St. John's Episcopal Church - Centreville, VA | |
Parish News - November 29, 2023 | |
To St. John's Parishioners and Friends: | |
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On Sunday, Advent begins. With Thanksgiving past, Black Friday inaugurates the shopping season, Cyber Monday, Giving Tuesday, the decorating season, the secular Christmas season. I'm supposed to make a case here for our Advent, the Christian preparation for the true Christmas, but, um... I'm not really a fan of Advent?
Maybe it's because I'm a procrastinating perfectionist, and I'm still preparing myself, coordinating and making decisions about services, working to introduce new music and prayers, etc., amid all the usual preparation. But there's something in me which believes as Ebenezer Scrooge in Charles Dickens's famous A Christmas Carol comes to believe: "I will honour [ugh, British English] Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year."
All the year, he says. So Christmas carols in early December are legitimate. Carols in July are legitimate. Sing them year-round. Don't take your lights down. Advent? It's always already Christmas! If Christians are Easter people, then we're Christmas people, too. Honor (I'm American) Christmas in your heart, and try to keep it all the year!
Except then Scrooge says: "I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me. I will not shut out the lessons that they teach." Advent isn't only about Christmas. It's about marking all - past, present, and future - that God's intervention in Jesus does for us.
St. Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153), the Cistercian abbot, spoke of three Advents: Christ's coming "to humankind, into humankind and against humankind." Jesus arrived to humankind in Bethlehem, arrives into humankind in the present in every heart, and will arrive against humankind in judgment at the end of days.
Our Advent, then, is not only anticipation. It is rest and remembrance of the past, grace and strength in the present, and watchfulness and preparation for the future. All three Advents strive within in us - and transform us. Maybe it's not such a bad season after all.
Grace and peace,
Kevin
The Rev. Kevin Laskowski
Priest-in-Charge
St. John's Episcopal Church
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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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Last Sunday's Sermon
On the last Sunday before Advent, we pause to remember that Jesus is Lord. This Jesus - this incarnate God who arrives in history in Bethlehem, who returns in glory at the end of days, who arrives in every human heart - rules. Honoring this God is about honoring the incarnate image of God in our neighbors, but we're trained to ignore the image or delegate the responsibilities of discipleship to others.
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View the November 26 service here (apologies for some technical difficulties), and look for new sermons here. | |
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Upcoming Readings for the First Sunday of Advent
Let us prepare our hearts and mind for worship:
First Reading: Isaiah 64:1-9
Isaiah calls out to God on behalf of the people. They have spent long enough in exile and oppression, they are desperate to be rescued and to be cherished, they see how their own behavior has brought them here, and they are ready to repent.
Response: Psalm 80:1-7, 16-18
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:3-9
The Corinthians are encouraged by the opening words of Paul’s letter, that God’s Holy Spirit is active in their midst and is a witness of their faithfulness.
Gospel: Mark 13:24-37
There are sequences to nature, and there are signs of changes coming, but for the coming of the Son of God, there is no sure sign. Jesus gives warnings to be always prepared and vigilant.
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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. 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.
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Interested in Confirmation, Reception, or Reaffirmation? Save the Date for 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 your own box with new instructions at church, shop for the nonperishable items, and return it to St. John's by Thursday, December 14. 25 have already been snapped up! Join us!
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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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.
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Prayers for the Holy Land
Many prayers have been offered in the wake of 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 continues. 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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STEWARDSHIP: ROOTED IN ABUNDANCE | |
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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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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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