To St. John's Parishioners and Friends:

In the Roman Catholic tradition, the reciting of the Lord's Prayer during worship pauses after "deliver us from evil." The priest says a particular prayer called an embolism, before the congregation as a whole continues with "For Thine is the kingdom..." In my youth, that prayer went something like this:

"Deliver us, Lord, from every evil, and grant us peace in our day. In your mercy and love keep us free from sin and protect us from fear, undue worry, and anxiety as we wait in joyful hope for the coming of our Saviour, Jesus Christ."

I think of this prayer often because I am anxious sort. This prayer seems to acknowledge that I'm going to worry, but that God will protect me from "undue" worry. God will be with me so that I'm not so anxious that I cannot act (fear) or so worried that I can't enjoy or even experience the moment (anxiety).

After all, one of the most repeated commands in Scripture is "Do not be afraid." God is and will be with us, even and especially at our most anxious.

Faithfully,

Kevin

The Rev. Kevin Laskowski

Priest-in-Charge

St. John's Episcopal Church

Altar Flowers Needed

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

Advent and Christmas at St. John's

Advent began December 1. Mark your calendars for our services in the historic church!

Advent 2 December 8, 9:30 AM

Advent 3 December 15, 9:30 AM

Advent 4 December 22, 9:30 AM

Christmas Eve Early Service December 24, 4:00 PM

Christmas Eve Late Service December 24, 8:00 PM

Christmas Day Service December 25, 9:30 AM

Christmas Lessons and Carols December 29, 9:30 AM

Clean & Green the Historic Church

On Saturday, December 14, 9:30 AM, we will Clean and Green the Historic Church. We have high and low tasks, climbing and sitting jobs, dusting and polishing needs, minor repair and mending, vacuuming crevices, and then hanging the outdoor greens (apple board, wreaths, etc.). Mark your calendar to join us at this annual activity, as many hands make light work!

STEWARDSHIP

"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.

WORSHIP

December 1 Sermon

Rev. Kevin is out of the office this week. Look for Sunday's sermon in next week's newsletter.

View the entire First Sunday of Advent service here. And look for new sermons as always 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.

Upcoming Readings for the Second Sunday of Advent

Let us prepare our hearts and mind for worship:

First Reading: Malachi 3:1-4

The Lord sends a prophet to call the Israelites to greater faithfulness, preparing them for the greater presence of the righteous God.

Response: Canticle 16

Second Reading: Philippians 1:3-11

From his prison cell, St. Paul gives thanks for the faithfulness of the church at Philippi.

Gospel: Luke 3:1-6

From the desert, John the Baptist begins his ministry of preparing the way for Jesus as Messiah.

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.

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.)

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.

Angel Tree 2024

In partnership with Lord of Life Lutheran Church, St. John's is offering an angel tree this holiday season. Look for the tree this Sunday, November 24 in the breezeway by the front door. You may take an angel any time the

office is open. Each angel has information about a child in need and a suggested gift from a family being supported by a local social services organization in the area like the Katherine Hanley Family Shelter. Please take an angel from the tree, purchase the gift, and return the wrapped gift with the Angel on it to the tree by Sunday, December 8. Additional information describing this program can be found on the wall by the tree.

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.

Christmas Boxes!

Thanks to everyone who donated boxes of Thanksgiving food items for Western Fairfax Christian Ministries' Thanksgiving Holiday Assistance Program. We provided 24 boxes to families in need via this program.

Now we start our Christmas Food Box effort. Please pick up a box or 2 or 3, and fill in your information on the sign-out sheet. Shop for the listed nonperishable items, and return the box between Sunday, December 15 and Thursday, December 19.

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.

The Shepherd's Center of Western Fairfax

The Shepherd's Center needs drivers and support for local seniors.

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 (Maseca preferred)
• Sugar (1 or 2 lb. bags)
• Vegetable Oil
• Pasta Sauce
• Pasta
• Brown Rice
• Pancake Mix
• Family Sized Snacks (pretzels, crackers, nuts, seeds, dried fruit, etc.)
• Canned Chicken
• Hot Beverages (ground coffee, tea bags, etc.)

​

Toiletries:

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

• Body Wash
• Bar Soap
• Toothpaste
• Toothbrushes
• Hair Shampoo
• Hair Conditioner
• Toilet Paper
• Feminine Hygiene Products
• 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.

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 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.