To St. John's Parishioners and Friends:

In our weekly Bible study on the Gospel of Luke (see below), we recently encountered Jesus's parable of a great dinner (Luke 14:15-24). Someone throws a party, and sends his servant out to round up those invited. Strangely, people refuse the invitation, and make excuses for not attending. The servant reports back, and the would-be host gets angry, saying, "Go out at once into the streets and lanes of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame." The servant says that's already been done, so the host demands, "Go out into the roads and lanes, and compel people to come in, so that my house may be filled."

Something I'd never caught before in this story was the servant's report that the invitation to dinner, to God's kingdom, had already been extended to the poor and marginalized. The servant had already taken the initiative and invited people, wherever they were, to join in the dinner. The host then doubles down and says to go even farther for invitees, to the "highways and hedgerows," as another translation has it.

Some of us have trouble - myself included - getting out of our comfort zone and sharing what we have come to know of Jesus with other people. Sharing and inviting others is difficult business, especially when we know, as Jesus says, even well-intentioned invitations are rejected. But God, it seems, isn't very interested in our comfort zone. The host blows past the comfort zone of invited guests, past even those on the margins, to find the people on the very fringes of community, to remember perhaps even those parts of ourselves we've forgotten or excluded for one reason or another. God sends God's people to the very edges of society, scouring the roads and lanes to bring God's love, peace, and justice to all.

So share what you know with the edges, and watch as what you've come to love grows with every heartfelt invitation.

Faithfully,

Kevin

The Rev. Kevin Laskowski

Priest-in-Charge

St. John's Episcopal Church

Next Chapter Campaign Update

"I am about to do a new thing: now it springs forth; do you not perceive it?" --Isaiah 43:19

As of this writing, we are 74% of the way to our $42,000 goal in our Next Chapter campaign. Our effort wraps this Sunday, May 25. Help put us over the top, and prayerfully consider your gift to St. John's Next Chapter today!

The past months have been a time of hard work and expectant transition. The preschool and daycare that occupied a large portion of St. John's facility moved in late 2024. In recent months, we have been preparing for our next residents: new paint and carpeting, looking after the roof, repairing the water fountains, upgrading the fire panel, and more. Shortly before Easter, we signed a listing contract with a professional real estate agent to help us market the property. To assist with this, and to help cover some of our lost revenue in the meantime, in late 2024, an anonymous donor gave us $42,000 with the understanding that, at the right time, we would approach the congregation to supplement, even match, that amount. And thanks to you, we're almost there!

Listen to friends of St. John's who've already contributed:

• "I love St John's and seeing it succeed is important to me."
• "We have a wonderful facility with plenty of room...I like the idea of offering space to other groups who then become ministry partners and good neighbors to St. John's."
• "I’ve seen St. John’s ability to come through challenges."
• "As I’m aging, I am deepening my understanding of the messages Jesus teaches us, and am grateful to God I have more time, talent and treasure to share with our church. I feel like this is a seed that will ultimately help me continue with my spiritual growth as well as grow the faith of others in our community."
• "My hope is that any contribution for Next Chapter might help St. John's maintain her mission and focus on reaching out to God's community and be less concerned with the practical necessities of meeting expenses."
• "A small donation now will help bring in more tenants to the church and underwrite the church’s long-term stability." 
• "Now more than ever, the Gospel is an important message that the world needs to hear." 

You can add your voice to theirs and support the “Next Chapter” campaign:

• by check with “2025 Next Chapter” in the memo line;
• online, selecting “Next Chapter 2025;” and/or
• by gifting an appreciated stock or mutual fund, or a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) from your IRA. Please designate as “Next Chapter 2025.”

Thank you for your generous support of St. John's. We hope you will join us in helping write the “Next Chapter.”

Progressive Dinner, May 24

Our annual Progressive Dinner will take place this Saturday, May 24. Participants meet up at a parishioner's house for appetizers, proceed to one of several houses for dinner, and, finally, meet up at another parishioner's house for dessert. Participants should have received their evening itineraries by now. If you have questions, contact Penny Parker or the church office.

Memorial Day Office, May 25

Join us for a brief observance of Memorial Day on May 25. We'll gather at 9 AM by the bell before our usual Sunday worship.

