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St. John's Episcopal Church
Welcome to the E-Notes!
November 1, 2017
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This coming Saturday night, November 4, we set the clocks BACK one hour, so we aren't an hour early for church on Sunday morning!
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STEWARDSHIP
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How to Do the Impossible
Probably the most important court case you never heard of took place near Omaha, Nebraska.The trial concerned a man who was born in the United States and owned farm property in Nebraska. He and his family had worked the farm land to support themselves for generations. He was also a practicing Christian. He committed no crimes but his property had been confiscated by the federal government. His home and even his church were destroyed by federal officials. He had been forced to move at his own expense hundreds of miles away to Oklahoma as "compensation" for the government's seizure of his land.
When his son died in Oklahoma he wanted to honor his last wishes by bringing him back to Nebraska to be buried near his ancestral home. For this act of leaving Oklahoma without the government's permission he was arrested in Omaha. With help of a newspaper journalist and an Army General Officer he sued the U.S. Government. His case was brought for a hearing before a federal judge. The government's case against him was simple: He was not a human being and therefore had no rights and should not even be in a court room.
The man's name was Standing Bear and he was a Chief of the small Ponca Indian Tribe. The year was 1879 and Native Americans were considered to be "wards", i.e. property, of the federal government. As the trial came to a close Standing Bear asked to speak on his own behalf. He spoke but a few words. As his speech came to a close the court was spellbound. He then held out his hand and said: "This hand is not the color of yours, but if I prick it, the blood will flow, and I shall feel pain." "The blood is of the same color as yours. God made me, and I am a man". A while later the federal judge issued his ruling that Standing Bear was a person, a U.S. Citizen, and ordered his release. Standing Bear and some of his followers were then allowed to returned permanently to their Nebraska land.
Up until that landmark case it would have been thought impossible for Native Americans to even have a court trial, much less actually win. The bible simply states that with "G
od all things are possible". For Saint Francis of Assisi, his faith in God's ability to do the impossible meant something more. He believed that God accomplishes the impossible only through active participation. He summed it up when he said: "Start by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible."
St. John's 2018 pledge drive will come to a close this coming Sunday. As you think about this coming year, perhaps you can imagine all the meaningful ways you can help. And
this means the
more you do for St John's community of faith the more you will discover:
Sixth in a series
Written by David Weir, Senior Warden
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The Ingathering of the Pledge Cards will be held this Sunday, November 5. If you have not already turned in you pledge card, please mail it to the church office this week (remember to use our street address as we no longer have the PO box) or bring it with you on Sunday. All pledge cards received will be blessed and given to the glory of God.
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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!
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SIGN UP HERE TO
SERVE
as LEM, Crucifer, Lector, Usher, Verger, Torch Bearer at a Sunday Service.
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.)
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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.
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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.
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PARISH
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All Saints' Day, this Sunday, November 5
All Saints' Day is always November 1, but the celebration of it is usually moved to the next Sunday. This year, we will celebrate All Saints' Day on Sunday, November 5. It is a time to remember all the saints who have gone before us, and to remind ourselves that we, too, are the saints of God, doing God's work in the world. It is customary to read the names of those who have died in the past year, as well as the names of our loved ones who have died.
If you would like to have the names of your loved ones read aloud during the All Saints' Day service on November 5, please send those names to Carol Hancock by tomorrow (Thursday).
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The Blue Box...Collection 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." The Mission of the ECW Board:
put gifts into the Blue Box with thanksgiving, prayer and generosity, take blessings out of the box for grants to expand the church's faithfulness to God's mission. In the Diocese of Virginia, St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Region 9 received a $32,000 grant for accessibility improvements and an elevator.
Envelopes and mite boxes are available at the back of the church for St. John's
UTO offering collection during the November 12 service. The thought is that when you thank God for something special throughout the day, you will put a coin in the United Thank Offering mite box so that others may share in our mission.
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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 deliver the baskets on a Sunday after church. Please let Marie know if you can help. Envelopes for donations are on the table in the back of the church.
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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.
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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.
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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!!!
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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.
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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
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On Saturday, November 4, the Annual Convention of the Diocese of Virginia will meet in Richmond. St. John's will be represented by The Rev. Carol Hancock and Bob Faithful, lay delegate. The Annual Convention has been held on the last weekend in January. However, due to uncertain weather conditions and other factors, the Annual Council will now be held in November.
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We can prepare our hearts and minds
by
reading ahead for the Sunday Service lessons
Sunday,
November 5, 2017
The First Reading:
This vision describes the consummation of God's kingdom at the close of the age. Those who worship the Lamb have led lives of faithfulness, and have persevered even unto death.
God has redeemed us by adopting us as his children. Until the day of Christ's coming, we are to show that love to others.
The Gospel:
Matthew 5:1-12
Jesus teaches that it is the poor in spirit, the meek and the merciful, and those who seek peace, who will inherit God's kingdom.
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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
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: Rm. 207/208;
7th - 12th grade:
Rm 206
________________________________
to see artworks and text relevant to this Sunday's readings
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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
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.
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VOTE on Tuesday, November 7
It is our civic as well as our Christian duty to vote. Please make voting a priority next Tuesday.
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Interested in Traveling to the Holy Land?
Informational Meeting @ 7:00 p.m. on November 8th at St. John's
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.
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
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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!
Saints
Saints were men and women who understood the challenge of living the gospel in the context of their own place and time. They are remembered because they lived it with imagination and devotion. They used what they had been given to live their lives into the freedom of the kingdom.
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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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Please note:
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Copyright © 2017. All Rights Reserved.
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