To St. John's Parishioners and Friends:

Thank you to everyone who committed to making Centreville Day 2023 a day to remember. And thank you to everyone who, when it was called off the day before on account of rain, pivoted to hosting just the opening ceremony inside our historic church.

Sometimes, the unexpected, the thing that doesn't seem part of a grand design, is beautiful. Perhaps, if we can embrace the unexpected wonder that comes from no plan, perhaps if we look at the "problem" of beauty, we might find the grace and courage for the abundant life God dreams for us.

We'll be doubly prepared for next year!

Grace and peace,

Kevin

The Rev. Kevin Laskowski

Priest-in-Charge

St. John's Episcopal Church

Trunk or Treat, October 29, 5-7 PM

We'll host a trunk or treat on October 29! We'll gather in the front parking lot, decorating the trunks of our vehicles in spooky and silly decor or games, and pass out candy and other goodies to the children in the community. Trunk-or-Treats are awesome fun: "houses" of candy all in one place, and you get a second chance to wear your costume! And it's good for St. John's, too. Halloween (All Hallows Eve) is a Christian holiday, a night to confront death and darkness - and laugh! For more information or to volunteer, contact Rev. Kevin.

Sign up here to commit to decorating your car, decorate a table, or assist behind the scenes. And help us spread some Halloween cheer by donating candy, party favors/toys, glowsticks, or stickers for the event. Drop off items at the church office or bring them Sunday morning.

WORSHIP

Last Sunday's Sermon

The Bible speaks less of the afterlife than the future. Jesus speaks, the Bible speaks, we should speak of the heaven that is our future, a future that has already arrived. 

View the entire October 15 service here, and look for new sermons here.

Upcoming Readings for October 22, 2023

Let us prepare our hearts and mind for worship with the readings for the Twenty-first Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 24A):

First Reading: Isaiah 45:1-7

God uses and blesses anyone who is willing, even a foreign ruler, for the sake of God’s own purposes, bending the whole of the created world toward flourishing.

Response: Psalm 96:1-13

The Psalmist calls for a new song to the Lord and for all of creation to join in it.

Second Reading: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

The Thessalonians are encouraged that their faith is genuine, as it has been proven not only through knowledge, but through the great works of the Holy Spirit in their midst.

Gospel: Matthew 22:15-22

Jesus refuses to be trapped by wily Pharisees and declares that taxes ought to be paid to Caesar, as is required by Roman law.

Altar Flowers Needed

Provide or purchase altar flowers for upcoming Sundays. Contact Marcia Evans or sign up here.

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.

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.

A Wagon!

A special thank-you to Susan Davis for donating Amy's wagon to the church for our offertory. Our younger parishioners had a blast bringing up our gifts of food for others in it. I hope it's a tradition that catches on.

All Saints Sunday, November 5

The church celebrates the communion of saints, past, present, and future on All Saints:

• Honoring the Saints. All those we've loved and lost over the past year will be named in our prayers. The list is compiled from prayers for the departed over the last year. If there's someone you'd like to make sure is honored this All Saints, please email the parish office or just reply to this email.
• Blessing our Ministers. If you're in Education for Ministry (EfM), choir, altar guild, acolyte, lector, usher, or any other St. John's ministry, please be sure to attend this service for a special blessing and commissioning.

TOMORROW: The Compleat Book of Common Prayer (Abridged)

October 19, 26, November 9, 16

7:00 PM

REGISTER HERE. We recently wrapped a series on the book of Psalms, and participants asked for resources around the Book of Common Prayer. Join Rev. Kevin and others online for a fun review of the riches of our prayer tradition and what it means to be Episcopalian. We won't be covering the portions around Baptism and Eucharist though...

SUNDAY: The Eucharist (Annotated)

October 22, 29, November 5, 12, 19

9:30 AM during Sunday worship

Because we'll cover that beginning this Sunday! 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.

Adult Lectionary Forum

Join us Sundays in-person in the church library or online via Zoom to discuss the day's lessons.

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.

Tree of Life, Another Record!

Thanks to all who helped with Tree of Life dinner in Sterling. We served 96 participants--another record!

Be sure 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.

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.

Western Fairfax Christian Ministries

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.

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.

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 yesterday as an Anglican hospital in Gaza was destroyed. This comes from 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.

--via St. George's College (see also updates from St. George's College in Jerusalem, statements from Archbishops and Patriarchs, and a litany for the Holy Land from the American Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem)

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.