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St. John's Episcopal Church
Welcome to the E-Notes!
September 6, 2017
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PARISH 
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This Sunday: Joint Outdoor Service & Picnic, September 10 at 10:30 AM
This year, we will have our joint outdoor service and picnic with several of our Ministry Partners - Fairfax Chinese Christian Church, Wellspring United Church of Christ, St. Anthony's of Padua and St. John's.
Please note that the service will be at 10:30 AM. Bring a chair or a blanket to sit on and something to share for the picnic that will feed 8-10. The sign up sheet for the picnic is in the breezeway. We will also have a blessing of our newly named "Gilead Green" and we will recognize the Sunday School teachers and students in our joint Sunday School as they begin another year. Please join us for our outdoor service and picnic!
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Have you been thinking about a memorial brick? "Buy a Brick" Fundraiser!
Buy a brick in honor of, or in memory of a loved one; to celebrate a wedding, confirmation or baptism at St. John's, or an anniversary; as a memorial to parents, grandparents, and other relatives or friends.
Here is an opportunity to purchase a brick to be
embedded in the front walkway! Each brick can have the person's name, date and a small symbol if desired.
Please take a look at the bricks already in our front walkway.Engraved bricks are $75, which includes 3 lines (60 letters) of engraving, or 36 letters with a choice of a symbol (show on form.)
Order forms are on the back table in the church, and in the Breezeway. Payment is due when you turn in the order. Please make the check out to St. John's.
What would you like your brick to proclaim?
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Please help those devastated by Hurricane Harvey in Texas and Louisiana
The Episcopal Relief and Development Fund is collecting funds to assist those who have been devastated by Hurricane Harvey. Our Presiding Bishop Michael Curry has asked that we do NOT try to send food, clothing or other supplies, as there is no way to get it to the people who need it. That may come later. Monetary donations are what will help the most right now. You can donate online at
www.er-d.org A contribution of any size will be greatly appreciated. (see more on this under "Other News" toward the bottom of the page)
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As we watch the path of Hurricane Irma, please remember in your prayers those on the islands of the Caribbean who are being hit, and those in Florida and other locations that the hurricane may impact. Episcopal Relief and Development will need funds to help those people as well.
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The St. John's painting project team has completed the project!!! The front and right side of the Parish Hall has now been painted!!! More on this tremendous accomplishment will be forthcoming in next week's E-Notes!
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Education for Ministry
The Education for Ministry program will begin on Monday, September 11 from 6:00 - 8:30 PM in the library with 6 participants and 1 mentor. Our books have arrived and we are ready to get started! Those who are enrolled in EfM are Bob Faithful, Walt Cooner, Craig Staresinisch, Durinda Smith, Val Tucker, and Patricia McPherson. The mentor is Carol Hancock.
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Carol changes her day off
As EfM will be meeting on Mondays, Carol will change her day off to Friday, starting next week. On Mondays, she will be in the office from 12:00 noon - 8:30 PM, and all day Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
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Our first regional youth event!
Our first event will be a "kick-off" event at St. Peter's in the Woods in Fairfax Station on
Saturday,
September 16 from 5-7 PM . Several Episcopal churches in our area do not have enough youth to sustain a youth group. So we are joining together to have a regional youth group. On September 16, we will have some games, activities, food trucks (please bring money), music, and a chance to get to know youth from the other churches. We will also take some time to plan future events. Parents providing transportation can eat and talk with other parents at a place away from the youth. And feel free to bring a friend! If you can come, please let Carol know as St. Peter's needs to know how many are coming.
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We have a new temporary part-time sexton!
Please welcome Taylor Ruhl to the St. John's staff! She is starting work last week and will normally be here on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. She may be here on an occasional weekend should she need to fill in for Russell. Will Lambert continues to be in rehab at Manor Care following his stroke. He is making good progress but whether he will be able to return to work at St. John's is still uncertain.
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2nd Annual Intercultural Summit
The Diocese of Virginia will host the 2nd Annual Intercultural Summit on Saturday, September 16 at Epiphany Episcopal Church in Herndon from 9:30 - 3:30. The opening session will be a dialogue about the racial tensions and violence in our country, followed by a choice of workshops. The cost is $15 per person. Please bring a side dish to share for lunch that represents the diverse cultures in our church. To register, please go to
www.thediocese.net/interculturalsummit2017
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Centreville Day is Saturday, October 21
Centreville Day happens right here in the St. John's parking lot! We would like to sell baked goods and some crafts as we did last year, so please start baking and making crafts you would be willing to sell at Centreville Day. We will need many volunteers that day and sign up sheets will be posted closer to that date.
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Our Joint Sunday School has resumed
Our joint Sunday School resumed last Sunday.
The time has changed to 10:30 - 11:30 in order to allow more time for instruction and activities. All students will meet together in room 207/208 between 10:20 and 10:30, and will then go to their designated classrooms. PreK (ages 3 and 4) will meet in the nursery; grades K - 6th will meet in 207/208; and grades 7 - 12 will meet in room 206. Our joint Sunday School is with the Fairfax Chinese Christian Church, Wellspring United Church of Christ, Grace Baptist Church and St. John's. The
Sunday School will NOT meet on September 10 due to the outdoor service and picnic. It will resume on September 17. If you are interested in helping with the Sunday School, please let Carol know.
