast in his calling.

Response: Psalm 31:9-16

Second Lesson:  Philippians 2:5-11

This reading contains an early Christian hymn of praise that Jesus was willing to be utterly emptied of his power, even though he was God’s Son. Now Jesus is highly exalted, and his name is to be honored above all names.

Gospel: Matthew 27:11-54

Jesus is denied, arrested, and tried before Pilate. He suffers a shameful death on the cross at Calvary.

Maundy Thursday

First Reading: Exodus 12:1-4, (5-10), 11-14

The divine instructions to Moses and Aaron concerning the celebration of the Passover meal are presented. It is to be kept as a perpetual memorial of God’s saving acts among his chosen people.

Response: Psalm 116:1, 10-17

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

Paul recounts the Savior’s institution of the Eucharist. The shared meal of the Christian community anticipates the Lord’s coming in glory.

Gospel: John 13:1-17, 31b-35

Jesus washes the feet of his disciples, a task which only a slave could be expected to perform. In so doing, he demonstrates the level of service that his followers are to give to each other.

Good Friday

First Reading: Isaiah 52:13-53:12

The Lord’s chosen Servant must endure agony and tremendous sorrow to atone for the sins of many. His sufferings, however, will bring righteousness and redemption to the people.

Response: Psalm 22

Second Reading: Hebrews 10:16-25

Under the terms of the Old Covenant, continuous sacrifice was required to atone for sin. In the New Covenant, however, Christ’s own self-offering pays the penalty for sin.

Gospel: John 18:1-19:42

Jesus is denied, arrested, and tried before Pilate. He suffers a shameful death on the cross at Calvary.

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: James De Koven

The Rev. James de Koven was a professor of Church history at Nashotah House, a seminary of the Episcopal Church in Wisconsin. He advanced the belief that the presence of the Body and Blood of Christ in the Sacrament is a real and objective presence and promoted ritual practices that recognized and honored that presence.

Read more about him here.

After Easter, Join Our Bible Study on 1 Corinthians

Join us in the library after Easter Wednesdays at 11:00 AM or Thursday nights at 7:00 PM for Bible study.

We'll be tackling St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians. No need to RSVP for individual classes. Jump in anytime.

For more information, read a series overview with syllabus, watch our website, and/or contact Father Kevin or Lisa Heller.

Education for Ministry (EfM)

Through study, prayer, worship, and reflection, EfM seminar groups journey together through scripture, church history, and theology.

St. John's EfM cohort meets Wednesday nights in the St. John's library, unless otherwise announced. Registration for this year is closed. Contact Walt Cooner for more information.

Adult Lectionary Forum This Week

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.)

Dead Sea Scrolls at the Museum of the Bible

The Museum of the Bible in Southwest DC is featuring a special exhibit on the Dead Sea Scrollsr. There will be three sets of the scrolls displayed on three-month rotations. Featuring some of the oldest fragments of the Hebrew scriptures, the scrolls offer a glimpse into the development of our modern Bible. More information about the exhibit and tickets can be found at Dead Sea Scrolls: The Exhibition | Museum of the Bible.

Donating 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:

• White or Wheat Flour (5 lb. bag or less)
• Sugar (1 lb. or 2 lb. bag)
• Oil (canola, vegetable, olive)
• Oatmeal (Quaker Oats)
• Similac Baby Formula (blue label)
• Shelf Stable Juice (apple, cranberry, grape)
• Canned Meat (salmon, Vienna sausages, sardines)
• Canned Tomatoes (crushed)
• Canned Vegetables (spinach, potatoes, beets)
• Canned Fruit (pineapple, mandarin oranges, pears, peaches, applesauce)
• Tomato Paste
• Refried Beans
• Garbanzo Beans
• Kidney Beans 
• Family Size Snacks (crackers, nuts, popcorn, pretzels)

Toiletries:

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

• Feminine Hygiene Products (Pads preferred)
• Baby Wipes 
• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Body Wash
• Toothpaste
• Lotion
• Shaving Cream and Disposable Razors
• Pull-Ups Size 4T/5T 

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.

Serving at Hanley House

In March we served 53 folks a delicious pulled chicken and Mac&Cheese dinner. We had some very yummy St. Patrick-themed homemade cupcakes which were appreciated very much!

In April we are trying a new recipe of Beef Stroganoff. I hope you can help out in some way!

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 April 14 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.

Supporting 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.

If you're interested in supporting or volunteering with CIF's labor resource center and other work:

• Donate men’s work clothes and boots (they do not need to be new). Bring them to worship or to the St. John's office, or deliver them directly to CIF at 5944 Centreville Crest Ln, Centreville, VA 20121. Be sure to let the parish office know if you deliver directly to CIF. We like to keep track of St. John's impact!
• Volunteer to provide rides to CIF clients to medical appointments. Sign up on the CIF website.
• Volunteer to accompany immigrants to court hearings. CIF's Volunteer Coordinator will provide training to interested individuals. Contact the parish office for more.

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. They've had to turn down a number of recent requests because of a lack of volunteers.

Volunteers do not have to commit ahead to a specific day of the week or time of day. As a driver, you check the Shepherd Center website for the client list, and select the ride you'd like to provide. All pickups are local, and all appointments are in northern Virginia (no DC or Maryland). You don't stay with the client in the doctor's office, if you don't want to. You can volunteer as much or as little as your schedule permits.

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.