St. John's Episcopal Church - Centreville, VA | |
Parish News - November 8, 2023 | |
To St. John's Parishioners and Friends: | |
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Deacon Steve Busch, lay delegate Walt Cooner, and I attended "Closing the Gap Between Religion and Life," the 229th Annual Diocesan Convention in Fredericksburg, Virginia last week. The Diocese of Virginia rolled out its new logo and domain episcopalvirginia.org, and Bishop Stephenson reiterated his commitment to discipleship and racial justice and healing as vital priorities for this diocese.
Steve and Walt will have more in the coming days, but I encourage you to read the highlights and watch the proceedings for yourself to see:
- Bishop John Perumbalath of the Diocese of Liverpool, England preaching Evensong,
- The Rt. Rev'd Gayle Harris, Assistant Bishop of Virginia, preaching Convention Eucharist,
- the renowned Dr. Catherine Meeks, founding Executive Director of the Absalom Jones Episcopal Center for Racial Healing, addressing the Convention virtually via Zoom, and
- Heidi Kim and the diocese's new canon for discipleship The Rev. Canon Chanta Bhan discussing discipleship.
Grace and peace,
Kevin
The Rev. Kevin Laskowski
Priest-in-Charge
St. John's Episcopal Church
P.S. This Sunday's service on November 12 will include some prayer in honor of Veterans Day. I understand it's some tradition for parishioners who have served, or are serving, in the military to wear their uniforms to honor the day. I look forward to seeing it.
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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.
Prayerfully consider your own financial contribution to St. John's in 2024 ahead of our ingathering 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
A draft budget for 2024 includes funding for outreach, music, web development, and significant savings to cover upcoming repairs and projects. 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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Last Sunday's Sermon
Reciting, parodying, and paying homage to Hymn 293 "I sing a song of the saints of god," Rev. Kevin sings of the difference between the saints we hope to be and the ones we are. Thankfully, God may yet make up the difference, empowering us to be more than we dare imagine.
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View the entire November 5 All Saints Sunday service, with renewal of baptismal vows, blessing of ministers, and more here, and look for new sermons here. | |
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Upcoming Readings for the Twenty-fourth Sunday after Pentecost, November 12, 2023
Let us prepare our hearts and mind for worship:
First Reading: Amos 5:18-24
The prophet warns those who place their hope of salvation in outward appearances rather than in pleasing God with righteous lives.
Response: Psalm 70
Second Reading: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
Unlike pagan teachings and practices surrounding those who have died, Paul’s message to the Thessalonians encourages them to understand that because of God in Christ, they too will be resurrected.
Gospel: Matthew 25:1-13
Jesus tells the parable of the wise and the foolish bridesmaids; though they all fall asleep, some have brought extra oil, and some have not come prepared.
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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 9, 16
7:00 PM
REGISTER HERE. Having returned from convention, Rev. Kevin returns tomorrow, Thursday, November 9 to look at the "pastoral liturgies," the sacramental life of the church in confirmation, matrimony, healing, reconciliation, and funeral rites. Register online and jump in with us any time.
We won't be covering the portions around Baptism and Eucharist though...
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SUNDAY: The Eucharist (Annotated)
November 12, 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. We return to Rite II on Sunday with Eucharistic Prayer C.
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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
Be sure to bring in your Thanksgiving box donations! Pick up a box with instructions at church, shop, and return it to St. John's by November 17. Our delivery is growing, but we need your help!
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 November 14!
Join us for Tree of Life in Sterling this month. We still need volunteers to sign up to prepare and serve on November 14! 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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