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St. John's Episcopal Church
Welcome to the E-Notes!
December 13, 2017
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PARISH
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YOUR pledge makes a difference!
We are getting close to funding our entire budget for 2018 but we are still hoping those last few pledges will come in and put us "over the top". If not, the Vestry will need to cut some items from an already sparse budget. If you have not already turned in your completed pledge card, I hope we can count on you to turn one in soon. Pledge cards are on the back table in the church or you can call the church office and we will send you one.The amount is not as important as the fact that you have pledged your support for 2018 to the glory of God and in thanksgiving for St. John's.
When we go to refinance our mortgage loan next year, the bank will look at how many pledges we have, not the individual amounts that are pledged. The more pledges we have, the better rate we might get.
Please consider pledging for the furthering of God's kingdom at St. John's, if you have not already done so.
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Pledge update
To date, we have received $185,588 in pledges for 2018, which is about $18,000 more than last year. Great news! Many parishioners increased their pledges this year, giving us this increase. But the number of pledges this year has decreased from last year, which is not such good news. We had 45 pledges last year and have 39 so far this year, which includes 3 new pledges. Only one pledger from last year has moved away.
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Cleaning and Greening the Church
In preparation for Christmas, we will "clean and green (decorate)" the church
this Saturday,
December 16 at 9:00 AM. Please bring work gloves, rags and cleaning supplies. After we clean the church, we will decorate it for the Christmas services. If you would like to donate to the purchase of poinsettias and greens to decorate the church, please use the envelopes that are on the back table in the church.
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Christmas Food Baskets - Assembly and Delivery
While some are "cleaning and greening" (see above) we will need other folks to put together 12 food baskets for those in need. The baskets will be delivered after the service on Sunday, December 17. We will need folks to help Marie McDermott shop for the food, put the baskets together, and deliver the baskets. Please let Marie know how you can help. We are still collecting funds for the Christmas baskets. Envelopes are on the back table.
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Christmas Eve and Christmas Day service schedule
Sunday, December 24 - 9:30 AM service, Fourth Sunday of Advent
Sunday, December 24 - Christmas Eve services - 4:00 PM and 10:00 PM (special music
begins at 9:30 PM)
Monday, December 25 - Christmas Day service - 9:30 AM
We need LEM's, crucifers, lectors, ushers and torches for all these services. Please sign up online by clicking on the "Servers" link below.
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Staff News
Jonathan Boksan, our beloved organist and choir director, will be leaving us in January after serving us for 4 years. He and his wife Laura will be returning to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, where both of their families live. His last Sunday will be January 7 when we will say our thank you's and wish them Godspeed.
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In the meantime, we have started our search for a new organist/choir director. If you know anyone who might be interested and qualified, please let Carol know.
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T
he engraved bricks have arrived!
We will have the Blessing of the Bricks after the service this Sunday, December 17. At that time, you can decide where you would like to have your brick installed.
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Sunday counters needed
We are looking for a few new counters to add to our roster. On a rotating schedule, two counters count the weekly offering and take the deposit to the bank. If you want to learn more, please contact Marie McDermott at
[email protected]
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Interested in Traveling to the Holy Land?
Trip: January 29 - February 7, 2019 - 'Footsteps of Jesus' Program through St. George's
College
Have you ever thought about visiting the holy sites in Israel? We have found a cost effective, educational, and affordable way to make it happen! The program we are using is through St. George's College, Jerusalem. Parishioners from St. John's here in Centreville as well as Emmanuel in Delaplane, VA will be traveling together.
January/February 2018 - Confirming Attendees
Spring 2018 - Joint Parish Educational Meeting at St. John's in Centreville
Fall 2018 - Joint Parish Educational Meeting at Emmanuel in Delaplane
December 2018/January 2019 - Joint Parish / Send off Dinner
Trip: January 29 - February 7, 2019 - 'Footsteps of Jesus' Program through St. George's
Interested? Talk with Andrew Wade or Walt Cooner for more information.
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Congratulations go to:
Gail and Jerry Weirich on the birth of their grandson, Mark Owen Umana, who was born on November 17. Mark joins older siblings Martin (5) and Emily (3).
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Denise and Jim McCarthy on the birth of their grandson, Sterling Christian Huckabee, son of Colleen and Dereck Huckabee, on November 21. Sterling joins older sister Sophia Marie.
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Mary Jo and David Kantor on the birth of their grandson, George David Kantor, son of Grier and Joe Kantor, who was born on November 26.
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Please sign up to provide altar flowers, coffee hour snacks, and help with Sunday services
You can sign up online! Just scroll further up this page to the sign up block. Click on "altar flowers" or "coffee hour" or "altar servers" and sign up for the date you want. We really need YOUR help.
If you would like to be a lector, crucifer, usher or Lay Eucharistic Minister, please let Carol know. Training is provided.
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St. John's
Christmas Ornament Fundraiser
Beautifully detailed gold-tone ornaments of St. John's Church are now available in the Breezeway, after the service. The cost is $10.
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St. John's Recycling Fundraiser
St. John's is conducting a fundraiser that helps protect the environment and helps you clean out those used electronic items that clutter closets & drawers!
Nothing to buy! Nothing to sell! Just bring in the used electronic items that you have replaced or that have broken. We will package the items and send them to Eco-Phones for recycling. Eco-Phones pays us for these items -
working or not. Below is a list of what we are collecting:
cell phones
ipads & tablets
inkjet cartridges
Eco-Phones will
not accept desktop computers and is
no longer accepting laptops.
Bring your items to the church and place them in the
"Eco-Phones" box in the breezeway. If you have any questions contact Penny Parker at 703-791-3482 or
[email protected]
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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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We can prepare our hearts and minds
by
reading ahead for the Sunday Service lessons
Sunday,
December 17, 2017
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John the Baptist_Mosaic_Hagia Sophia
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The Third Sunday of Advent
The First Reading:
To those who suffer and are oppressed, to the poor who have no hope, God proclaims justice, compassion, deliverance, and restoration. All will be set right.
The Thessalonians are given a last charge, told how to behave to the glory of God.
The Gospel:
John 1:6-8, 19-28
In the beginning of John's Gospel, the echoes of the Old Testament greats are heard as the contemporary people try to grapple with who John the Baptist is, and whom he is proclaiming.
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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
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
10:30 - 11:30 A
M
.
We offer 3 classes:
PreK: Rm. 205;
K - 6th grade: R
m.
207/208;
7th - 12th grade:
Rm 206
________________________________
to see artworks and text relevant to this Sunday's readings
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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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Rejoice
"Your heart will rejoice," Jesus promises us in John. "Your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you." So, how much joy do you have in your life? It is a gift and a promise. Maybe this Christmas you could ask God for the gift of joy. Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel has come to you.
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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
Rector
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Copyright © 2017. All Rights Reserved.
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