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Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

"For all the saints, who from their labors rest..." We sang this beloved hymn in worship this past Sunday (November 5) as we celebrated the Festival of All Saints, giving thanks to God that by His grace alone, we also are numbered among the saints. Together with "angels, archangels, and the whole company of heaven," we are one in Christ Jesus with the church on earth and the church in heaven. As the Epistle lesson in worship made clear (1 John 3:1-3) "we are God's children now." This is a present reality, not sometime far off into the future, but here and now.

Through the cleansing blood of Jesus, we, too, will be among that great multitude which no one can number, gathered before the throne and before the Lamb. As the sermon put it, we are blessed to rejoice now in this present life and in the life to come.

In Christ,

Pastor Meehan

Pastor Meehan's Blog - November 2023

There's still time to submit your 2024 Pledge Form!

We are still accepting pledge forms for 2024. We need them by this Friday, November 10! Next year's budget is dependent upon pledge forms submitted by our congregation members now. If you have not submitted your family's pledge for next year, please take a moment to do so today! Click here to fill out the form.

Also, for those members that have set up recurring gifts to the church, you should have received an email yesterday with information on how to move your recurring gift to our new giving platform, Pushpay. If you did not receive the email, or if you would like assistance in setting up your recurring gift for 2024, please reach out to Jennifer Smith at or 703-971-2211.

St. John’s 28th Annual Craft and Bake Sale

Saturday, November 11, 2023, 9 AM – 3 PM

St. John’s 28th Annual Craft and Bake Sale is this Saturday, November 11. Please join us and invite family, neighbors, and other friends to join you at this event and stick around for a BBQ and hotdog lunch from 10:30AM to 2:00PM.

We always need your help stocking our Bake Sale with a great selection of homemade baked goods. Click here to sign up. Please note any ingredients that are allergens (i.e. nuts) or items that might meet specific dietary needs like gluten free, keto friendly, low sugar, etc. 

If time and/or supplies for packaging treats are limited, just drop off your donations and we will be happy to package them. Your items may be dropped off in the church kitchen anytime on Thursday, Nov. 9, Friday, Nov. 10, or in the morning on Saturday, Nov. 11.

If you have questions, please contact Cathy Schreiner or Karen Kemmet at 703-973-5358 (cell).

Koinonia Christmas Wishes

Christmas Wishes time is almost upon us! Each year, the people of St. John's generously donate new toys, books, and gift cards for the Koinonia Christmas Wishes program. This ministry allows Koinonia parents in need to gather gifts for their children that they may have presents to give them for Christmas.

The Christmas tree in the Narthex will be up starting Sunday, November 12 where you can sign up in the notebook and take a star which represents a gift for a child of a certain age. You then get the gift and return it to the Christmas tree when you come to worship. Gifts are due back no later than Sunday, December 10.

You will be given a list of suggested items when you sign up. Koinonia asks that we do not donate Barbie dolls or Matchbox cars. Talk to the attendant at the tree or contact Christy Hoins for more information.

Koinonia Holiday Baskets Program

A BIG thank you to all who contributed food to the Thanksgiving baskets for Koinonia clients! We appreciate your contributions in helping Koinonia clients with a festive Thanksgiving meal.

If you have not yet delivered your donation of food items to the the church, all food donations need to be delivered to the church no later than 10AM on Sunday, November 12. Place your donations on the table on the Fellowship Hall stage marked “Koinonia Thanksgiving Baskets.” 

If you have any questions, please contact the church office, 703-971-2210.

Fundraiser Event at &Pizza

St. John's Early Childhood Education Center is having its first fundraiser of the year!

Here's our Goal!

RAISE $400 in sales on Tuesday, November 21

from 4pm - 8pm

What's the Reward?

25% of all sales that day

Join in on this fun event by:

• Ordering in person - give your phone number + code (STJ23) at the Kingstowne location at 5626 Kingstowne Towne Center.
• Ordering online or on their app - enter code (STJ23) in promo field at checkout.

More information in English and Spanish is attached.

Church Council Meeting on Sunday, November 12

St. John's governing board, the Church Council, will meet next on Sunday, November 12 at 1:00PM. This will be a virtual meeting and, as always, needs and concerns from members of the congregation are welcome and invited. Questions? Please contact Denise Canter, Congregational President.

Pastor Nass Committal Service at Arlington Nat'l. Cemetery



Members and friends of St. John's are invited to the committal service for our own Pastor Ben Nass, which will take place with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery on Tuesday, November 21 at 1:00PM. Please meet at the Administration Building of the cemetery no later than 12:15PM to assemble.

Pastor Nass died on June 15, 2022, and his memorial service took place at St. John's on July 9, 2022. Having served as a Chaplain in the US Army for thirty years prior to serving as St. John's Associate Pastor (1997-2006), this committal service will be a fitting tribute to one who served his country with honor and distinction.

NEW Chili Cook-Off Champion!

Another successful Chili Cook-Off is in the books! Many thanks to all the cooks who provided a delicious chili for all of us to enjoy. The chili chefs are stepping up their game and the chili gets better each year! Congratulations to our 2023 Chili Cook-Off winner Grace Rempe who won with her Pulled Pork Chili recipe.

The Hopeful Neighborhood Project

The Hopeful Neighborhood Project aligns well with the concepts of "Joining Jesus on His Mission." To learn more about "Joining Jesus on His Mission," visit our website and scroll to the bottom of the home page.

You are encouraged to register now for these free virtual events.

November 9th, 5:00-6:00 CST - Intro to The Hopeful Neighborhood Project

November 16th, 6:00-7:00 CST - Love Your Neighborhood Workshop: Snack Boards

Workshops are FREE and open to all, but an RSVP is required. 

Thanksgiving Eve Worship Service

St. John's Thanksgiving Eve worship service will take place on Wednesday, November 22 at 7:30PM. In advance of this, plastic Thanksgiving bags will be handed out to worshipers on the Sundays prior to Thanksgiving. You are asked to take these home and fill them with non-perishable food supplies to bless those in need in our community.

Please return these filled bags on or before the Thanksgiving Eve service on November 22, when they will be brought to the altar as part of our worship that evening. As we give thanks for God's many blessings in life, the love of Jesus moves us to help others so that there is both thanks and giving.

New Giving Platform

St. John's is in the process of transitioning to a new giving platform. The new platform will offer more features that will help to properly track and acknowledge the many gifts we receive from our members and community. In the upcoming weeks, keep an eye out for more information on how this positively affects the ways in which you can give to SJLC.

If you already have a recurring gift set up through CCB, please watch for an email from us soon that will help you to move your offerings from the current platform to our new platform. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to our Financial Administrator, Jennifer Smith (703-971-2211).

We appreciate your patience and assistance during this transition!

Looking Ahead

• Veteran's Day - November 11
• Church office and ECEC closed for Thanksgiving holiday - November 23-24
• Festival of Christ the King (last Sunday of the church year) - November 26
• Women's Christmas Dinner - December 1 at 6:00PM
• Advent wreath-making for all ages - December 3 at 9:15AM
• Congregational Virtual Voters' Meeting - December 3 at 1:00PM
• Annandale Brass Christmas Concert in Sanctuary - December 10 at 4:00PM

Important Links

• Facebook Live for viewing live services or educational opportunities as well as those previously recorded.
• YouTube for viewing church services
• Click here for the bulletins

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