To St. John's Parishioners and Friends:

Thank you to the St. John's parishioners and all who donated backpacks for local elementary school students in need this past month. And thanks to Deacon Steve and those who delivered them this week.

Working with Western Fairfax Christian Ministries, St. John's committed to 50 backpacks for two local elementary schools. Thanks to you, we donated 76 backpacks to help local elementary school students start the year off right.

Thank you and well done!

Grace and peace,

Kevin

The Rev. Kevin Laskowski

Priest-in-Charge

St. John's Episcopal Church

Blessing of the Backpacks and Devices

This past Sunday, we blessed the 76 backpacks for Cub Run and Lees Corner Elementary Schools as well as our own backpacks, purses, bags, and mobile devices. May they be instruments of learning and God's continuing grace.

Be sure to get your St. John's luggage tag for your bag or briefcase on Sunday or in the church office while supplies last.

Author Night! September 30th at 7 PM

Come out and listen to a reading from parishioner Lee Griffith's book The Right

Thing. We will hear Lee read, have a Q&A, and you can buy a book and have it signed by Lee!

About The Right Thing: A world-class sniper teams up with a physical phenom to challenge one of the most dangerous men in the Middle East. They first must pass a selection process that involves a months-long evaluation in mountain warfare, mountain climbing, survival, and shooting.

About the Author: Besides being a member of St. John's Church, Lee is a veteran of twenty years of service with the U.S. Navy, Lee worked with Navy SEALs. As the naval air station security officer, he wrote the base counterterrorism plan and exercised it frequently. An avid climber, he summited Mount Whitney, Mount Rainier, Mount Fuji, and Mauna Kea. He has participated in sprint triathlons for twenty years, and will represent team USA at the sprint triathlon world championships in Malaga, Spain.

Please sign up to bring an item to share if you can. Plates, napkins, utensils, and glasses will be provided.

Stone Cleaning Eagle Scout Project

The stones in St. John's cemetery will be cleaned over the next month as part of an Eagle Scout project with St. Anthony of Padua American National Catholic Church, a ministry partner of St. John's. Scouts and others will be weeding, tending to the cemetery grounds, and cleaning the gravestones according to the Cemetery Conservators United Standards on:

• August 17, 9 AM - 3 PM
• September 7, 9 AM - 3 PM
• September 14, 9 AM - 3 PM

For more information or to sign up to assist, click here.

Altar Flowers Needed

Dedicate the altar flowers in thanksgiving or in memory of a loved one here.

Volunteer for Stewardship Committee

The vestry is in the process of gathering a stewardship committee. If you are interested in helping with our stewardship campaign and pledge drive this fall, please contact Father Kevin or Senior Warden Susie Pike.

WORSHIP

Last Sunday's Sermon

When Jesus says, "...the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh,” he is saying that there is something sacred about his flesh, his body, and something holy about our own. When our bodies, our lives, can and should be offered to God, Rev. Kevin encourages care for our individual bodies and health, and care for the collective body of Christ.

View the Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost on August 11 here. And look for new sermons as always here.

Join Us In Person or Online

Join us in the historic church at 9:30 AM Sunday or watch live via YouTube. Additional links to the livestream, worship bulletin, and lectionary class are sent Saturday and also available on our website.

Upcoming Readings for The Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Let us prepare our hearts and mind for worship:

First Reading: Proverbs 9:1-6

Solomon depicts Wisdom as a bold woman who recognizes human folly and offers a way out of it.

Response: Psalm 34:9-14

Second Reading: Ephesians 5:15-20

Paul calls Christians to live in sobriety and wisdom amid the trials of evil.

Gospel: John 6:51-58

Jesus speaks to the heart of the Eucharist: the body and blood of Christ transform us.

New Worship Customary

Bishop E. Mark Stephenson has updated liturgical guidelines for the Diocese of Virginia. Remember: "individual communicants may not dip their own hosts or bread in the wine." The minister will intinct for you, if you so desire. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please contact Rev. Kevin.

Adult Lectionary Forum

Join us Sundays in person in the church library or online via Zoom to discuss the day's lessons.(This is the new link for meeting #826 4944 0667. Please make sure you use this new, updated link.)

Education for Ministry (EfM) - Newcomers and Alumni!

Education for Ministry (EfM) is a unique four-year distance learning certificate program in theological education based upon small-group study. St. John's EfM group is taking a break for the summer but resumes in the fall on Wednesday nights.

Contact Walt Cooner for more information about the forthcoming EfM year and newly forming alumni groups for those who've already experienced this program.

Shop for Western Fairfax Christian Ministries

Please bring donations of food and more to Sunday services, or drop at the church office. Take one of the colorful slips at church as a reminder to shop. These items are especially needed:

Food:

• Flour
• Sugar (1 or 2 lb. bags)
• Vegetable Oil
• Pasta Sauce
• Pasta
• Cereal (low sugar preferred)
• Pancake Mix
• Family Sized Snacks (pretzels, crackers, etc.)
• Canned Chicken

​

Toiletries:

NOTE: Toiletry items cannot be purchased by clients with SNAP​​

• Body Wash
• Bar Soap
• Toothpaste
• Hair Shampoo
• Toilet Paper
• Size 6 Diapers 
• Large size pullups (size 4T/5T for toddlers)
• Baby Wipes​

St. John's is a founding partner of Western Fairfax Christian Ministries, which provides food and financial support to more than 600 local families every month.

Volunteers Needed at the Katharine K. Hanley Family Shelter

St. John's served 53 meals last night at the Hanley Family Shelter!

St. John's makes and serves a meal every second Tuesday of the month at the shelter. Sign up to prepare or provide food ahead of time and/or join us on September 10 to serve. Contact Deacon Steve for more information.

Bring donations for our local family shelter to church or drop by the office.

Their needs may be found on their In-Kind Donations Wish List through Amazon.

Centreville Immigration Forum

CIF provides immigrants in need with the means to improve their lives and become more integrated into the community, improve communication and cooperation among all groups serving immigrants, and build community recognition of our strength in diversity.

The Shepherd's Center of Western Fairfax

The Shepherd's Center needs drivers and support for local seniors.

Prayer Requests

If you would like to add yourself or someone you care about to our Sunday prayer list, please contact clergy or the church office.

Sunday Services

Additional readers and ushers are needed. Sign up here.

Coffee Hour

We gather after worship for food and fellowship. Assist with snacks here.

Katherine Hanley Monthly Dinner

We cook and serve every second Tuesday of the month. Sign up here.

Altar Flowers

Dedicate the altar flowers in thanksgiving or in memory of a loved one here.

Photos?!

Have any photos or short videos from St. John's events? Send them to us.

Support St. John's Episcopal Church

With your online contribution, you are part of St. John's offering of healing, hope, and hospitality to all God's people. Join us now!



• Click the button below to set up a recurring gift online, or text "STJOHNSCENTREVILLE" to 73256 to give using your mobile device.
• Pledge to give using this online form.
• Explore more about giving to St. John's on our website or by contacting Father Kevin.