St. John's Episcopal Church - Centreville, VA

Parish News - December 21, 2022

To St. John's Parishioners and Friends -


From the Deacon:

As we come to the end of Advent, let us continue to prepare for the celebration of the coming of the Lord on Christmas day by prayer, study, and being open to the Holy Spirit. While celebrating with family and friends and our communities are important, it is critical to keep a focus on the reason for the season, the birth of our savior Jesus. He came to us as a little child born to Mary his mother. “And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father's only son, full of grace and truth.” Let us celebrate the coming of the Lord and be glad together. Christmas is a time to rejoice in the faith that is in us, that faith can grow into joy. It may be substantial and that leads to works of faith that glorify God and bring healing to the brokenness of the world. 

Merry Christmas!


Other notes/reminders:

-         Christmas Eve Services will be at 4:00 and 9:00 PM

-         Christmas Day (Sunday) will be at 9:30 AM

Peace,

 Rev Deacon Steve

CHRISTMAS SERVICES

CHRISTMAS EVE, DECEMBER 24 - 4 PM & 9 PM

CHRISTMAS DAY, DECEMBER 25 - 9:30 AM

Announcement:

Pledge Cards are still being gratefully received.


Signed,

The St. John's Vestry which is trying to balance the 2023 budget.

P.S. Many thanks to those who have already turned theirs in.

Choir Members Participating in the New Bishop's Consecration Dec. 3rd:

David & Penny Parker, Susie & Larry Pike

(Other participants included Walt Cooner, banner bearer, and the Rev. Steve Busch who processed with the clergy.

Bell Dedication Held - On Friday, December 2, St. John's once again had a handsome bell in place on the "walk of the saints." This new bell basked in the sunshine under a clear blue sky, and all was calm and peaceful. And on Sunday, December 4, the new bell was dedicated to "the memory of Helen Rusnak", with many of her family members present.

The Fire - Wood Fundraiser for Outreach

Bigger Bundles this year! The Woodchucks have been out chopping, and there is a lot of wood in store! $10 for a large bundle, $25 for 3 large bundles! Right outside the front door. Please drop the envelopes with $$ or checks in our mailbox adjacent to the wood.

How to help Ukrainians If you would like to help those in need, Episcopal Relief and Development is working closely with a group that is on the ground in Ukraine. You can make a contribution: at https://www.episcopalrelief.org/ 


A Prayer for all those involved in the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

God of peace and justice, we pray for the people of Ukraine today. We pray for peace and the laying down of weapons. We pray for all those who fear for tomorrow, that your Spirit of comfort would draw near to them. We pray for those with power over war or peace, for wisdom, discernment and compassion to guide their decisions. Above all, we pray for all your precious children, at risk and in fear, that you would hold and protect them. We pray in the name of Jesus, the Prince of Peace. Amen

(written by Archbishop Justin Welby and Archbishop Stephen Cottrell)

OUTREACH and VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Centreville Immigration Forum & Labor Resource Center

Volunteer & Intern Opportunities


The Katharine K. Hanley Family Shelter

Toothpaste / Shampoo / Conditioner / Body Wash /

Bar Soap / Hand Soap / Deodorant

The items may be dropped off at the box in the office.

The Katharine K. Hanley Family Shelter is nearby and houses up to 12 families onsite, 12 families in hotel sites and serves over 40 families in their prevention and rapid rehousing programs. Seeking volunteers for: On-call movers , Volunteer Shelter Assistant

Please contact Rev. Deacon Steve at stjohnscvdeacon1@gmail.com who will coordinate with KKHFS Community Coordinator to get you started.

VOLUNTEER SIGN - UPS


  • Lectors read the lessons, ushers greet and help with the service
  • Lay Eucharistic Visitors help visit our sick and shut-ins who would like communion at their home (see Deacon Steve for this),
  • Altar Guild members help prepare for our worship service (see Marcia Evans or another A.G. member)

SUNDAY SERVICE READER OR USHER

 We welcome and value your help! The lector reads the 2 lessons and the psalm. The usher hands out bulletins and brings the elements and offering to the altar. CLICK HERE.

