St. John's Episcopal Church - Centreville, VA | |
Parish News - December 13, 2023 | |
To St. John's Parishioners and Friends: | |
|
Blessings in this amazing Advent!
Share the good news of Christmas with friends and family, and join us in the historic church for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services.
Be sure to see below for information on Clean and Green, Christmas poinsettias, and our Advent with Mark series.
Finally, don't forget your Christmas boxes - or those pledges for 2024!
It's an amazing Advent at St. John's.
Grace and peace,
Kevin
The Rev. Kevin Laskowski
Priest-in-Charge
St. John's Episcopal Church
P.S. Apologies for this late edition. Videos gave us some trouble in Constant Contact.
| |
|
Advent and Christmas at St. John's
Join us in celebrating our Lord's wonderful birth and glorious return:
- Dec 17th Advent 3 service, 9:30 AM
- Dec 24th Advent 4 service, 9:30 AM,
- Dec 24th Christmas Eve Family Eucharist, 4 PM
- Dec 24th Christmas Eve Eucharist, 8 PM
- Dec 25th Christmas Day Service, 9:30 AM
- Jan 5th Twelfth Night potluck, 6 PM
| |
|
Clean and Green, December 16, 9-11AM
We need your help with our traditional Clean and Green! Join us this Saturday, December 16 from 9AM to 11AM to clean the historic church for Christmas. Show up in your work clothes. Bring a bucket and rags. Contact Val Tucker to RSVP and for more information.
| |
|
Christmas Poinsettia Dedication
The historic church will be traditionally adorned with poinsettias for Christmas Eve services. If you'd like to dedicate one to a loved one, or offer one in thanksgiving, email Father Kevin. You can make a contribution online here. Proceeds benefit St. John's Mission and Outreach.
| |
|
Last Sunday's Sermon
Truth is a powerful thing, when we accept it and grow into it. As we are baptized by water and the Spirit, we are justified and sanctified in truth, shaking free of falsehood along the way.
| |
View the Advent 2 service from December 10 here (apologies for some technical difficulties), and look for new sermons here. | |
|
Upcoming Readings for the Third Sunday of Advent
Let us prepare our hearts and mind for worship:
First Reading: Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11
To those who suffer and are oppressed, to the poor who have no hope, God proclaims justice, compassion, deliverance, and restoration. All will be set right.
Response: Psalm 126
Second Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
The Thessalonians are given a last charge, told how to behave to the glory of God.
Gospel: John 1:6-8, 19-28
In the beginning of John’s Gospel, the echoes of the Old Testament greats are heard as the contemporary people try to grapple with who John the Baptist is, and whom he is proclaiming.
| |
|
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.
| |
|
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.
| |
|
Interested in Confirmation, Reception, or Reaffirmation? Save the Date for Bishop's Visitation
The Rt. Rev. James J. "Bud" Shand will visit St. John's on Pentecost, May 19, 2024. Bishop Shand is the retired Bishop Diocesan of the Diocese of Easton (Maryland), served as Chairman of the Board of the Virginia Theological Seminary, and is now the newest Visiting Bishop here in the Diocese of Virginia. If you're interested in Baptism, Confirmation, Reception, or Reaffirmation on Pentecost with the Bishop, or what these things might mean for you, please contact Rev. Kevin.
| |
|
Advent with Mark
Zoom, December 14, 21, 7:00 PM
REGISTER HERE. Registration required.
With Advent, a new lectionary year has arrived, and Year B features the Gospel of Mark, the second and shortest of the Gospels. Over three evening classes, we'll begin our journey with Mark by looking at the stories unique to it. What are the stories we hear only from Mark? How does Mark tell stories we hear from other gospels differently?
View the recording of our first session Advent with Mark 1: The Beginning and the End above, and join us tomorrow/Thursday for Advent with Mark 2: Jesus the Miracle Worker.
| |
|
Adult Lectionary Forum
Join us Sundays in-person in the church library or online via Zoom to discuss the day's lessons.
| |
|
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. St. John's EfM group is underway on Wednesday nights. Contact Walt Cooner for more information.
| |
|
Last Call for Christmas Boxes!
Please return your Christmas boxes! Parishioners picked up 25+ boxes to be filled with required nonperishable items for Christmas dinners for Western Fairfax Christian Ministries.
Return your box to the St. John's office by tomorrow, Thursday, December 14 at 5 PM.
They'll be delivered together to WFCM.
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 continue to bring donations of food and more to Sunday services, or drop at the church office.
| |
|
Tree of Life!
We had another terrific dinner last night at the Sterling Community Center with Tree of Life. Sharing God's abundance - and too much dessert - with others has been an amazing experience. It was our last dinner of 2023 and our last community dinner in Sterling for some time. We'll return with a new community meal in 2024, closer to home. Stay tuned for more details.
| |
|
The Katharine K. Hanley Family Shelter
The shelter is in need of volunteers to serve meals and help with dinner preparation. For more information, and to volunteer, contact Deacon Steve.
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.
| |
|
Prayers for the Holy Land
Many prayers have been offered in the wake of terrorist attacks by Hamas and the outbreak of war. Presiding Bishop Michael Curry called for prayer again as an Anglican hospital in Gaza was destroyed. The Presiding Bishop and Pope Francis have both called for ceasefire, return of hostages, and humanitarian aid as the conflict continues. Pray along with Archbishop Hosam Naoum of the Episcopal Diocese in Jerusalem:
O God of all justice and peace we cry out to you in the midst of the pain and trauma of violence and fear which prevails in the Holy Land. Be with those who need you in these days of suffering; we pray for people of all faiths - Jews, Muslims and Christians and for all people of the land. While we pray to you, O Lord, for an end to violence and the establishment of peace, we also call for you to bring justice and equity to the peoples. Guide us into your kingdom where all people are treated with dignity and honour as your children for, to all of us, you are our Heavenly Father. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
| |
|
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.
Altar Flowers
Dedicate the altar flowers in thanksgiving or in memory of a loved one here.
Tree of Life
Help us feed hungry families. Sign up here.
Photos?!
Have any photos or short videos from St. John's events? Send them to us.
| |
STEWARDSHIP: ROOTED IN ABUNDANCE | |
|
St. John's Episcopal Church is Rooted in Abundance, our theme for our 2024 pledge campaign. Rooted in Abundance, we draw on the rich tradition of the Church, on the history of Centreville and St. John's, and on the good things God has done for each and all of us. Rooted in Abundance, we follow Jesus Christ to ever greater things (John 1:50, 14:12) and more abundant life (John 10:10). Read letters from our stewardship chairs and priest-in-charge.
Thank you to all those who've already made their commitment for 2024. Our draft budget for 2024 includes funding for outreach, music, web development, and significant savings to cover maintenance of this historic property for future generations.
The greater our pledges, the more we can be sure all this and more is part of St. John's mission in 2024. If you haven't already, please prayerfully consider your own financial contribution. With your pledge, you'll become part of our offering of healing, hope, and hospitality to all God's people:
-
Healing: worship God and proclaim the Good News of God in prayer (worship and liturgy), sermon (proclamation online and off), and song (music ministry).
-
Hope: form disciples of Jesus Christ, of all ages, in word (Christian education) and deed (mission and outreach)
-
Hospitality: steward our historic building and grounds for our parishioners, ministry partners, and beyond
| |
|
Make Your End-of-Year Gift
With your online contribution, you are part of St. John's offering of healing, hope, and hospitality to all God's people. Click the GIVE button below or text STJOHNSCENTREVILLE to 73256 to make a one-time or recurring donation to St. John's Episcopal Church.
| | | | |
