Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. | |
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The reality of sin and temptation is a constant struggle for the child of God. Jesus himself knew what this is like, as we heard in the Gospel lesson for the First Sunday in Lent (Mark 1:9-15).
In this Lenten season, we are called to grapple with everything that leads us away from love of God and neighbor. But our own resources and strength are not enough - far from it! We need the strength and power of the One who overcame the source of sin and temptation, and that is Jesus only. As the sermon for this past Sunday pointed out, our hope is in Jesus. In Him, "we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." (Hebrews 4:15-16).
In Christ,
Pastor Meehan
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2024 Lenten Worship Service Information
For Worship service information, please visit our website or pick up a printed copy in the Narthex.
Daily Lenten Devotional information can be viewed and downloaded from Lamb of God (English) :: E-readers or a printed copy can be picked up in the Narthex as well.
For questions please contact the Church Office / (703) 971-2210.
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Gregorio Allegri’s Miserere, a setting of Psalm 51
As we continue to move through the church calendar year, the current music segment blog from our Director of Music, David Leahey, focuses on the season of Lent. Ash Wednesday marked the beginning of the Christian period of Lent. On Wednesday, February 14 chapels, churches, and cathedrals rang out to the sound of Gregorio Allegri’s Miserere, a setting of Psalm 51 made famous by its ringing top C for the soprano soloist and by its being restricted for performance only in the Vatican on account of its extraordinary beauty. To read more please visit our website.
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Online Lenten Bible Study Begins This Week
The season of Lent is a time for us to pause and reflect on the work the Lord is doing in our midst. This reflective time is the perfect time to set apart time from a very busy schedule to spend with the Lord and your brothers and sisters in faith. You are invited to join an online Lenten Bible study that will meet on Thursday evenings. Week by week, we will work our way through the Passion narrative of Jesus' suffering and death as found in Mark's Gospel.
Using Zoom as our online gathering space, each evening's session will begin with fellowship and conversation from 7:45-8:00PM, and the Bible study will begin at 8:00PM. The evening will close out with Compline, which is prayer at the close of day so that we are done by 9:00PM. Pastor Meehan and Jennifer Hills will lead the Bible study.
The dates for these sessions are as follows:
- Thursday, February 22
- Thursday, February 29
- Thursday, March 7
- Thursday, March 14
- Thursday, March 21
Zoom login credentials will be shared with those who sign up, so please register in advance! Please click here to register for this class. Questions? Please contact the church office.
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Prospective Member Class
For anyone interested in making St. John's their home congregation, a prospective member class will be held in the Library during the Sunday morning Education Hour starting on Sunday, March 3, at 9:15AM. "Discipleship 101" is a 7-week class that uses Scripture and Luther's Small Catechism to explore both our faith as Lutheran Christians and our life together at St. John's, weaving together visits from our ministry servant leaders with our congregation's mission and vision.
St. John's New Member Team, together with Pastor Meehan, will lead this course. All materials will be provided. Please click here to register or call 703-971-2210.
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Town Hall Meetings Next Month
The first of three town hall meetings is just around the corner. We look forward to having you join us for these important conversations regarding the growth potential of St. John's Lutheran Church. As you have seen, the design drawings have been posted in the Narthex for the past few weeks. These drawings have been presented to St. John's Campus Projects Team (CPT) as well as the Church Council, and both groups have given their approval. What's next you ask.... Your participation and input at the meetings with our architect, John Rency.
Town hall meetings will be held as follows:
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Sunday, March 3 at 12 Noon (in-person) - In Fellowship Hall after worship. Food and child care will be provided. If you signed up in the Narthex, your name has been added to the CCB sign-up form. No need to sign up again. Sign up here or through the SJLC app.
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Monday, March 11 at 7:00PM (virtual) - This meeting will take place on Zoom. Log-in credentials will be supplied to those who register to participate. Sign up here or through the SJLC app.
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Tuesday, March 19 at 7:00PM (virtual) - This meeting will take place on Zoom. Log-in credentials will be supplied to those who register to participate. Sign up here or through the SJLC app.
If you have questions or concerns, you are welcome to reach out to Mike Waring, Campus Projects Team chair or Denise Canter, Congregational President.
