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St. John's Episcopal Church
Welcome to the E-Notes!
October 25, 2017
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STEWARDSHIP
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How to Live a Good Life
She was 22 years old and would someday be called "the world's most beautiful woman." Yet for now she could not even dream of future fame. This was because she was trapped in a miserable marriage. The young woman was named Hedwig Kiesler and the year was 1937. Her husband was a shady Austrian international arms merchant. His chief clients were Adolf Hitler's Nazis and other Fascists. She was kept a virtual prisoner in his elaborate home. Her husband would, however, insist she attend the dinner parties he hosted for the Nazis and other fascist groups. After weeks of secret planning she was able to make her escape and traveled from Europe to the United States.
Once in America she signed a contract with MGM studios and took on the screen name of Hedy Lamarr. She immediately became a super star appearing in films with such famous actors as Spencer Tracy, Jimmy Stewart, and Clark Gable. Despite her stardom she felt the need to do something to help others win the war against fascism. And she did. Recalling the discussions at her former husband's dinner parties she knew the importance of keeping military radio communications secret. Working in her spare time with music composer George Antheil they developed an amazing technique to rapidly and secretly change the frequency of a radio signal. This new method meant an enemy would be unable to jam the American communications. While developed during World War II, this radio technique, called "spread spectrum", became a key component for vital 21st century communications such as smart phones, GPS, and Wi-Fi.
Hedy Lamarr's recognition for this monumental achievement was a long time in coming. It was not until 1997, three years before she died, that she received any professional public acknowledgment for her revolutionary invention. Today, however, Hedy Lamarr is often given the title: "The Mother of Wi -Fi".
Hedy Lamarr's life illustrates that it is often the good you do for others that out-shines any personal fame or fortune. In the bible, the writer of Revelation tells us of a heavenly "Book of Life" that contains a listing of all of our earthly works. If you came across such a book, what would you want recorded in it about your time on this side of eternity? Before the 2018 St John's pledge drive draws to a close perhaps you will consider additional entries you want to see in your own "Book of Life". Who knows? Maybe some of those good works will mean that:
Fifth in a series
Written by David Weir, Senior Warden
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The St. John's Stewardship Campaign for this year is named "To You All Hearts Are Open." Here is the link to the Weekly Bulletin Insert for this campaign, which is a reflection based on the Gospel reading for Sunday, October 29:
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The Ingathering of the Pledge Cards will be held on Sunday, November 5.
And did you know....
The number of pledges we receive effects the interest rate we get on our mortgage. When we refinance our mortgage loan every five years, the lender looks at how many pledges we have over the past few years. The more pledges we have, the better rate we can get. To those of you who contribute regularly to St. John's but who do not pledge, I ask that you consider filling out a pledge card this year with the amount that you intend to contribute during the year. If circumstances change and you need to reduce (or increase!) the amount of your pledge, you can simply call the church office and make the change. We will be refinancing our mortgage in 2019 and they will look at the number of pledges we have in 2018. Filling out a pledge card also greatly helps the Vestry as they plan the budget for next year. Please fill out a pledge card this year! The Rev. Carol Hancock
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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, 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.
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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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Last Saturday was Centreville Day!
And it happened right here in the St. John's parking lot! We had volunteers staff our table and sold coffee, crafts and baked goods, and parishioners gave
tours of the Historic Church.
A
nd we raffled a wonderful quilt made & donated by our parishioner, Nita Amar.
Thank you, Nita!
The
Pet Blessing was available all day and many pets were blessed by Carol.
Jo Chandler gave demonstrations on her
spinning
wheel!
And
the highlight of Centreville Day was
our own Mildred DeBell riding in the parade
in a convertible as the Grand Marshall!!!!
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That's Mildred in the front seat waving!
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Funeral Planning
No one likes to talk about their funeral or their final arrangements. But it makes it so much easier on the family if the persons wishes are known. We will have a class on "Planning Your Funeral Service" this Sunday, October 29 at 10:50 AM in Carol's office. This will be an opportunity for us to go through the Burial Office in the Book of Common Prayer and see what the choices and options are so you can plan your funeral.
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September Vestry Highlights
-signed a Letter of Agreement for The Rev. Carol Hancock to become the Rector of St. John's
-raised funds to purchase and install red carpet for the historic church
-work continued on the Fairfax County mixed use permit
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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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Welcome Dillon Phillip Evans!
We give thanks to God for the safe delivery of Dillon Phillip Evans, newborn son of Brian and Mary Evans, and grandson of Marcia and David Evans. Congratulations!
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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,
October 29, 2017
The Twenty-first Sunday after Pentecost
The First Reading:
The leadership of the people of Israel is passed from Moses to Joshua; a new phase of the relationship between God and his people dawns.
The disciples' ministry among the Thessalonians is defended by virtue of their humility and integrity amongst the gathered faithful.
The Gospel:
Matthew 22:34-46
Continually determined to turn religious faith into an intellectual contest, the Pharisees again question Jesus. His answer silences all his opponents, who are both befuddled and afraid.
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THE ADULT LECTIONARY FORUM
MEETS EACH SUNDAY IN THE LIBRARY,
FOLLOWING THE SERVICE,
FROM 10:50 - 11:50 am
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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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Western Fairfax Christian Ministries
Please remember those who are hungry when you do your grocery shopping and
donate nonperishable food items to WFCM when you come to St. John's on Sundays.
You may put your donations in the baskets by the front door of the church.
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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!
Desire
Quieting ourselves in prayer, seeking God's guidance and wisdom, we descend into that deep place within ourselves, that part of us that makes choices, to discover what it is that we truly yearn after. It may not be at all what we assume it is. We may be surprised at the hidden forces of desire that rule our hearts.
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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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Copyright © 2017. All Rights Reserved.
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