Outdoor Eucharist, Pentecost, Sunday, June 8

We're bringing back an old St. John's tradition for Pentecost Sunday on June 8 this year by celebrating Holy Communion outdoors. Weather permitting, we'll be setting up in the side lawn of the church just below where the playground was. 

• Bring chairs. Attendees should bring their own outdoor chairs, and they will be on the level ground in the parking lot. Additional chairs will be provided for newcomers and those who forget.
• Wear red. This is an opportunity for everyone to wear their St. Johns T-Shirts, or if yours isn't handy, just wear red!
• Bring a snack to share. Following the service, we'll share an expanded pot-luck coffee hour. Bring a snack to share and the church will provide coffee, juice, and water on the lawn.  

Please make plans to join us as we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit and kick off an eventful summer.

Volunteers Welcome!

There are many ways to be involved in the life of the congregation in addition to roles on Sunday morning. Over the next few months, we are looking for volunteers who may be willing to help members of the vestry with the organization of the following programs:

• June parish off-site trip to a local winery or park?
• July 4 celebration – picnic/sparklers/fireworks viewing
• Bishop’s visit - TBD

Please be in touch with the office if you are able to assist.

Altar Flowers Needed

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

WORSHIP

Sunday Sermon

Peter's vision in Acts is quite visual: He sees a blanket falling three times with all kinds of God's creatures and the powerful voice of the Holy Spirit telling him three times it is fine to eat these meats. Then after this experience, Peter realized that mixing Jews and Gentiles wasn’t only permissible – it was actually desired by God! He goes to Jerusalem, where the new followers of Jesus had established a headquarters to tell them that God wanted to invite everyone into a loving relationship with him via his Son Jesus Christ.

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 Sixth Sunday of Easter:

• Acts 16:9-15
• Revelation 21:10, 22-22:5
• John 14:23-29
• Psalm 67

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: William Hobart Hare

William Hobart Hare was an American Protestant Episcopal Church bishop, often remembered as the Apostle of the West for his decades of dedicated missionary work and effective ministry among Native American tribes throughout Nebraska and the Dakota Territories. 

Read more about him here.

Join Us for Bible Study!

We've made it more than halfway through the Gospel of Luke. But you can jump in to Bible study any time, even if you haven't attended in recent weeks, or at all.

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.

Creation Care Garden News

Recently I received a message from the Creation Care Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia titled “Feed My Sheep - Consider Gardening This Year”. The message stated, “Food banks across the country – already facing huge cuts to locally grown food assistance – learned that the U.S. Department of Agriculture is canceling $500 million in expected food deliveries, further disrupting help at a time when need continues to rise. One in six American children does not have enough food each day. This would be a year for both churches and individuals to garden and to contribute that produce – even if never done before.”

We've scheduled a planting day on the patio on Saturday, May 31 at 10:00 AM. Rain date would be Sunday, June 1 at 2:00 PM.

Sincere and heartfelt thanks to St. John’s parishioners and friends who donated funds to allow us to purchase the needed seedlings, seeds, soil, and supplies to continue St. John’s Creation Care Garden Ministry, now entering its fourth year. Your kindness and generosity are so appreciated and will benefit many in our local community. Our “Little Garden That Could” looks forward to another productive year.

~Bev Milunec

May Dinner Another Success at Hanley House

A big thanks for all the help last week serving 65 people at the Hanley House! 

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 June 10 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:

• Flour
• Sugar (1 or 2 lb. bags)
• Vegetable Oil
• Kidney Beans or Garbanzo Beans
• Cereal (low sugar preferred)
• Hot Cereal
• Pasta Sauce (no glass containers please)
• Diced tomatoes, Tomato sauce, Tomato Paste
• Canned Fruit (peaches, pears, pineapple)
• Family sized snacks (pretzels, crackers, nuts, seeds, dried fruits, etc.)
• Hot beverages (ground coffee, tea bags, etc.)

​

Toiletries:

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

• Body Wash
• Toothpaste
• Hair Shampoo
• Hair Conditioner
• Feminine Hygiene Products (Pads preferred)
• 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.

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.