To St. John's Parishioners and Friends:

This Sunday's short reading from the Hebrew Scriptures has an important lesson for us as summer comes to an end. Ahab and Jezebel are looking to kill the prophet Elijah, so he flees for his life to the wilderness:

"Elijah went a day’s journey into the wilderness and came and sat down under a solitary broom tree. He asked that he might die, 'It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my ancestors.' Then he lay down under the broom tree and fell asleep. Suddenly an angel touched him and said to him, 'Get up and eat.' He looked, and there at his head was a cake baked on hot stones and a jar of water. He ate and drank and lay down again. The angel of the Lord came a second time, touched him, and said, 'Get up and eat, or the journey will be too much for you.' He got up and ate and drank; then he went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb the mount of God."

In short, as I've been advised many times with this lesson: do not underestimate the power of a nap and something to eat. We all get overwhelmed from time to time. I was taught to HALT, whenever I was Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or Tired. Whenever things get to be too much, you take a break, or a beat, or even just a deep breath. It puts things into perspective and gives you some strength for what's ahead.

So I hope you got to take a break, a beat, a deep breath this summer. And if not, there's still time. You may find angels waiting for you.

Grace and peace,

Kevin

The Rev. Kevin Laskowski

Priest-in-Charge

St. John's Episcopal Church

Blessing of the Backpacks and Devices

We'll have a blessing of the backpacks and devices at worship August 11 at 9:30 AM. As the Spirit moves you, bring your backpacks, briefcases, purses, and bags of whatever type and your laptop, phone, or mobile device to church. We'll bless them ahead of the new school and program year, along with donated backpacks for local elementary school students (see mission and outreach below for more).

Author Night! September 30th at 7 PM

Come out and listen to a reading from parishioner Lee Griffith's book The Right

Thing. We will hear Lee read, have a Q&A, and you can buy a book and have it signed by Lee!

About The Right Thing: A world-class sniper teams up with a physical phenom to challenge one of the most dangerous men in the Middle East. They first must pass a selection process that involves a months-long evaluation in mountain warfare, mountain climbing, survival, and shooting.

About the Author: Besides being a member of St. John's Church, Lee is a veteran of twenty years of service with the U.S. Navy, Lee worked with Navy SEALs. As the naval air station security officer, he wrote the base counterterrorism plan and exercised it frequently. An avid climber, he summited Mount Whitney, Mount Rainier, Mount Fuji, and Mauna Kea. He has participated in sprint triathlons for twenty years, and will represent team USA at the sprint triathlon world championships in Malaga, Spain.

Please sign up to bring an item to share if you can. Plates, napkins, utensils, and glasses will be provided.

Altar Flowers Needed

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

Volunteer for Stewardship Committee

The vestry is in the process of gathering a stewardship committee. If you are interested in helping with our stewardship campaign and pledge drive this fall, please contact Father Kevin or Senior Warden Susie Pike.

WORSHIP

Last Sunday's Sermon

God is with us--in inconvenience, challenge, pain, and loss. Jesus is "the bread of life"--not only a sign from above, but a presence among us, now and always.

View the Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost on August 4 here. 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 Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost

Let us prepare our hearts and mind for worship:

First Reading: 1 Kings 19:4-8

An angel comforts a despairing Elijah, preparing him for 40 days at the mount of God.

Response: Psalm 34:1-8

Second Reading: Ephesians 4:25-5:2

Paul pleads with the Ephesians to treat each other with care and love, because rancor grieves the Holy Spirit.

Gospel: John 6:35, 41-51

When the religious leaders of his time question the language Jesus uses for himself, he cites Scripture to help them understand who he is and why he has come.

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.

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) - Newcomers and Alumni!

Education for Ministry (EfM) is a unique four-year distance learning certificate program in theological education based upon small-group study. St. John's EfM group is taking a break for the summer but resumes in the fall on Wednesday nights.

Contact Walt Cooner for more information about the forthcoming EfM year and newly forming alumni groups for those who've already experienced this program.

Donate Backpacks!

School starts soon, and St. John's is partnering with Western Fairfax Christian Ministries this summer to provide backpacks for elementary school students in need. Our commitment is 50 backpacks:

For Lees Corner (Home of the Polar Bears!)

10 large or small backpacks with computer sleeves

For Cub Run (Home of the Cubbies!)

40 large backpacks (laptop sleeves optional)

Please bring newly purchased backpacks to Sunday services or the church office by this Sunday, August 11 for blessing and delivery.

Shop for Western Fairfax Christian Ministries

Please bring donations of food and more to Sunday services, or drop at the church office. Take one of the colorful slips at church as a reminder to shop. These items are especially needed:

Food:

• Flour
• Sugar (1 or 2 lb. bags)
• Vegetable Oil
• Pasta Sauce
• Pasta
• Cereal (low sugar preferred)
• Pancake Mix
• Family Sized Snacks (pretzels, crackers, etc.)
• Canned Chicken

​

Toiletries:

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

• Body Wash
• Bar Soap
• Toothpaste
• Hair Shampoo
• Toilet Paper
• 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.

Volunteers Needed at the Katharine K. Hanley Family Shelter

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

August 13 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.

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.

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.