St. John's Episcopal Church - Centreville, VA | |
Parish News - November 13, 2024 | |
To St. John's Parishioners and Friends: | |
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I wanted to share a bit of fun personal news this week. Some of you may remember Allison and I going on vacation in early October to celebrate our anniversary. While it's true we celebrated our anniversary in Los Angeles, that wasn't the whole story. We went to Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City, California because I was going to compete on the game show Jeopardy!
It's a childhood dream come true, and I'm thrilled to share it with this community. You can find out how I did on Monday, November 25.
Faithfully,
Kevin
The Rev. Kevin Laskowski
Priest-in-Charge
St. John's Episcopal Church
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With Gratitude
A congregant has very generously paid to have the church’s classrooms and hallways painted. Feel free to take a few minutes to walk the hallways and see how clean and inviting our facility looks. Many thanks to our St. John’s family!
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Altar Flowers Needed
Dedicate the altar flowers in thanksgiving or in memory of a loved one here.
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"Walk in love as Christ loved us and gave himself for us, an offering and sacrifice to God." - Ephesians 5:2
Our stewardship campaign theme this year is Walk in Love, and it calls us to remember that our greatest gift in community is how we come together in purpose and mission. When we walk in the same direction with God and neighbor, we can achieve so much.
Read the recent letter from our stewardship chairs and your priest-in-charge, and watch videos from Sunday's worship below about our campaign. (If you haven't or didn't receive a pledge letter, please contact the church office to make sure we have your contact information.)
You can pledge online for 2025, or print a pledge card, fill it out, and bring or send it to St. John's. For more information, visit our website or reply to this email with your questions.
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Friendsgiving!
Our stewardship campaign concludes with a Friendsgiving Pot Luck in the Lower Parish Hall on Monday, November 25, at 6:00 PM. Please RSVP and let everyone know what you will be sharing. Paper plates, napkins and utensils will be provided.
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November 10 Sermon
Like the widow in the Gospel, we are called to give everything we have - and not only our time, talent, and treasure, but also our grief, loss, suffering, doubt, and pain.
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View the entire Twenty-fifth Sunday after Pentecost service here. And look for new sermons as always here. | |
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Walk in Love: Tom McDermott
Treasurer Tom McDermott shares lessons in giving from his childhood.
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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.
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Upcoming Readings for the Twenty-sixth Sunday after Pentecost
Let us prepare our hearts and mind for worship:
First Reading: Daniel 12:1-3
The Lord speaks through Daniel about the end of time and the Lord’s provision for his chosen people.
Response: Psalm 16
Second Reading: Hebrews 10:11-14 (15-18) 19-25
Christ’s sacrifice not only reconciles us with God, but shares divines power with us as we strive to be obedient disciples.
Gospel: Mark 13:1-8
Jesus describes the violence and chaos of this world as the birth pangs of the new heaven and new earth.
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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.
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Adult Lectionary Forum
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.)
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Education for Ministry (EfM)
Education for Ministry (EfM) is a unique four-year distance learning certificate program in theological education based upon small-group study. Contact Walt Cooner for more information.
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Serving at the Katharine K. Hanley Family Shelter
This month at the Hanley House we served 62 meals! The menu was a
hearty One Pot Chicken and Rice along with vegetables, salad, rolls,
fruit and dessert! Serving our neighbors is a well worth night out
and a good time to catch up with fellow church members! Please
consider helping out next month if you can.
St. John's makes and serves a meal every second Tuesday of the month at the shelter. Sign up to prepare or provide food ahead of time and/or join us on December 10 to serve. Contact Deacon Steve for more information.
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.
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Creation Care Garden News
To date, the Creation Care Garden volunteers have grown, harvested, and delivered a record 209.2 pounds of fresh vegetables and herbs to Western Fairfax Christian Ministries.
Many thanks to St. John volunteers Tom Jones, Durinda Smith, Andrew Wade, Gene Milunec, and Bev Milunec for their hard work this past Saturday, November 9, 2024. The group worked diligently and efficiently to empty, clean, and then reorganize the garden shed. The contents are now easily accessible. Non-producing vegetable plants in the Creation Care Garden were removed, some vegetable cages were stored, and deer netting was removed. The group also swept and raked leaves from the patio filling several lawn and leaf bags with plant debris.
One last vegetable harvest will take place this week. A final
Creation Care Garden clean-up will take place this coming Friday,
November 15 between 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM. Please join us if you are able.
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Thanksgiving Boxes
Let's support local families celebrate a bountiful Thanksgiving!
We have committed to provide 25 boxes of groceries to the Western Fairfax Christian Ministries (WFCM) Thanksgiving Grocery Assistance Program. St. John's will provide boxes to the congregation with a list of groceries requested for each box. All but a few boxes have been claimed.
If you haven't picked up a box, please pick up a box in church or in the church office.
For those with boxes, don't forget to fill it with the requested items, and return it to the church between Sunday, November 17 and no later than noon on Friday, November 22. The boxes will be delivered to WFCM on Saturday morning to be distributed to those in need.
Thank you for helping these families have Happy Thanksgiving!
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Volunteer with WFCM Thanksgiving Distribution
Western Fairfax Christian Ministries is seeking volunteers to help distribute food from the Thanksgiving collection on Saturday, November 23, starting at 8:00 AM until 3:00 PM. Please review the list of unfilled volunteer opportunities at this link.
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Centreville Immigration Forum
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.
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The Shepherd's Center of Western Fairfax
The Shepherd's Center needs drivers and support for local seniors.
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Shop for Western Fairfax Christian Ministries
Please bring donations of food and more to Sunday services, or drop at the church office. Take one of the colorful slips at church as a reminder to shop. These items are especially needed:
Food:
- Flour
- Sugar (1 or 2 lb. bags)
- Vegetable Oil
- Pasta Sauce
- Pasta
- Cereal (low sugar preferred)
- Pancake Mix
- Family Sized Snacks (pretzels, crackers, etc.)
- Canned Chicken
Toiletries:
NOTE: Toiletry items cannot be purchased by clients with SNAP
- Body Wash
- Bar Soap
- Toothpaste
- Hair Shampoo
- Toilet Paper
- Size 6 Diapers
- Large size pullups (size 4T/5T for toddlers)
- Baby Wipes
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.
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For Social Justice
Almighty God, who hast created us in thine own image: Grant us grace fearlessly to contend against evil and to make no peace with oppression; and, that we may reverently use our freedom, help us to employ it in the maintenance of justice in our communities and among the nations, to the glory of thy holy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (BCP, p. 209)
Grant, O God, that your holy and life-giving Spirit may so move every human heart, and especially the hearts of the people of this land, that barriers which divide us may crumble, suspicions disappear, and hatreds cease; that our divisions being healed, we may live in justice and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, p. 823)
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.
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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.
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Support St. John's Episcopal Church
With your online contribution, you are part of St. John's offering of healing, hope, and hospitality to all God's people. Join us now!
- Click the button below to set up a recurring gift online, or text "STJOHNSCENTREVILLE" to 73256 to give using your mobile device.
- Pledge to give using this online form.
- Explore more about giving to St. John's on our website or by contacting Father Kevin.
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