St. John's Episcopal Church

Welcome to the E-Notes!

November 8, 2017 


On this Veteran's Day, November 11, may we pause to give thanks for all who have served in the military and who have protected us and the freedoms that we enjoy.
 
In observance of Veterans Day
this Friday, November 10,
the parish office will be closed.
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Openings available the next few Sundays for Altar Flowers! This is the be st time of the year for planting,  
so now is a great time to provide flowering plants for the services, which then can be put in the front flower beds!  


SIGN UP HERE TO
SERVE
as LEM, Crucifer, Lector, Usher, Verger, Torch Bearer at a Sunday Service.
   

click here:
ALTAR SERVERS 2017 
  
You will receive an automatic reminder a few days in advance. ( If you would like to become an altar server, please see the Rev. Carol Hancock.)

SIGN UP HERE TO
BRING SNACKS
for coffee hour after the Sunday Service in the Breezeway.

 click here: 
 
You will receive an automatic reminder a few days in advance. Coffee hour is an important part of fellowship - staying connected with each other and welcoming newcomers.


SIGN UP HERE TO
SUPPLY FLOWERS 
for a Sunday service throughout 2017.


click here:
You may sign up here to donate the flowers to be used on the altar for each of the Sundays in 2017. Click to read additional info before signing up.
 

 
PARISH
***
Sutherland Springs, Texas
        
As we mourn the deaths of more innocent victims who were killed last Sunday in the shooting at First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, may we seek ways to stop the needless violence that is prevalent in our society.  With automatic and semi-automatic weapons available, the number of deaths per incident will continue to rise. Let us pray to God for an end to the senseless violence which infects our land; let us pray for those killed and injured in the attack at the church in Texas; and let us pray that those in positions of authority will have the will and the wisdom to seek ways to protect us all.   
The Rev. Carol Hancock, Rector    
*******   
The Blue Box...Collection this Sunday, November 12
The ECW Board thanks all efforts and participants in the pews throughout the diocese for their UTO support where, "every penny given to the In-gathering is given away the following year to support innovative mission and ministry throughout the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion." 
Envelopes and mite boxes are available at the back of the church for St. John's UTO offering collection at this Sunday's service, November 12.  When you thank God for something special that happens during the day, please put a coin in the United Thank Offering mite box so that others may share in our mission. During the offertory, please put your blue box or UTO envelop into the plate carried by Val Tucker (not the regular offering bags).
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Thanksgiving and Christmas Basket Donations Needed
We are collecting monetary donations to put together 12 Thanksgiving baskets for those in need. Names are given to us by Western Fairfax Christian Ministries. Marie McDermott has graciously agreed to coordinate this outreach project. We will need volunteers to help Marie shop and assemble the baskets on Friday, November 17 and to deliver the baskets after church on Sunday, November 19. Please let Marie know if you can help. Envelopes for donations are on the table in the back of the church. 
***  
Interested in Traveling to the Holy Land?
Informational Meeting @ 7:00 p.m. on November 8th at St. John's (TONIGHT)
 
Trip:  January 29 - February 7, 2019  - 'Footsteps of Jesus' Program through St. George's
College
 
Have you ever thought about visiting the holy sites in Israel?  We have found a cost effective, educational, and affordable way to make it happen!  We will go over the itinerary, the dates, and the cost of this excursion at this informational only meeting.  The program we are using is through St. George's College, Jerusalem.  Parishioners from St. John's here in Centreville as well as Emmanuel in Delaplane, VA will be traveling together.  

Planning Timeline:
November/December 2017 - Information Gathering (November 8, 7PM) 
January/February 2018 - Confirmation of Attendees
Spring 2018 - Joint Parish Educational Meeting at St. John's in Centreville
Fall 2018 - Joint Parish Educational Meeting at Emmanuel in Delaplane
December 2018/January 2019 - Joint Parish / Send off Dinner
Trip:  January 29 - February 7, 2019  - 'Footsteps of Jesus' Program through St. George's
 
Pledge Cards
If you have not already turned in your completed pledge card, please do so as soon as possible. Many thanks to all you have returned their pledge cards. The Finance Committee is actively working on the budget for 2018.
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Joint Thanksgiving Eve Service
A Thanksgiving Service with some of our Ministry Partners will be held at St. John's on Wednesday, November 22 at 7:30 PM. Please bring non perishable food items for Western Fairfax Christian Ministries. Any financial donations collected at the service will also go to WFCM. Please join us to give thanks to God for all God's many blessing so richly bestowed upon us.
***
Please sign up to provide altar flowers, coffee hour snacks, and help with Sunday services
You can sign up online! Just scroll further up this page to the sign up block. Click on "altar flowers" or "coffee hour" or "altar servers" and sign up for the date you want. We really need YOUR help. If you would like to be a lector, crucifer, usher or Lay Eucharistic Minister, please let Carol know. Training is provided.
 
