To St. John's Parishioners and Friends:

Holy Week is upon us! We recall Jesus's work upon the cross for our sins, listen anew to his call to love one another, and, in the light of the resurrection, invite others to new life.

Join us in the historic church for:

• Maundy Thursday, 7:30 PM
• Good Friday, 12:00 PM and 7:30 PM
• Easter Day, 8:00 AM and 10:30 AM

And invite friends, family, and children of all ages to our Easter Egg Hunt, just after the 10:30 Easter Sunday service. (We need assistance with setup and during the hunt. Sign up to help!)

A blessed Holy Week to you and yours!

Grace and peace,

Kevin

The Rev. Kevin Laskowski

Priest-in-Charge

St. John's Episcopal Church

Preparing for Easter

Easter Lilies. Dedicate an Easter lily to a loved one by making a donation to St. John's Episcopal Church. Send your dedications to the parish office.

Easter Egg Hunt Volunteers Needed! We need help to make this amazing Easter Egg Hunt happen! Help us with hiding eggs and helping out during the hunt. Sign up here or email Rev. Kevin to assist with the Easter Egg Hunt.

Progressive Dinner Returns!

Saturday, April 27, 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM

St. John's parishioners, the Progressive Dinner returns April 27! This is an opportunity for St. John’s adults to gather in one another’s homes for food, fun, and fellowship. We will meet for drinks, hors d’oeuvres and fellowship at the home of a parishioner before dividing into groups and heading to other homes for dinner. The evening ends at yet another location for dessert and coffee. Past dinners have been a huge hit, and everyone has had a wonderful time! Print this flyer and return to Penny Parker by April 14 to be part of the festivities.

WORSHIP

Last Sunday's Sermon

Something about the way Jesus breathed his last convinced a Roman centurion that Jesus was the son of God. If we could see something of what the centurion saw, then maybe something about the way we live could convince others of the same.

View Palm Sunday on March 24 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 Holy Week

Let us prepare our hearts and mind for worship:

Maundy Thursday:

First Reading: Exodus 12:1-14

The Lord instructs Moses on how Israel should observe Passover. The symbols of Passover remind the Israelites each year of how God freed them from slavery.

Response: Psalm 116:1, 10-17

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

Paul teaches that because Jesus established the Eucharist at the Last Supper we should honor his presence in the bread and wine we consume.

Gospel: John 13:1-17, 31b-35

Jesus, while knowing that Judas would betray him, washes the feet of his disciples. Jesus urges them to follow his example.

Good Friday:

First Reading: Isaiah 52:13-53:12

The Messiah atones for sin through his life and death.

Response: Psalm 22

Second Reading: Hebrews 10:16-25

The letter to the Hebrews encourages Christians to stand confident in the redemption bought for them in the perfect and willing sacrifice made by Jesus.

Gospel: John 18:1-19:42

In his bleakest and loneliest moments, Jesus does not defend himself. The manner of his death fulfills multiple prophecies about the Messiah.

Upcoming Readings for Easter

First Reading: Isaiah 25:6-9

Isaiah foretells a time when God will swallow death itself and wipe away people’s tears.

Response: Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:1-11

Paul does not merely assert the resurrection but cites eyewitnesses to the risen Christ, including the Apostles, a group of 500 people, and Paul himself.

Gospel: Mark 16:1-8

Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome arrive expecting to see a dead body. An angelic visitor tells them that Jesus is risen and they will see him again in Galilee.

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 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.

Adult Lectionary Forum

There will be no Adult Lectionary Forum this Sunday because of the Easter Egg Hunt. The Forum will resume April 7.

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. St. John's EfM group is underway on Wednesday nights. Contact Walt Cooner for more information.

Prepare and/or Serve Meals for 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 April 9 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.

Parishioner Sandy Jones shared the impact St. John's support has had, in the community and on those who serve:

"After a year of serving a monthly dinner at Tree of Life in Sterling, we switched to the Katherine Hanley Family Shelter. It always felt good to serve and connect with families at Tree of Life, but it was a bit far and made it difficult for more people to participate. So we switched to the Katherine Hanley shelter, just two-and-a-half miles from St. John's. For me the experience was very different. We still bought and made the food, and we still served it with a smile, but it was not the same. We are serving people in our neighborhood who are at a place in life that is hard to imagine. They are without a home, and they are trying to start over with their children. Showing love and compassion, and serving them and sharing a conversation with our neighbors is a moving experience. For me the biggest impact is seeing the families sit and eat together, knowing how important that time is for a family. Most of the children are quite young, the youngest I met was two weeks old. Showing them they are cared about and supported is a gift to us as much as it is a gift to them."

Volunteer in a New Way with the Katharine K. Hanley Family Shelter

St. John's has been supporting KKHFS for several years with donations,

funds, and, recently, one dinner every month. As the residents prepare to

move out of the shelter into long-term housing, many need help with

independent living skills. The shelter assigns a case manager to help

ensure a successful transition; however, some may need additional support,

such as household management, budgeting, organizing skills, and

childcare. Also important are skills related to securing and maintaining a job, such as resume-building, interviewing, scheduling, and discipline to keep the job and perform well. Case managers are looking to match clients' needs with volunteers interested and skilled in these areas. Please let Deacon Steve know if you would be interested in volunteering to help a KKHFS client.

Western Fairfax Christian Ministries

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.

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.

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!



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