To St. John's Parishioners and Friends:

The Bishop is coming! The Rt. Rev’d E. Mark Stevenson, Bishop of Virginia, visits St. John's for worship, confirmations, receptions, and festive coffee hour this Sunday, April 19 at 9:30 AM.

The Episcopal Church is so named because it's organized in dioceses shepherded by bishops. It all comes from the Greek word episkopos, which became the term for bishops in the early church and literally means "one who looks after, oversees, or visits." The Bishop represents - and a bishop's visit celebrates - our Communion, our connection with the larger church, past, present, and future:

• We celebrate the past in our commitment to apostolic succession. All deacons, priests, and bishops are ordained by bishops who were ordained by bishops who were ordained by bishops... and so on and so on all the way back to the early church and the community of Jesus Christ.
• We celebrate the present in our connection through the bishop and the diocese to other area Episcopal parishes, and to Episcopalians, Anglicans, and Christians worldwide.
• Finally, we celebrate the future in the new connections being made in parishioners committing themselves to faith, ministry, and leadership in the Episcopal Church. On Sunday, Bishop Stevenson will confirm Derek Walsh and receive Laura Walsh and Craig Staresinich. (Those confirmed in other traditions are not confirmed again but instead "received" into the Episcopal Church.)

So join us for this joyous occasion! Support our siblings in Christ as they are confirmed and received. The day's offertory benefits the Bishop's Discretionary Fund, supporting missional efforts throughout the diocese.

Stay for our festive coffee hour reception to converse with the Bishop and our Canon to the Ordinary, The Rev. Canon d'Rue Hazel, who joins him as chaplain. Bring a dish, dessert or snacks to share.

Peace,

Kevin

The Rev. Kevin Laskowski

Priest-in-Charge

St. John's Episcopal Church

Vandalized Churchyard Repaired

Last week, we reported vandalism in our churchyard. 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 immediately contacted the police and our insurance company, and Kline Memorials in Manassas made the necessary repairs earlier this week.

If you have any information about this incident, please contact the Fairfax County Police Department or the church office. 

If you'd like to contribute to the cost of the repair or feel moved to support the cemetery fund generally, we'd welcome any donation (via Square or Realm).

Security at St. John's

St. John's Episcopal Church is home to St. John's and many faith communities and organizations. Security is vital. Be sure to take steps to protect each other and all the groups that call St. John's home:

• If you're the last to leave the office, be sure all office doors are closed and locked and the office security system armed. Do not leave the office unlocked and unattended.
• When your group leaves the building, close and lock all exterior doors your group may have used, even if other groups are still on campus. For example, if you were in the historic chapel, close and lock the doors at the upstairs entrances when you depart to protect groups meeting downstairs in the parish hall from unwanted intrusions from the other side of the campus. If you're in the parish hall, close and lock patio, kitchen, and other exterior doors to protect those who may still be upstairs.
• If your group is the last to leave the building (double-check!), be sure ALL exterior doors (not just the ones you used but all of them) are closed and locked and the security system is properly armed before departing.

If you have any questions or encounter problems, please contact the parish office. And, as always, if you see something, say something by contacting the church office or leadership, and, if necessary, the Fairfax County police.

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

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

• May 3: Readers
• May 10: Altar Guild
• May 17: Ushers

We'll review responsibilities and new expectations, and arrange for additional training for newcomers. Our acolytes met last week. 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

Sunday Sermon

Faith isn't only about beliefs. Biblical faith is seldom, if ever, blind assent to some precept or other. Christian faith is confidence, trust, risked by disciples striving to walk a still more excellent way of love and resurrected life.

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 Third Sunday of Easter

First Reading: Acts 2:14a,36-41

Reaching the end of his sermon, Peter gives an altar call, urging the convicted crowd to repent.

Response: Psalm 116:1-3, 10-17

Second Reading: 1 Peter 1:17-23

Being sons and daughters of God comes with both privilege and responsibility.

Gospel: Luke 24:13-35

Jesus joins his disciples in a journey and remains with them to break bread.

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.

Saints of the Week: Peter Williams Cassey and Anna Besant Cassey

Read more about these saints here.

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.

No Adult Lectionary Forum This Week

There will be no Adult Lectionary Forum this week. Join us for a festive coffee hour with our Bishop and Canon. We'll resume as usual April 26.

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.)

Another Successful Dinner at the Hanley Shelter - Join Us in May

We served 65 people with dinner Tuesday night at the Katherine K Hanley Family Shelter. Kitchen renovations at the shelter meant a pivot to cold offerings this time out. Our new menu included sandwiches, wraps; chips; coleslaw, pasta, macaroni, potato and lettuce salads; grapes, watermelon and blueberry fruit cups; and chocolate cake and cookies for dessert. Many thanks to all those hands that prepared the food and provided the drinks.

Our next dinner is scheduled for May 12, menu to be determined. 

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 May 12 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.