To St. John's Parishioners and Friends:

The current federal government shutdown is now the longest such shutdown in US history. The shutdown has hit federal workers and service members in our area hard on top of cuts earlier this year. What's more, those already in need were hit with the loss of SNAP benefits on October 31 (see below for more there).

Alternately saddened, disappointed, anxious, and angry at the cruelty and dysfunction of it all (your faithful mileage may vary), I've been relying on the prayer book lately to give me a script. I invite you to add the following to your own prayers and advocacy, whatever shape they take in this season. I'll be adding this and other prayers for our national life to our prayers of the people every Sunday until the shutdown ends.

22. "For Sound Government" (BCP, p. 821-822)

O Lord our Governor, bless the leaders of our land, that we may be a people at

peace among ourselves and a blessing to other nations of the earth.

Lord, keep this nation under your care.

To the President and members of the Cabinet, to Governors of States, Mayors

of Cities, and to all in administrative authority, grant wisdom and grace in the

exercise of their duties.

Give grace to your servants, O Lord.

To Senators and Representatives, and those who make our laws in States,

Cities, and Towns, give courage, wisdom, and foresight to provide for the

needs of all our people, and to fulfill our obligations in the community of

nations.

Give grace to your servants, O Lord.

To the Judges and officers of our Courts give understanding and integrity, that

human rights may be safeguarded and justice served.

Give grace to your servants, O Lord.

And finally, teach our people to rely on your strength and to accept their

responsibilities to their fellow citizens, that they may elect trustworthy leaders

and make wise decisions for the well-being of our society; that we may serve

you faithfully in our generation and honor your holy Name.

For yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all. Amen.

Faithfully,

The Rev. Kevin Laskowski

Priest-in-Charge

St. John's Episcopal Church

Sharing the Kingdom: Fall Stewardship Campaign Kicks Off

This Sunday, we began our fall stewardship campaign: Sharing the Kingdom. 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.

One week through our four-week campaign, we are at 28% of our goal of $260,000 in total pledge dollars. Prayerfully consider your 2026 commitment to St. John's today.

Click above for Senior Warden Lisa Heller's Sunday message on legacy, and see Fr. Kevin's sermon below.

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

Annual Convention, November 6-8

The Rev. Kevin Laskowski, Deacon Steve Busch, and St. John's lay delegate Walt Cooner travel to Fredericksburg, Virginia for the 231st Annual Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia this week, November 6-8. Please keep St. John's representatives and all clergy and lay delegates in your prayers as they meet.

Veterans Day Observance, November 9, 9:30 AM

We'll mark Veterans Day with prayer, song, and more during our usual Sunday worship at 9:30 AM.

While our prayers of the people always pray for those serving our nation at home and abroad, if there are veterans you'd like to remember by name this Sunday, please email Fr. Kevin to include them in the prayers.

Friendsgiving, November 24, 6 PM

Join us for a Friendsgiving potluck in the downstairs parish hall. No Jeopardy! viewing party this year, but we'll give thanks to God and thanks for one another ahead of the holiday. RSVP, and let everyone know what you will be sharing.

Advent Wreath Workshop, December 2, 6:30-8:30 PM

Make your own Advent wreath! Nancy and Emori have put together wreath kits, including candles, wreath ring, and charger. Join us in room 217/218 on December 2 to turn them into something special for the season. Bring greenery and a snack to share. RSVP here.

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

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 Twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost

First Lesson: Job 19:23-27a

In spite of his many misfortunes, Job trusts that the Lord will deliver him and be his salvation.

Response: Psalm 17:1-9

In words our prayer book prays at Compline, an innocent pleads for deliverance from persecution.

Second Lesson: 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17

Paul gives thanks for the witness of new Christians, but warns them that the faithful will face trials before God’s kingdom is brought to fulfillment.

Gospel: Luke 20:27-38

A group of Sadducees tries to trap Jesus with a trick question about the resurrection, he responds by asserting that his heavenly father is the God of the living.

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: Adeline Blanchard Tyler

Adeline Blanchard Tyler was the first deaconess in the Episcopal Church. She provided nursing care, religious and practical education, material support and advocacy to Baltimore's newly established St. Andrews Infirmary. Along with Carrie Guild, Eveline Black, and Catherine Minard, they became known as the United Deaconesses of Maryland. During the American Civil War, she was once accused of being a "Rebel sympathizer" merely because she treated wounded Union and Confederate patients with equal care and compassion.

Read more about her here.

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.

We will not meet November 5 or November 6 because of Annual Convention.

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.)

Help Families in Need at Western Fairfax Christian Ministries

According to the Virginia Department of Social Services, federally funded Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits ended on October 31, and they won't be restored until the federal government reopens. Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin declared a state of emergency, allowing the use of state funds to issue Virginia Emergency Nutrition Assistance (VENA) to Virginia residents who currently receive SNAP benefits, beginning November 3. Still, the disruption has hit area residents hard. Please keep those donations for WFCM coming!

Remember your Thanksgiving boxes! St. John's has committed to provide a number of holiday meal boxes for families in need, and all of them have been signed out. Remember to purchase the sides and other items on the shopping list, and return your box(es) to the church by November 20 for timely delivery (and check your name off the list).

Donate now! 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:

• Canned Meat (chicken, salmon, sardines, Vienna sausages)
• Mashed Potatoes (pouch or box)
• Boxed Pasta (macaroni, ziti, shells, etc.)
• Canned Fruit (peaches, pears, pineapples)
• Boxed Cereal (low sugar preferred)
• Rice (white or brown)
• Peanut Butter
• Flour (white or Maseca)
• Sugar (1 or 2 pound bag)
• Oil (vegetable, canola, olive)
• Chicken/Beef/Bone Broth
• Similac (blue label)
• Shelf Stable Juice (apple, cranberry, grape, etc.)
• Shelf Stable Almond Milk (family size)

​

Toiletries:

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

• Body Wash
• Deodorant 
• Lotion
• Toothpaste
• Mouthwash 
• Hair Shampoo and or Conditioner 
• Feminine Hygiene Products (Pads preferred)
• Baby Wipes 
• 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.

Serve at the Hanley House

St. John's served 61 chili-mac meals last month. Dinner included cornbread, salad, grapes, rice krispie treats, brownies, and chocolate chip cookies. We return on November 11 with chicken and broccoli casserole.

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 November 11 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.

Support 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.

Help 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.