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Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Advent season is upon us, and with it we begin a new church year that follows the life of Jesus. We are in Year B of the 3-year lectionary cycle that features the Gospel of Mark. The most prominent symbol of this season is the Advent wreath. Its circular shape points us to God who is without beginning or end. The four candles on the outer ring mark the four Sundays of Advent, helping us to wait and watch for Jesus' promised coming - not just his first advent when He was born in Bethlehem, but his second advent when He will come "in clouds with great power and glory," as we heard in the Gospel lesson for this First Sunday in Advent.

Our Advent Lord calls us to be vigilant, watching for his coming again with faith and fervent hope. He promises that He will sustain us to the end, "guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Corinthians 1:8). As the sermon pointed out, our prayer, especially during this holy time of Advent is "Maranatha" - "Our Lord, come!"

In Christ,

Pastor Meehan

Pastor Meehan's Blog - December 2023

Help with Online Giving

Are you giving online to St. John's, or want to, but do not know how? Are you confused with recent news about a change to PushPay? Have you tried to give but could not make it work? Let us help. On the first three Sundays in December a small team will be in the library / narthex to walk you through the process. We will make it easy.

Guest Preacher on Sunday, December 10

Next Sunday, December 10, we welcome as our guest preacher Rev. James Sharp, serving with his wife, Angela, and family as missionaries in Uruguay, South America. Pastor Sharp and his family are serving through the Office of International Mission of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS). St. John's is serving as one of the sponsoring congregations for the Sharp family, providing both financial as well as prayer support. Learn more about them by clicking on Rev. James and Angela Sharp - The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (lcms.org).

Special Advent-Christmas Worship Services and Events

Did you know that research reveals most people who do not have a church home are very receptive to an invitation to come to a worship service at Christmas? In these weeks leading up to the celebration of our Savior's birth, please be praying for who you can invite to join you in special worship services in this Advent and Christmas season.

Please note the earlier service time indicated below in red for Sunday morning worship services on December 24, 25. and 31!

• Midweek Advent Worship Services with homily and Holy Communion will be held on Wednesday, December 6, 13, and 20 at 12 Noon in the Sanctuary.
• Celebrate St. Nick - a special event for parents and young children takes place on Wednesday, December 6 from 6-7 PM at church.
• Rev. James Sharp, Missionary to Uruguay, will be our guest preacher on Sunday, December 10 at 10:30 AM.
• Annandale Brass Christmas Concert takes place in the Sanctuary at 3:30PM on Sunday, December 10 with festive music for the season.
• "When Christmas Hurts," a quiet service of hope and comfort for those who are grieving at the holidays, will be a re-broadcast of the online 2022 service. Watch this on Thursday, December 14 at 7:30 PM at www.sjlc.com/live.
• Congregational Christmas Program on Sunday, December 17 at 10:30AM that tells the story of Jesus' birth. This will be a non-Communion service.
• Christmas Chapel for Early Childhood Education Center will take place in the Sanctuary on Friday, December 22 at 11 AM.
• Worship on Sunday Morning, December 24 (Fourth Sunday in Advent) will take place at 9:30AM in the Fellowship Hall with Holy Communion. Please note the time and location change! NO EDUCATION HOUR or ADULT BIBLE CLASS.
• Christmas Eve Worship Services (Sunday evening, December 24) will take place at 5PM (45-minute non-Communion service designed for young children and families) and 7:30PM (candlelight Holy Communion),
• Christmas Day Worship Service (Monday, December 25) will take place at 9:30AM with Holy Communion. Please note earlier service time!
• Worship on Sunday Morning, December 31 (First Sunday after Christmas) will take place in the Sanctuary with Holy Communion at 9:30AM. Please note earlier service time! NO EDUCATION HOUR or ADULT BIBLE CLASS.
• New Year's Eve Worship Service (Sunday evening, December 31) will take place at 5PM with Holy Communion as we move from the old year into the coming new year.

