St. John's Episcopal Church - Centreville, VA | | Parish News - February 19, 2026 | | To St. John's Parishioners and Friends: | |
Lent has begun! There is no shortage of devotional resources for this season of "self-examination and repentance... prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and... reading and meditating on God's holy Word."
To what prayers and practices are you turning in this season? Let us know what's animating your walk with Jesus to the cross and beyond.
Peace,
Kevin
The Rev. Kevin Laskowski
Priest-in-Charge
St. John's Episcopal Church
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Celebrate Lent!
Our observance of a holy Lent has begun. Join us for worship Sundays at 9:30 AM in the historic church, and mark your calendars for Holy Week:
- Palm Sunday, Mar 29, 9:30 AM
- Maundy Thursday, Apr 2, 7:00 PM
- Good Friday, Apr 3, Noon & 7:00 PM
- Easter Sunday, Apr 5, 8:00 AM & 10:30 AM - followed by our Easter Egg Hunt in the churchyard
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New Buildings and Grounds Committee to Meet This Sunday
As mentioned at the annual meeting, we are forming a team to oversee Buildings and Grounds. This committee will identify existing and upcoming campus needs and, working with staff, coordinate meeting those needs. Anyone interested in this important ministry, please join us for a brief meeting in Room 218 following the church service this Sunday, February 22. If you are interested but cannot make the meeting, please contact our new junior warden Lee Griffith.
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New Vestry Officers
Our newly elected Vestry met for the first time Sunday. Lisa Heller was re-elected as Senior Warden. Lee Griffith will serve as Junior Warden. Libby McCullough is the Vestry's Register.
Vestry members also have portfolios of sorts, areas of ministry and ministers with whom they talk ahead of vestry meetings to bring concerns and questions to the vestry. If you have a question, concern, or an idea about the church's work, you can contact the priest, one of the wardens, or a vestry member:
- Mission and Outreach and Adult Formation: George Dewey
- Children and Youth Formation: Nancy Brannegan
- Fellowship: Ann Goldberg
- Worship: Libby McCullough
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Voce Chamber Singers: Lead Me Home
Voce Chamber Singers presents our “greatest hits” from the past five years! This program features audience and singers favorites: including folk songs from three continents, spirituals and gospel tunes, and contemporary works by Caroline Shaw, Ken Burton, and Elaine Hagenberg. Don’t miss out on our most virtuosic and diverse concert of the season! Tickets available online or at the door:
- Saturday, February 28, 7:30 PM - Church of the Holy Cross, Dunn Loring
- Sunday, March 1, 4:00 PM - Church of the Holy Comforter, Vienna
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A Joint Letter from 154 Bishops of The Episcopal Church: Whose Dignity Matters?
"We, the undersigned bishops of The Episcopal Church [including our own bishops], write today out of grief, righteous anger, and steadfast hope. What happened a week ago in Minnesota and is happening in communities across the country runs counter to God’s vision of justice and peace. This crisis is about more than one city or state—it’s about who we are as a nation. The question before us is simple and urgent: Whose dignity matters?"
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Possible Pilgrimage to the Holy Land in 2027?
Years ago, St. John's parishioners went on pilgrimage to the Holy Land, an amazing experience pilgrims still talk about. Episcopal churches in the South Fairfax region are exploring a combined pilgrimage with St. George's College in 2027. Do we have a volunteer - perhaps an experienced pilgrim - to coordinate St. John's potential participation? Contact Fr. Kevin for more.
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Thank You!
You may have noticed that lights have returned to darkened parking lots. It turns out that they don't make the bulbs for those lamps anymore, so our own Dave Parker has been updating the lights one-by-one to make way for new bulbs. Let there be light! Thank you!
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Altar Flowers Needed
Dedicate the altar flowers in thanksgiving or in memory of a loved one here.
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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.
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Upcoming Readings for the First Sunday in Lent
First Lesson: Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7
We hear the story of the first man and woman in the Garden of Eden and of their disobedience. This moment has come to be known as the Fall.
Response: Psalm 32
The Psalmist gives thanks for God's forgiveness, protection, wisdom, and love.
Second Lesson: Romans 5:12-19
Paul points out that the coming of sin into the world has been overcome by the gift of Jesus Christ, the new Adam.
Gospel: Matthew 4:1-11
After he was baptized, Jesus retreats into the desert of Judea and is tempted by the devil. By encountering temptation head on, Jesus comes to define his true vocation.
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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.
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Saint of the Week: Thomas Bray
Rev. Thomas Bray, an Anglican priest, headed the first major effort to establish libraries in the New World, organized the Anglican Church in Maryland, and convinced James E. Oglethorpe to found an American colony in Georgia to settle debtors as an alternative to debtors' prison.
Read more about him here.
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Journey through Acts
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 take a break for the beginning of Lent February 18-19, and resume February 25-26.
For more information, read a series overview with syllabus, watch our website, and/or contact Father Kevin or Lisa Heller.
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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.
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Adult Lectionary Forum This Week
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.)
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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.
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Valentine's at the Hanley House
St John's served 47 residents at Hanley House in February! The food was excellent, and we had some Valentine treats for the kids. Thanks, Julie!
March 10th is our next Hanley dinner. Please join as we serve Pulled Chicken BBQ and Mac and Cheese.
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 March 10 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.
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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)
- Shelf Stable Juice (apple, cranberry, grape)
- Canned Meat (salmon, Vienna sausages, sardines)
- Canned tomatoes (whole, crushed)
- Canned Vegetables (spinach, potatoes, beets)
- 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
- 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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