To St. John's Parishioners and Friends:

It's Wednesday, and I'm a two-day Jeopardy champ. Tonight, I go for three. We'll see what happens.

Answering trivia questions has me thinking about the trivial, the small, and the seemingly inconsequential. I worship a God of the cosmic, of the immutable laws of the universe, omnipotent and omniscient. But I also worship a God that cares - and not only about the laws of physics and the arc of history - but about the little things. When we remember something trivial - whether it's a historical fact, a bit of pop culture, or someone's name - we participate in an infinitesimal way in God's omniscience. We take part in God's knowing and caring for everything - no matter how trivial, small, or seemingly inconsequential. 

I just hope today that you remember how divine you are, how sacred what you do is, and continue to share that blessing with those around you. Because nothing is trivial, small, or inconsequential when it is loved. And you are loved more than you know. 

Blessings for a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Faithfully,

Kevin

The Rev. Kevin Laskowski

Priest-in-Charge

St. John's Episcopal Church

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

Friendsgiving!

Our stewardship campaign concluded with a Friendsgiving Pot Luck in the Lower Parish Hall on Monday, November 25. Thanks to all who came out to celebrate Friendsgiving and to cheer Father Kevin on in his first Jeopardy appearance.

We collected 33 pledges for more than $229,900. That's more dollars than last year but slightly fewer households.

There's still time to give and to pledge. As we work to bring a new tenant after the recent departure of the preschool, your pledges are more important than ever. See below for more stewardship info.

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.

WORSHIP

November 24 Sermon

Our culture is drowning in untruth - in lies, misinformation, pseudoscience, and nonsense. We must find the courage, as Jesus did, to testify to the truth.

View the entire Last Sunday after Pentecost:Christ the King service here. And look for new sermons as always here.

Walk in Love: Patricia McPherson

Parishioner Patricia McPherson concludes our stewardship campaign with some help from our children's chapel.

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 First Sunday of Advent

Let us prepare our hearts and mind for worship:

First Reading: Jeremiah 33:14-16

Jeremiah prophesies of a coming Messiah who will restore God’s righteousness in a broken world.

Response: Psalm 25:1-9

Second Reading: 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13

Paul and Timothy thank God and praise the Christians at Thessalonica for their faithfulness.

Gospel: Luke 21:25-36

Jesus describes catastrophes as signs of his Second Advent, and urges his followers to watch carefully.

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.

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.

Christmas Boxes!

Thanks to everyone who donated boxes of Thanksgiving food items for Western Fairfax Christian Ministries' Thanksgiving Holiday Assistance Program. We provided 24 boxes to families in need via this program.

Now we start our Christmas Food Box effort. Please pick up a box or 2 or 3, and fill in your information on the sign-out sheet. Shop for the listed nonperishable items, and return the box between Sunday, December 15 and Thursday, December 19.

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 Thanksgiving Day

Almighty and gracious Father, we give you thanks for the fruits of the earth in their season and for the labors of those who harvest them. Make us, we pray, faithful stewards of your great bounty, for the provision of our necessities and the relief of all who are in need, to the glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (BCP, p. 246)

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.