PARISH NEWS for Wednesday, December 12, 2018
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- Save the date for The Cleaning and Greening!
This Saturday, December 15
, we will have the "
cleaning and greening
" of the church. We will clean the historic church from top to bottom and then decorate the church for Christmas. Bring your buckets and rags and join us from 9-12. This would be a good activity for students who need community service hours! We could certainly use the help of some of our "younger" men and women.
- Packing and delivering Christmas baskets
Also this Saturday, December 15,
we will pack Christmas baskets for the families given to us by Western Fairfax Christian Ministries, starting at 9:00 AM in the library. We will need folks to deliver 10 baskets on Sunday, December 16, right after church. Please let Marie McDermott know if you can help. If you would like to make a donation to the Christmas basket fund, envelopes are on the back table in the church.
Advent, the four Sundays before Christmas, began December 2. We have an easy-to-follow Advent calendar available with something specific to pray for or do each day. Copies are on the back table in the church.This free calendar and the "Journeying the Way of Love: Advent Curriculum" have been put together by the Episcopal Church as part of the "Way of Love: Practices for the Jesus-Centered Life", started by our Presiding Bishop Michael Curry and endorsed by the General Convention. The Advent curriculum will be studied on the four Sundays of Advent at 10:50 AM in Carol's office. Join us this Sunday as we take a look at "The Birth of John the Baptist: Journeying with the Community".
Virginia Theological Seminary is offering daily meditations during Advent.
Go to
www.AdventWord.org to sign up.
- Needing to hire a third part-time sexton
Do you know someone who might be interested in becoming a part-time sexton at St. John's? With the addition of the day care center, the Vestry voted to hire another sexton for perhaps 6 hours a week. It would be a temporary position for now, but with the possibility of becoming more permanent later on. If you know someone, please contact David Weir or Carol.
- Calling all cat lovers....
One of our parishioners is in the difficult position of having to part with one of her cats and needs to find a loving home. The cat is sweet but prefers not to be around children. Interested? Let Carol know.
- Saying goodbye to one of our Ministry Partners
Fairfax Chinese Christian Church has been worshipping in our parish hall for well over 10 years. With a dwindling congregation, they have found it necessary to join with another congregation. They have been a good "partner" and we hate to see them leave. We wish them well in their new location and in their future ministry.
- 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.
There are a number of resources available in the breezeway. CareNotes are small pamphlets on a variety of topics, such as depression, grief and situations we might face in our day to day lives. Some new titles will be coming soon. Also in the breezeway are copies of "Forward Day by Day" which has daily bible readings and a short reflection to think about - a good way to start the day. Church calendars for 2019 are available and cost $3.50 each. While you are in the breezeway during coffee hour, take a look and see what might interest you!
- Welcome Elim Kids Academy!
There is no better way to start the day than to walk into the breezeway and hear the children singing "Jesus Loves Me" and "God is so good". What a treat!
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Please send an email to the office if you did not receive a pledge card yet: SJECCentreville@aol.com, or let Carol know. The cards may be mailed back to St. John's, or put in the collection this Sunday.
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We can prepare our hearts & minds by reading ahead
for the Sunday Service lessons.
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The Third Sunday of Advent
December 16, 2018
9:30 AM
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The First Reading: Zephaniah 3:14-20
Though you may feel at the end of your rope and discarded forever, there is nothing too great for God's saving grace.
The Canticle: 9, p. 86 of the BCP
The Second Lesson: Philippians 4:4-7
The prayers and blessings of our forebears continue to guide our lives today; may their prayers benefit us and the future of the church.
The Gospel: Luke 3:7-18
John the Baptist speaks the stark truth to the people, but rather than turning them off to the message of the Messiah, his words draw people to God's truth of repentance and redemption.
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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
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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
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From the Standing Committee
December 7, 2018
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
After numerous conversations with leaders in our Diocese and the Presiding Bishop's Office, and with prayerful consideration of what is in the best interests of our Diocese at this time, the Standing Committee unanimously voted on December 6, 2018, to end the process for the selection of a Bishop Provisional.
The Standing Committee enthusiastically supports Bishop Susan E. Goff continuing to serve as the Ecclesiastical Authority of the Diocese of Virginia until such time as our next Bishop Diocesan is elected and consecrated. We have every confidence that Bishop Goff will effectively and creatively lead us during this time.
At every stage of the process, the Standing Committee has made decisions and conducted its work grounded in prayer and examining all known options. Throughout this process, realities have changed. We have felt the Holy Spirit moving with us and sustaining us throughout.
As we move forward, the Standing Committee will continue to work closely with Bishop Goff and other Diocesan leaders to ensure the vitality of our Diocese and our life in Christ. The Listening Sessions that Bishop Goff introduced at Annual Convention will be important as together we discern what God would have us do as we move into the Year of Our Lord 2019 and this next chapter of our shared ministry as the Diocese of Virginia. You will be receiving more information in the coming days, so stayed tuned for timely updates.
Thank you for your continued prayers and support. Blessings in this expectant and hopeful season of Advent.
The Reverend T. Grant Ambrose
President, Standing Committee
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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!
Receive
As we live in this season of Advent, awaiting the coming of the Lord, we might examine our hearts to see if they are truly open. Are we open to God speaking to us in the language of everyday events? Are we willing to hear God’s admonitions and to accept God’s guidance, or are we happier to justify our selfish behaviors and chart our own way in life? May the Lord find in us hearts that are open and ready to receive him, whenever and however he chooses to come to us.
-Br. David Vryhof
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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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