St. John's Episcopal Church - Centreville, VA | |
Parish News - November 1, 2023 | |
To St. John's Parishioners and Friends: | |
|
Almighty God, you have knit together your elect in one communion and fellowship in the mystical body of your Son Christ our Lord: Give us grace so to follow your blessed saints in all virtuous and godly living, that we may come to those ineffable joys that you have prepared for those who truly love you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.
Today is All Saints' Day, a day that celebrates the communion of saints, the great cloud of witnesses to Christ's redeeming work in the world. There are the capital "S" saints of the New Testament: St. Mary, St. Paul, and our namesake St. John. There are the great legends of the Church whose names and stories grace our festal calendars. Having grown up a Roman Catholic, I'm partial to St. Clare (the patron saint of television), St. Ignatius (the founder of the Jesuits), and St. Kevin (for obvious reasons). And then there's really all of us--past, present, future, near, far--whose lives have been touched and sanctified by God.
I look forward to our service of All Saints on Sunday. We'll renew our baptismal vows, remember those we've loved and lost, and celebrate the work of today's saints. It's the feast of All Saints, for you are God's holy ones, more powerful than you know, and beloved beyond belief.
Grace and peace,
Kevin
The Rev. Kevin Laskowski
Priest-in-Charge
St. John's Episcopal Church
P.S. Our Sunday service November 12 will include some prayer in honor of Veterans Day. I understand it's some tradition for parishioners who have served, or are serving, in the military to wear their uniforms to honor the day. I look forward to seeing it.
| |
|
Stewardship Season: Rooted in Abundance
"What in God's name are we doing in Centreville?"
A sign bearing this question used to hang in our parish hall. It's funny, but also a call to action: What are we doing here? What is God doing here? And how can we be part of it?
In the Gospel of John, Jesus encouraged his disciples, saying they would see and do even greater things than they'd experienced with him (John 1:50, 14:12).
St. John's Episcopal Church is Rooted in Abundance, our theme for our 2024 pledge campaign. Rooted in Abundance, we draw on the rich tradition of the Church, on the history of Centreville and St. John's, and on the good things God has done for each and all of us. Rooted in Abundance, we follow Jesus Christ to ever greater things and more abundant life. Read letters from our stewardship chairs and priest-in-charge.
Prayerfully consider your own financial contribution to St. John's in 2024. With your pledge, you'll become part of our offering of healing, hope, and hospitality to all God's people:
-
Healing: worship God and proclaim the Good News of God in prayer (worship and liturgy), sermon (proclamation online and off), and song (music ministry)
-
Hope: form disciples of Jesus Christ, of all ages, in word (Christian education) and deed (mission and outreach)
-
Hospitality: steward our historic building and grounds for our parishioners, ministry partners, and beyond
| |
|
Last Sunday's Sermon
As part of a series of annotated Eucharists, Rev. Kevin likens the sermon to what you hear from a scene-stealing best friend in a romantic comedy. At some point, something in the story must turn so that love wins. In much the same way that the friend encourages the protagonist to love and be loved, preachers take the moment in the drama of liturgy to remind their congregations that they are indeed loved and can love in turn.
| |
View the entire October 29 annotated Eucharist service here, and look for new sermons here. | |
|
Upcoming Readings for All Saints Sunday, November 5, 2023
Let us prepare our hearts and mind for worship:
- Revelation 7:9-17
- Psalm 34:1-10, 22
- 1 John 3:1-3
- Matthew 5:1-12
| |
|
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.
| |
|
New Worship Customary
Bishop E. Mark Stephenson has updated liturgical guidelines for the Diocese of Virginia. Most of the rules are "behind-the-scenes," but one change concerns intinction (dipping the host or bread in the wine at Communion) and affects worship here at St. John's. Intinction is still permitted, but, out of hygienic caution and re-engagement with our Eucharistic theology, "individual communicants may not dip their own hosts or bread in the wine." The minister will intinct for you, if you so desire. For more, join us on Sunday at 9:30 AM, and, as always, if you have any questions or concerns, please contact Rev. Kevin.
| |
|
All Saints Sunday, November 5
The church celebrates the communion of saints, past, present, and future on All Saints:
-
Honoring the Saints. All those we've loved and lost over the past year will be named in our prayers. The list is compiled from prayers for the departed over the last year. If there's someone you'd like to make sure is honored this All Saints, please email the parish office or just reply to this email.
-
Blessing our Ministers. If you're in Education for Ministry (EfM), choir, altar guild, acolyte, lector, usher, or any other St. John's ministry, please be sure to attend this service for a special blessing and commissioning.
| |
|
The Compleat Book of Common Prayer (Abridged)
November 9, 16
7:00 PM
REGISTER HERE. Kevin will be at convention this Thursday. Join him and others online next Thursday November 9 as continue our series on the prayer book. November 9 looks at the "pastoral liturgies," confirmation, matrimony, healing, reconciliation, and funeral rites. Register online and jump in with us any time.
We won't be covering the portions around Baptism and Eucharist though...
| |
|
SUNDAY: The Eucharist (Annotated)
November 5, 12, 19
9:30 AM during Sunday worship
Because we'll cover that on Sundays! In what are often called "instructed Eucharists," we'll offer history, humor, and theology Sundays at 9:30 AM, briefly pausing worship to look at what we're doing, why, and what we might yet do in this our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. Sunday's worship will be in Rite I.
| |
|
Adult Lectionary Forum
Join us Sundays in-person in the church library or online via Zoom to discuss the day's lessons.
| |
|
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. St. John's EfM group is underway on Wednesday nights. Contact Walt Cooner for more information.
| |
|
Tree of Life, Another Record!
Thanks to all who helped with Tree of Life dinner in Sterling earlier this month. We served 96 participants--another record!
Be sure to sign up to prepare and serve on November 14! St. John's partners with several other local churches to prepare and serve a meal to local residents every second Tuesday of the month at the Sterling Community Center. For more information and to sign up, contact Val Tucker, Andrew Wade, or click here.
| |
|
The Katharine K. Hanley Family Shelter
The shelter is in need of volunteers to serve meals and help with dinner preparation. For more information, and to volunteer, contact Deacon Steve.
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.
| |
|
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.
| |
|
Prayers for the Holy Land
Many prayers have been offered in the wake of recent terrorist attacks by Hamas and the outbreak of war. Presiding Bishop Michael Curry called for prayer again as an Anglican hospital in Gaza was destroyed. The Presiding Bishop and Pope Francis have both called for ceasefire, return of hostages, and humanitarian aid as the conflict threatens to expand. Pray along with Archbishop Hosam Naoum of the Episcopal Diocese in Jerusalem.
O God of all justice and peace we cry out to you in the midst of the pain and trauma of violence and fear which prevails in the Holy Land. Be with those who need you in these days of suffering; we pray for people of all faiths - Jews, Muslims and Christians and for all people of the land. While we pray to you, O Lord, for an end to violence and the establishment of peace, we also call for you to bring justice and equity to the peoples. Guide us into your kingdom where all people are treated with dignity and honour as your children for, to all of us, you are our Heavenly Father. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
| |
|
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.
Altar Flowers
Dedicate the altar flowers in thanksgiving or in memory of a loved one here.
Tree of Life
Help us feed hungry families. Sign up here.
Photos?!
Have any photos or short videos from St. John's events? Send them to us.
| |
|
Support St. John's Online
With your online contribution, you become part of St. John's offering of healing, hope, and hospitality to all God's people. Click the GIVE button below or text STJOHNSCENTREVILLE to 73256 to make a one-time or recurring donation to St. John's Episcopal Church.
| | | | |
