St. John's Episcopal Church - Centreville, VA | |
Parish News - November 22, 2023 | |
To St. John's Parishioners and Friends: | |
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Thanks to all who attended and brought amazing dishes to our Friendsgiving potluck on Monday, November 20! I had a fantastic time, ate way too much, and came home with leftovers to share. Let's do this again and soon.
The word "Eucharist" comes from Greek and means "thanksgiving." Thanksgiving is a national holiday, but it's another Sunday for us. Giving thanks is central to who we are as Christians. We recognize God's grace in our lives. We're grateful for the blessings we've received, and we share them with others.
Just this week, we collected 33 Thanksgiving meal boxes for families in need at Western Fairfax Christian Ministries. Our goal was 15; I was hoping for 25, and 33 were delivered. I wonder if we can beat that for Christmas?
A blessed Thanksgiving to you and yours!
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
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 (John 1:50, 14:12) and more abundant life (John 10:10). Read letters from our stewardship chairs and priest-in-charge.
Thank you to all those who've already made their commitment for 2024. 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. If you haven't already, please prayerfully consider your own financial contribution. 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
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Last Sunday's Sermon
As St. John's celebrated four baptisms, Rev. Kevin recalled the first suit of armor Iron Man Tony Stark built: the one for his heart. The First Letter to the Thessalonians encourages believers to "put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation." We don't bury our talent to save it. We armor it to share it.
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View the entire November 19 service here, and look for new sermons here. | |
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Upcoming Readings for the Last Sunday after Pentecost: Christ the King, November 26, 2023
Let us prepare our hearts and mind for worship:
First Reading: Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24
God, through Ezekiel, declares himself shepherd and ruler of his people, gathering them, providing for them, protecting them, guiding them, and judging them. All these things he does for us, his sheep, too.
Response: Psalm 95:1-7a
Second Reading: Ephesians 1:15-23
The same power that God used to raise Jesus from the dead he now uses to bring life to each of our lives.
Gospel: Matthew 25:31-46
Jesus professes that there are no ways around the simple difficulty of God’s mission, to save those who recognize their need, and to humble those who are disillusioned to their security.
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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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Save the Dates: Advent at St. John's
Mark your calendars now. He'll be here before you know it.
Dec 3rd Advent 1 service, 9:30 AM
Dec 10th Advent 2 service, 9:30 AM
Dec 17th Advent 3 service, 9:30 AM
Dec 24th Advent 4 service, 9:30 AM, followed by two Christmas Eve services, one in the afternoon and one in the evening (times TBD)
Dec 25th Christmas Day Service, 9:30 AM
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Save the Date: Bishop's Visitation
The Rt. Rev. James J. "Bud" Shand will visit St. John's on Pentecost, May 19, 2024. Bishop Shand is the retired Bishop Diocesan of the Diocese of Easton (Maryland), served as Chairman of the Board of the Virginia Theological Seminary, and is now the newest Visiting Bishop here in the Diocese of Virginia. If you're interested in Baptism, Confirmation, Reception, or Reaffirmation on Pentecost with the Bishop, or what these things might mean for you, please contact Rev. Kevin.
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Advent with Mark
Zoom, December 7, 14, 21, 7:00 PM
REGISTER HERE. Registration required.
Advent begins Sunday, December 3, 2023, and, with it, a new lectionary year. Year B features the Gospel of Mark, the second and shortest of the Gospels. Over three evening classes, we'll begin our journey with Mark by looking at the stories unique to it. What are the stories we hear only from Mark? How does Mark tell stories we hear from other gospels differently? Join us on Zoom for this Advent with Mark!
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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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Christmas Boxes
Following the success of our Thanksgiving boxes, we are collecting new items for Christmas dinners for Western Fairfax Christian Ministries. Pick up a box with new instructions at church, shop for the nonperishable items, and return it to St. John's by Thursday, December 14.
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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Creation Care Garden Year-End Report
Thanks to all our volunteers who winterized our Creation Care Garden this week and brought an amazing harvest to a close. In 2022, the garden yielded 94 pounds of produce (estimated value: $560) for the WFCM food bank. In 2023, the garden yielded 176 pounds of produce (estimated value: $1,250)! Congratulations and much gratitude to all who contributed, especially our chair, Bev Milunec.
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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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