PARISH NEWS for Wednesday, March 6, 2019
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REMEMBER TO TURN YOUR CLOCKS
AHEAD ONE HOUR BEFORE GOING TO BED THIS SATURDAY.
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Travel Notes & Photos - Saint George’s College, Jerusalem
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Susan Davis:
As a more visual person I liked seeing all the places in the bible for myself. Now the down side to this is that wonderful manager scene we have in our heads from Christmas, well it is now a huge church with a very commercialized square in front of it. But my WOW moment was in Nazareth when we visited the Convent of the Sisters of Nazareth. Our 89 (for those who got my notes 89 not 98 is the correct number) year old nun took us under the convent where there was a large church and house of Joseph, with a larg
e burial cave containing 3-4 burial niches. The local tradition argues that this was the home of Joseph, who decided to turn it to the family burial plot – Mary, Jesus, and himself. But since Mary and Jesus moved to Jerusalem, it was used only for Joseph’s own burial. In the 7
th
century a pilgrim said he was told this was the tomb of a “Just Man”, name given because he married Mary despite the fact she was pregnant. No one thru the years could come up with another theory about the this being Joseph’s crypt and house. The tomb would have held the body for 2 years and then the bones removed and put into a bone box. The large stone to seal off the crypt was next to the entrance. There is a grate over the tomb where it is obvious a lot of incense was burned. The Wow moment was partly because this was probably where Jesus grew up but that fact this was a HUGE space with plenty of head room. And on top is a convent. (Susan shot the photos below.)
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LENTEN MESSAGE from Bishop Susan
Lent blows in like a strong March wind, just when I need it the most. Lent blusters its way into my life, interrupting a long, wet After-the-Epiphany season during which my soul grew a little flabby and my heart a little faint. Lent comes late this year, but it comes decisively.
Maybe, like me, you indulged during the cold and dark of winter in temptations you might easily resist when it's light and warm and dry. Maybe it was eating too many holiday sweets, binging on TV, buying stuff online that you don't really need, bickering mindlessly with loved ones, skipping the gym, neglecting the volunteer work that gives life. The earth lies fallow in winter, and we human beings need some fallow time, too, but that need can tempt us into habits that break relationship with God, with other people and with our deepest selves.
And so Lent comes offering us a chance to recall what's really important, to reconnect with God and others, and to recalibrate habits for the sake of health - our own, our community's and our world's. This Lent, I invite you to join me in practicing a Lenten discipline in one or more of the three focus areas I described during the Recall and Reconnect Listening Tour.
1. Telling our Story. Some say you should never talk about politics or religion in "polite company." Jesus said something different. He told us boldly to proclaim the love, the healing and the goodness we have known in relationship with God.
StorySharing materials
on The Episcopal Church website invite us to share our stories with simple prompts like:
When have you felt God really alive in your church? Describe that moment. Or, share a story about how you made use of your sufferings, difficulties, or hardships in order to help someone else facing similar troubles. Explore these and other questions alone in journaling or in small groups, so that you may become more and more comfortable in telling your story to others. The
StorySharing Guidebook
tells you more.
2.Building Community
.
We Christians proclaim that all of humanity is created by God and that all are in the image of God. By the power of the love of God, made known to us in Christ Jesus, there are no "others" in the human family; there are only brothers and sisters. Yet we separate ourselves from one another based on race, ethnicity, gender, nationality, language, culture, political affiliation, religion and other factors.
Sacred Ground
is a new film-based dialogue series from The Episcopal Church that explores race and faith and invites us into the hard and holy work of overcoming our divisions for the healing of communities. I commend this program to you.
3.
Honoring God's Creation.
