To St. John's Parishioners and Friends:

"Truly I tell you, just as you did it for one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it for me." - Matthew 25:40

September is Hunger Action Month, and St. John's is ramping up our usual commitment to Western Fairfax Christian Ministries (WFCM) with a FOOD DRIVE Saturday, September 16 between 11 AM and 1 PM.

WFCM serves some 600 local families every month, and our neighbors need your help. Donations to food banks tend to run lower in early fall in anticipation of holiday giving campaigns later in the year. We want to do something about that:

• DONATE: Shop for needed nonperishable items and toiletries, and bring your donations to the church on September 16 between 11 AM and 1 PM. St. John's will be out front and ready to accept them for Centreville's client-choice food bank. (Or bring them on Sundays as usual.)
• VOLUNTEER: Contact Deacon Steve to help us collect donations on September 16.
• SHARE. Print and share the flyer with friends, family, and community bulletin boards and on social media. We're reaching out to partners, neighbors, friends, and family to make this not just a St. John's effort but a community effort.

Our Scriptures tell us that, whatever we do for those in need, we do for God. Let's help feed the community as a community.

Grace and peace,

Kevin

The Rev. Kevin Laskowski

Priest-in-Charge

St. John's Episcopal Church

Centreville Day: October 14, 2023

The 31st annual Centreville Day will be held October 14, 2023 from 10 AM to 4 PM right here in the Centreville Historic District. The day features a parade, safety expo, Eco Expo, cavalcade of pets, historic tours, entertainment, rides for the kids, amazing food vendors from all over, and more! Admission is free. Bring family and friends!

Some 3,000 people are expected over the course of the day, and, of course, St. John's will be here to welcome them all. If you're interested in assisting with our booth, pet blessings, tours, and Centreville Day presence, please contact Rev. Kevin.

WORSHIP

Last Sunday's Sermon

Rev. Kevin continues on the theme of friendship from last week. Christian friendship is affectionate and kind, but it has at its heart the grace and courage to speak truth. If Christians are not friends first, we won't be much else. But if niceness papers over lies or hides the truth, then we're not really friends.

View the entire September 3 service here, and look for new sermons here.

Upcoming Readings for September 10, 2023

Let us prepare our hearts and mind for worship with the readings for the Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost:

First Reading: Ezekiel 33:7-11

God pleads with his people to renounce their evil ways, allowing him to lead them into righteousness and joy.

Psalm: Psalm 119:33-40

Psalm 119 is the longest Psalm and the longest chapter in the Bible. It is an acrostic; each set of eight verses begins with a letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Sunday's reading comes from the fifth section, "He." Here, the Psalmist asks for the grace to know, heed, and grow in God's teaching.

Second Lesson: Romans 13:8-14

The law of love has no loopholes; indeed, its purpose is to blanket all situations and make us vessels of God’s great love.

Gospel: Matthew 18:15-20

Brothers and sisters in Christ must in love and honesty guide one another in a virtuous life. Together we submit to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Altar Flowers Needed

Volunteers to provide or purchase altar flowers are urgently needed for upcoming Sundays. Please 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.

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 gearing up for the fall. If you've indicated interest in your first year or the next year of this amazing program, be sure to contact Walt Cooner to secure registration.

Tree of Life: September 12

Be sure to sign up to prepare and serve at Tree of Life on September 12!

St. John's partners with several other local churches to prepare and serve a meal to some 70 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.

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 bring your donations to Sunday services, or drop at the church office. And be sure to support our Food Drive on September 16!

The Shepherd's Center of Western Fairfax

The Shepherd's Center needs drivers and support for local seniors.

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 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.

For the people of Ukraine

God of peace and justice, we pray for the people of Ukraine today. We pray for peace and the laying down of weapons. We pray for all those who fear for tomorrow, that your Spirit of comfort would draw near to them. We pray for those with power over war or peace, for wisdom, discernment and compassion to guide their decisions. Above all, we pray for all your precious children, at risk and in fear, that you would hold and protect them. We pray in the name of Jesus, the Prince of Peace. Amen.

--a prayer from Archbishop Justin Welby and Archbishop Stephen Cottrell

Episcopal Relief & Development provides humanitarian assistance to people fleeing the violence in Ukraine, working with ACT Alliance and its Anglican partners in Europe. You can contribute to its Ukraine Crisis Response Fund here.

Hawai'i Emergency Response

The recent fire in Maui that destroyed the town of Lahaina was the deadliest wildfire in the United States in over a century. At its meeting Sunday, the Vestry of St. John's approved a $500 gift to Episcopal Relief & Development's Hawai'i Emergency Response Fund. For more information, see their statement here about their work with the Episcopal Diocese of Hawai'i. You can contribute personally here.

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.