To St. John's Parishioners and Friends:

The fourth Sunday in Lent is known as Laetare Sunday (from the Latin "rejoice"). Like the third Sunday of Advent’s Gaudete Sunday (which also means "rejoice"), many parishes celebrate with rose (they're pink!) vestments, taking a break from the larger season to, well, rejoice, to pause and remember God's love, joy, peace, hope, and light.

Certainly, Lent encourages us to face the darkness--the darkness of the past, of this world, in our own souls--but we do so as joyous children of light. Where is the light for you this Lent? How can you shine in the darkness? What light could you share with a world or a soul in need? Rejoice!

Peace,

Kevin

The Rev. Kevin Laskowski

Priest-in-Charge

St. John's Episcopal Church

Celebrate Lent, Holy Week, and Easter!

Join us for worship Sundays at 9:30 AM in the historic church, and mark your calendars for Holy Week:

• Palm Sunday, Mar 29, 9:30 AM
• Maundy Thursday, Apr 2, 7:00 PM
• Good Friday, Apr 3, Noon & 7:00 PM
• Easter Sunday, Apr 5, 8:00 AM & 10:30 AM - followed by our Easter Egg Hunt in the churchyard (Volunteers needed! Email Fr. Kevin.)

Easter Candy! (and Easter Eggs... and Palm Crosses...)

Please bring donations of Easter candy to worship or to the office during Lent so that eggs can be stuffed ahead of our Easter Egg Hunt. They'll be kept in the priest-in-charge's office, where they'll certainly be safe ahead of the festivities.

Join us to stuff Easter eggs and prepare palm crosses Saturday, March 28, at 10 AM at the church.

St. John's is Hiring!

We are hiring a part-time Ministry Partner Liaison to enhance coordination between our many Ministry Partners and to ensure that Saint John's building is maintained and protected. This compensated position is envisioned to be 10-15 hours a week. The specific hours are flexible. If you know of someone who may be a fit for this opportunity, please be in touch with the church office or the Senior Warden. 

Spring Cleanup, March 21, 9 AM

Our annual spring cleanup of the grounds before our Easter Egg Hunt will be on Saturday, March 21, at 9:00 am. All hands are welcome. Pickup trucks, wheelbarrows, rakes, shovels, and gloves are also welcome. 

Possible Pilgrimage to the Holy Land in 2027?

Years ago, St. John's parishioners went on pilgrimage to the Holy Land, an amazing experience pilgrims still talk about. Episcopal churches in the South Fairfax region are exploring a combined pilgrimage with St. George's College in 2027. Do we have a volunteer - perhaps an experienced pilgrim - to coordinate St. John's potential participation? Contact Fr. Kevin for more.

Altar Flowers Needed

Dedicate the altar flowers in thanksgiving or in memory of a loved one here.

WORSHIP

Sunday Sermon

View our services on our YouTube channel and look for new sermons here.

Join Us In Person or Online

Join us in the historic church at 9:30 AM Sunday or watch live via YouTube. Additional links to the livestream, worship bulletin, and lectionary class are sent Saturday and also available on our website.

Readings for the Fourth Sunday in Lent

First Lesson: 1 Samuel 16:1-13

When Saul is rejected by God as king, Samuel is sent secretly by God to look for another king. The sons of Jesse pass in review, but from the background emerges David, an unlikely choice.

Response: Psalm 23

God is the good shepherd of the sheep, caring for the flock amid enemies and adversity.

Second Lesson:  Ephesians 5:8-14

Christians are called to live a life in contrast to their former ways. They are to be imitators of Christ in a culture of immorality and impurity.

Gospel: John 9:1-41

A man born blind has his sight restored by Jesus, the light of the world. Jesus then helps the man to see spiritually as well as physically.

New Worship Customary

Bishop E. Mark Stephenson has updated liturgical guidelines for the Diocese of Virginia. Remember: "individual communicants may not dip their own hosts or bread in the wine." The minister will intinct for you, if you so desire. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please contact Rev. Kevin.

Saint of the Week: "Woodbine Willie" Kennedy

Rev. "Woodbine Willie" Kennedy was a British Anglican military chaplain who earned his nickname offering cigarettes to the wounded soldiers to whom he ministered in World War I, often under heavy enemy fire. Swayed to espouse Christian socialism and pacifism due to his experiences in The Great War, he was a prolific and gifted writer, writing numerous poems and several books about his experiences.

Read more about him here.

Journey through Acts... and Coming Soon: 1 Corinthians

Join us in the library Wednesdays at 11:00 AM or Thursday nights at 7:00 PM for Bible study.

We're reading Acts of the Apostles, using N.T. Wright's Acts: 24 Studies for Individuals and Groups. No need to RSVP for individual classes. Jump in anytime.

We will wrap up Acts by Easter, take a break for Holy Week, and resume our study by tackling First Corinthians. Join us!

For more information, read a series overview with syllabus, watch our website, and/or contact Father Kevin or Lisa Heller.

Education for Ministry (EfM)

Through study, prayer, worship, and reflection, EfM seminar groups journey together through scripture, church history, and theology.