We human beings were created by God with a unique role as stewards of God's creation. Yet our lifestyles often leave us disconnected from the power, the wonder and the beauty of God's creation -- to the harm of the earth and ultimately to our own harm. As people of faith, we can act in concrete ways for the healing of our planet. The Presiding Bishop and the Task Force on the Care of Creation will soon post a Pledge for the Care of Creation and invite people across the Church to reflect with it throughout Lent. Those who feel so called may then sign on during Easter Week. The goal is to have 1,000 people sign the pledge by the first Sunday after Easter, and to partner for the sake of lasting change in our church, our communities and God's good earth. We will send a link to this Pledge as soon as it is made available.
Lent blows in like a strong March wind, just when we need it the most.
May God bless you with the all the hope and courage you need to live a full, transforming and holy Lent for the sake of your own soul, for the sake of community and for the sake of God's creation.
Your sister in Christ,
The Rt. Rev. Susan E. Goff
Bishop Suffragan and
Ecclesiastical Authority
Episcopal Diocese of Virginia
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- Lenten Meditation booklets available
Lenten Meditation booklets, put out by Episcopal Relief and Development, are available on the back of the table in the church and in the breezeway. A short meditation is provided for each day during Lent to help us deepen our relationship with God. Please help yourself!
- Read any good books lately?
As Lent is starting, many people will be looking for some good books to read to deepen their relationship with God. One I have enjoyed, and read twice, is "Jesus: A Pilgrimage" by James Martin. The author makes a trip to the Holy Land with a friend and learns new things about old places. The second book is "Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence" by Sarah Young. This is a book of daily devotions for the entire year and are very moving. Do you have any books you would like to suggest? Let me know and I will include them in the E-Notes. Carol
- Don't say you weren't warned!
This Sunday, March 10, is the first Sunday in Lent. Through the season of Lent, from Ash Wednesday until Easter, we will be using the Rite I service, rather than Rite II. The language,
along with the congregational responses,
is different than Rite II. You might want to use the prayer book for the first few services of Rite I, just to be sure you are saying the correct responses. The Opening Sentences, the Confession and the Post Communion Prayer are different in Rite I. Also, we will not have any "Alleluias" during Lent. On this first Sunday in Lent, we will begin the service with the Great Litany, which is usually said on the first Sunday in Lent and the first Sunday in Advent, because both are penitential seasons.
Many thanks go to Marcia Evans for repairing and lining an old purple chasuble for use during Lent. The chasuble had previously belonged to Carol's father, but will now belong to St. John's.
- Long time parishioner Mildred DeBell turns 101!
On March 16, Mildred DeBell will turn 101. She now lives with her son and daughter-in-law in Catharpin, VA. She loves to be remembered by her St. John's family. Please sign the birthday card that is in the breezeway for Mildred, whether you know her or not. She will be thrilled to get a card from St. John's! If anyone would like to send a separate card, please contact Carol for the address.
- Choir news – Faure’s Requiem
Members of St. John’s choir are busy rehearsing
Faure’s Requiem
which will be presented with several church choirs and the Loudoun Symphony on Sunday, April 7 at 4 PM at St. David’s Episcopal Church in Ashburn, VA. The requiem is a choral and orchestra piece written as a mass for the dead and focuses on eternal rest and consolation. Please join us for this special presentation !
A CROP Walk to end hunger is being sponsored by the Centreville Presbyterian Church on Sunday, March 31 starting at 1:30 PM. Please read the flyer in the breezeway or contact Alice Foltz for more information.
D
id you know that Inova needs to collect 200 units of blood every single day just to meet the needs of our community? There is no substitute for human blood - if it isn't available, "non-urgent" patients wait until it is. I was one of those "non-urgent" patients when I had leukemia. Thankfully, I am healthy today, and I want to make sure that blood products are available to anyone who needs them.
A single pint of blood can save three lives; Come Be a Lifesaver
4th Annual Little Rocky Run Blood Drive
Saturday, March 30th from 8:15 AM - 12:30
Rec Center 2 (6201 Sandstone Way) in Little Rocky Run
- The movie "NOAH" comes to the big screen!
