Greetings!
PARISH NEWS for Wednesday, February 27, 2019
Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper this coming Tuesday!
J oin us for our traditional Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper on Tuesday, March 5 (the day before the start of Lent) from 5:30 - 7:00 PM in the parish hall. Traditionally, households had to use up the lard they had in their pantries before the start of Lent. Making pancakes was a good way to do that. During the pancake supper, we will show some of the amazing pictures that were taken during our pilgrimage to the Holy Land. (Come and see which St. John's parishioners rode a camel!) Please sign up in the breezeway on Sunday so we know about how many to expect.
Travel Notes & Photos - Saint George’s College, Jerusalem
Reflections of the trip: Lisa Heller
When many of us came into contact with the "Fifth Gospel" -- the Holy Land and the story it tells of Christian history -- we were struck by the differences between our notions of distances and the reality we saw. Some distances were much shorter than we had ever imagined: both the site of the Crucifixion and the tomb of Christ are covered by the same building; the house of St. Peter sits at the foot of the Mount of the Beatitudes; and the streets of the Via Dolorosa -- the way of the cross -- are far narrower than the wide pathways of Hollywood movies. Other distances are much further apart. When Christ and his disciples repaired to Banias (Caesarea Philippi) there was a hike of several days from Galilee. And when they "turned their faces towards Jerusalem" it would have required the better part of a week to hike south through Galilee, cross the Judean desert, and finally make their way to the holy city. 
 
In one of the exhibit halls of the Citadel, the fortress that guards the west side of the Old City, there are exhibit panels that show the trek that European pilgrims made to the Holy Land in the Middle Ages. It was a journey of several months, often beset by pirates and disease along a dangerous path. By contrast, a short connecting flight was all we modern pilgrims needed from Washington. 
 
The biggest differences between modern travelers and those who made the journey with Jesus, of course, is not the time it takes but that we know what we will find when we arrive. The Gospels tell of the disciples marveling at the magnificent Temple in Jerusalem when they arrived, but they could not have helped but to extremely nervous about what the future would hold for them. They had made the leap of faith to leave everything they had -- and as fishermen, most of them would have actually been considered fairly prosperous -- to follow a teacher whose wisdom and power they had only begun to glimpse but as yet could not hope to comprehend. But because they made that journey in faith, we have benefited centuries later and their example continues to inspire us today. 
  • Ash Wednesday and Lenten services and program
We will have two services on Ash Wednesday, March 6 , one at 12:00 noon and one at 7:30 PM. Ash Wednesday is the start of our Lenten pilgrimage as we take an inventory of our spiritual lives. St. Anthony's will join us for the evening service. Starting on Wednesday, March 13 and continuing for the 6 Wednesdays in Lent, t he program will be what we learned and experienced during our trip to the Holy Land. Each Wednesday, two or three people will present their pictures and reflections. We will have a service of Holy Eucharist at 6:00 PM, a light supper at 6:30 PM and the program from 7:00 - 8:00 PM. It was an amazing trip - one that we would like to share with you!

  • Parish News
At the first meeting of the newly elected Vestry, the following people were elected:
Senior Warden - Susie Pike
Junior Warden - Jim Heller
Treasurer - Tom McDermott
Register - Angela Hadfield
Vestry members for 2019 are: Susie Pike, Jim Heller, Sam Cameron, Jim Elliott, Andrew Wade, Val Tucker, Lisa Heller and Bob Faithful. Many thanks go to these folks for taking on the responsibilities of the Vestry.

THIS SUNDAY, THE SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS FOR THE 2-4 YEAR OLDS WILL MEET FROM 10:50 - 11:30 IN ROOM 215 AND WILL BE LED BY JAMES AND TERI LANGLEY.

  • 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 for more information.

  • The movie "NOAH" comes to the big screen!
Seen 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!

  • "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.  

  • Read any good books lately?
With Lent rapidly approaching, 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!
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, are 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. Also, we will not have any "Alleluias" during Lent, so come this Sunday for the last service with "Alleluia's" until Easter.

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

The Last Sunday after the Epiphany


March 3, 2019

9:30 AM
 The First Reading: Exodus 34:29-35
Moses is transformed by his close relationship with God. May we all be so close to our Father’s face that our very visage would be affected.

The Psalm: 99, page 728, BCP

The Second Lesson: 2 Corinthians 3:12–4:2
What Good News that Jesus Christ reveals the fullness of God to us in a human life. Out of God’s great love, we glimpse his hope for creation.

The Gospel: Luke 9:28-36 (37-43a)
As we grow in relationship with God through Jesus Christ, we come to know more fully and closely the God who is our Savior and the lover of our souls.

  __________________________________
 
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 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 

 
DIOCESE
The Last of the Diocesan "Listening Sessions"
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. This is an opportunity for your voice to be heard about your hopes and dreams for the diocese. Here is the schedule for the Recall and Reconnect Listening Sessions. You can click on a location to register.

Monday, March 4, 3-5 p.m. St. Margaret’s School, Tappahannock *

*We hope to broadcast this listening session via Facebook Live.
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).
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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!

Worship
When we worship we can relax, enjoy fellowship with one another, laugh at jokes, feel part of a family, pray together for our needs, and have a deep sense that Jesus is our friend and brother, sharing our needs with deep compassion.
-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
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