St. John's Episcopal Church - Centreville, VA
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Parish News - July 21, 2021
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Dear St. John's Parishioners and Friends:
In these days of COVID, we have had to change some of the ways that we do things when we come to worship together. One is to wear a mask during the church service, especially while singing, to minimize the risk of spreading the disease. Another is the use of small cups for the wafers so only the person receiving the wafer touches it. As we are still not able to use the common cup, we are using individual cups for that as well. Its been trial-and-error as to how best to fill the cups after the wine has been consecrated. We are still learning!
Many people have asked why we cannot fill the cups of wine ahead of time and then consecrate the wine. There is a theological reason for that. From the earliest days, the bread was blessed, broken and shared with the people present. Eventually, wafers replaced the bread, but the celebrant still holds up the priest's host and breaks it in remembrance of Christ's body broken for us. The wine in earliest times was a common cup that was passed among the people present. The common cup reminds us of our unity with Christ and the unity within our community of faith. In the "additional directions" on page 407 in the Book of Common Prayer, it states, "During the Great Thanksgiving, it is appropriate that there be only one chalice on the altar, and, if need be, a flagon (or cruet) of wine from which the additional chalices (cups) may be filled after the Breaking of the Bread."
Because of the pandemic, we need to use individual cups for consuming the wine for the safety of all. After the wine in the cruet is consecrated, it can then be poured into the individual cups for it to be safely consumed.
Although it might be much easier to fill the communion cups before the consecration (or before the service), it is not theologically appropriate. We are one in community and one in Christ. And the Great Thanksgiving preserves that theology.
The Rev. Carol Hancock
Rector
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PARISH NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
This Sunday, July 25, the congregation will vote on an amendment to the by-laws of the parish to re-instate an Executive Committee as part of the Vestry. The amendment is as follows:
1. There shall be an Executive Committee consisting of the Rector and three members of the Vestry. Members of the Vestry on the Executive Committee shall be the Senior Warden, the Junior Warden, and one other Vestry member. If the Parish Treasurer is a Vestry member, he/she shall automatically become the final member of the Executive Committee. If the Parish Treasurer is not a member of the Vestry, the final member shall be elected by the Vestry with the Parish Treasurer attending Executive Committee meetings with voice but no vote.
2. The Executive Committee shall develop the proposed agenda for Vestry meetings, making proposals on policy, planning and other matters, as appropriate, for Vestry consideration, and will be responsible for the oversight, integration, and implementation of all activities of the parish.
News about our bell - We have been informed by the Navy that we can no longer ring the bell that has been on loan to us from the Navy, and that has graced the front of St. John's for almost 60 years. The new policy of the Navy is that these bells (not just ours but all those loaned to churches and schools) are now artifacts. They can no longer be rung or be outside subject to the weather due to the possibility of damaging them. The bell will be taken down sometime after August 16 and returned to the Navy. If you would like to take any pictures of the bell, please be sure to do it before August 16.
Arirang, our adult daycare Ministry Partner, has found it necessary to close its doors. We are beginning our search for a new non-profit group to use the parish hall during the week. If you know of any group looking for space, please tell them to contact David Thompson at St. John's (703-803-7500). We need to spread the word as widely and as quickly as possible.
We need YOU!!! We want to re-start our Sunday School class for our younger children in the fall, but we need to have teachers who are willing to teach. If we can get several volunteers, no one would have to do it every week. The curriculum contains the story, craft and video. All we need is you! Please tell Carol if you can help.
Last call!!! If anyone is interested in the Education for Ministry program, which meets once a week for 9 months and is a four year program, this is the last call to try to start a group in September. Please let Carol know.
If anyone is interested in the Sacred Ground class, a 10 week class on racism, sponsored by the Episcopal Church, this is the last call for a class to start in September. It consists of readings and online videos as homework for each session. Please let Carol know.
Interested in being Confirmed or Received into the Episcopal Church? As the bishops have not been able to visit churches in person during the past 16 months due to COVID, they will be offering several regional services of Confirmation and Reception into the Episcopal Church on Saturday, September 18. The closest service to us will be at The Falls Church. Please let me know soon if you or a family member is interested as classes will need to be scheduled ahead of time.
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Online Service Videos
As we return to in-person worship, it will be important for us to continue our ministry of having our services online for those who cannot or choose not to come to church. Our videos are also sent out by parishioners to friends and family in other states. We need several people to take turns recording the service on Sunday mornings. Instructions will be given. Please join us if you can help with this ministry. We need several people so it doesn't fall on the shoulders of one person every week. Please let Carol know.