New Midweek Update Request Procedure

Interested in submitting an article for our weekly Midweek Update Newsletter? Look for the black banners at the top and bottom of this page then click on "Click Here."

While filling out the form, please be sure to provide all the necessary details including the:

•  Article Title
• Article Details (include day, date, and time - if applicable)
• Two preferred Wednesday dates (additional dates my be requested - in needed)

Submission time frame for announcements

Thursday 8 am - Monday 4 pm

Also, visit the contact us page on our website sjlc.com and look for "Click here to submit a midweek update announcement request" to submit requests through our website.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Church of England's Festive Single Sees Thousands Poised To 'Join the Song' and Rediscover The Real Meaning of Christmas

As we approach one of the church’s busiest of seasons, David Leahey shares some music news from his home country. Bob Chilcott was a professor of his at The Royal College of Music, and this year he has composed a carol for The Church of England.

Read more on our website.

Sunday Morning Music Prep

Preparing for worship is an important part of a Sunday morning schedule for our SJLC music ministry. Choirs and bells are busy rehearsing music to enhance our worship experience together.

Our Sanctuary is used on a weekly Sunday basis between 9:45 and 10:15AM by our musicians. If you happen to be in the Sanctuary space during this time, please be respectful to the choirs and keep our level of noise down to a minimum. This helps our choirs to be best prepared as they can for our worship service. Our musicians work tirelessly each week to help elevate our worship experience, and I know we would want to show our appreciation in this way. Thank you!

Embracing the Joy: Advent and the 12 Days of Christmas - A message from our Director of Discipleship

Recently, I was scrolling through social media and came across someone sharing an “Eid Advent Calendar." I was perplexed and a little amused that another religion or culture has adopted another Christian tradition without any true knowledge or insight into the meaning or use of an Advent Calendar. In our current culture, Advent Calendars are all the rage. This fascination and marketing of the Advent Calendar tradition is popping up anywhere and can vary from a 24-day chocolate calendar to the spectacular bottles of wine found in the Costco Wine Advent Calendar. Advent, Advent Calendar, Advent Wreath, 12 Days of Christmas, what are all these things, what do they have to do with Christmas, and how can my family use them to deepen our faith during this special time of year?...

To read more click here.

Congregational Voters Meeting – December 3

The Congregational Voters Meeting was held on Sunday, December 3. Many thanks to everyone who attended – we had great representation from the congregation.

Salient points covered were:

• Attendance – 46 participants
• Minutes from June Congregational Meeting (Vote) – Unanimously approved
• Update on Campus Projects – Mike Waring
• Campus Security Status – Greg Miller
• Update on Endowment Fund – Mark Gilbertson
• Jennifer Hills’ Sabbatical (Vote) - Unanimously approved
• Update on ECEC and Budget Approval (Vote) – Greg Auld - Unanimously approved
• Budget Review and Approval (Vote)
• Church Budget - Unanimously approved
• Upcoming Christmas activities

The items that generated the most discussion were the playground rebuild, campus security, and the budgets. Both the ECEC and church budgets were passed with 2024 deficits; final numbers for operating income are always changing as we approach the end of year. There was also a lot of discussion on the stewardship campaign as well as the new Pushpay back-end software that serves as a basis for Community Church Builder (CCB).

The minutes should be posted within a couple of weeks in the narthex, so be on the lookout for those. If you have any questions please email our council president, Denise.

Early Childhood Education Fundraiser Event

ECEC is holding a fundraiser now through December 8. They are selling themed all occasion cards for $30 per box. Choose from All Occasion Box 1 or Box 2, Holiday Collection Cards, Thanks & Blanks, or Kid's Birthday. Each set comes with 30-50 greeting cards with coordinating envelopes and all in a keepsake box. ECEC will receive $13 for every box sold. To order, please use the order form located at the Welcome Center in the Narthex, or email the ECEC administrator. Payments can be made online.

Select ECEC Card Fundraiser, or by leaving a check with the Church office.

