Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. | |
|
"Who do you say that I am?" That is the question which Jesus asked his disciples in the Gospel lesson for the Second Sunday in Lent (Mark 8:27-38 ESV - Peter Confesses Jesus as the Christ - Bible Gateway. How do you answer Jesus' question? Is He just a great teacher? A shining moral example for the ages? Just one of many in the pantheon of gods, both ancient and modern? It's a question that we all must answer. Led by the Holy Spirit, Peter answered by saying: "You are the Christ." Jesus is the Christ, the promised Messiah, but He would show what this meant in a way totally different from popular expectation. Not an earthly king or ruler, but a suffering Savior who would go to the cross to give his life for the sake of the world - that's who Jesus is. As the sermon from Sunday (St. John's Lutheran Church: Alexandria, VA > Are We There Yet? (sjlc.com) revealed, Jesus took up his cross for our sake, and He now invites us to take up our cross and follow Him today. May our journey to joy in this Lenten season strengthen us to confess who Jesus is!
In Christ,
Pastor Meehan
| |
|
Koinonia Share Sunday - March 3
The first Sunday of each month is Share Sunday at St. John’s, in which we gather items to bless those in need in the community around us. These items are given to Koinonia, the local Franconia/Kingstowne community service agency, and they are then disbursed to people who need them.
Please consider picking up something from Koinonia's most recent "needs list" when you are at the store. Your donations can be left in the shopping cart at the church (only non-perishable items, please) on Sunday, March 3, or you may drop them off at Koinonia. Please share the blessings God has bestowed on you by helping those in need through Koinonia. Thank you!
| |
|
Friends of Music Series
The Friends of Music at St John’s invites congregation members and non-members to support our music program, and take part in the musical life of the church through special services and concerts. To contribute to the program, visit our website and choose "Music of Friends" from the Fund dropdown menu. Financial support from The St. John’s Friends of Music will support concerts and musicians for special worship services throughout the year by covering costs that exceed the annual music budget.
Our first concert will be an organ recital by Director of Music and organist, David Leahey. The recital will take place at St. John’s on Sunday, March 17 at 4:00PM.
For more information on the Friends of Music initiative please visit www.sjlc.com/friends-of-music
| |
|
Girls Scouts - Celebrate Faith Day - March 10
Calling all Girl Scouts to join us for Girl Scout Sunday, March 10 at 10:30am worship. Please wear your uniform and arrive at 10:15am to help the ushers hand out bulletins or to help with other needs for the service. This day celebrates the powerful ties between Girl Scouting and faith. Girl Scouts are encouraged to connect their faith to the Girl Scout Law and earn the religious recognitions of their faith. Let’s honor the Girl Scouts and adult volunteers who give their time and talents in service of others! Visit us at girlscouts.org/faith for more info.
“The motivating force in Girl Scouting is spiritual.” —Preamble, Constitution of Girl Scouts of the USA
At the heart of Girl Scouting are many of the same values most faiths hold:
- Supporting girls
- Making our world a better place
- Building compassionate leaders
| |
|
Easter Flowers
Please donate to beautify our Sanctuary for Easter. Altar Care seeks financial contributions for the variety of Easter plants that will be displayed. Donations can be made online or by leaving an envelope marked “Flowers” in the offering plate or with the Church Office. If you would like a dedication to appear in the worship bulletin, please provide the information no later than Tuesday, March 26. Thank you for your contribution.
| |
 | |
Town Hall Meetings start Sunday, March 3
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:
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
| |
|
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.
| |
|
Early Childhood Education Center Report to Congregation
For updates on St. John's Lutheran Church's ECEC, please click this link to read a letter from the ECEC Board Chairperson, Dr. Pat Zissios.
| |
|
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.
| |
|
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.
| |
|
Bethany House Update
The abundant and generous outpouring of needed items from the congregation for Bethany House was delivered to their offices recently. $500.00 in grocery cards, a portion of the 2023 Craft Fair proceeds, was also donated.
Thanks to everyone who supported this project!!
| |
|
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 this week. For a full schedule please click here.
| |
|
Easter Candy Donations
We are collecting donations of Easter candy and plastic Easter eggs to be used for our annual Easter Egg Hunt. We stuff and hide around 500 eggs so all the donations we receive are a big help to our budget. Please make sure donations are NUT FREE. Donations may be left in the box in the narthex.
| |
Teen Spring Fling - to SKYZONE
Teens are invited to join us on Sunday, March 10, at 2:00PM at SkyZone in Springfield for an afternoon of jumping, climbing, and having fun! The cost is $20 per teen. Teens will need transportation to and from SkyZone. Friends are welcome. Click here for more information and to sign up.
| |
Looking Ahead
-
March 3 - In Person Renovation Meeting at 12 Noon in the Fellowship Hall
-
March 10 - Daylight Saving Time begins (spring forward - set clocks ahead 1 hour)
-
March 10 - SJLC Teens @ Sky Zone
-
March 11 - 1st Zoom Renovation Meeting
-
March 17 - Organ Recital by David Leahey
-
March 24 - Palm Sunday and beginning of Holy Week
-
March 31 - Easter Sunday
| |
|
Important Links
-
Facebook Live for viewing live services or educational opportunities as well as those previously recorded.
-
YouTube for viewing church services
-
Click here for the bulletins
| | | | |
