In the Gospel lesson for this past Sunday (Mark 9:30-37 ESV), Jesus’ announcement to his disciples that he would suffer and die was followed by an argument among them about who was the greatest. We may shake our heads and wonder how such a thing could happen. But had we been there, we would also have been just as confused as the first disciples were.
Do we ever get off course and become distracted with the wrong things in life? Of course, we do. We’re no different than those first disciples. As the sermon pointed out, in putting a child into the midst of the disciples, Jesus was calling them—and us—to measure greatness differently in his upside-down kingdom. Jesus demonstrated this by becoming last of all and least of all, offering his life on the cross as our Servant King and Savior. As Jesus has loved and served us, so we are to love and serve one another. That is true greatness.
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Church Flood Restoration Update
We have good news to report! Installation of new carpeting in flood-damaged classrooms of the Early Childhood Education Center (ECEC) has begun this week, and new flooring for the Library is scheduled for next week. Drywall and painting have all been finished, and mold remediation work in one of the ECEC classrooms is moving toward completion this week.
Exterior flood barriers have been placed both inside as well as outside along flood-prone areas of our church facilities. As the restoration work continues, we are working with the Campus Projects Team (CPT) to address underlying issues such as topography, storm water management, and more effective drainage around the church property.
As we anticipate all of this work being finished, help will be needed to move furnishings back into ECEC classrooms—exact date TBD. If you are available and can help to do this, please contact Brian Hoins. Thank you!
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Helping our Afghan Neighbors
We are helping six Afghan households who arrived in the U.S. recently, living in Woodbridge, Alexandria, and Reston. They have basic apartment set-ups but are not yet assigned a long-term sponsor for support. As we talk to each family, this list will change. Check back regularly to see what's been added.
Click here to sign up to donate items. This is a quick turn-around project. We deliver as soon as we receive goods. Please bring or send items to St. John's Lutheran Church, 5952 Franconia Road, Alexandria VA 22310 and place on the Fellowship Hall stage. To coordinate access to the stage contact Janet in the church office or 703.971.2210, Monday through Thursday, 9-5 or come Sunday, 9-12.
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Outdoor Worship Service on Saturday, September 25
You’re invited to join us for an outdoor worship service with Holy Communion to be held on Saturday, September 25 at 5:00PM.
Please bring your own chairs from home and join us in the lower parking lot near the fire pit. This will be a casual and informal time of worship and you are welcome to bring friends with you. Because this is an outdoor worship service, mask wearing is no longer mandated for those who have been fully vaccinated. However, with the rise in Delta variant cases, we strongly encourage people to maintain safe social distance and to wear a mask.
Please note that there will be one additional outdoor worship service with Holy Communion on Saturday, October 23 at 5PM.
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Walking and Talking With Jesus – Sponsored by the Salaam Isa Mission Society
Welcome to six sessions of Walking and Talking With Jesus on Wednesdays, beginning tonight on September 22, at 7 PM on Zoom.
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September 22 – The Parable of the Sower; Mark 4:1-20
- November 17 – Parables
- January 26 – Miracles
- February 23 – Miracles
- April 27 – Communities
- June 22 - Communities
The sessions will be led by Pastor Martin (Grace, Woodbridge) or Pastor Triolo (St. Mark’s, Springfield). Each session will be approximately one hour with a 15-minute Biblical framework from Pastor, 15-minute presentation from Yvette Moy, stories from participants and post-meeting fellowship for continued conversation. We will explore Walking and Talking With Jesus through parables, through miracles, and in our communities.
There is still time for you to register for the session on Wednesday, Sept. 22. For each session, the Zoom link will be sent to you. See you on Zoom!
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Tuesdays @2 RETURNS!
Join Pastor Meehan and DCE Jennifer Hills each Tuesday @2 on our SJLC Facebook page for a virtual LIVE Bible Study. This fall we're exploring the Feasts of Israel and drawing connections to how Jesus fulfills all the feasts. |
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Read the New Testament in 90 Days
The Day by Day Missional Community invites you to join them as they read the New Testament in 90 days. The reading plan will begin on October 1 and through daily reading, you will complete the entire New Testament by the end of this calendar year on December 31. The group meets on Tuesday evenings via Zoom. If you are interested in joining, please contact Tara Signet.
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Good Shepherd Seminar
The 14th Annual Good Shepherd Seminar is open to all and will take place Saturday, October 2, 10AM-3:30PM at the Courtyard Hotel, Springfield, 703-924-7200. Doors open at 10:00; Matins begins at 10:15. Lunch included with registration and catered by Malik’s Pizza Palace.
“The Gospel of John” will be presented by Rev. Dr. William Weinrich, Professor of Historical Theology, Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana.
A donation of $10 is suggested for this free seminar sponsored by Saint Athanasius Lutheran Church. All donations will benefit the Seminary student aid fund. Space is limited! To RSVP or for more information, contact salchurch7@gmail.com or call 703-455-4003.
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Thank You, St. John’s
Thank you all very much for the recognition I received during the church service on September 5th. I was truly surprised and overwhelmed by your generosity of flowers and a beautiful silver cross set with blue sapphires, which is my birthstone. I will always remember your kind gesture. Barbara Pate
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COVID-19 Mask Update
St. John's congregational leadership continues to closely monitor updates by the State of Virginia and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) on COVID guidance, the Delta variant, and wearing of mask protocols. The new CDC guidance related to the Delta variant updated their guidance on wearing a mask indoors in public, even if fully vaccinated.
If you have questions or concerns, please be in touch with the church office.
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Holy Communion on Wednesdays at Noon will Continue
We have made the decision to continue the practice of celebrating Holy Communion at noon on Wednesdays. We ask that you continue to register in advance if you wish to receive Communion. The registration link will continue to be shown near the end of the Midweek Update each week.
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Important Links
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Registration for Holy Communion held on Wednesdays at noon.
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Facebook Live for viewing live services or educational opportunities as well as those previously recorded.
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YouTube for viewing church services
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Click here and scroll down for the bulletins
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