St. John's Episcopal Church - Centreville, VA | |
Parish News - November 15, 2023 | |
To St. John's Parishioners and Friends: | |
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"Holy Baptism is full initiation by water and the Holy Spirit into Christ’s Body the Church. The bond which God establishes in Baptism is indissoluble."
Be sure to join us in the historic church (or online) this Sunday, November 19 at 9:30 AM as four join the household of God in Baptism. I'm personally excited for lots of reasons. One of the baptizands is my niece. It'll be my first baptism in the church. As the last of our annotated or instructed Eucharists, this service triumphantly concludes our stewardship season with Baptism and ingathering of gifts.
But I'm also excited because it's real. All those things we talk about? Love, peace, justice, joy, forgiveness, grace? They're all real. This God we know? This Jesus we follow? This Spirit we feel? Absolutely all real.
And, on Sunday, four people--with their sponsors, godparents, and families--will join us in this faith. They know, and follow, and feel the same things we do. They will claim God's love for themselves and vow to share that love with others. They'll put on the armor of light in a world of darkness.
Yeah, it's exciting. Hope to see you there!
Grace and peace,
Kevin
The Rev. Kevin Laskowski
Priest-in-Charge
St. John's Episcopal Church
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Stewardship Season: Rooted in Abundance
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.
Thank you to all those who've already made their commitment for 2024. Please prayerfully consider your own financial contribution to St. John's in 2024 ahead of our ingathering this Sunday, November 19. With your pledge, you'll become part of our offering of healing, hope, and hospitality to all God's people:
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Healing: worship God and proclaim the Good News of God in prayer (worship and liturgy), sermon (proclamation online and off), and song (music ministry).
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Hope: form disciples of Jesus Christ, of all ages, in word (Christian education) and deed (mission and outreach)
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Hospitality: steward our historic building and grounds for our parishioners, ministry partners, and beyond
Our draft budget for 2024 includes funding for outreach, music, web development, and significant savings to cover maintenance of this historic property for future generations. The greater our pledges, the more we can be sure all this and more is part of St. John's mission in 2024.
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Friendsgiving, November 20!
Join us Monday, November 20 at 6 PM in the parish hall to celebrate our ingathering, Thanksgiving, and this amazing St. John's community with a Friendsgiving potluck!
RSVP here and let us know what you'll be bringing.
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Report from Diocesan Convention 2023
Our lay delegate Walt Cooner and Deacon Steve Busch break down the Diocese of Virginia's 229th Annual Convention in Fredericksburg, Virginia earlier this month on our website here. Click here for Walt and Steve's perspective, plus links to powerful sermons, presentations on racial healing (above) and discipleship, information on the adopted resolutions, and the diocese's new logo.
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Last Sunday's Sermon
Reporting on the recent diocesan convention, Deacon Steve Busch reminds us: If Jesus would do it, so should we. If Jesus would not do it, neither should we. We must focus on "closing the gap between religion and life," as the conference theme said, to make our faith a living reality through personal discernment and ministry.
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View the entire November 12 service here, and look for new sermons here. | |
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Upcoming Readings for the Twenty-fifth Sunday after Pentecost, November 19, 2023
Let us prepare our hearts and mind for worship:
First Reading: Zephaniah 1:7,12-18
Zephaniah prophesies that there will be consequences to the people’s sin. Persistent disobedience will not be disregarded.
Response: Psalm 90:1-12
Second Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
The Thessalonians, and we ourselves, are called to live according to God’s perspective of creation rather than the temptation to the sleepiness of this world.
Gospel: Matthew 25:14-30
Jesus tells the parable of the talents, of those whom much has been given, much will be expected.
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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.
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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.
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The Compleat Book of Common Prayer (Abridged)
November 16
7:00 PM
REGISTER HERE. Join us for the final night of the series, tomorrow, Thursday, November 16, as Rev. Kevin looks at the "episcopal services" and how the church is organized. And Deacon Steve joins us to show how he uses the Book to enrich his own prayer life and how you can, too! Register online and jump in!
We won't be covering the portions around Baptism and Eucharist though...
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SUNDAY: The Eucharist (Annotated)
November 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. On Sunday, we'll look at Baptism and its relationship to Eucharist.
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Adult Lectionary Forum
Join us Sundays in-person in the church library or online via Zoom to discuss the day's lessons.
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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.
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Thanksgiving Boxes for Western Fairfax Christian Ministries
Final call for your Thanksgiving boxes! Be sure to have them to the church office by Friday at 10 AM.
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 continue to bring donations of food and more to Sunday services, or drop at the church office.
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Tree of Life
Join us for Tree of Life in Sterling next month. We need volunteers to sign up to prepare and serve on December 12! 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.
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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.
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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.
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The Shepherd's Center of Western Fairfax
The Shepherd's Center needs drivers and support for local seniors.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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