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We can prepare our hearts and minds
by
reading ahead for the Sunday Service lessons
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The Passover of the Holy Family_Gathering of Bitter Herbs ____Rossetti
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Sunday
September 10, 2017
The Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost
The First Reading:
As the Hebrew people prepare to flee Egypt, following God to freedom in the Promised Land, they pause to give thanks and offer their devotion through a sacred meal.
The law of love has no loopholes; indeed, its purpose is to blanket all situations and thereby transform us as vessels of God's great love.
The Psalm:
149
The Gospel:
Matthew 18:15-20
God's kingdom is based on grace and truth; brothers and sisters in Christ must in love and honesty guide one another in a virtuous life, as we together submit to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
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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
10:20 - 11:30 AM
.
We offer 3 classes:
PreK: Rm. 205;
K - 6th grade: Rm. 207/208;
7th - 12th grade:
Rm 206
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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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Western Fairfax Christian Ministries - more than just food
We believe at WFCM that there is more to helping those in need than simply putting food on their tables. We understand, as do so many people, that when you are struggling financially it can seem like everything is set against you. Those who come through our doors know that lesson entirely too well. That is why we are so grateful to be serving those in need in another very important way.
Our
Client Services Program is designed specifically to help our clients recover from financial hardships. We understand that things from a loss of a job to student loans can create an overwhelming sense of dread through financial debt.
Our services include emergency financial assistance with rent, utilities, and other basic needs; budgeting assistance and financial literacy education; and referrals to other social service providers for needs such as clothing, ESL classes, counseling, and more. Two of the most prominent ways we help are:
Pathways to Success - This mentoring program is designed to help 10-12 families per year with intensive financial education, budget counseling, and financial aid. It is combined with WFCM food pantry appointments, which in total provides families the resources to work towards financial self-sufficiency.
Financial Peace University 9-week course - This course consists of 9 lessons around money management taught by Dave Ramsey, a noted financial consultant. In this course our clients are walked the finance basics including budgeting, dumping debt, planning for the future and more.
Our goal is not just to provide food for our clients but give them the financial stability moving forward to have happy and stable lives. Through your generosity and the work of staff and volunteers we impact more lives each and every year, We look forward to growing and expanding our reach thanks to people like you.
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Western Fairfax Christian Ministries - 10th Annual Fellowship Dinner
WFCM is celebrating 30 years of service at its 10th Annual Fellowship Dinner at the Westfields Marriott, 14750 Conference Center Drive in Chantilly on Friday,
October 13. The reception and silent auction begins at 6:00 pm with the dinner to follow at 7:00 pm. A minimum donation of $75 per person is appreciated. If you would like to attend, please let Carol know so she can register you to sit at the St. John's table!
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OTHER NEWS
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Please remember in your prayers all those who have lost loved ones, homes, belongings and businesses due to the devastating floods from
Hurricane Harvey. Please pray also for the first responders as well as neighbors and strangers who are helping each other out, especially those who are bringing their personal boats to help rescue others.
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Many of us who have seen the pictures from Houston and the surrounding area want to DO something because of our Christian empathy for those in need. Robert Radke, president of Episcopal Relief and Development gives the following advice on how we can help and reminds us that this relief effort will be a marathon, not a sprint.
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How can we help:
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Financial Support
Now is the time to offer financial support.
Contributing to Episcopal Relief & Development will ensure that we have enough resources to support the work of our church partners as they serve the most vulnerable in their communities. They are best positioned to assess needs and timing for response efforts.
Here is the link for Episcopal Relief & Development:
www.er-d.org
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One of the immediate ways
Episcopal Relief & Development and our partners help individuals is by handing out gift cards to local stores so that people can choose what they need the most. It not only affords people dignity it also helps stimulate the local economy, which needs to recover post-disaster.
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Volunteering
The best approach is to wait until those affected have indicated what kind of support is most needed and whether they are ready to house and utilize volunteers. Inserting ourselves at the appropriate time alleviates additional stress and complications that can actually make things worse. If you think you would like to volunteer please register with Episcopal Relief & Development's
Ready to Serve database. This list of volunteers will be shared with the impacted dioceses once they are ready to use and support volunteers. They will contact you if and when they need help.
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Donating Goods
My firm recommendation is DON'T DO IT. I can't tell you how many piles of discarded clothing I saw in parking lots throughout the Gulf Coast after Hurricane Katrina. After major disasters, diocesan staff have limited capacity to receive, store or distribute donated goods.
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An effective response requires us to discern what is most helpful and appropriate at any given time. Let's continue to hold those directly impacted in our hearts and
prayers throughout their recovery, long after the media images fade.
Robert W. Radtke is the President of Episcopal Relief & Development.
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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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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!
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Cowardice asks the question: is it safe? Expediency asks the question: is it politic? Vanity asks the question: is it popular? But conscience asks the question: is it right? And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular-but one must take it simply because it is right.
-Martin Luther King.
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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
Priest-in-Charge
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Please note:
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Copyright © 2017. All Rights Reserved.
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