Welcome to the E-Notes!

May 3, 2017 


Only 4 more days to sign up for the Progressive Dinner! Sign-up forms are in the Breezeway, or copy this form and send it in!



Sheep in Paradise
 
We can prepare our hearts and minds by 
  reading ahead for the  
 
Sunday Service lessons 
  
   
Sunday, May 7, 2017 
The Fourth Sunday of Easter 
     
The Old Testament:
Acts 2:42-47
Our baptismal covenant is inspired by the generosity and sincerity found in believers during the first days of the church.  
 
The Epistle:  
1 Peter 2:19-25
We see how Jesus responded to pain and suffering. His example serves as a guide to us in our daily life. 
 
The Psalm:  23 
 
The Gospel:
John 10:1-10 
Jesus, our shepherd, tells us how to identify false leaders; as God's sheep, we know his voice and we are made to follow him. 
 
 

__________________

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
  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 10:50  - 11:45 AM .  
 
We  offer 3 classes:
  PreK- 2nd grade: Rm. 205;
 3rd - 8th grade: Rm. 215;

 
Click here for Bishop's Letter

Letter from Bishop Shannon Johnston about Truro Institute
***
  Many thanks go to.....
     -the St. John's Men's Group for installing the two new Episcopal signs on the corners of Lee Highway and Braddock; and Braddock and Mt. Gilead. They also repainted the posts
      -Jerry Stacks for installing our new mailbox (right above our old mailbox by the door to the breezeway).
***
Altar Servers Needed
We need LEM's, lectors, ushers, crucifers, torch bearers, etc. for services in May. Please click on the "Altar Servers" link below and sign up for the dates you can serve.
***
Canopy Needed
If you have a used outdoor canopy that you are looking to get rid of, look no further! St. John's could use one for burials in the church cemetery when it is raining, for outdoor picnics, Centreville Day, etc. If you have one to donate, please call Carol.
***
Remember St. John's in your will
Recently, a parishioner who had died left a sizeable sum to St. John's. This church had meant a great deal to her for many years and she wanted to give something in return. She let her family know of her wishes and they sent us a check. Please remember St. John's in your will or make sure family members know of your wishes to remember the church so the ministry of St. John's will continue long after we have gone to our heavenly reward.
***
Help Needed
Nancy Brannegan, a St. John's parishioner, recently had her 3 story home flooded due to a plumbing problem. Her furniture and other belongings will be moved out before the repair and restoration of her house begins. Afterward, she will need some help getting her furniture and belongings back inside her house. That may not be for a few weeks. If you can help, please email Nancy at Brannegan7@aol.com.

*** 
Save the date!
Our very popular Annual Progressive Dinner will be held on Saturday, May 20 from 5:00 - 8:00 PM. Information and reservation forms are available in the breezeway and need to be returned to Penny Parker by May 7. This is a good opportunity for St. John's adults to gather for food, fun and fellowship.
***
Coming soon.......a new mailbox
We will soon be getting rid of our post office box which will save us money. The new mailbox at the church will be very secure. Please start sending your mail, including your pledges, to our street address: 5649 Mt. Gilead Road, Centreville, VA  20120. Note that the address on your pledge envelopes is the PO Box, so you will need to change that if you mail in your pledge. We will have some address labels on the back table that you can use for your pledge envelopes. We will continue to have our post office box for the next few months while we make this transition.
***
Prayers, please....
Please keep Arirang Senior Center in your prayers as they continue to try to recruit more clients. The Arirang Senior Center is open to all and they offer a variety of activities and speakers. If you know someone who might benefit from the companionship and activities, please call Arirang at 703-543-6008.
***

LAST CALL.......Education for Ministry
Please let Carol know by May 8 if you are interested in this EfM program. So far, five people have expressed an interest. We need at least 6 to start a group. You don't need to make a commitment by May 8, just an interest to meet for more information.
EfM is a program for adult Christian formation through theological education and reflection written by the School of Theology at the University of the South, Sewanee, TN.  We would like to start an EfM group at St. John's if we have the 6-12 people necessary to start a group. All that's needed is a desire to learn and grow in your faith. There is a good amount of reading to be done each week, but no tests. You will get out of it what you put into it. The topics of study are Old Testament, New Testament, Church History, and Theology. The entire program is 4 years, but each participant signs up for a year at a time. Interested? There are brochures in the breezeway explaining the program or you can speak with Carol. If we have enough interest, we would like to start a group here in September.
***  
 
For ST. JOHN'S:   ALTAR FLOWERS NEEDED  colorful_tulips.jpg
FOR SUNDAY SERVICES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR!  

SCROLL DOWN TO THE
ALTAR FLOWERS SIGN-UP BUTTON BELOW. GIVE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS & CREATE A PASSWORD. SELECT THE DATE YOU WOULD LIKE TO DONATE.
 
How to contribute: (1) Purchase or grow cut flowers - we have vases for you to arrange your cut flowers in. We use 2 vases flanking the altar. (2) Purchase 2 flowering plants that will be later planted in the church garden or (3) Call a florist and have 2 arrangements delivered to the church. When you click below, further info is provided.

ALL ARE MOST GRATEFULLY ENJOYED & APPRECIATED! 

SIGN UP HERE TO
SERVE
as LEM, Crucifer, Lector, Usher, Verger, Torch Bearer at a Sunday Service.
   

click here:
ALTAR SERVERS 2017 
  
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.)

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.


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.
 

 
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!

Thought for the day:.
Baptism
The crucified Jesus has become alive within you through your baptism. Where is Jesus to be found now? In you. You maybe want to say, "It is a very poor Christ who lives within me." That could be quite true. It may be a broken and wounded and abandoned and starved Christ who lives within you, but that is Jesus Christ.

 
 
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
       Priest-in-Charge 

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