To St. John's Parishioners and Friends:

We have an amazing weekend ahead!

Centreville Day is tomorrow! St. John's will have prayer and pet blessings, art activities and history, beverages and crafts, and more. And I'll be giving the invocation, reading the Declaration of Independence (abridged), and competing in Mellow Mushroom's pizza-eating contest. Join us and bring friends and family. It's going to be an amazing day. Visit our website and the official Centreville Day website for more.

And on Sunday at 9:30 AM, we'll take a break from our regularly scheduled lectionary to celebrate a baptism. It will be joyous.

Hope to see you there!

Grace and peace,

Kevin

The Rev. Kevin Laskowski

Rector

St. John's Episcopal Church, Centreville

P.S. Keep scrolling! Help our neighbors this month through mission and outreach below. And scammers are trolling for gift cards again - protect yourself and friends and family. Keep reading!

P.P.S. Sunday ministers - readers, acolytes, ushers - don't forget to scroll all the way down to the usual link - or just sign up here to serve. And if you're interested in serving on Sundays, contact Fr. Kevin.

What's Your Calling?

We all have gifts for ministry. What are yours? St. John’s needs your faith and your talent. We are welcoming new counters and ushers; acolytes, readers, preachers; and more. Maybe even think about Vestry in the new year…

If you feel called to serve in some way, are curious about these ministries (wait, what’s Vestry?), or just wondering where God may be calling you, contact Fr. Kevin.

If you're already serving - readers, acolytes, ushers - don't forget to scroll all the way down to the usual link - or just sign up here - to serve.

Altar Flowers Needed

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

WORSHIP

Sunday Sermons

At the end of Jesus's Parable of the Wedding Banquet (Matthew 22:1-14), the king tosses a once-welcomed guest for not wearing the appropriate attire to the feast. The robe is said to represent the righteousness, good deeds, or the truly transformed heart of a true believer. For today, I think it represents joy. Many are called to follow Jesus, but few are chosen. Few will risk their joy. Christians are called to joy, not a naive or false positivity, but real joy marked by gratitude and generosity.

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 and worship bulletin are also available on our website.

Readings for a Baptism

"Give to Caesar what is Caesar's..." isn't quite right for this Sunday's occasion, so, for pastoral reasons, with the Bishop's permission, we'll be departing from the lectionary to celebrate...

First Reading: Ezekiel 36:24-28

Forgiveness and love abound as God's people are cleansed from without and renewed from within. Leaving behind a land of idolatry, we journey to a place where we are truly God's people, and the true God is our God.

Response: Canticle 9

Not every response is a Psalm! "Songs" from other parts of Scripture, called "canticles," are sometimes appointed. The First Song of Isaiah (Isaiah 12:2-6) encourages us to proclaim our confidence in the God of our salvation. And not every response is recited. We'll sing this one!

Second Reading: Romans 8:14-17

Paul reminds us we are not baptized to fall back into old habits but to embrace our adoption into a new household and a greater kingdom.

Gospel: Mark 10:13-16

When the disciples admonish those bringing their children to Jesus, Jesus admonishes them. While gatekeeping might make us feel grown-up, we can't lose touch with the child-like innocence that first drew us to God.

Readings for The Twenty-first Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 24A)

We'll return to our regularly scheduled programming October 25. In case you're interested in what others will be reading this Sunday...

First Reading: Isaiah 45:1-7

God uses and blesses anyone who is willing, even a foreign ruler, for the sake of God’s own purposes, bending the whole of the created world toward flourishing.

Response: Psalm 96:1-13

Second Reading: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

The Thessalonians are encouraged that their faith is genuine, as it has been proven not only through knowledge, but through the great works of the Holy Spirit in their midst.

Gospel: Matthew 22:15-22 

Jesus refuses to be trapped by wily Pharisees and declares that taxes ought to be paid to Caesar, as is required by Roman law.

Bible Study: Ezekiel :

We are now more than halfway through our journey with this challenging, prophetic text. Join us:

• Wednesdays at 11:00 AM, followed by Noonday Prayer, or
• Thursdays at 7:00 PM, followed by Compline.

Jump in anytime! For more information, check out the syllabus or contact Father Kevin or Lisa Heller.

EfM Underway!

St. John's Education for Ministry (EfM) cohort is underway. Thank you all for your commitment, and blessings in the journey ahead.

What is EfM?

Education for Ministry (EfM) is a unique small-group formation program from the School of Theology of the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee. Through study, prayer, worship, and reflection, EfM seminar groups journey together through Scripture, church history, and theology. There's the traditional Classic four-year program and a new, one-year Wide Angle option. Contact Walt Cooner or the parish office for more information.

Adult Lectionary Forum This Sunday

Join us after Sunday worship in the library or online via Zoom to discuss the day's readings in greater depth.

Celebrate Socktober!

St. John's Mission and Outreach Committee is collecting socks for Stone Middle School’s Winter Boutique, where families can shop for seasonal clothing at no cost. Adult-size socks in dark colors are especially needed.

Please bring your donations of new socks to worship or to the church office by October 29. Thank you to those who've already donated, and thank you all for helping keep our neighbors warm this winter.