You may be on YouTube. As we are now recording our services in the church and posting them on YouTube, you might be recorded in the service, particularly when you are going up to communion or returning to your seat. If this is a problem for anyone, please let Carol know.
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OUTREACH
Outreach Opportunity to Help Our “Neighbors”
The Western Fairfax Shepherd Center is still accepting volunteer drivers to support clients who need help getting to appointments, shopping trips (for food), and to deliver food from WFCM to clients. Please contact the Shepherd Center at 703-246-5920 or email [email protected] and copy Deacon Steve at [email protected].
WFCM requests backpacks for the fall
Western Fairfax Christian Ministries has asked St. John's to provide 15 girls backpacks for Lees Corner Elementary School. These backpacks would be for elementary school girls. Solid colors are preferred in pink, yellow, purple or turquoise. The backpacks are not needed until early August but you can drop them off at the church anytime. We have received 8 backpacks so far. We need to deliver the backpacks by the first week in August.
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Can you be a Sunday service reader or usher? We welcome, need, and value your help! The lector will read the 2 lessons and the psalm. The usher will hand out bulletins and bring the elements and offering to the altar. If you would like to do either of these, CLICK HERE to sign up on SignUp Genius.
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Altar Flower Sign Ups - Flowering plants are welcomed.
The Sign Up is designed for you to enter your name, and how you wish your flower donation to appear in the Sunday bulletin. (Wedding anniversary, in memory of someone - something special you want to remember by providing flowers.)
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Service of Evening Prayer - Virtually
Every Wednesday, St. John's has a Service of Evening Prayer. It is a peaceful way to end the day, and it's now being held virtually. Here is the link to this evening's service:
Wednesday, July 21
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THE ADULT LECTIONARY FORUM - IN PERSON & ON ZOOM
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Last Sunday's recorded service: The Eighth Sunday after Pentecost, July 18, 2021
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SUNDAY WORSHIP & EDUCATION
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THE ADULT LECTIONARY FORUM - HELD EACH SUNDAY
All are invited to join in, following the Sunday service, in the library. Or use the link to the Lectionary Forum via Zoom, in case you cannot attend in person, found above.
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We can prepare our hearts & minds by reading ahead
for the Sunday Service lesson
The Ninth Sunday after Pentecost
July 25, 2021
The First Reading:
2 Kings 4:42-44
The power of God works in Elisha, just as it does later in Jesus, to multiply a humble supply of food for hungry masses.
The Psalm:145: 10-19, page 802 , BCP
The Second Reading:
Ephesians 3:14-21
Paul writes that the Ephesians, through the presence of Christ, will grow in their knowledge and love of the Lord.
The Gospel:
John 6:1-21
Jesus uses everyday food — loaves and fishes — to show God’s deep compassion for all who hunger.
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Online Contributions
to St. John's
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St. John's now offers three buttons for online donations via Tithe.ly. You may use the buttons below to go directly to Tithe.ly, or you may download the Tithe.ly app on your phone or tablet.
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The Pledge payment button may be used only to make your pledge payment (after signing up to be a pledger, which may be done at any time in the year. See Carol or Vestry)
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The Facility Campaign button may be used only for any contribution for the facility's buildings and grounds, or special facility campaigns.
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The Donation button may be used for any other type of donation to St. John's. To designate a special purpose (i.e. Organ Fund, Ministry Partner payments, etc.) please send a note to [email protected].
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We Remember, We Celebrate, We Tell the Truth: A Reflection from Bishop Goff on Juneteenth
Bishop Susan Goff delivered this reflection during the Juneteenth: Freedom Day celebration at St. Peter's and St. John's churches in Richmond on June 19, 2021. Juneteenth became an official national holiday known as Juneteenth National Independence Day by law on June 17, 2021.
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Pause
Sometimes we look around and wonder: Is it making any difference? Am I running in place? Are you running with me Jesus? That moment is a chance to pause – it may be more than a pause, a long night, a dark season. Here, Jesus’ words catch up: “Have no fear, what you hear in the dark, tell in the light; the hairs of your head are all counted, you are of much value.” In that still darkness, I can perceive again the loving gaze of the Father, the stirring power of the Spirit, and Brother Jesus’ hand grabs mine and leads me on.
-Br. Todd Blackham
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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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Please note: If you choose to unsubscribe below, please be aware that you will no longer receive either St. John's sermons or E-Notes, which are sent weekly. If you do unsubscribe and later want to be added back in, that needs to be done through the provider, Constant Contact. Please email St. John's office with the request: [email protected].
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