Celebrate St. Nick

Join us tonight, December 6, from 6:00 -7:00 PM for a fun night for the whole family as we celebrate St. Nicholas. The evening starts with a special story time with Santa and Mrs. Claus, where families will learn about how Santa got his start as the historical St. Nicholas. 

A brass band will lead us in a Christmas hymn/carol sing-a-long, and will get everyone in the Christmas spirit. Enjoy some Christmas cookies as you take memorable photos at our selfie station, create a St. Nicholas craft together, and browse our book fair filled with Christmas books and other children's books. There's something for everyone in the family.

Midweek Advent Worship Services

Advent is a holy time of waiting and watching for the coming of Christ. This is a 4-week period to prepare our hearts and minds for his first coming at Bethlehem, as well as his promised second coming. Midweek Advent worship services will be held on the Wednesdays in December prior to Christmas. These dates are Wednesday, December 6, 13, and 20, all beginning at 12 noon. These services will include a homily and Holy Communion, and will be livestreamed. In the midst of a very busy season, let us find blessing through the presence and promise of our Advent Lord Jesus Christ.

Advent Devotional Booklets

Advent devotional booklets through Lutheran Hour Ministries (LHM) are available for you to use in your personal and family devotions. In Jesus’ birth, God came down to earth for us. In What Child Is This?, we see how Jesus, foretold by the prophets and confirmed by God as his own Beloved Son, the Father’s ancient promise is fulfilled. Born to save us from our sins, this lowly Child triumphed over sin and death to become our Savior.

These daily Advent devotions will help strengthen and encourage your faith as you do the same for others. E-devotions for What Child Is This? are available at Advent Devotions :: Lutheran Hour Ministries (lhm.org). Hard copies of the Advent devotional booklet will be available in the Narthex at church starting next weekend.

Also available in the hard copy is a daily gratitude/blessing page for the Advent season. Designed by Visual Faith Ministry (VFM) co-founder, Pat Maier, this Advent pathway provides 23 spaces in which to jot a word/phrase or make a small illustration that captures your reflections, prayers, gratitudes, confessions, and/or devotional takeaways. Start with 3, because December 3 is the first day of Advent this year, and continuing through 25 (December 25, Christmas Day).

Our Savior Lutheran School - Looking for Teachers

Our Savior Lutheran School in Arlington is seeking a middle school science teacher with other teaching duties for the 2024-2025 school year and to build a list of possible substitute teachers. 

Middle School Science Teacher (Full-time with benefits)

Seeking a qualified Middle School Science Teacher with other Teaching Duties for the 2024-2025 school year. This is a full-time position starting August 15, 2024. Desirable candidates should possess a bachelor's degree in elementary or early childhood education or other bachelor’s degree with experience teaching in an elementary or middle school. The school seeks candidates who are Christ-centered, skilled, creative, and willing to participate in non-classroom faculty responsibilities.

Substitute Teacher

Our Savior Lutheran School is seeking qualified Substitute Teachers for this and next school year. Desirable candidates should have classroom teaching experience and enjoy working with children. 

Please see the attached letter for more information.

Salaam Isa Mission Society Banquet

JOIN US on

Saturday, December 9 at 6PM

in the Fellowship Hall

RSVP by December 6 to Yvette

As Jesus moves into the neighborhood, what is it that God says through Jesus today? Unbelievers ask questions: Where do you come from? What do you do? Whom do you belong? God provides the message: Salvation comes from no one else. The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in love. Are we like Jonah, running from God, running into God, running with God, running God? Or do we experience God’s grace and forgiveness in Jesus? Join us to hear Ali talk about the fastest growing church in the world – that is in Iran. 

A Gospel Christmas for Bethany House

Bethany House of Northern Virginia cordially invites you to the 3rd annual Christmas event - A Gospel Christmas and Christmas Shopping Marketplace on Friday, December 8, 2023 at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Springfield, Virginia. The Christmas Shopping Marketplace opens at 5 pm, and the Gospel concert begins at 7 pm. Tickets may be purchased online for $25 or at the door for $35.