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Humanitarian Community Support
You are invited to a new St. John's group serving our community. Its purpose is to make long-term differences in the lives of others with a variety of short-term support methods. No experience required; just a little love and desire to help.
We meet for 60 minutes on the 3rd Tuesday of each month, at 8:00PM, on Zoom. We coordinate needs, assistance, and improvements to this ministry. Between meetings those with time and desire connect with families or research options. This is what we did for our Afghan Allies families, expanding for people from other countries.
Five families are receiving on-going assistance already. We can ease their transition into Northern Virginia and American living and connect people with needed education, training, and government institutions. A little effort by some results in a huge positive impact for many. Join the group "Humanitarian Aid Fund" in the SJLC App or CCB or contact Jan Swicord.
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The Resolution for Men Bible Study
Today, February 21, 2023, the SJLC Men's Group will begin "The Resolution for Men Bible Study." The men's study group will meet on Zoom once a month on the 3rd Wednesday, from 8:00-9:00PM for eight sessions from February to September in 2024.
This study was inspired by the resolution challenge featured in the movie COURAGEOUS. The resolution contains 12 commitments related to characteristics that all men of God want to pursue, such as responsibility, faithfulness, honor, justice, forgiveness, integrity, and courage. In early October we will hold a Resolution Ceremony on the St. John's lawn by the three crosses with family and friends. The men and their families will be presented with resolution certificates.
If you are interested in joining this study or have questions, please email SJLCMen@sjlc.com or contact Greg Miller or Joe Godwin to sign up and get a copy of "The Resolution for Men" book and study guide.
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Salaam Isa Mission Society Prayer Breakfast
Despite the many challenges we see each day in the news, we invite you to read and pray with faith, hope, and love. Learn more about why we pray for Muslims and how to share the love of God with Muslim friends.
The Prayer Breakfast will be on Saturday, March 2 from 9 to 10:30AM in the Fellowship Hall. The focus will be on praying for the Muslim world during Ramadan, March 10 to April 8. For questions please email Yvette or Greer.
Please click here to register.
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NEW Sunday Morning Adult Education Class
Join us for a new Sunday Morning Bible study beginning Sunday, March 3 at 9:15AM. "Provoking Proverbs: Wisdom and the Ten Commandments" is a 10-lesson Bible study that probes the Book of Proverbs in the context of The Ten Commandments and discovers a unique view of the wisdom contained in the book. Each of the ten chapters, one for each of the commandments, offers thought-provoking questions and activities that help readers shed light on that commandment and its application in their lives. Lay Deacon (in training) Eric Klanderman will lead this class. Click here to register and purchase your copy of the material.
Learn that we are called to fear, love, and trust the Lord because He first forgives, loves, and treasures us.
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Thanks to our Helpers at the Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper
A sincere note of appreciation to everyone who helped with the Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper last week, especially the cooks Fred Esposito and Paul Swicord. Attendees polished off dozens of pancakes, bacon, and sausage links for a fun evening!!
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Upcoming Local Choir Concerts
Concordia Nebraska Choir -
The Concordia University-Nebraska's A Capella Choir will be having a free concert at Prince of Peace in Springfield VA on Wednesday, March 6, at 7PM. Mark your calendars if you are interested in attending; all are welcome to this free concert!
Saint Paul Lutheran High School -
The music program at Saint Paul Lutheran High School, Concordia, Missouri, has a rich tradition. Their choir and orchestra perform concerts and tours, and the Singing Saints have over 1,000 performances to their name since their 1971 inception. They will be visiting the Washington DC Metro area next week and will be performing on Tuesday, February 27 and Wednesday, February 28 at 7PM. For a full schedule please click here.
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Looking Ahead
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February 22 - Midweek Lenten Bible Study classes begin
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March 3 - In Person Renovation Meeting
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March 10 - Daylight Saving Time begins (spring forward - set clocks ahead 1 hour)
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March 11 - 1st Zoom Renovation Meeting
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March 17 - Organ Recital by David Leahey
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Important Links
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Facebook Live for viewing live services or educational opportunities as well as those previously recorded.
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YouTube for viewing church services
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Click here for the bulletins
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