Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. | |
|
In worship this past Sunday, we celebrated the Festival of Christ the King. On this final Sunday of the church year, we heard in the Gospel lesson from Matthew 25:31-46 about what matters to Jesus: feeding the hungry and giving drink to the thirsty; welcoming the stranger and clothing the naked; visiting the sick and imprisoned. In his own mysterious way, our Shepherd King tells us that in helping those in need, we are ministering to Jesus himself.
This is measuring what matters in life, as the sermon revealed. Until that great and final day when Jesus will return in great power and glory, He calls us to respond to the great love which He has shown to us by loving and serving one another, especially those in need. And so we pray: Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!
In Christ,
Pastor Meehan
| |
|
With Gratitude
Our family appreciates and thanks our St. John's family for their prayers, caring messages and presence in person and in spirit for the committal with honors of our beloved husband, father, grandfather and uncle, Pastor Ben Nass in Arlington National Cemetery on November 21st. Pastor Meehan offered a message of hope and peace.
| |
|
Help with Online Giving
Are you giving online to St. John's, or want to, but do not know how? Are you confused with recent news about a change to PushPay? Have you tried to give but could not make it work? Let us help. On the first three Sundays in December a small team will be in the library / narthex to walk you through the process. We will make it easy.
| |
|
Decorating the Church
Wondering what to do after Thanksgiving? Lend a hand to put up decorations at church for the Advent and Christmas season on Saturday, December 2 at 9:00AM. Many hands will make light the work of putting up banners, roping, trees, and wreaths. This is a great opportunity for families to serve together, as well as students to earn community service hours. Questions? Please contact the church office.
| |
|
Advent Wreath-Making Event
You are invited to a fun, intergenerational activity on Sunday, December 3, at 9:15AM (First Sunday in Advent) in the Fellowship Hall. This event will be in lieu of Sunday Morning Children’s Ministry and Adult Bible Class. All materials and instructions are provided so that you walk away with a beautiful Advent wreath to use at home.
This Advent Wreath-Making Event is open to everyone, but please register in advance so we know how many materials to have ready. You can click here to register for the Event.
|  | |
Embracing the Joy: Advent and the 12 Days of Christmas - A message from our Director of Discipleship
Recently, I was scrolling through social media and came across someone sharing an “Eid Advent Calendar." I was perplexed and a little amused that another religion or culture has adopted another Christian tradition without any true knowledge or insight into the meaning or use of an Advent Calendar. In our current culture, Advent Calendars are all the rage. This fascination and marketing of the Advent Calendar tradition is popping up anywhere and can vary from a 24-day chocolate calendar to the spectacular bottles of wine found in the Costco Wine Advent Calendar. Advent, Advent Calendar, Advent Wreath, 12 Days of Christmas, what are all these things, what do they have to do with Christmas, and how can my family use them to deepen our faith during this special time of year?...
To read more click here.
|  | |
Share Sunday for Koinonia on December 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, December 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!
|  | |
Congregational Voters' Meeting
Please join us for the Congregational Voters' Meeting on Sunday, December 3, 2023 at 1:00PM, via Zoom. An email with Zoom log-in information will be sent out later this week. You are encouraged to participate in this meeting.
Preliminary Agenda items:
- Approve Minutes from June Congregational Meeting (vote)
- Update from Campus Projects Team
- Update from Endowment Fund
- Jennifer Hills Sabbatical Proposal (vote)
- Budget Review and Membership Approval (vote)
- 2024 Church Budget
- ECEC Budget
- Upcoming Christmas activities
Questions? Please contact Denise Canter, Congregational President.
| |
Join the SJLC Men’s Group Saturday Morning for Breakfast and Bible Study
“Loving Mercy" – Text: Matthew 25:34-40
Join the SJLC Men’s group at the Springfield American Legion, 6520 Amherst Ave., Saturday December 2, Breakfast 7:30AM and Bible study at 8:00AM.