DONATE NOW to Western Fairfax Christian Ministries

Food donations have slowed at WFCM. Things typically pick up for food banks when many folks' charitable instincts kick in around the holidays, but it's fall. Food banks and our neighbors need our help. Don't wait for Thanksgiving boxes. Keep those donations coming to worship and the church office for delivery.

One St. John's parishioner takes the WFCM “Current Food Market Needs” list from their website (also below) and does a weekly shopping run for WFCM and delivers it directly. Shop for WFCM on your next grocery trip. Take it to WFCM, bring it to worship, or to St. John's office.

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:

• Sugar (1 lb. or 2 lb. bag)
• White All-Purpose Flour
• Maseca Flour
• Oil (canola, vegetable, olive)
• Oatmeal (Quaker Oats)
• Shelf Stable Juice (apple, cranberry, grape)
• Canned Salmon
• Canned Tomatoes (crushed, whole)
• Canned Mandarin Oranges 
• Canned Vegetables (carrots, potatoes, beets, spinach, collard greens, corn)
• Canned Beans (garbanzo, pinto)
• Dried Beans
• Pasta Sauce (no glass jars)
• Mashed Potatoes 
• Pancake Mix 

Note: We have an abundant amount of canned green beans, stuffing, and condensed chicken noodle and tomato soup. If purchasing/donating for our markets, we kindly request you do not purchase/donate these items. Thank you. 

Toiletries:

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

• Deodorant 
• Body Wash
• Bar Soap
• Toothpaste
• Lotion
• Shaving Cream and Disposable Razors

Pull-Ups Size 4T/5

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.

Stay Tuned! The Holidays Are Right Around the Corner

And that means the return of Thanksgiving and Christmas boxes for Western Fairfax Christian Ministries and the Angel Tree.

Stay tuned for additional details!

Spooky Service at Hanley House

The St. John's team gave out flashing Halloween rings to the kids at Hanley House as we shared delicious Chicken and Broccoli Casserole! We served 55 meals, but also had leftovers. Those who come to serve get the chance to share a meal with our neighbors.

Sign up to prepare or provide food ahead of time and/or join us on

November 10 when we'll be serving Beef Stroganoff. 

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.

The Harvest Season is Coming to an End at St. John's Creation Care Garden

The harvest is nearing the end, but another five pounds of produce was delivered to WFCM this week. The jalapeños and banana peppers rebounded, and the tabasco peppers were a star.

More than 80 pounds of produce have been harvested this year for Western Fairfax Christian Ministries. Sign up here to assist the watering team.

About the Garden

St. John's Creation Care Garden raises fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs for Western Fairfax Christian Ministries' free food markets. Last year, St. John’s Creation Care Garden Committee grew, harvested, and delivered more than 180 pounds of produce, totaling 667 pounds over the past four years. Contact Jean Makurat or the parish office for more information.

Support the Centreville Immigration Forum (CIF)

Local groups report that detentions are increasing, and more court hearings are ending with cases denied or not even considered. Cases are being moved up and/or processed in bulk with more and more people per hearing. Appointments are being changed. Sites already aren't easily accessible via public transportation and are expensive and time-consuming to travel to. It's a fearful, anxious, confusing time for many. If you'd like to support our neighbors in need, contact the 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. You can support Centreville Immigration Forum's work and advocacy here.

Helping the Shepherd's Center of Western Fairfax

Shepherd’s Center is in serious need of an administrative person to volunteer one day a week (M,T, or W) to check voice mails, spend an hour or two in the office at Sully Community Center, 13800 Wall Road, Herndon (near Udvar Hazy), and enter ride requests into computer program (very easy to do). Contact

Libby McCullough.

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. Contact the parish office for more information.

BRING US CANDY!

Halloween is fast approaching. St. John's will be greeting trick-or-treaters here at the church starting at 6 PM on Halloween night. Join us in costume or just as you are. Please bring donations of candy to worship or the church office to help us prepare.

Scam Alert! More Bogus Emails Are Trolling for Gift Cards

Sadly, we need to warn all church members AGAIN about scammers looking to steal money. This week, we saw another round of emails claiming to be from Fr. Kevin asking for gift cards. If you get an email like that:

Do not reply; do not click. St. John's, like all churches these days, is a frequent target of those who would try to impersonate our priest or other member of the church in a text or email in order to take advantage of members' care and generosity towards each other. No one from the church will ever ask you to purchase a gift card or send money by any means other than our website (which uses Realm and Square) or via the Sunday offering. Don't reply. Don't click any link, especially in a text.

Look at the sender's actual email address. One recent email seemed to be from Fr. Kevin. Kevin Laskowski was the name that came up in the inbox. The email's body had his title and the church's physical address, but the email was actually from a random Gmail address. Fr. Kevin only emails from his stjohnscentreville.com address.

Independently verify any request. Call the church office at 703-803-7500, or talk to Fr. Kevin to verify. When the person contacting you is trying to prevent that, tells you not to call, tries to keep it secret, or says they can't be contacted, that is a red flag. You can always talk to Fr. Kevin, and any request can wait.

Report as spam and delete.

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.