S
een by more than 5 million people on stage,
NOAH
is headed to movie theaters across the country for a special nationwide event. Filmed in front of a live audience,
NOAH
takes you on board history’s best-known voyage—along with two of every kind of animal! Now you can experience it on the big screen, playing three days only: April 9, 11, and 13 at the Regal Theater at the Fairfax Town Centre 10. There are two shows on April 9, and one each on April 11 and 13. Get your ticket soon and reserve your seat! Tom and Marie McDermott saw the original play and said it is wonderful!!!
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The children in the Sunday School class of 2 - 4 year olds take a break from their lesson that we are all part of God's family. This class meets on the first Sunday of each month from 10:50 - 11:30 AM in room 215. Invite your family and friends to join us!
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Want to see the National Cathedral built out of Legos?!
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We can prepare our hearts & minds by reading ahead
for the Sunday Service lessons.
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The First Sunday in Lent
March 10, 2019
9:30 AM
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The First Reading:
Deuteronomy 26:1-11
As a show of gratitude and trust, we offer to God the beginning of our harvest, our first fruits, knowing that we would have nothing without God's gracious love and that he will provide sufficiently for us.
The Psalm:
91:1-2, 9-16, page 719, BCP
The Second Lesson:
Romans 10:8b-13
God draws all sorts of people in all sorts of ways to the foot of the cross and to salvation through his Son, Jesus Christ. Whether by word or by deed, all glory is to God.
The Gospel:
Luke 4:1-13
Jesus is tempted, just as we are, and shows us the way to resist the devil, which is to find truth in God alone.
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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
(Rm. 205)
During the Service
____________
JOINT SUNDAY SCHOOL: 10:30 - 11:30 AM
Each week, St. John's children join with our Ministry Partners:
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
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- "Here I am, Lord" ECW Lenten Quiet Day
March 13, 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Roslyn Retreat Center
Lenten Quiet Day is an annual event offered by the Episcopal Church Women of the Diocese of Virginia. This year, the Rt. Rev. David C. Jones, Retired Bishop Suffragan, will lead this day of quiet meditation and reflection on “Here I am, Lord.” The cost is $35 for the day and includes lunch in the Roslyn dining hall.
Register here
. Contact
Mary Holly Bigelow
(804-285-2598) for more information.
In the latest edition of the "Virginia Episcopalian", the quarterly magazine put out by the Diocese of Virginia, an article featured a Celtic worship service that is held at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Richmond. A Celtic worship service is a quiet service, often with candlelight, soft music, prayer, silence and readings, a time to be calm and sit in the presence of God. Oftentimes, the leadership is shared among several laypeople and musicians and it can be a very moving service. Church of the Epiphany in Herndon has a Celtic service on the first Sunday of the month at 5:30 PM and you would be welcome to join them. Try it and see if you like it.
The United Thank Offering, sponsored by the Episcopal Church Women, collects funds in the spring and fall to assist outreach programs in this diocese and beyond. The Spring Ingathering at St. John's will be held on Sunday, April 8, when the funds will be collected, blessed and sent on to the diocesan ECW. UTO boxes and envelopes are on the back table in the church. You can put a coin or a bill in the box every time you have something to be thankful for. Prior to April 8, you can count the money you have collected for your many blessings and write a check for that amount. Use the UTO envelope for your check and bring it on April 8.
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VOLUNTEERING AT ST. JOHN'S
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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).
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WESTERN FAIRFAX
CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES
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"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:
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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!
Eureka
You may be heading into Lent not having had an epiphany, that is, you’re not sure how God is working in your life. Or perhaps God is not working according to your expectations. If this is the case, then don’t panic. Jesus’ inner circle of friends didn’t understand right away either. Like the disciples, you may need to work these things out with Jesus in your prayer. Ask Jesus to shed some light in your life, to transfigure it …. and then be patient. It may be that you’re being readied for something, and in God’s time, when you least expect it, EUREKA!!!
-Br. Jim Woodrum
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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
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ST. JOHN'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH | 5649 MT. GILEAD RD. , CENTREVILLE, VA | 703-803-7500
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