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Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
In this week of Thanksgiving, we pause as a nation to remember and give thanks to God for the many blessings that He daily and richly pours out upon us. As the psalmist writes: "Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!" (Psalm 107:1).
Please join with fellow members and friends of St. John's at our Thanksgiving Eve worship service, which will take place tonight on Wednesday, November 22 at 7:30PM. Over the past several weeks, Thanksgiving bags have been handed out to worshipers on the Sundays prior to Thanksgiving. Thanks to everyone for your generous support!
Please return these filled bags on or before the Thanksgiving Eve service on November 22, when they will be brought to the altar as part of our worship that evening. As we give thanks for God's many blessings in life, the love of Jesus moves us to help others so that there is both thanks and giving.
May the Lord give to us all a happy and blessed Thanksgiving in Christ our Savior!
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CLOSED - NOVEMBER 23 AND 24
The Church Office and the Early Childhood Education Center will both be closed to observe Thanksgiving Day and the day after Thanksgiving on November 23 and 24.
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Let's Meet at the Playground!
Over the last months, we have learned about some large deficiencies with our playground at church that serves both children of our Early Childhood Education Center (ECEC) during the week as well as church families on Sunday.
There are code requirements that necessitate major overhaul of the existing playground in order to bring this up to Virginia Department of Education code. Earlier this month, a crew of volunteers took care of an immediate tripping hazard inside the entrance gate to the playground, and we thank them all for their help. However, the overall project is very large as well as complex – much bigger than what we could realistically take on with volunteers from church and school families helping.
ECEC leaders in partnership with St. John’s Campus Projects Team (CPT) have been soliciting bids from different vendors to do the work. Now it is time to share all of this with you, the members of St. John’s. Weather permitting, you are invited to meet at the playground next Sunday November 26, immediately after the worship service. In the event of bad weather, we will meet in the Fellowship Hall.
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ECEC and CPT leaders will discuss playground renovation plans and answer any questions. In the meantime, if you have questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to any of the following: Mike Waring, CPT; Pat Zissios, ECEC Board chair; or Amanda Parks, ECEC Director.
We look forward to seeing you at the playground!
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Women’s Christmas Dinner
Sign up has begun for the Women's Christmas Dinner on Friday, December 1 in the Fellowship Hall. The evening will begin at 6:00PM with appetizers and fellowship followed by dinner. You can sign up and pay online through CCB; the cost of the dinner is $25 per person. You can also write a check made payable to St. John's with a note indicating it is for the Women's Christmas Dinner, and place it in the offering plate or give it to Barbara Wright or Cathy Schreiner. Final date to sign up is Monday, November 27 by 4PM.
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Advent Wreath-Making Event
You are invited to a fun, intergenerational activity on Sunday, December 3, at 9:15AM (First Sunday in Advent) in the Fellowship Hall. This event will be in lieu of Sunday Morning Children’s Ministry and Adult Bible Class. All materials and instructions are provided so that you walk away with a beautiful Advent wreath to use at home.
This Advent Wreath-Making Event is open to everyone, but please register in advance so we know how many materials to have ready. You can click here to register for the Event.
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Congregational Voters' Meeting
Please join us for the Congregational Voters' Meeting on Sunday, December 3, 2023 at 1:00PM, via Zoom. An email with Zoom log-in information was sent out earlier this week, and you are encouraged to participate in this meeting.
Preliminary Agenda items:
- Approve Minutes from June Congregational Meeting (vote)
- Update from Campus Projects Team
- Update from Endowment Fund
- Jennifer Hills Sabbatical Proposal (vote)
- Budget Review and Membership Approval (vote)
- 2024 Church Budget
- ECEC Budget
- Upcoming Christmas activities
Questions? Please contact Denise Canter, Congregational President.
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Celebrate St. Nick
Join us on Wednesday, 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 lead Christmas hymn/carol sing-a-long will get everyone in the Christmas spirit. Enjoy some hot chocolate and 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.
HELP Celebrate St. Nick
Jennifer is collecting empty toilet paper tubes for a craft for the evening. Please save your empty tubes and drop them off with Jennifer. We are trying to collect 100 tubes.
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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.
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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.
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Koinonia Christmas Baskets
The list of food items still needed to complete the Koinonia Christmas food baskets is available on CCB. This is a congregational effort and we need your help, if you are able to do so. A donation of one or two items from the list by a few more individuals or families will make a big difference.
For Christmas, all items are DUE SUNDAY, DECEMBER 10, at 10AM. We recognize this is a tight timeframe and appreciate your generosity in helping us fill these Christmas baskets!
| You may place your Christmas food items on the table on the Fellowship Hall stage marked, “Koinonia Christmas Baskets.” If you have any problems making your choice(s) online, please email the church office or call 703-971-2210, and someone will be able to help you. | |
Koinonia Christmas Wishes
The Christmas Tree for Christmas Wishes is now up in the Narthex. Thank you for the many who have already signed up and taken a "star." There are still stars left to take. Each star represents a gift for a child of a certain age. You purchase the gift and return it to the tree with the star when you come to Worship.
Gifts are due back no later than Sunday, December 10th at noon. Koinonia asks that we do not donate Barbie dolls or Matchbox cars. Gift cards should not exceed $25.00. Talk to the attendant at the Tree on Sunday or contact Christy Hoins for more info.
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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.
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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 Wednesday, December 20. Checks can be dropped into the offering basket located near the rear of the Sanctuary or mailed to the Church Office. Thank you!
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Drivers NEEDED!
Drivers are needed to provide rides to medical appointments, grocery shopping, and food banks for persons age 50 or older who cannot drive themselves. Volunteers are asked to strive to drive at least once per month, unless there are extenuating circumstances, but dates and times are flexible.
Drivers must be at least 21 years old with 3 years driving experience. The joint ACCA-Shepherd's Center of Annandale Springfield transportation program has had a huge increase in requests for rides to medical appointments. Because of the high volume of ride requests, the transportation program is badly in need of new volunteers.
| Please see the attached pamphlet for more information. Printed copies can be found on the credenza in the narthex. If interested, please contact the Shepherd's Center at (703) 941-1419 or via email. | |
Looking Ahead
- Festival of Christ the King (last Sunday of the church year) - November 26
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Congregational Virtual Voters' Meeting - December 3 at 1:00PM
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Annandale Brass Christmas Concert in Sanctuary - December 10 at 3:30PM
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Important Links
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Facebook Live for viewing live services or educational opportunities as well as those previously recorded.
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YouTube for viewing church services
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Click here for the bulletins
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