To St. John's Parishioners and Friends:

"So this is, like, your Super Bowl coming up, huh?" said a friend at the bus stop.

"Easter was first," I thought, "so technically the Super Bowl is like Easter... but it's not at all like Easter. But if you wanted to buy ad time for a few million dollars, I'm selling..." None of that was helpful, so I just said:

"Yes, it is--Holy Week is next week. Are you coming to the Easter Egg Hunt?"

Holy Week approaches! There are so many last-minute details ahead of the holiest days of the year: collecting donations of candy, stuffing eggs on Saturday at 9:30 AM, preparing for and marketing Holy Week services, getting the kids ready for Spring Break, sermons, and on and on. I'm sure your own to-do list looms. I hope you manage to check off a few boxes, but I also hope you check off box-checking for a bit, too.

Holy Week is a walk with Jesus. We greet him anew, hailing our king, on Palm Sunday. We care for one another, washing feet as Jesus did, on Maundy Thursday. We journey to the cross in solemn prayer on Good Friday. And we go to the tomb to see the stone, the fearful stones that hold us all down, rolled away forever in the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Wherever you are in your journey of faith, whatever you've done or haven't, whatever the state of your to-do list, you are beloved--and most welcome at Easter. Nothing we do makes the resurrection happen; nothing we haven't done can prevent it. Let's walk with Jesus. Let's be with God.

Grace and peace,

Kevin

P.S. I continue to meet with so many amazing parishioners. Please sign up for a time to meet the new guy! Pardon the calendar glitches. We're back online. I've got no agenda, other than to getting to know you. Where we meet and for how long in our time is up to you. You can contact me via email or click here to book a time directly.

LAST CALL! Help Our Easter Bunnies!

Thanks so much for your Easter donations! Please, please continue to bring candy (no peanuts, please) or small Easter-themed party favors (stickers, toys, etc.) to the church office, so our Easter bunnies and volunteers can be sure to have more than enough eggs ready.

Saturday, April 1: Palm Crosses and Easter Eggs!

Come join the fun and fellowship on Saturday, April 1 at 9:30 AM to make Palm Sunday crosses and fill eggs for the Easter Egg Hunt!

Save the Date: May 13: The Progressive Dinner

Our progressive dinner will be held May 13! Diners gather in one place for appetizers, move on to another home for main courses, and on to another for dessert. Stay tuned for additional details!

St. John's has now joined several other local churches to provide a meal once per month with the Tree of Life Charity. St. John's now has two teams supporting this outreach effort.

Here's the link to view further info, and to sign up:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4EAAAB2DA6FC1-tree

 Where: Sterling Community Center (120 Enterprise St. Sterling, VA 20164)

If you have any questions, please contact Andrew Wade OR Deacon Steve.

The Fire - Wood Fundraiser for Outreach

Bigger Bundles this year! The Woodchucks have been out chopping, and there is a lot of wood in store! $10 for a large bundle, $25 for 3 large bundles! Right outside the front door. Please drop the envelopes with $$ or checks in our mailbox adjacent to the wood.

Western Fairfax Christian Ministries

CURRENT PANTRY NEEDS as of MAR. 1, 2023

Food & Beverages​

• Flour / Maseca Flour / Vegetable Oil / Hot Cereal (Oatmeal, Grits)
• Ramen Noodle Soup / Canned Stewed Tomatoes
• Jelly / Juice (shelf stable, family size, plastic bottle)
• Ketchup and Mayo (family size, not small packets)
• Canned Stewed Tomatoes (low salt preferred)
• Mixed Vegetables (low salt preferred)
• Mashed Potatoes 
• Fruit Cocktail (no sugar added preferred)
• Canned Mandarin Oranges (no sugar added preferred)
• Juice (shelf stable, family size, plastic bottle)
• Ketchup, Mustard, Mayo (family size, not small packets)

​

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

• Body Wash / Shampoo / Conditioner / Lotion
• Large size pull-ups (SIZE 4T/5T for toddlers)
• Diapers size 5 & 6 
• Baby Wipes 

​

Centreville Immigration Forum & Labor Resource Center

Volunteer & Intern Opportunities



• http://centrevilleimmigrationforum.org/

The Shepherd’s Center of Western Fairfax - needs drivers and support for elderly.

The Katharine K. Hanley Family Shelter

Needs: Toothpaste / Shampoo / Conditioner / Body Wash /

Bar Soap / Hand Soap / Deodorant

The items may be dropped off at the box in the office.

VOLUNTEER SIGN - UPS

ATTN: EFM Alumni: Class on March 29, 6:30-8:30 PM

On Wednesday, March 29, Education for Ministry (EFM) Class 13101 is inviting St. John's EFM alumni to join them from 6:30-8:30 PM as they discuss the Mission of the Church within our Multicultural World. If you are interested, contact Walt Cooner to reserve a spot and receive the common reading assignment for the evening. Space for in-person attendance is limited. You can also join virtually via Zoom.

St. John's You Tube Link to view the Sunday Services

The services continue to be live streamed at 9:30 AM on Sunday morning, and they can be watched later as well. On Saturday, we will resend the link, along with a link for the bulletin and the lectionary class.

https://youtube.com/@stjohnscentreville

How to help Ukrainians If you would like to help those in need, Episcopal Relief and Development is working closely with a group that is on the ground in Ukraine. You can make a contribution: at https://www.episcopalrelief.org/ 

A Prayer for all those involved in the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

God of peace and justice, we pray for the people of Ukraine today. We pray for peace and the laying down of weapons. We pray for all those who fear for tomorrow, that your Spirit of comfort would draw near to them. We pray for those with power over war or peace, for wisdom, discernment and compassion to guide their decisions. Above all, we pray for all your precious children, at risk and in fear, that you would hold and protect them. We pray in the name of Jesus, the Prince of Peace. Amen

(written by Archbishop Justin Welby and Archbishop Stephen Cottrell)

We can prepare our hearts & minds

by reading ahead for

the Sunday Service lesson.

Sunday of the Passion: Palm Sunday

April 2, 2023

Liturgy of the Palms

The Reading: Matthew 21:1-11

The Psalm: 118:19-29 page 762, BCP

Liturgy of the Eucharist

The First Reading: Isaiah 50:4-9a

The prophet testifies to the suffering that the faithful undergo, affirming that God is their strength and their reward.

The Psalm: 31:9-16 page 623, BCP

The Second Reading: .Philippians 2:5-11

This hymn, affirming God’s identity in Jesus Christ and narrating his journey on earth, serves to bolster the faith of the Philippians as well as modern hearers.

The Gospel: Matthew 26: 14-27:66

The Passion story of Jesus Christ gives testimony to God's great love for us, shown in Jesus' words and actions especially in his death.

Masks are optional during the service

The Pledge payment button may be used only to make your pledge payment (after signing up to be a pledger, which may be done at any time in the year.

The Facility Campaign button may be used only for any contribution for the facility's buildings and grounds.

The Donation button may be used for any other type of donation to St. John's. To designate a special purpose (i.e. please send a note to sjeccentreville@aol.com.