The links for the study are:
Check your (Monday) email from the SJLC Men’s Ministry for further information and login information should you wish to join us via ZOOM.
|  | |
Early Childhood Education Fundraiser Event
ECEC is holding a fundraiser now through December 8. They are selling themed all occasion cards for $30 per box. Choose from All Occasion Box 1 or Box 2, Holiday Collection Cards, Thanks & Blanks, or Kid's Birthday. Each set comes with 30-50 greeting cards with coordinating envelopes and all in a keepsake box. ECEC will receive $13 for every box sold. To order, please use the order form located at the Welcome Center in the Narthex, or email the ECEC administrator. Payments can be made online.
Select ECEC Card Fundraiser, or by leaving a check with the Church office.
| |
|
Celebrate St. Nick
Join us on Wednesday, December 6, from 6:00 -7:00 PM for a fun night for the whole family as we celebrate St. Nicholas. The evening starts with a special story time with Santa and Mrs. Claus, where families will learn about how Santa got his start as the historical St. Nicholas.
A brass band will lead us in a Christmas hymn/carol sing-a-long, and will get everyone in the Christmas spirit. Enjoy some Christmas cookies as you take memorable photos at our selfie station, create a St. Nicholas craft together, and browse our book fair filled with Christmas books and other children's books. There's something for everyone in the family.
HELP Celebrate St. Nick
Jennifer is collecting empty toilet paper tubes for a craft for the evening. Please save your empty tubes and drop them off with Jennifer. We are trying to collect 100 tubes.
| |
|
Midweek Advent Worship Services
Advent is a holy time of waiting and watching for the coming of Christ. This is a 4-week period to prepare our hearts and minds for his first coming at Bethlehem, as well as his promised second coming. Midweek Advent worship services will be held on the Wednesdays in December prior to Christmas. These dates are Wednesday, December 6, 13, and 20, all beginning at 12 noon. These services will include a homily and Holy Communion, and will be livestreamed. In the midst of a very busy season, let us find blessing through the presence and promise of our Advent Lord Jesus Christ.
|  | |
Advent Devotional Booklets
Advent devotional booklets through Lutheran Hour Ministries (LHM) are available for you to use in your personal and family devotions. In Jesus’ birth, God came down to earth for us. In What Child Is This?, we see how Jesus, foretold by the prophets and confirmed by God as his own Beloved Son, the Father’s ancient promise is fulfilled. Born to save us from our sins, this lowly Child triumphed over sin and death to become our Savior.
These daily Advent devotions will help strengthen and encourage your faith as you do the same for others. E-devotions for What Child Is This? are available at Advent Devotions :: Lutheran Hour Ministries (lhm.org). Hard copies of the Advent devotional booklet will be available in the Narthex at church starting next weekend.
Also available in the hard copy is a daily gratitude/blessing page for the Advent season. Designed by Visual Faith Ministry (VFM) co-founder, Pat Maier, this Advent pathway provides 23 spaces in which to jot a word/phrase or make a small illustration that captures your reflections, prayers, gratitudes, confessions, and/or devotional takeaways. Start with 3, because December 3 is the first day of Advent this year, and continuing through 25 (December 25, Christmas Day).
|  | |
Salaam Isa Mission Society Banquet
JOIN US on
Saturday, December 9 at 6PM
in the Fellowship Hall
RSVP by December 6 to Yvette
As Jesus moves into the neighborhood, what is it that God says through Jesus today? Unbelievers ask questions: Where do you come from? What do you do? Whom do you belong? God provides the message: Salvation comes from no one else. The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in love. Are we like Jonah, running from God, running into God, running with God, running God? Or do we experience God’s grace and forgiveness in Jesus? Join us to hear Ali talk about the fastest growing church in the world – that is in Iran.
| |
Koinonia Christmas Baskets
Thank you, family and friends of St. John’s, for your generous donations for the Koinonia Christmas Baskets; the list of needed items has been fulfilled!
