To St. John's Parishioners and Friends:

Thanks to all who showed up earlier this week for cookies, cider, and Christmas movie clips!

Mondays in Advent (see also below), we'll be preparing for Christmas with Santa Claus, Kevin McAllister, John McClane, Ebenezer Scrooge, and more as we explore this coming holiday through the lens of some classic - and not-so-classic - Christmas movies. There's no homework, and you don't need to have seen the movies beforehand to join in the fun. Spoilers abound.

On December 8, we looked at Santa Claus and how Santa movies can function as commentaries on faith. There's more to Christmas, and more to life, than it may seem. There is some kind of magic at work; there is a joy beyond what we ordinarily experience. When we lose that magic and that joy, part of who we are disappears with it. But when we find that magic, that joy, again, we are transformed and the whole world with us. That's Christmas: God arrives in Jesus Christ, interrupting life as we've known it, to renew creation in grace and love.

Join us Mondays in Advent at 7 PM in the library or parish hall. On December 15, we'll look at love, family, and going home for the holidays. On December 22, we'll look at cinematic adaptations of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, a Christmas movie genre all its own. You can check out the clips we'll use - as well as some fun extras - on this YouTube playlist.

Faithfully,

The Rev. Kevin Laskowski

Priest-in-Charge

St. John's Episcopal Church

P.S. Die Hard is not a Christmas movie.

Sharing the Kingdom: We're So Close!

Our fall stewardship campaign - Sharing the Kingdom - has come to an end, but there's

still time to voice your commitment to St. John's in 2026.

Thanks to your generosity, we have reached 95% of our goal of $260,000 in total pledge dollars. Can you help put us over the top and then some?

The funds we can dedicate to staff salaries, to our historic campus and facility, to mission and outreach, to evangelism and growth, and to worship and formation in 2026 depend on your commitment today. Help put us over the top with your pledge today.

St. John's is a space of God's healing, hope, and hospitality, a place where the kingdom of God can be seen, felt, and lived. At our best, we not only rejoice in this glimpse into the future, but we share that kingdom with one another, with our neighbors, and with the world. Prayerfully consider your 2026 commitment to St. John's today.

Visit our website for more information - including print pledge cards - and/or click below to make your pledge for Sharing the Kingdom.

Clean and Green, This Saturday, December 13

This Saturday, December 13, at 10:00 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 activities, vacuuming, and then assembling the apple board and hanging it along with the greens, wreaths, etc. Please join us even if you have only an hour. We will be there until about 12:30 or 1 pm with light refreshments. Contact Val Tucker for more information.

Advent and Christmas at St. John's

Join us to celebrate the birth of the Savior!

• Blue Christmas/Longest Night, 12/21/2025, 7 PM
• Christmas Eve Family Eucharist, 12/24/2025, 4:00 PM
• Christmas Eve Eucharist, 12/24/2025, 8:00 PM
• Christmas Day Eucharist, 12/25/2025, 9:30 AM
• Christmas Lessons and Carols, 1/4/2026, 5 PM

Scam Alert

Be on the lookout for strange emails and texts claiming to be from St. John's staff. Learn more here.

Altar Flowers Needed

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

WORSHIP

Sunday Sermon

As I mentioned in last Sunday's Adult Lectionary Forum, this sermon really comes down to condemning the hypocrisy described in something called Wilhoit's Law: there must be in-groups the law protects but does not bind, and there must be out-groups the law binds but does not protect.

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.

Upcoming Readings for the Third Sunday of Advent

First Reading: Isaiah 35:1-10

The day will come when all disease, isolation, and brokenness will be healed, God will usher in the final age of peace and joy.

Response: Psalm 146:4-9

In the first of five Hallelujah hymns that end the book of Psalms, the Psalmist proclaims a God of compassion who brings justice to the oppressed and food to the hungry.

Second Reading: James 5:7-10

Though it is difficult to have patience for the coming of the Lord and the peace which his reign brings, stay firm in faithfulness.

Gospel: Matthew 11:2-11

Jesus affirms by his actions that John has rightly identified the Messiah; further, Jesus makes clear to those gathered the great work of obedience and devotion John the Baptist has done in his ministry.

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.

Saint of the Week: Ambrose of Milan

Ambrose of Milan was a Doctor of the Church who won renown as a defender of orthodoxy against Arianism and a skillful church statesman. He was also a skillful hymnodist, introducing antiphonal chanting to enrich the liturgy. Dubbed the "honey-tongued priest," his preaching was a major factor in St. Augustine's decision to become a Christian.

Read more about him here.

Jesus Goes to the Movies: Christmas Edition, Mondays at 7 PM in Advent

Stereotypical Christmas movies follow Hallmark heroines and hard-hearted heroes who become better, more generous people when others help them rediscover "the true meaning of Christmas." What exactly is that? What is the meaning of Christmas?

Join the Rev. Kevin Laskowski - and Santa Claus, Kevin McAllister, John McClane, Ebenezer Scrooge, and more - for a presentation, discussion, snacks, and lots of Christmas clips we explore this holiday through the lens of some classic - and not-so-classic - Christmas movies. There's no homework, and you don't need to have seen the movies beforehand to join in the fun. Spoilers abound. Christ our Savior is born!

• December 8: "It's silly, but I believe": Santa Claus and the Magic of Christmas
• December 15: "I made my family disappear": Love, Family, and Going Home for the Holidays
• December 22: "Bah! Humbug!": Ebenezer Scrooges and Christmas Carols

Join us Mondays in Advent at 7 PM in the library or parish hall.

More Advent Resources

Click here for a multitude of resources for Advent: calendars, websites, prayers, and readings. Enough for several seasons. Something here is sure to be meaningful for you.

Bible Study on Acts of the Apostles

Join us in the library Wednesdays at 11:00 AM or Thursday nights at 7:00 PM for Bible study.

We're reading Acts of the Apostles, using N.T. Wright's Acts: 24 Studies for Individuals and Groups. 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

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 Scrolls until next September. 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.

Serving at the Hanley House

We close out 2025 with another tasty month of serving our neighbors at the Katherine Hanley Family Shelter. We made Chicken and Broccoli Casserole and served 50 people. Being with our neighbors and sharing a meal was a blessing for all involved!

We take a picture of the team there every month, but this picture highlights Deacon Steve since it was his last Hanley Night with St. John's. He has been so instrumental in the connection between St. John's and the Hanley House. We will continue the good work he helped get started!

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 January 13 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 Due Sunday!

St. John's has committed to provide a number of holiday meal boxes for families in need at Western Fairfax Christian Ministries. Please pick up a box, and sign it out as soon as possible. Purchase the sides and other items on the shopping list, and return your box(es) to the church (and check your name off the list) by this Sunday, December 14. Help a family have a merry Christmas!

Thank You, Angels!

St. John's will make many children very happy this Christmas. On December 8, we delivered more than 120 gifts and 25 gift cards to the Katherine K. Hanley Family Shelter as part of our Angel Tree ministry. Thank you all for this tremendous outpouring of love and concern for our neighbors.

Donate to Western Fairfax Christian Ministries

Food banks are often well-stocked with nonperishable items this time of year. What they can really use is money to buy perishable items (meat, eggs, dairy, etc.) for families. Please keep those food donations to the church for WFCM coming, but consider contributing as well. Click the link to WFCM below.

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)
• Similac Baby Formula (blue label)

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Toiletries:

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

• Feminine Hygiene Products (Pads preferred)
• Baby Wipes 

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 Deacon Steve 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 Deacon Steve 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 online 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.