Masks are now optional during the service

To St. John's Parishioners and Friends -

From the Deacon:

As St. John’s begins preparations for our Annual Stewardship Campaign, this Sunday’s Epistle from 1 Timothy and Luke’s Gospel give strong warnings about putting personal possessions and wealth before caring for others. Paul warns us not be caught in the temptation of “many and senseless desires”. The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. He is warning those who have abundant wealth not to let that wealth and the pursuit of wealth interfere with our love and worship of God. Paul encourages us to pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. In Luke’s Gospel, Jesus tells the parable of the poor beggar Lazarus who laid at the gate of the wealthy man. However, the wealthy man who had plenty of food and nice clothes never gave anything to Lazarus. Then Lazarus died and was carried by the angels to be at the side of Abraham. The rich man died and went to Hades where he was parched from the heat and had no water. Now he was the one begging, even for a drop of water from Lazarus. However, Abraham told the rich man that there was a great chasm between them and that Lazarus could not give him even one drop of water. Abraham told the rich man that he had been warned by Moses and the prophets but did not listen. Once again, we are being warned to “listen” to the word of God not only from Moses and the prophets but now from the Son of God himself, Jesus.

St. John’s has been a very generous and caring congregation, so I don’t hear this warning being directed at us. However, we must all continue to listen for what God is asking of us and that includes time, talent, and treasure. Do not let your earthly desires come between yourselves and God’s call to each of us. As Paul reminds us, “we brought nothing into the world, so that we can take nothing out of it but if we have food and clothing, let us be content with that”.

Peace,

Deacon Steve

*** St. John’s Parish Survey ***

 The Discernment Committee has developed a survey to gauge your thoughts and opinions concerning our next clergy. The survey consists of 14 questions and takes about five minutes to complete. The survey is designed to be taken anonymously. The collected data will be analyzed and summarized. The results of the survey will be presented to the Vestry and Parish Members. The survey will remain open until 5PM on Oct 2. The Discernment Committee members greatly appreciate your participation.

The link to the survey is:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/STJ_Parish_Survey_9-14-22

David Weir

Chair, Discernment Committee

stjdiscernment@gmail.com

We welcomed The Rev. Philene Ware Dunn on April 24 to St. John's, and she is the priest celebrating the Sunday services. She will be here on Sunday mornings only and will work with Deacon Steve on any pastoral concerns.

If you would like to sign up to bring coffee hour "snacks" in the coming weeks, here is the NEW LINK:

SUNDAY SNACK SIGN UP

35^th Anniversary Celebration Honoring Founding Organizations of Western Fairfax Christian Ministries



Sunday October 2,  from 4:30 to 7:30 PM,

at the Chantilly National Golf & Country Club

with appetizers and desserts, presentations and entertainment.  

 If you have questions, please contact

Deacon Steve (stjohnscvdeacon1@gmail.com) or 703-220-0270,

or Bob Faithful (faithfur@gmail.com) or 703-599-7948.

Western Fairfax Christian Ministries updated list of the foods that they need the most. You can bring your non-perishable items to the church on Sunday mornings, or drop them off in the box outside the door by the breezeway during the week and they will be delivered to WFCM.

Most needed items in the food pantry this month, September 2022:

·   Canned Tuna 

·    Canned Mixed Vegetables (low salt preferred) 

·    Refried and Black Beans

·    Peanut Butter

·    Pasta

·    Flavored Pasta (Pasta Helper)

·    Flour

·    Vegetable Oil

·    Tomato Sauce and Tomato Paste

·    Flavored Rice 

·    Family Size Boxed Cereal

·    Ramen soup

·    Mac & Cheese 

·    Ketchup and Mayo (family size not miniature packs)

· Toiletries: Toilet paper, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, toothpaste.

Please only donate size 6 or larger size diapers, larger size pull ups size 4T/5T for toddlers, or wipes if you want to donate items for babies.)

They accept food and toiletry donations Monday - Friday 8-10 am at 4511 Daly Drive Suite H (Back Door) and on the second Saturday monthly 9-11 am. 

The Western Fairfax Shepherd Center is still accepting volunteer drivers to support clients who need help getting to appointments, shopping trips (for food), and to deliver food from WFCM to clients. Please contact the Shepherd Center at 703-246-5920 or email scwfc.office@gmail.com and copy Deacon Steve at stjohnscvdeacon1@gmail.com.

Because the CDC has listed Fairfax County as having Low COVID 19 transmission rates for the past few weeks, St. John's has relaxed our masking policy -masks are now optional.

• Lectors read the lessons, ushers greet and help with the service
• Lay Eucharistic Visitors help visit our sick and shut-ins who would like communion at their home (see Deacon Steve for this),
• Altar Guild members help prepare for our worship service (see Marcia Evans or another A.G. member)

We can prepare our hearts & minds by reading ahead

for the Sunday Service lesson.

The Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost

September 25, 2022

The First Reading: Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15

 Even though Jeremiah is imprisoned, he is called to witness to God’s redemption; he performs a prophetic act by investing in Israel’s future.

The Psalm: 91:1-6, 14-16, p. 701, BCP



The Second Reading: 1 Timothy 6:6-19

 Timothy, and all readers, are urged to lives of virtue and holiness for the glory of God revealed in Jesus Christ.

The Gospel: Luke 16:19-31

 Jesus voices the hard truth that evidence and reason for repentance and submission to God’s will is all around us; humanity is always free to acknowledge the truth and follow the way of Jesus.