Bishop's Blend Coffee

AFTER THE SERVICE - COFFEE HOUR IS BACK!

If you would like to sign up to bring coffee hour "snacks" in the coming weeks click 

SUNDAY SNACK SIGN UP

ALTAR FLOWERS

When you sign up, please indicate how you wish your flower donation to appear in the Sunday bulletin. CLICK HERE

THE ADULT LECTIONARY FORUM -

IN PERSON & ON ZOOM 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. Here is the login link, https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87899564581?pwd=djlEeWFGd1JpZUlTaUh3YmZlUld0UT09

St. John's You Tube Link to view the Sunday Services

The services continue to be live streamed at 9:30 AM on Sunday morning, and they can be watched later as well. On Saturday, we will resend the link, along with a link for the bulletin and the lectionary class.

https://youtube.com/@stjohnscentreville



We can prepare our hearts & minds

by reading ahead for

the Sunday Service lesson.





The Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ

December 25, 2022


The First Reading: Isaiah 9:2-7

   

The Psalm: 96, BCP


The Second Reading: Titus 2:11-14

  

The Gospel: Luke 1:1-20

  

We welcomed The Rev. Philene Ware Dunn on April 24 to St. John's, and she is the priest celebrating the Sunday services. She is here on Sunday mornings only and will work with Deacon Steve on any pastoral concerns.

Masks are optional during the service

Online Contributions
 to St. John's
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.
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)
The Facility Campaign button may be used only for any contribution for the facility's buildings and grounds, or special facility campaigns.
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 sjeccentreville@aol.com.
PLEDGE payment
FACILITY campaign
make a DONATION

Of Note from the December Executive Board Meeting of the Diocese re: Fulfilling Resolutions of the Annual Convention

R-1 Net Carbon Neutrality by 2030

The diocesan Creation Care Task Force will publish a monthly communication to churches regarding steps they can take toward achieving carbon neutrality by 2030.


R-4 Recognition of Episcopal Leadership in our Diocese

In all histories produced by the Diocese, Bishop Suffragan Susan E. Goff will be recognized in the official succession of diocesan Episcopal leadership between Bishop Shannon S. Johnston and Bishop E. Mark Stevenson. This resolution affirms Bishop Goff’s four years of service as Ecclesiastical Authority in the interim period between the retirement of Bishop Johnston and the consecration of Bishop Stevenson.


Bishop Stevenson Announces the Appointment of the Rt. Rev’d Gayle Elizabeth Harris as Assistant Bishop

The Rt. Rev’d E. Mark Stevenson, Bishop of the Diocese of Virginia, announced today the appointment of the Rt. Rev’d Gayle Elizabeth Harris as Assistant Bishop of the Diocese of Virginia. Bishop Harris is currently Bishop Suffragan of the Diocese of Massachusetts.

Bishop Harris will play a lead role in broadening and deepening the Diocese’s formation ministries for both clergy and lay leaders. She will also share in the full range of episcopal duties, including support of clergy, congregational development, and visitations to churches, schools, colleges, and retirement communities.

HERE IS THE LINK to the Diocesan Website's recording of the Consecration of the 14th Bishop of Virginia on Dec. 3.

The Rev. Canon Mark Stevenson

14th Bishop Diocesan of the Diocese of Virginia, Consecrated December 3


Over the course of Stevenson’s ordained ministry, he has served as Director of Episcopal Migration Ministries, Domestic Poverty Missioner for The Episcopal Church, and Canon to the Ordinary in the Diocese of Louisiana, and was the Rector in two parishes. Bishop Stevenson succeeds the Rt. Rev. Shannon Johnston who retired in 2017. Suffragan Bishop Susan Goff served as Ecclesiastical Authority in the interim years. As Bishop of the Diocese of Virginia, Stevenson is the pastoral leader of 177 congregations, with more than 65,000 baptized members.

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