To St. John's Parishioners and Friends -

From the Deacon:

As we begin preparing our end of year reports for 2022, I have to congratulate the members of St. John’s for your incredible support for this Church and our community. Through countless hours of volunteer work maintaining our building and grounds, preparing for worship services, supporting worship, and reaching out to help others, you have clearly demonstrated devotion to this Church and Christ’s call to help those in need. Well done, God must be smiling down at St. John’s for your loving support for each other and our community.

Our Annual Meeting is fast approaching, next Sunday, Feb 12^th after the Service. Please plan to attend our worship service and the annual meeting which will be held in the church immediately after the service. 

Peace,

Rev Deacon Steve

This Sunday, February 5, the Rev. Philene Ware Dunn will not be here, and in her absence the Rev. Kevin Laskowski will be our supply priest celebrant at the service.

New Outreach Opportunity:



St. John's has now joined several other local churches to provide a meal once per month with the Tree of Life Charity.  

Here's the link to view further info, and to sign up:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E4EAAAB2DA6FC1-tree

Where: Sterling Community Center (120 Enterprise St. Sterling, VA 20164)

What:  Meal Donation for 50 - 75 people

When: Monthly, starting Valentines Day, Feb. 14th. 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. (One Hour Commitment)

[The planning session for the monthly meal program was held at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 31st via ZOOM]

We only need 3 - 6 volunteers each time for the dinner.

If you have any questions, please contact Andrew Wade OR Deacon Steve.

The Fire - Wood Fundraiser for Outreach

Bigger Bundles this year! The Woodchucks have been out chopping, and there is a lot of wood in store! $10 for a large bundle, $25 for 3 large bundles! Right outside the front door. Please drop the envelopes with $$ or checks in our mailbox adjacent to the wood.

Western Fairfax Christian Ministries

CURRENT PANTRY NEEDS as of FEB. 1, 2023

Food & Beverages​

• Flour / Maseca Flour / Vegetable Oil / Hot Cereal (Oatmeal, Grits)
• Ramen Noodle Soup / Canned Stewed Tomatoes
• Jelly / Juice (shelf stable, family size, plastic bottle)
• Ketchup and Mayo (family size, not small packets)
• Canned Stewed Tomatoes (low salt preferred)
• Mixed Vegetables (low salt preferred)
• Mashed Potatoes 
• Fruit Cocktail (no sugar added preferred)
• Canned Mandarin Oranges (no sugar added preferred)
• Juice (shelf stable, family size, plastic bottle)
• Ketchup, Mustard, Mayo (family size, not small packets)

​

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

• Body Wash / Shampoo / Conditioner / Lotion
• Large size pull-ups (SIZE 4T/5T for toddlers)
• Diapers size 5 & 6 
• Baby Wipes 

​

Centreville Immigration Forum & Labor Resource Center

Volunteer & Intern Opportunities

• Sign up for an orientation.
• Fill out the Intake form on website
• Join us in action as we make Centreville a model of how day laborers and the community can work together!
• http://centrevilleimmigrationforum.org/

The Shepherd’s Center of Western Fairfax - needs drivers and support for elderly.

The Katharine K. Hanley Family Shelter

Needs: Toothpaste / Shampoo / Conditioner / Body Wash /

Bar Soap / Hand Soap / Deodorant

The items may be dropped off at the box in the office.

The Katharine K. Hanley Family Shelter is nearby and houses up to 12 families onsite, 12 families in hotel sites and serves over 40 families in their prevention and rapid rehousing programs. Seeking volunteers for: On-call movers , Volunteer Shelter Assistant

Please contact Rev. Deacon Steve at stjohnscvdeacon1@gmail.com who will coordinate with KKHFS Community Coordinator to get you started.

Marching Into

Our Past and Future 

by Nancy Chafin

What does racial justice ministry look like? How does a church make a concrete witness to something that has eluded our understanding for generations? One model can be found at The Falls Church, where the congregation is embracing a multi-faceted, deeply relational ministry that is integrated into all aspects of their church life and worship.

It begins with acknowledging a painful history. Like many Virginia churches built in the 1700s and 1800s, The Falls Church was built using the labor of enslaved people. Now, the congregation is delving into that history. The research team has thus far identified 40 enslaved people by name and the work continues. Through genealogical records, the team hopes to identify living descendants and connect with them.

When the Falls Church began an intentional Racial Justice Ministry three years ago, the congregation knew that the work of reconciliation doesn’t happen by staying inside the walls of the church. So they reached out to several area organizations and non-profits to involve people from communities unlike their own, including the members of the Rock Christian Center, an African-American Baptist Pentecostal congregation that worships at The Falls Church.  Read on

VOLUNTEER SIGN - UPS

St. John's You Tube Link to view the Sunday Services

The services continue to be live streamed at 9:30 AM on Sunday morning, and they can be watched later as well. On Saturday, we will resend the link, along with a link for the bulletin and the lectionary class.

https://youtube.com/@stjohnscentreville

How to help Ukrainians If you would like to help those in need, Episcopal Relief and Development is working closely with a group that is on the ground in Ukraine. You can make a contribution: at https://www.episcopalrelief.org/ 

A Prayer for all those involved in the Russian invasion 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

(written by Archbishop Justin Welby and Archbishop Stephen Cottrell)

We welcomed The Rev. Philene Ware Dunn on April 24 to St. John's, and she is the priest celebrating the Sunday services. She is here on Sunday mornings only and will work with Deacon Steve on any pastoral concerns.

We can prepare our hearts & minds

by reading ahead for

the Sunday Service lesson.

The Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany

February 5, 2023

The First Reading: Isaiah 58:1-12

 God speaks through Isaiah, mourning his people’s disobedience, pleading for them to behave with justice and mercy, to show their contrition and intent to reform by fasting.

The Psalm: 112:1-10, page 755, BCP

The Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 2:1-12, (13-16)

 Paul affirms that God works in people’s hearts through witnessing in everyday life and through living in relationship — modeling godly wisdom, not whatever is intellectually fashionable at the moment.

The Gospel: Matthew 5:13-20

 In this section of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus reveals that he has come to fulfill and illumine the law for humanity, not to throw out God’s law.

Masks are optional during the service

The Pledge payment button may be used only to make your pledge payment (after signing up to be a pledger, which may be done at any time in the year.

The Facility Campaign button may be used only for any contribution for the facility's buildings and grounds.

The Donation button may be used for any other type of donation to St. John's. To designate a special purpose (i.e. please send a note to sjeccentreville@aol.com.