St. John's EfM cohort meets Wednesday nights in the St. John's library, unless otherwise announced. Registration for this year is closed. Contact Walt Cooner for more information.

Adult Lectionary Forum This Week

Join us Sundays in person in the church library or online via Zoom to discuss the day's lessons. (This is the new link for meeting #826 4944 0667. Please make sure you use this new, updated link.)

Dead Sea Scrolls at the Museum of the Bible

The Museum of the Bible in Southwest DC is featuring a special exhibit on the Dead Sea Scrolls until next September. There will be three sets of the scrolls displayed on three-month rotations. Featuring some of the oldest fragments of the Hebrew scriptures, the scrolls offer a glimpse into the development of our modern Bible. More information about the exhibit and tickets can be found at Dead Sea Scrolls: The Exhibition | Museum of the Bible.

Serving at Hanley House

In March we served 53 folks a delicious pulled chicken and Mac&Cheese dinner. We had some very yummy St. Patrick-themed homemade cupcakes which were appreciated very much!

In April we are trying a new recipe of Beef Stroganoff. I hope you can help out in some way!

St. John's makes and serves a meal every second Tuesday of the month at the local family shelter. Sign up to prepare or provide food ahead of time and/or join us on April 14 to serve.

Bring donations for our local family shelter to church or drop by the office.

Their needs may be found on their In-Kind Donations Wish List through Amazon.

Donating to Western Fairfax Christian Ministries

St. John's is a founding partner of Western Fairfax Christian Ministries, which provides food and financial support to more than 600 local families every month. Please bring donations of food and more to Sunday services, or drop at the church office. These items are especially needed:

Food:

• White or Wheat Flour (5 lb. bag or less)
• Sugar (1 lb. or 2 lb. bag)
• Oil (canola, vegetable, olive)
• Oatmeal (Quaker Oats)
• Similac Baby Formula (blue label)
• Shelf Stable Juice (apple, cranberry, grape)
• Canned Meat (salmon, Vienna sausages, sardines)
• Canned Tomatoes (crushed)
• Canned Vegetables (spinach, potatoes, beets)
• Canned Fruit (pineapple, mandarin oranges, pears, peaches, applesauce)
• Tomato Paste
• Refried Beans
• Garbanzo Beans
• Kidney Beans 
• Family Size Snacks (crackers, nuts, popcorn, pretzels)

Toiletries:

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

• Feminine Hygiene Products (Pads preferred)
• Baby Wipes 
• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Body Wash
• Toothpaste
• Lotion
• Shaving Cream and Disposable Razors
• Pull-Ups Size 4T/5T 

Note: we are not currently in need of diapers due to our partnership with Greater DC Diaper Bank. Please only donate baby wipes if you want to donate items for babies.

Supporting Centreville Immigration Forum (CIF)

CIF provides immigrants in need with the means to improve their lives and become more integrated into the community, improve communication and cooperation among all groups serving immigrants, and build community recognition of our strength in diversity.

If you're interested in supporting or volunteering with CIF's labor resource center and other work:

• Donate men’s work clothes and boots (they do not need to be new). Bring them to worship or to the St. John's office, or deliver them directly to CIF at 5944 Centreville Crest Ln, Centreville, VA 20121. Be sure to let the parish office know if you deliver directly to CIF. We like to keep track of St. John's impact!
• Volunteer to provide rides to CIF clients to medical appointments. Sign up on the CIF website.
• Volunteer to accompany immigrants to court hearings. CIF's Volunteer Coordinator will provide training to interested individuals. Contact the parish office for more.

You can support Centreville Immigration Forum's work and advocacy here.

Helping the Shepherd's Center of Western Fairfax

St. John's has several volunteers supporting the Shepherd's Center of Western Fairfax. They provide rides to medical and therapy appointments and other important errands for people who are over 50 and can no longer drive. The Shepherd's Center needs additional drivers and support for local seniors. They've had to turn down a number of recent requests because of a lack of volunteers.

Volunteers do not have to commit ahead to a specific day of the week or time of day. As a driver, you check the Shepherd Center website for the client list, and select the ride you'd like to provide. All pickups are local, and all appointments are in northern Virginia (no DC or Maryland). You don't stay with the client in the doctor's office, if you don't want to. You can volunteer as much or as little as your schedule permits.

To assist, you must live in western Fairfax County in or around Clifton, Centreville, or Chantilly. For more information and to volunteer, visit the Shepherd's Center here.

Prayer Requests

If you would like to add yourself or someone you care about to our Sunday prayer list, please contact clergy or the church office.

Sunday Services

Additional readers and ushers are needed. Sign up here.

Coffee Hour

We gather after worship for food and fellowship. Assist with snacks here.

Katherine Hanley Monthly Dinner

We cook and serve every second Tuesday of the month. Sign up here.

Altar Flowers

Dedicate the altar flowers in thanksgiving or in memory of a loved one here.

Photos?!

Have any photos or short videos from St. John's events? Send them to us.

Support St. John's Episcopal Church

With your contribution, you are part of St. John's offering of healing, hope, and hospitality to all God's people. Click the button below to give online or visit our website for more.