Greetings!
PARISH NEWS for Wednesday, December 26, 2018
  • Many thanks go to....
-all those who worked so hard on the Christmas services - the Altar Guild, the organist and choir, the office staff, those who "cleaned and greened" the church, and those who assisted with the services. The services were beautiful and joy-filled - a true celebration of the birth of the Christ child!

  • The office will be closed on Wednesday, December 26 and there will be no 6:00 PM service on that day.

  • Childrens Sunday School class
The 2-4 year old Sunday School class will meet on Sunday, January 6 from 10:50 - 11:30 in room 215. Please invite your friends and neighbors to join us.

  • Finding a new Ministry Partner
We will be looking for another Ministry Partner who might like to use the parish hall on Sundays, either morning, afternoon or both. If you know a group that might be interested, please let Carol know.

SUNDAY SERVICE
We can prepare our hearts & minds by reading ahead
for the Sunday Service lessons.   

The First Sunday after Christmas

December 30, 2018

9:30 AM

The First Reading: Isaiah 61:1- 62:3
God makes integrity and goodness to dawn on the lives of his people. It is not out of our own goodness or energy that anything holy happens. This is both a censure and a relief.

Psalm 147, page 804, BCP

The Second Lesson: Galatians 3:23-25; 4:4-7
J ust as children have a deep sense of their belonging to their parents, we are drawn to God's presence and his lordship .

The Gospel: John 1:1-18
Humans are able to know God by knowing his Son, Jesus Christ. God never changes, and through his revelation in Christ, we see the glory of the Lord.
  __________________________________
 
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  
(Rm. 205) 
During the Service
____________

JOINT SUNDAY SCHOOL: 10:30 - 11:30 AM
 Each week, St. John's children join with three of our Ministry Partners: 
Fairfax Chinese Christian Church, Wellspring UCC & Grace Baptist Church
Room 207/208

St. John's Sunday School class for ages 2-4, Room 215
Meets the first Sunday of each month from 10:50 - 11:30 

 
DIOCESE
“The angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for see — I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord .’” (Luke 2:10-11) 

Do not be afraid. That is what angels say in Scripture - not only because seeing an angel is enough to strike fear into any faithful heart, but because this beautiful world can be a fearsome place. We feel fear as our work, church or family lives change, leaving us uncertain about the future. We face fear when we have heartfelt questions that no one can answer. We know fear as weather patterns change, bringing horrific fires, storms and floods. We see fear played out in the growing epidemic of opioid addiction and in mass gun violence. Fear threatens to be our constant companion. God knows it can overwhelm and cripple us. 

That is why God chose to be born as one of us in the middle of fear, in the darkness of night, in the bleakness of a world gone wrong.  In Christ Jesus, God chose to become our hope, our light, our joy. In Christ Jesus, God lived and died and rose again to show us that fear never has the last word, that light shines in the darkness, that love can and does and will prevail. 

Now that same love lives in us who choose to follow Christ Jesus and walk in his ways. Now that same hope abides in us, even when we face fear. Now that same joy is present in us to taste and touch and share. So as you hear the message of the angels this Christmas, may you be strengthened and inspired to become the message yourself. As you go Now Into the World, proclaim to others the good news you have heard and say to all, in word and in action, “Do not be afraid.”

A Blessed, Joyful and Peaceful Christmas to you.

Your sister in Christ,

The Rt. Rev. Susan E. Goff
Bishop Suffragan and Ecclesiastical Authority 
Episcopal Diocese of Virginia
Bishop Susan Goff invites everyone to a "listening session" to hear what's on your mind and your vision for the diocese. Please register for the session you would like to attend.
Here is the schedule for the Recall and Reconnect Listening Sessions. You can click on a location to register.
Thursday, January 17, 6-8 p.m. Christ Church, Spotsylvania
Saturday, February 9, 1-3 p.m. St. Barnabas, Annandale
Wednesday, February 13, 5-7 p.m. Emmanuel, Woodstock
Saturday, February 16, 5-7 p.m. Roslyn Retreat Center, Richmond
Monday, March 4, 3-5 p.m. St. Margaret’s School, Tappahannock *

*We hope to broadcast this listening session via Facebook Live.
What we hear from each other in these sessions will shape subsequent opportunities for sharing as we deepen dialogue and grow in community. What we learn will strengthen us to go Now Into the World. Please do plan to be a part of this time. 
Faithfully yours,
The Rt. Rev. Susan E. Goff
Bishop Suffragan and Ecclesiastical Authority 

VOLUNTEERING AT ST. JOHN'S
Sign Up Here to be an altar server *, or to donate flowers for a Sunday service, or to bring refreshments for Coffee Hour after the service. * (if you're not an altar server, and would like to be a Lay Eucharistic Minister (LEM), a Lector, or a Crucifer, please see Carol).
croissant2.jpg
COMMUNITY
WESTERN FAIRFAX
CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES

"We know that food can be one of the most expensive items on a household budget list. Our hope is that in allowing our clients to visit once per month they will save enough money to pay for other expenses such as rent or utility bills."
I tems are collected weekly in the baskets at the front door of St. John's Church. For food list:
OPPORTUNITIES
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!

Wonder
On this holy night, we again celebrate the birth of Christ, the Light of the World, who shines eternally and triumphantly amidst the darkness. Bow your head in humility before this great and mighty wonder, and ask Christ into your heart, that he may be born in you again, to be the light and the love of your life.
-Br. Geoffrey Tristram
My email address is stjohnscvpriest@gmail.com,
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
ST. JOHN'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH | 5649 MT. GILEAD RD. , CENTREVILLE, VA | 703-803-7500
Please note: If you choose to unsubscribe below, please note that you will no longer receive either St. John's sermons or E-Notes, which are sent weekly. If you do unsubscribe and later want to be added back in, that needs to be done through the provider, Constant Contact. Please email St. John's office with the request: SJECCentreville@aol.com.