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Stay up to date on all things SJLC.
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Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. | |
The image above is from an ancient mosaic in Tabgha, Israel, within the Church of the Multiplication of Loaves and Fishes. Tradition holds that this is the site where Jesus miraculously multiplied the five loaves and two fish to feed 5000 men, as we heard in the Gospel lesson this past Sunday.
In our own lives, when we have exhausted all of our resources and we see only the end, that is just the beginning of what Jesus can do to provide. Whatever we may have, be it ever so meager or small, bring it to Jesus and place it into his nail-pierced hands. As the sermon for Sunday pointed out, little is much in the hands of Jesus.
Pastor Meehan's Blog - July-August 2024
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A Prayer for Our Nation
Following the recent attempted assassination of former President Trump, let us pray for our nation, its leaders and people as we head toward the presidential election in November. Regardless of political viewpoint or affiliation, the challenges before us will not be solved by violence and bloodshed. Therefore, let us do as St. Paul calls us to do in holy Scripture:
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:1-4).
The suggested prayer below is just that - a suggestion. Please offer your own prayers as you are inspired by the Word of God and moved by the Spirit.
Almighty God, at creation your Spirit moved upon the face of the waters and brought order out of chaos and light out of darkness. In your mercy, look upon our nation and world filled with strife, bitterness and unholy rivalries. Calm our anxious minds, quiet our fears, and breathe into us the spirit of understanding, forgiveness and loving service. Remove from us every evil plan and purpose; cleanse and purify our intentions and motives. Help us all to see Christ in our neighbor and be Christ to our neighbor. In our life together, take away whatever is not of you, and strengthen what is of you so that peace and goodwill may prevail in our homes, neighborhoods and communities. We ask all of this in the Name of Jesus our Lord, knowing that You are able to do far more abundantly than all we can ask or imagine. Amen.
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Security Upgrades Begin
The installation of Phase 1 security upgrades has begun! On Monday, our security vendor, Condortech, began running cables to prepare for the installation of the first phase of our security upgrades. During this first phase, you will see the addition of a new remote entry system at the red door main entrance, 2 new security cameras outside the building, and the replacement of 3 current cameras. Installation will span over the next 2-3 weeks as crews install the hardware for new cameras and link it to our cloud-based IT systems.
Additionally, the Protecting the Faithful Task Force has already submitted a federal grant proposal for additional funds to help support phase 2 of upgrades and are working on a county level grant, in partnership with the Fairfax County Police Department, for funds to support phase 3! Future phases will include additional cameras, adding new door hardware for the library doors to facilitate emergency exits, rekeying the facilities, updating the remote access for ECEC, purchasing a new safe for the finance office, purchase of an emergency alert system, and signage for identification of exterior doors to aid emergency response teams responding to the facilities.
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Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events (CRASE) Training
St. John’s Lutheran Church has asked our local Fairfax County Franconia Crime Prevention Officer, Sean Corcoran, to teach our church members and the local public about the CRASE program. Join us on Tuesday, July 30 at 6:30PM here at St. John's in our Fellowship Hall.
We also extend this invitation for the training to other Houses of Worship who wish to learn about the how to prepare, act, and respond to an active shooter event. While we all hope it never happens, CRASE works to educate and empower community members to increase survivability in the event of an active shooter/active attack event. There is no registration required for this event. It is a FREE event for all who would like to attend.
If you have any questions about the training for your church or business in the future, feel free to contact MPO Sean Corcoran or St. John's church office at (703)971-2210.
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It's Time to Collect for Koinonia's August Angels Program
Each year, the Koinonia Foundation organizes an annual August Angels school supply drive for children who are in need and reside in the Franconia/Kingstowne vicinity. Specific items are found at this link and on the church bulletin board. This year they are collecting supplies for specific grades. To see the lists click here.
A new and special need this year: headphones that plug into a laptop. Wireless earbuds are okay for upper grades.
