To St. John's Parishioners and Friends:

A parishioner once complained to me long ago that we never seemed to get past the basics of "Christianity 101" when it came to Christian education. For those who want to dig deep into Scripture, the finer points of theology, or a matter of church history, some Bible study can seem basic, like it's only scratching the surface or just starting out. For folks looking to get beyond "the basics," there are better Bible studies (like our lectionary forum and weekly Bible studies!), programs like Education for Ministry (like we have at St. John's!), and even seminary (yes, you can attend classes at seminaries, even if you're not pursuing ordination). On the other hand, athletes, scholars, and theologians know the importance of training over and over again on the fundamentals. The question is: What are the fundamentals? What is Christianity 101?

What are our fundamentals? (There's a simple Q&A catechism in the back of the Book of Common Prayer.) And how do you teach the fundamentals? Well, in classes I've seen - and helped teach - that prepare folks for, say, Baptism or Confirmation, they tend to go something like this. There's an overview of the Bible, some theology (maybe reviewing the Creed), a smattering of Church history so you know how Episcopalians came to be and what makes us different, a little on what's happening in worship (particularly the service you're preparing for), and then finally some questions about ministry, how you can get involved, what you do once you're baptized or confirmed. It's an important curriculum that seems to hit all the basics, the beliefs that define a Christian.

Jesus, though, seemed to have other ideas. This Sunday's Gospel (Luke 6:27-38) details another set of radical Christian fundamentals:

"Jesus said, 'I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. Do to others as you would have them do to you...love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return...Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back.'"

For Jesus, it's not a set of beliefs that define a disciple; it's a set of actions and attitudes. Disciples love, even their enemies. We're taught to give, to lend, expecting nothing in return. We're taught to forgive. What if forgiveness is Christianity 101? What if it all starts with the ability and willingness to forgive and be forgiven?

Because Christianity isn't (only) about believing in Jesus. It's about following him.

Join us this Sunday for a sermon on another Christianity 101.

Faithfully,

Kevin

The Rev. Kevin Laskowski

Priest-in-Charge

St. John's Episcopal Church

Pancake Supper, March 4, 5-7 PM

Let there be pancakes! For dinner! Our annual Shrove Tuesday celebration happens March 4. Invite family and friends, and RSVP online.

Lent, Holy Week, and Easter Worship at St. John's

• Ash Wednesday, March 5, Noon and 7 PM
• Palm Sunday, April 13, 9:30 AM
• Maundy Thursday, April 17, 7:30 PM
• Good Friday, April 18, Noon and 7:30 PM
• Easter Sunday, April 20, 8 AM and 10:30 AM followed by our Easter Egg Hunt!

Save-the-Date: Progressive Dinner, May 24

Our annual Progressive Dinner will take place May 24. Save the date for this special occasion.

New Classroom Carpet!

Some of our classrooms got fresh, new carpeting this week. Be sure to stop by the classrooms and see the results.

Thanks to the volunteers - and our donors - who helped make this work happen for St. John's and our many ministry partners!

Altar Flowers Needed

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

WORSHIP

Sunday's Sermon

Change brings opposition. To the people who like things the way they are - the wealthy, powerful, and corrupt officials - Jeremiah’s warnings ring of Hebrew prophets of old. Jesus’s beatitudes turn the world upside down. Jesus is calling for us to be change agents for the Gospel. Let us all live into that Holy Covenant, as Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe has called us, to be beacons of hope and love.

View all our services on our YouTube channel. 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 The Seventh Sunday after the Epiphany

Let us prepare our hearts and mind for worship:

First Reading: Genesis 45:3-11, 15

Joseph tells his brothers that all that has come about has been God’s plan and that he intents to protect them through the famine. He kisses them and weeps.

Response: Psalm 37:1-12, 41-42

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:35-38,42-50

Paul talks of the resurrection and teaches the limitations of the physical body.

Gospel: Luke 6:27-38

Jesus teaches the crowd to love your enemies, to give without expecting anything in return, to be merciful, and not to judge, or condemn.

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: Frederick Douglass

Lesser Feasts and Fasts calls Frederick Douglass, whose feast day is tomorrow, February 20, a "social reformer." He was that, and an abolitionist, orator, author, and publisher who prophetically attacked the hypocritical faith of a slaveholding society.

He wrote, "I love the pure, peaceable, and impartial Christianity of Christ: I therefore hate the corrupt, slaveholding, women-whipping, cradle-plundering, partial and hypocritical Christianity of this land. Indeed, I can see no reason, but the most deceitful one, for calling the religion of this land Christianity. I look upon it as the climax of all misnomers, the boldest of all frauds, and the grossest of all libels..."

Read a little more about him on our website.

Bible Studies!

Join us in the library Wednesdays at 11 AM or Thursday nights at 7 PM, for a weekly Bible study on the Gospel of Luke. We'll be using N.T. Wright's Luke: 26 Studies for Individuals and Groups (2011) to explore the third gospel. No need to RSVP for individual classes. For more information, contact Father Kevin or Lisa Heller.

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.

Volunteer at Hanley House in February

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 March 11 to serve. We'll be making pulled chicken BBQ. 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.

Shop for Western Fairfax Christian Ministries

Please bring donations of food and more to Sunday services, or drop at the church office. 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.)

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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.

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.

Supporting Wildfire Response

According to Episcopal Relief and Development, emergency responders are still working to contain the 100-mph wind-fueled fires that are consuming land, homes, places of worship, parks and businesses all across Southern California. Already 28 people are dead and more than 130,000 had to evacuate their homes – many of whom no longer have a home to which they can return.

For more information and to donate to relief efforts, visit Episcopal Relief and Development's Wildfire Response Fund and the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles' Fire Response.

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.
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• Explore more about giving to St. John's on our website or by contacting Father Kevin.