To St. John's Parishioners and Friends:

What a wonderful Centreville Day on Saturday! St. John's kicked things off from the main stage in our parking lot with an invocation and welcomed our neighbors from our booth nearby.

I'm so grateful to everyone who helped make it all happen.

Thanks to all our volunteers who baked delicious goodies. We had such a terrific spread for happy festival-goers - and plenty of leftovers for coffee hour. Thanks for all your work!

And thank you to all our volunteers for Centreville Day. With tours, gifts, pet blessings (I blessed a snake!), and conversations at the booth, we shared something of the kingdom we've found - and the St. John's we love - with our neighbors. We welcomed so many people to our beloved community, and I hope we'll see many of them again soon. When I took off to the food trucks for lunch, I chatted up people I'd seen by our church and our booth, and to a person they all commented about how friendly and welcoming we were. That was terrific to hear. Thank you all for your ministry!

And, finally, a special thanks for the blessing of our wardens, Lisa and Val, who did so much on the day and in preparation for the day. We couldn't do this without you. Many blessings!

Faithfully,

Kevin

The Rev. Kevin Laskowski

Priest-in-Charge

St. John's Episcopal Church

Halloween, October 31, 5:30 PM (4:30 PM Setup)

Please join as we mark All Hallows Eve at St Johns on Friday, October 31. We'll begin preparing at 4:30 PM in the front parking lot and will welcome trick-or-treaters from 5:30 PM. Please join us in costume or as you are.

Please bring Halloween candy to church during worship or to the church office for the big night!

Remember a loved one this All Saints Sunday, November 2, 9:30 AM

On All Saints Sunday, our usual Sunday worship will honor all those who have passed away in the past year. If there is a loved one you would like to remember this All Saints, whether they passed on last year or not, please contact the parish office.

Friendsgiving, November 24, 6 PM

Join us for a Friendsgiving potluck in the downstairs parish hall. No Jeopardy! viewing party this year, but we'll give thanks to God and thanks for one another ahead of the holiday. RSVP and let everyone know what you will be sharing.

Giving Statements

Be on the lookout: Quarterly giving statements were emailed earlier this week. Those that couldn't be emailed were snail-mailed. If you didn't receive yours, please check your spam folder and/or contact the parish office.

Scam Alert

Be on the lookout for strange emails and texts claiming to be from St. John's staff. Learn more here.

Altar Flowers Needed

Dedicate the altar flowers in thanksgiving or in memory of a loved one here.

WORSHIP

Sunday Sermon

View all our services on our YouTube channel. And look for new sermons as always 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.

Upcoming Readings for the Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost

First Reading: Jeremiah 14:7-10,19-22

The Israelites realize their sin and call on God’s mercy, acknowledging that God is the only one with the power to change their circumstances.

Response: Psalm 84:1-6

The Psalmist loves the Lord's house and blesses those who journey towards the place where God reveals God's self.

Second Reading: 2 Timothy 4:6-8,16-18

The Apostle Paul offers his last will and testament. Showing faithfulness even in the end, he is eager for the kingdom of God.

Gospel: Luke 18:9-14

Jesus tells a parable to illustrate the humble spirit to which God responds and the haughty spirit that God despises.

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.

Saint of the Week: William Carey

Reverend William Carey was an English missionary, Reformed Baptist minister, translator, social reformer, and cultural anthropologist. Fluent in more than a dozen languages, he founded India’s first theological university to offer divinity degrees, co-founded Serampore Press (which published in 44 languages and/or dialects), and advocated successfully for laws abolishing infanticide and the practice of suttee (burning widows alive on their husband's funeral pyre).

Read more about him here.

Bible Study on Acts of the Apostles

Join us in the library Wednesdays at 11:00 AM or Thursday nights at 7:00 PM for Bible study.

We're reading Acts of the Apostles, using N.T. Wright's Acts: 24 Studies for Individuals and Groups. No need to RSVP for individual classes. Jump in anytime.

For more information, read a series overview with syllabus, watch our website, and/or contact Father Kevin or Lisa Heller.

