To St. John's Parishioners and Friends:

Thanks to all who assisted, especially the Tucker family and Larry Pike, with last night's Shrove Tuesday pancake supper. And thanks to all who came out for fun and fellowship. At the tables were quick questionnaires asking folks what they liked and disliked about Lent, which begins today, March 5, with Ash Wednesday. Some results of this straw poll in no particular order and without comment:

What do you like about Lent?

• it ends
• pancake suppers
• Passion readings
• Lenten worship
• the Lenten suppers we used to have
• Lenten study
• spending time learning about Jesus's love, and sharing that love to assist self and others
• focusing on the holy
• growth
• getting away from distractions helps me appreciate my life
• increased prayer
• the readings for the season
• getting back some control, power, or just agency in my own life by giving up something it's hard to give up
• Holy Week
• Spring!
• Easter is coming!
• everything!

What do you dislike about Lent?

• it starts
• there's only one pancake supper
• no Alleluias
• meatless Fridays (fish sticks?! yuck!)
• Rite I liturgy
• figuring out how to count the 40 days
• it's difficult to stick with the discipline
• giving up something that you like
• everyone asking you what you gave up
• knowing and seeing Jesus's suffering for our sins

May the blessings of this holy Lent be yours!

Faithfully,

Kevin

The Rev. Kevin Laskowski

Priest-in-Charge

St. John's Episcopal Church

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

• Ash Wednesday, Today, March 5, 7:00 PM
• Palm Sunday, April 13, 9:30 AM
• Maundy Thursday, April 17, 7:30 PM
• Good Friday, April 18, 12:00 Noon and 7:30 PM
• Easter Sunday, April 20, 8:00 AM and 10:30 AM followed by our Easter Egg Hunt!

Spring Craft Party, Saturday, March 15, 2:00 PM

Nancy Brannegan will host a craft party at her Centreville home March 15 at 2:00 PM. Participants will make DIY pressed flower lanterns and bookmarks. A donation of $10 is suggested. Bring a snack to share for fellowship time before the crafting begins! Space is limited, so RSVP to Nancy directly here.

Save-the-Date: Progressive Dinner, May 24

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

Altar Flowers Needed

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

WORSHIP

Sunday's Sermon

Fasting from news and social media from time to time is important as Sabbath is important, but we cannot look away from, we cannot tune out, what is happening in our neighborhoods, our country, and our world. We must listen for God's call and respond.

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 Ash Wednesday

Isaiah 58:1-12

2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10

Matthew 6:1-6,16-21

Psalm 103:8-14

Upcoming Readings for The First Sunday in Lent

Deuteronomy 26:1-11

Romans 10:8b-13

Luke 4:1-13

Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16

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: John and Charles Wesley

John and Charles were the 15th and 18th children of the Rev. Samuel Wesley, Rector of Epworth, Lincolnshire and his wife, Susannah. We know them today as the founders of the Methodists.

Read a little more about them on our website.

Bible Studies!

Note: There will be no Wednesday Bible study on Ash Wednesday.

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

Lent Madness

Lent Madness is upon us! Lent Madness is an offering of Forward Movement that pits 32 saints of the church against each other in an alternative March Madness bracket for the ages. Participants vote for their favorite saint in daily matchups over the course of Lent until one is awarded the "Golden Halo." Visit Lent Madness to learn more about these saints and to vote for your favorites. Follow the action online, or in the St. John's breezeway, where our bracket poster will be updated. Thanks to Lisa Heller for bringing Lent Madness to St. John's.

Volunteering at Hanley House

St. John's continued helping our neighbors with a meal at Hanley House earlier this month. Besides providing food to those in need, this outreach is a great opportunity for fellowship with St. John's folks and the shelter residents!

We provided almost 60 meals in February. Please join on March 11 for our next dinner. We are once again providing pulled BBQ chicken and Mac and Cheese.

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. 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:

• 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.)

​

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.
• Pledge to give using this online form.
• Explore more about giving to St. John's on our website or by contacting Father Kevin.