To St. John's Parishioners and Friends:

This was supposed to be a post about Easter: The Resurrection and St. John's celebration of it. The Easter Egg Hunt (A rainy one this year...). And all the ways in which, though we were trapped in worlds of our own making, in sin and death, we are set free with Jesus into a new world of God's creation on Easter.

But when we speak of rolling away the stone, we don't mean this. Some time between 9 PM Wednesday, April 8 and 9 AM Thursday, April 9 someone (or several someones) toppled several gravestones, leaving an empty beer bottle and broken stones in their wake. We've been in touch with the police and contacted professionals to make the necessary repairs. If you have any information, please contact the Fairfax County Police Department or the church office.

We won't let this dampen our Easter spirits. The season of our Lord's Resurrection continues to Pentecost. We will welcome the Bishop on April 19. Our service in the community continues: love in a world of selfishness, peace in a world of violence, concern in a world of indifference.

Peace,

Kevin

The Rev. Kevin Laskowski

Priest-in-Charge

St. John's Episcopal Church

Bishop's Visit, April 19, 9:30 AM

The Rt. Rev’d E. Mark Stevenson, Bishop of Virginia, joins St. John's, Centreville for worship, confirmations, receptions, and festive coffee hour on April 19. Please plan to stay and converse with the Bishop and bring something to share at the festive coffee hour.

Benefits Briefing for Survivors of Veterans and Military, April 19, 4:00 PM

Parishioners Col (Ret) Monti Zimmerman, USA and Col (Ret) Walt Cooner, USAF are inviting family members to a briefing at St. John's that will discuss important documents and information about benefits tied to procedures upon the death of the recipient of government benefits, including how to contact the government office, burial and financial benefits for survivors. If you have or expect to have a family and leave veteran, military, civil service, or Social Security benefits, join us.

Progressive Dinner, May 2

Please join in the fun of a St. John's Progressive Dinner! The tradition returns May 2, 2026. This is an opportunity for St. John’s adults to gather in one another’s homes for food, fun, and fellowship. We will meet for drinks, hors d’oeuvres and fellowship at the home of a parishioner before dividing into groups and heading to other homes for dinner. The evening ends at yet another location for dessert and coffee. Past dinners have been a huge hit and everyone has had a wonderful time!

Join the fun! RSVP with this form at worship or the church office by April 19.

Ministry Meetings - Acolytes This Sunday

Are you interested in serving at the altar? Curious about reading the word? Would you like to help prepare the church for worship? What about welcoming newcomers and parishioners alike? Now's your chance! Liturgy is a "work of the people," and we need you to make worship everything it can be at St. John's.

If you're interested in serving, or you're already serving, join us after worship on upcoming Sundays to renew and expand our ministry teams:

• April 12: Acolytes
• May 3: Readers
• May 10: Altar Guild
• May 17: Ushers

We'll review responsibilities and new expectations, and arrange for additional training for newcomers. More ministries and more meetings to come. This is just getting started. If you can't make a certain meeting but would still like to be involved, email Fr. Kevin.

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. See the description on the diocesan job page. 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. 

Altar Flowers Needed

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

WORSHIP

Easter Day Sermon

We are trapped in worlds of our own making. On Easter, we are freed, lifted with Jesus into a new world of God's creation.

Good Friday Sermon

There is no Easter without Good Friday. Resurrection is not a rubber stamp on our good intentions. It is the enduring and the harrowing of the hells of our own making to lift us into new life. Grace didn't come, doesn't come cheap.

A Good Friday Disclaimer

In "sermon before the sermon," Fr. Kevin confronts the historic anti-Semitism of the Church and Good Friday and gives the Passion a "warning label."

Maundy Thursday Sermon

It's not about washing feet. It's about getting your feet washed. Our transactional culture values us solely on the basis of what we can do. In washing feet, Jesus creates space for the acceptance and sharing of unconditional love.

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 Second Sunday of Easter

First Reading: Acts 2:14a,22-32

Peter proclaims Jesus’ resurrection publicly to the people of Jerusalem for the first time, then tells the people that Jesus has lived out God’s plan for salvation.

Response: Psalm 16

Second Reading: 1 Peter 1:3-9

Peter reassures early Christians that despite their fears and hardships, the resurrection of Jesus Christ gives them new life and the promise of glory to come.

Gospel: John 20:19-31

The risen Lord reveals himself to several of the disciples. Thomas is only convinced of the resurrection when he personally encounters Jesus, as the Savior joins the twelve for a second time.

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.

Join Our Bible Study on

1 Corinthians

Join us in the library Wednesdays at 11:00 AM or Thursday nights at 7:00 PM for Bible study on St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians. No need to RSVP for individual classes. Jump in anytime.

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 Scrollsr. 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.

Kitchen Renovations at Hanley House Means Wraps and Salads This Month

Thanks to everyone who has already signed up for the April 14th Katherine Hanley dinner. They called us to ask to convert our menu to cold items only given their kitchen renovation. Our menu is now wraps and salads.  

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.