Education for Ministry (EfM)

Through study, prayer, worship, and reflection, EfM seminar groups journey together through scripture, church history, and theology.

St. John's EfM cohort meets Wednesday nights in the St. John's library, unless otherwise announced. Registration for this year is closed. Contact Walt Cooner for more information.

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.)

Serve at the Hanley House

St. John's served 61 chili-mac meals last night. Dinner included corn bread, salad, grapes, rice krispie treats, brownies, and chocolate chip cookies. We'll return on November 11 with chicken and broccoli casserole.

St. John's makes and serves a meal every second Tuesday of the month at the local family shelter. Sign up to prepare or provide food ahead of time and/or join us on November 11 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.

Shop for Thanksgiving Boxes and More for Western Fairfax Christian Ministries

Thanksgiving boxes are back! St. John's has committed to provide a number of holiday meal boxes for families in need. Sign out a box in the breezeway or at the church office, purchase the sides and other items on the shopping list, and return it to the church by November 20 for timely delivery. We still have 9 Thanksgiving Holiday Meals boxes left. Please consider taking one this Sunday.

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 bring donations of food and more to Sunday services, or drop at the church office. These items are especially needed:

Food:

• Canned Meat (chicken, salmon, sardines, Vienna sausages)
• Canned Vegetables (beets, potatoes, spinach, peas, yams)
• Canned Pasta (ravioli, spaghettios, etc)
• Mashed Potatoes (pouch or box)
• Boxed Pasta (macaroni, ziti, shells, etc.)
• Flavored Rice and Pasta (Rice A Roni, Knorr pasta sides)
• Peanut Butter
• Jelly
• Sugar
• Macaroni and Cheese
• Chicken/Beef/Bone Broth
• Canned Fruit (peaches, pears, pineapples)
• Canned Beans (kidney, black, garbanzo)
• Boxed Cereal 
• Hot Cereal (oatmeal, grits)
• Cake Mix or Brownie Mix 
• Family Sized Snacks (pretzels, crackers, nuts, etc.)
• Shelf Stable Juice (apple, cranberry, grape, etc.)
• Shelf Stable Almond Milk (family size)

​

Toiletries:

NOTE: Toiletry items cannot be purchased by clients with SNAP​​

• Body Wash
• Deodorant 
• Lotion
• Mouthwash 
• Hair Shampoo and or Conditioner 
• Feminine Hygiene Products (Pads preferred)
• Baby Wipes 
• Pull Ups size 4t-5t

Note: we are not currently in need of diapers due to our partnership with Greater DC Diaper Bank. Please only donate baby wipes if you want to donate items for babies.

Support Centreville Immigration Forum (CIF)

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.

If you're interested in supporting or volunteering with CIF's labor resource center and other work:

• Donate men’s work clothes and boots (they do not need to be new). Bring them to worship or to the St. John's office, or deliver them directly to CIF at 5944 Centreville Crest Ln, Centreville, VA 20121. Be sure to let Deacon Steve know if you deliver directly to CIF. We like to keep track of St. John's impact!
• Volunteer to provide rides to CIF clients to medical appointments. Sign up on the CIF website.
• Volunteer to accompany immigrants to court hearings. CIF's Volunteer Coordinator will provide training to interested individuals. Contact Deacon Steve for more.

You can support Centreville Immigration Forum's work and advocacy here.

Help the Shepherd's Center of Western Fairfax

St. John's has several volunteers supporting the Shepherd's Center of Western Fairfax. They provide rides to medical and therapy appointments and other important errands for people who are over 50 and can no longer drive. The Shepherd's Center needs additional drivers and support for local seniors. They've had to turn down a number of recent requests because of a lack of volunteers.

Volunteers do not have to commit ahead to a specific day of the week or time of day. As a driver, you check the Shepherd Center website for the client list, and select the ride you'd like to provide. All pickups are local, and all appointments are in northern Virginia (no DC or Maryland). You don't stay with the client in the doctor's office, if you don't want to. You can volunteer as much or as little as your schedule permits.

To assist, you must live in western Fairfax County in or around Clifton, Centreville, or Chantilly. For more information and to volunteer, visit the Shepherd's Center here.

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.