To St. John's Parishioners and Friends:

"...always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you..." - 1 Peter 3:15

The First Letter of Peter encourages us to always be prepared to give an account of our faith, of "the hope that is in you." Our faith in God is not meant to be consumed or enjoyed alone but shared with a world in need.

We've spent a lot of time this stewardship season hearing stories from parishioners about how and why they give to St. John's. I've said it before, and I'll say it again. A wise priest friend of mine once asked: we spend all this time telling each other these stories, especially when it comes to stewardship, but when do we share them with others?

Now is always a good time to take these stories, our stories, to others, to share the hope that is in us with family, friends, and neighbors. Forward this email. Invite family to Friendsgiving. Invite a friend to participate in serving meals or to shop for the Angel Tree. Invite a neighbor to church.

Share the hope you find at St. John's.

Faithfully,

Kevin

The Rev. Kevin Laskowski

Priest-in-Charge

St. John's Episcopal Church

Friendsgiving!

Our stewardship campaign concludes with a Friendsgiving Pot Luck in the Lower Parish Hall on Monday, November 25, at 6:00 PM. Please RSVP and let everyone know what you will be sharing. Paper plates, napkins and utensils will be provided.

And stick around because our priest-in-charge The Rev. Kevin Laskowski will be appearing on the game show Jeopardy at 7:30 PM!

Diocesan Convention Recap

Parishioner and St. John's lay delegate Walt Cooner shares news from the 230th Annual Convention of the Diocese of Virginia earlier this month.

Click here for the diocese's recap as well.

Altar Flowers Needed

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

Advent and Christmas at St. John's

Advent begins December 1. Mark your calendars for our services in the historic church!

Advent 1 December 1, 9:30 AM

Advent 2 December 8, 9:30 AM

Advent 3 December 15, 9:30 AM

Advent 4 December 22, 9:30 AM

Christmas Eve Early Service December 24, 4:00 PM

Christmas Eve Late Service December 24, 8:00 PM

Christmas Day Service December 25, 9:30 AM

Christmas Lessons and Carols December 29, 9:30 AM

STEWARDSHIP

"Walk in love as Christ loved us and gave himself for us, an offering and sacrifice to God." - Ephesians 5:2

Our stewardship campaign theme this year is Walk in Love, and it calls us to remember that our greatest gift in community is how we come together in purpose and mission. When we walk in the same direction with God and neighbor, we can achieve so much.

Read the recent letter from our stewardship chairs and your priest-in-charge, and watch videos from Sunday's worship below about our campaign. (If you haven't or didn't receive a pledge letter, please contact the church office to make sure we have your contact information.)

You can pledge online for 2025, or print a pledge card, fill it out, and bring or send it to St. John's. For more information, visit our website or reply to this email with your questions.

Friendsgiving!

Our stewardship campaign concludes with a Friendsgiving Pot Luck in the Lower Parish Hall on Monday, November 25, at 6:00 PM. Please RSVP and let everyone know what you will be sharing. Paper plates, napkins and utensils will be provided.

WORSHIP

November 17 Sermon

Love Jesus. Embody Justice. Be Disciples. Bishop Stevenson defined these as the Diocese of Virginia's priorities and mission during the opening session of November's annual Diocesan Convention. Deacon Steve explains how St. John's lives into these ideals while continuing to deepen our faithful commitment. 

View the entire Twenty-sixth Sunday after Pentecost service here. And look for new sermons as always here.

Walk in Love: Lori Wade

Parishioner Lori Wade shares how we at St. John's walk in love.

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 Last Sunday after Pentecost: Christ the King

Let us prepare our hearts and mind for worship:

First Reading: Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14

Daniel’s dreamlike prophetic vision depicts the conflict between good and evil, and a crushing blow against one source of evil.

Response: Psalm 93

Second Reading: Revelation 1:4b-8

John begins the Book of Revelation with a hymn of praise to Christ.

Gospel: John 18:33-37

Pilate perceives Jesus through the lens of earthly power, which Jesus repeatedly rejects.

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.

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.

Thanksgiving Boxes Due Tomorrow!

We have committed to provide 25 boxes of groceries to the Western Fairfax Christian Ministries (WFCM) Thanksgiving Grocery Assistance Program. 

If you picked up a box, please bring it filled with the requested items to the church office by Thursday, November 21.

Thank you for helping these families have a happy Thanksgiving!

Volunteer with WFCM Thanksgiving Distribution

Western Fairfax Christian Ministries is seeking volunteers to help distribute food from the Thanksgiving collection on Saturday, November 23, starting at 8:00 AM until 3:00 PM. Please review the list of unfilled volunteer opportunities at this link.

Angel Tree 2024

In partnership with Lord of Life Lutheran Church, St. John's is offering an angel tree this holiday season. Look for the tree this Sunday, November 24 in the breezeway by the front door. You may take an angel any time the

office is open. Each angel has information about a child in need and a suggested gift from a family being supported by a local social services organization in the area like the Katherine Hanley Family Shelter. Please take an angel from the tree, purchase the gift, and return the wrapped gift with the Angel on it to the tree by Sunday, December 8. Additional information describing this program can be found on the wall by the tree.

Serving at the Katharine K. Hanley Family Shelter

This month at the Hanley House we served 62 meals! The menu was a

hearty One Pot Chicken and Rice along with vegetables, salad, rolls,

fruit and dessert! Serving our neighbors is a well worth night out

and a good time to catch up with fellow church members! Please

consider helping out next month if you can.

St. John's makes and serves a meal every second Tuesday of the month at the shelter. Sign up to prepare or provide food ahead of time and/or join us on December 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.

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.

Shop for Western Fairfax Christian Ministries

Please bring donations of food and more to Sunday services, or drop at the church office. Take one of the colorful slips at church as a reminder to shop. These items are especially needed:

Food:

• Flour
• Sugar (1 or 2 lb. bags)
• Vegetable Oil
• Pasta Sauce
• Pasta
• Cereal (low sugar preferred)
• Pancake Mix
• Family Sized Snacks (pretzels, crackers, etc.)
• Canned Chicken

​

Toiletries:

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

• Body Wash
• Bar Soap
• Toothpaste
• Hair Shampoo
• Toilet Paper
• Size 6 Diapers 
• Large size pullups (size 4T/5T for toddlers)
• 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.

For Social Justice

Almighty God, who hast created us in thine own image: Grant us grace fearlessly to contend against evil and to make no peace with oppression; and, that we may reverently use our freedom, help us to employ it in the maintenance of justice in our communities and among the nations, to the glory of thy holy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (BCP, p. 209)

Grant, O God, that your holy and life-giving Spirit may so move every human heart, and especially the hearts of the people of this land, that barriers which divide us may crumble, suspicions disappear, and hatreds cease; that our divisions being healed, we may live in justice and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, p. 823)

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.