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Welcome to the E-Notes!
June 21, 2017
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PARISH
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The Color of Our World
by David Weir
Christianity has deep roots in the meaning and symbolism of certain colors. You know where you are in the Church Year by the liturgical colors, for example white is color of Jesus' burial garments used for Christmas, Easter, and feast days as well as marriages. Purple/Violet or Royal Blue are used for Advent and Lent. The color Red is for Pentecost.
The color red has also been used on many church doors. During the Middle Ages Red Doors were used to mark the church as a place of sanctuary.
Red Doors are also traditional on Episcopal Churches. This is because of the various special meanings that can be derived. For some the Red Door represents that we enter our salvation through the blood of Jesus. For others, it is a reminder of the many Christian Martyrs. Still others see the Red Door as symbol of emotional and spiritual healing.
Given this rich history the Vestry has voted that the door on historic church be painted red. Of course, there is no intrinsic value to a Red Door. It is after all just some paint on wood. It is the meaning that is important. So just imagine someday you drive up Mount Gilead Road and see the Red Door...
I wonder what meaning you will be thinking about?
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What's happening with the Exterior Painting Project?
The St. John's parish has embarked on a renovation project. We are refurbishing the wood and painting the exterior of the breezeway and the back side of the main building.
Scraping off the old, loose paint has started!
We need some more evening volunteers to scrape the old flaking paint. We have the supplies and two ladders (need to be very careful).
Please call Andrew Wade if you're able to help with the scraping. Next,
in the very near future, after some of the old wood has been replaced, and all is primed, we'll add the final coat of paint. We are soliciting all willing and able volunteers and parishioners to show off their painting skills on this day.
Watch this space for the painting date! (So we will NOT be painting this Saturday, June 24 as previously advertised.)
Many thanks go to all who have been giving of their time and talent during the day as well as in the evenings.
If you have any questions, please call Andrew Wade @
703-477-8980
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H
ave you checked out St. John's new thoroughly up-to-date
WEBSITE?
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He wears so many different hats!!!
Many, many thanks go to Tom McDermott for all he has done and is doing to keep this building in good shape - trying to fix, and finally declaring the freezer downstairs to be dead; hauling away the old freezer (with help from some friends); helping to power wash, scrape, and replace dead wood on the exterior of the building; fixing problems we have with the computers; cutting up and hauling away large tree limbs that fell in the cemetery during the recent storm; unplugging the backed up water drain in the cellar; being our Treasurer; and the list goes on and on. And all he asks for in return is a cup of St. John's coffee! Thanks, Tom!
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Come join the summer choir!
Now that our regular choir term has concluded, it is time for our Summer Choir. This is a
great opportunity for anyone interested in singing with the choir, but who would first like to try it out. Throughout the summer we will periodically sing anthems from the year as well as prepare for the choir term to come. The summer choir rehears from 9-9:20 before services, and rehearsals after the service to prepare for the upcoming term, which are not mandatory and specifically geared to people in the St. John's Choir. If interested, please speak to the choir master, Jonathan Boksan, before or after the service or contact the church office.
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Are you a child of the 70's?
If so, you may remember the hit musical "Jesus Christ, Superstar". Well, it's back and will be playing at the Signature Theater in Arlington until July 9. Tickets are going fast so it you want to walk down memory lane and remember some of those great songs, go online and reserve your tickets soon. (Many thanks to Meg Crossett for alerting me to this. She has seen it and gives it great reviews.)
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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. 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? Please speak with Carol as soon as possible as the group is forming now. If we have enough interest, we would like to start a group here in September. We have four people so far......want to join us?
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Lectionary Readings
Now that Pentecost and Trinity Sunday are behind us, we now enter "Ordinary Time" which runs until Advent, which starts December 3. This season is also known as the Sundays after Pentecost, which corresponds to a certain "Proper" (the Propers for each Sunday refer to the readings). During this period after Pentecost, we often have a choice for the Old Testament reading. Track 1 is a semi-continuous reading of the great Old Testament stories. Track 2 selects an Old Testament reading that may have a similar theme to the gospel reading. This year, we will be using Track 1. Come and hear those wonderful Old Testament stories that illuminate God working throughout history.
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Reminder
If you are an LEM, lector, usher, crucifer, or torch bearer, please sign up for the dates this summer that you can assist. With many people away, it is sometimes hard to fill all the slots. Please sign up online on the Altar Servers link below.
If you would like to serve in one of these roles, we can certainly use more folks. Training will be provided. Please see Carol if you are interested.
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We can prepare our hearts and minds by
reading ahead for the Sunday Service lessons
The Third Sunday after Pentecost
Enmity springs up between the family of promise and the family of flesh; while Hagar and her son are abused and banished, God provides for them.
The Epistle:
Romans 6:1b-11
In Jesus' death the cords of sin and evil that entangle humanity were broken - these powers have no sway over us.
The Gospel:
Matthew 10:24-39
Following the God revealed in Jesus is a fearsome thing, but God notices and remembers each one who loves him.
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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
10:50 - 11:45 AM
.
We offer 3 classes:
PreK- 2nd grade: Rm. 205;
3rd - 8th grade: Rm. 215;
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DIOCESE
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Stewardship and Church Vitality Day
Saturday, June 24 , 9:30 - 3:30
at Epiphany, Oak Hill/Herndon
This day will feature time with Bishop Susan and workshops on missions and outreach, communications, Christian formation, planned giving, and our new "All Hearts Open" annual giving program.
The day opens with remarks by Bishop Susan, then follows with vibrant workshops and roundtables. These conversations are designed to offer rich resources that lead to more engaged congregational life across all ministries.
Val and John Tucker, and Carol Hancock will be attending from St. John's.
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COMMUNITY
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Western Fairfax Christian Ministries
WFCM has reminded us that their shelves can become almost empty during the summer months. Please remember those who are hungry when you do your grocery shopping and donate nonperishable food items to WFCM when you come on Sundays. You may put your donations in the baskets by the front door. WFCM is extremely grateful for our support.
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OTHER NEWS
Please remember in your prayers all those who have been injured or killed or live in fear due to acts of terrorism; those who were killed on the USS Fitzgerald; those who live in war-torn parts of this world and all who are on our prayer list.
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Would you like to contribute
ALTAR FLOWERS FOR a SUNDAY SERVICE, in thanksgiving,
or in memory of someone?
How to contribute: (1) Purchase or grow cut flowers - we have vases for you to ar
range your cut flowers in. We use 2 vases flanking the altar. (2) Purchase 2 flowering plants th
at 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! Click below.
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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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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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Turn
Our faithfulness will be measured in small things, daily decisions and choices, the constant turning of our hearts to God. We will be asked to turn away from the voices that discourage us or tell us that the offering of our lives to God is foolishness, and to embrace each day the particular vocation that God has given us.
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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
Priest-in-Charge
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Copyright © 2017. All Rights Reserved.
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