Gospel singers and musicians and liturgical dancers from all over the DMV, under the direction of Minister Velma Massenburg, will come together to sing praises to King Jesus and ring in the Christmas season!

All proceeds benefit Bethany House as we provide life saving shelter and services to women and children fleeing abuse.

Sponsorship and vending opportunities are available!

Koinonia Christmas Baskets

Thank you, family and friends of St. John’s, for your generous donations for the Koinonia Christmas Baskets; the list of needed items has been fulfilled!

All items for the Christmas baskets need to be delivered to the church no later than Sunday, December 10, at 10:00AM.

You may place your Christmas Baskets food item(s) on the table on the Fellowship Hall stage marked “Koinonia Christmas Baskets.” If you have any questions, please email the church office or call 703-971-2210, and someone will be able to help you.  

Koinonia Christmas Wishes

A big thank you to all who have taken a star and provided toys or gift cards for Koinonia families in need. This Sunday, December 10 is the final date for bringing in your gifts. Please bring them when you come to worship that day, no later than noon. You have shared Jesus' love and brought joy to children and families by your caring gifts!

The Annandale Brass Christmas Concert

You are invited to a festive Christmas concert given by The Annandale Brass in the Sanctuary of St. John’s on December 10 at 3:30PM. Formed in 1997 and under the direction of John Wright, The Annandale Brass has performed in northern Virginia at various churches and civic events. The ensemble performs a wide and diverse repertoire, covering a range of sixteenth-century music, the latest Broadway show tunes, and holiday favorites. A free-will offering will be received to support the work of Medical Missions Outreach.

Teen Christmas Party

All teens (grades 6-12) are invited to join us for our annual Teen Christmas Party on Sunday, December 17, from 12:00 -2:00 pm here at St. John's. A main course will be provided and teens are encouraged to bring sides and desserts to share. We will also have a white elephant gift exchange, so teens will need to bring a gift worth $10- $20. This should not be a NEW gift but something you can re-gift. Please, no gift cards. We'll also play a few other festive games! We hope everyone can join us for a great afternoon! Speak with Jennfier Hills for more information.

Poinsettia Plants for Christmas

Please help beautify the Sanctuary for the holidays by dedicating red poinsettias for the altar. All plants will be at a cost of $18 each and can be taken home following the worship service on Sunday, December 25.

Orders and payments may be made online via CCB or by check payable to St. John’s and noting “Poinsettia Plant” on the memo line. The deadline to order a poinsettia is Sunday, December 17. Checks can be dropped into the offering basket located near the rear of the Sanctuary or mailed to the Church Office. Thank you!

End-of-Year Giving Guidelines

As we enter the month of December, you may be thinking of a special year-end gift for St. John's congregation or school ministry. Please note the following guidelines: contributions received through the end of December will be recorded on the 2023 Contribution Statement; therefore, contributions made at the December 31, 5PM New Year’s Eve service will be the last recorded for 2023. PLEASE NOTE that a contribution deposited in the church offering in January 2024 cannot be deducted in 2023, even if it is backdated to 2023. However, there is one exception: checks mailed and postmarked in 2023 are deductible in 2023, even if the postal delivery is not received until January 2024. 

Questions? Please contact Jim Burroughs, St. John's Treasurer or Jennifer Smith, Finance Administrator, 703-971-2211. Thank you, members and friends of St. John’s, for your faithful contributions toward God’s kingdom work among us.

Looking Ahead

• Church Office and School Holiday Closing -
• Friday, December 22 at 12 Noon - St. John's Early Childhood Education Center (ECEC)
• Monday, December 25 - ECEC and the church office will be closed for Christmas Day.
• Please note that a number of St. John's staff members will be away the week between Christmas and New Year's to spend time with their families.

Important Links

• Facebook Live for viewing live services or educational opportunities as well as those previously recorded.
• YouTube for viewing church services
• Click here for the bulletins

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