***
Our new carpet in the historic church has been installed!!!
Many, many thanks go to Katherine Lavery who saw a need and started this project; to Penny Parker who oversaw the project, got the carpet selected and ordered, and arranged for the installation; and to all who contributed so generously to fund the project. It looks WONDERFUL!!! 
***
Did you know.....
Copies of "Forward Day by Day" are always available in the breezeway. They provide daily devotions and readings for each day, based on the daily scripture readings. A small donation will ensure that we can continue to provide this resource. Also in the breezeway are "Care Notes". These small pamphlets provide solice and comfort during various times of hardship, difficulty, and loss due to a variety of circumstances. Please check out these resources. You can take them for yourself or give them to a friend.
***
St. John's Tee Shirts available
Our own St. John's tee shirts are available for sale for $15. The shirts are red with short sleeves and include a picture of the church and "St John's, Centreville" in white. To purchase one, see Penny Parker or Carol Hancock. All adult sizes are available.
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DIOCESE
***

ANNUAL DIOCESAN CONVENTION: On Saturday, November 4, the Annual Convention of the Diocese of Virginia met in Richmond. St. John's was represented by The Rev. Carol Hancock and Bob Faithful, lay delegate. Among other resolutions, the convention voted to begin the search process for the election of a second suffragan bishop as Bishop Ted will be retiring at the end of December. To read the other resolutions that were passed as well as Bishop Shannon's pastoral address, please go to the diocesan website (www.thediocese.net), click on News and Events, and then Newsroom.
 
 
 
 
 
  
We can prepare our hearts and minds
by reading ahead for the Sunday Service lessons 
          
Sunday, November 12, 2017  

 
The Twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost 
 
      
The First Reading:  
Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25
Both God and Joshua know the Israelites to be a flighty people, but they insist they will remain faithful to their God, Yahweh, who brought them out of the land of Egypt. They make a covenant to this effect.  
  
The Psalm:  78:1-7   
 
The Epistle:  
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 
Unlike pagan teachings and practices surrounding those who have died, Paul's message to the Thessalonians encourages them to understand that because of God in Christ, they too will be resurrected. 
 
The Gospel:
Matthew 25:1-13
Jesus tells the parable of the wise and the foolish bridesmaids; though they all fall asleep, some have brought extra oil, and some have not come prepared.
 

  
THE ADULT LECTIONARY FORUM
MEETS EACH SUNDAY IN THE LIBRARY,
FOLLOWING THE SERVICE,
 
FROM 10:50 - 11:50 am 
___________________

CHILD CARE IS 
PROVIDED IN THE NURSERY   
(Rm. 205) 
During the Service
 
   Joint Sunday School
  Each week, St. John's children join
 with three of our Ministry Partners: 
Fairfax Chinese Christian Church, 
Wellspring United Church  of Christ
& Grace Baptist Church 
 for Sunday School 10:30  - 11:30 AM .  
 
We  offer 3 classes:
  PreK: Rm. 205;
 K - 6th grade: R m. 207/208;
 7th - 12th grade: Rm 206
________________________________
   
          to see artworks and text relevant to this Sunday's readings 
 
STEWARDSHIP
***
Annual Pledge Campaign
We have received 34 completed pledge cards so far for 2018. If you have not yet returned your pledge card, please do so as soon as possible.
            
 
 
 
COMMUNITY
*** 
WHAT:   The Boy Scout "Scouting for Food" Drive
WHERE:   Boy Scout District Sorting Site
(Parking Garage) 14280 Park Meadow Drive, Chantilly, VA  20151
WHEN:   Saturday, November 11, 2017
WHO:   Individuals, Small Groups, Families etc.
SHIFTS AVAILABLE:  10am - 1pm, 11am - 2pm, 12pm -3pm, 1pm - 4pm
*2pm - 5pm (*Adults with strong arms/backs needed for this shift).
   
For more information and to sign up please contact
Annette @ abosley@wfcmva.org
All the food that is collected by the Boy Scouts must be sorted and then stored. It is a big operation and they need lots of volunteers! It is done in a parking garage so dress warmly. Tom and Marie McDermott have worked on this for years. Please contact Annette Bosley at WFCM to sign up for a particular shift.
***
Reminder
Every Wednesday evening, we have a service of Holy Eucharist and healing at 6:00 PM. The service is about 30 minutes. It is a perfect alternative for those who cannot come to church on Sunday mornings, as well as a good spiritual boost in the middle of the week. Come join us!
 ***
Welcome
God gives us all an invitation to the table, to share in the life of God. "Welcome home. There's a place for you here." You might think you've got too much stuff in your past, too much brokenness, for God to love you. But God knows better, and God knows you better. God really does love you.

 
 
My email address is stjohnscvpriest@gmail.com,
and the office number is 703-803-7500.  
May our ministry together spread God's love to all whom we encounter.

       - Carol
       The Rev. Carol Hancock
       Rector

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