All items for the Christmas baskets need to be delivered to the church no later than Sunday, December 10, at 10:00AM.
| You may place your Christmas Baskets food item(s) on the table on the Fellowship Hall stage marked “Koinonia Christmas Baskets.” If you have any questions, please email the church office or call 703-971-2210, and someone will be able to help you. | |
Koinonia Christmas Wishes
The Christmas Tree for Christmas Wishes is now up in the Narthex. Thank you for the many who have already signed up and taken a "star." There are still stars left to take. Each star represents a gift for a child of a certain age. You purchase the gift and return it to the tree with the star when you come to Worship.
Gifts are due back no later than Sunday, December 10th at noon. Koinonia asks that we do not donate Barbie dolls or Matchbox cars. Gift cards should not exceed $25.00. Talk to the attendant at the Tree on Sunday or contact Christy Hoins for more info.
| |
|
The Annandale Brass Christmas Concert
You are invited to a festive Christmas concert given by The Annandale Brass in the Sanctuary of St. John’s on December 10 at 3:30PM. Formed in 1997 and under the direction of John Wright, The Annandale Brass has performed in northern Virginia at various churches and civic events. The ensemble performs a wide and diverse repertoire, covering a range of sixteenth-century music, the latest Broadway show tunes, and holiday favorites. A free-will offering will be received to support the work of Medical Missions Outreach.
|  | |
Poinsettia Plants for Christmas
Please help beautify the Sanctuary for the holidays by dedicating red poinsettias for the altar. All plants will be at a cost of $18 each and can be taken home following the worship service on Sunday, December 25.
Orders and payments may be made online via CCB or by check payable to St. John’s and noting “Poinsettia Plant” on the memo line. The deadline to order a poinsettia is Wednesday, December 20. Checks can be dropped into the offering basket located near the rear of the Sanctuary or mailed to the Church Office. Thank you!
|  | |
End-of-Year Giving Guidelines
As we enter the month of December, you may be thinking of a special year-end gift for St. John's congregation or school ministry. Please note the following guidelines: contributions received through the end of December will be recorded on the 2023 Contribution Statement; therefore, contributions made at the December 31 5PM New Year’s Eve service will be the last recorded for 2023. PLEASE NOTE that a contribution deposited in the church offering in January 2024 cannot be deducted in 2023, even if it is backdated to 2023. However, there is one exception: checks mailed and postmarked in 2023 are deductible in 2023, even if the postal delivery is not received until January 2024.
Questions? Please contact Jim Burroughs, St. John's Treasurer or Jennifer Smith, Finance Administrator, 703-971-2211. Thank you, members and friends of St. John’s, for your faithful contributions toward God’s kingdom work among us.
|  | |
Drivers NEEDED!
Drivers are needed to provide rides to medical appointments, grocery shopping, and food banks for persons age 50 or older who cannot drive themselves. Volunteers are asked to strive to drive at least once per month, unless there are extenuating circumstances, but dates and times are flexible.
Drivers must be at least 21 years old with 3 years driving experience. The joint ACCA-Shepherd's Center of Annandale Springfield transportation program has had a huge increase in requests for rides to medical appointments. Because of the high volume of ride requests, the transportation program is badly in need of new volunteers.
| Please see the attached pamphlet for more information. Printed copies can be found on the credenza in the narthex. If interested, please contact the Shepherd's Center at (703) 941-1419 or via email. | |
Looking Ahead
- Rev. James Sharp, missionary in Uruguay (Rev. James and Angela Sharp - The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (lcms.org) will be guest preacher on Sunday, December 3.
-
"When Christmas Hurts" restreaming of 2022 service - Thursday, December 14 at 7:30PM
-
Congregational Christmas program - Sunday, December 17 at 10:30AM
-
Service of the Word (no Holy Communion) - Sunday morning, December 24 at 9:30AM in Fellowship Hall (note change in worship time and location!)
| |
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
| | | | |
