To St. John's Parishioners and Friends:

I imagine some are overjoyed by today's election news. I imagine others are deeply disappointed. I imagine some are feeling vindicated, even hopeful.

I imagine others are fearful, even despairing.

But whatever your political affiliations, however you voted (or didn't), we all woke up in the same country we were living in yesterday. Our faith is the same: Jesus is Lord. And the work ahead of us all is the same: Do justice. Love mercy. Walk humbly with God.

I ask all to pray for our country:

Almighty God, who hast given us this good land for our heritage: We humbly beseech thee that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of thy favor and glad to do thy will. Bless our land with honorable industry, sound learning, and pure manners. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion; from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way. Defend our liberties, and fashion into one united people the multitudes brought hither out of many kindreds and tongues. Endue with the spirit of wisdom those to whom in thy Name we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that, through obedience to thy law, we may show forth thy praise among the nations of the earth. In the time of prosperity, fill our hearts with thankfulness, and in the day of trouble, suffer not our trust in thee to fail; all which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, p. 820)

Faithfully,

Kevin

The Rev. Kevin Laskowski

Priest-in-Charge

St. John's Episcopal Church

Diocesan Convention

Father Kevin, Deacon Steve, and lay delegate and parishioner Walt Cooner will be attending the 230th Annual Convention of the Diocese of Virginia this week, November 7-9. Please pray for us and all clergy and lay delegates to Convention.

Information about this year's convention is available here, and you can tune into the livestream here.

Altar Flowers Needed

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

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.

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.

WORSHIP

November 3 Sermon

The Feast of All Saints celebrates at least two things. First, by the grace of God, and Jesus's sacrifice, there is a time when the faithful no longer know pain, suffering, and loss. Second, in the communion of saints, and God's love, we remain connected to those we love but see no longer.

View the entire All Saints Sunday service here. And look for new sermons as always here.

Walk in Love: Lisa Heller

Parishioner Lisa Heller says giving is not a transaction. God has already given us so much. Giving is a response to an invitation to walk in love.

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 Twenty-fifth Sunday after Pentecost

Let us prepare our hearts and mind for worship:

First Reading: 1 Kings 17:8-16

After Elijah obeys the Lord and a suffering widow respects the prophet’s direction, the Lord rescues her household from looming death.

Response: Psalm 146

Second Reading: Hebrews 9:24-28

Christ’s eternal priesthood will reach its clearest expression at the final judgment, when all those who have followed him will be freed from the curse of sin.

Gospel: Mark 12:38-44

Jesus teaches on the heart of giving by contrasting the noisy but stingy piety of the scribes with the silent generosity of an impoverished widow.

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.

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!

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.

Volunteers Needed for the Katharine K. Hanley Family Shelter

We still have several slots to fill for the Katherine K. Hanley Family Shelter dinner on November 12. In October we served 62 meals! Everyone enjoyed the Pulled Chicken and Mac and Cheese! Thanks to everyone who supported this meal!

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 November 12 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.

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
• 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.

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.

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.