You may bring purchased supplies to the Church Office, up to and including worship on Sunday, August 4 or bring them to National Night Out at church on Tuesday, August 6 from 5:00-7:30PM. You may also take them directly to Koinonia, 6037 Franconia Road by Friday, August 9. Call Koinonia (703-971-1991) if you have any questions.
Thank you for your support of Koinonia and the needs of their clients. *Please note Virginia has a tax-free weekend which includes school supplies. Click here for more information.
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Creative Fellowship Gives Gift That Lasts
The Creative Fellowship works year-round making crafts and food goods that they sell at the Craft Fair to raise money for charities. Each year, the Creative Fellowship gives thousands of dollars in grants to worthy charities. This year, the Creative Fellowship elected to give a $2,000 donation to the St. John's Endowment. This money was given in memory of Kathy Clover (one of the founders of Creative Fellowship), Anna Fish, Paulette Korns, and Norma Vest.
The income earned from this donation to the Endowment will continue to fund outreach and in reach ministries beyond the normal operating budget for years to come. Questions about how you can help the Endowment, please contact Mark Gilbertson.
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National Night Out
Tuesday evening, August 6
5:00-7:30PM - Westside Campus
Food trucks, fire and police officials, Moon Bounce, Obstacle Course, Annandale Brass Ensemble, Bike Adventures, and children's games are planned. National Night Out is an annually occurring event that brings neighbors together to ensure the safety of the community.
Special Events Planned - Koinonia
- Clothing Collection (Summer & Spring Only)
- Immediate need for small & medium men's clothing and boys' clothing sizes 6-14
- Also collecting food items
- Collecting for Koinonia's August Angels school supplies event
NEW for 2024
- Bike Adventure Booth-BRING YOUR BICYCLE
- Tune-ups and Scavenger Hunt
Please contact the church office or Angela Schulze, if you'd like to help or would like more information.
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ESL Volunteers Needed
Want to make a big difference in someone’s life? Join us teaching English to our immigrant neighbors. Volunteers commit to teach one class per week, from Sept. 10-Nov. 21. Classes are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10-11:30AM, or 7:30-9PM. Our adult students attend both days, but volunteers teach once a week.
We need teachers for morning Zoom classes and evening classes both on Zoom and in person at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 5952 Franconia Rd., Alexandria, Virginia. No experience necessary— just a smile and desire to help people from other countries!
Teacher training is August 24.
For more information click here or contact ESL Coordinator Dori McCormick
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2024 Summer Cooking Camps
We are excited to share that we recently partnered with Sticky Fingers Cooking to be able to offer a cooking camp this summer here at St. John's in our Fellowship Hall!
We are offering a camp during our teacher work week in August. During this time the Early Childhood Education Center is closed, hopefully that can help some of you if you are still looking for childcare or camp options! For this option, the cooking camp is open for kids ages 4-11. This means you can also sign up siblings to join as well! If your preschooler, ages 4-5, is going to participate we will take care of getting them from ECEC to upstairs camp and back down here.
Please find attached a flyer with more information. Below are links with more information on each camp and details on how to register.
August 12 - 16 (9-12PM & 1-4PM) SIGN UP FOR BOTH AND RECEIVE A 5% DISCOUNT!
The Teachers' Work Week Camp - AM
The Teachers' Work Week Camp - PM
For more information please visit Sticky Fingers Cooking or email Amanda, Director of ECEC.
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Looking Ahead
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July 30 - Civilian Response to Active Shooter (CRASE) training - Fellowship Hall
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August 4 - Supplies for August Angels due at church
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August 6 - National Night Out, westside lawn at church
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August 11 - Church Council Meeting
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August 12 - 16 - Early Childhood Education Center CLOSED for Teacher Training Week
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August 18 - Blessing of the Backpacks in the worship service! Students of all ages are invited to bring their backpacks to worship for a special blessing.
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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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Stay up to date on all things SJLC.
Download our church app at by texting "app" to (877)776-1304.
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