To St. John's Parishioners and Friends:

Our word liturgy comes from Greek words meaning "work of the people." Our liturgies are not the work of one priest or person - but the work of God and of this faithful community of St. John's.

Thank you to all who made our Holy Week and Easter worship possible:

• Mandy, our music director; the St. John's choir; and Katharine, our trumpet player, for the beautiful music;
• Marcia and the Altar Guild for the flowers and care for our altar and historic worship space;
• Terri Katon, our parish administrator, for the bulletins;
• David, David Daniel, and John for recording and livestreaming the services;
• Susie, Andrew, and Val for their work on Easter signs;
• Val, Kristen, John, Durinda, Emori, George, and Susan for signing up, setting up, and staffing our Easter Egg Hunt;
• our Passion reading participants on Palm Sunday;
• all our ushers, crucifers, and readers; and
• because I know I'm missing people - all our many volunteers who made palm crosses, stuffed and hid Easter eggs, and gave God glory in ways large and small this blessed Holy Week.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

A blessed Eastertide to you and yours!

Grace and peace,

Kevin

The Rev. Kevin Laskowski

Priest-in-Charge

St. John's Episcopal Church

A Call for Treasurer

Our current Treasurer Craig Staresinich has asked to step away from this role to pursue other activities in his retirement. Thank you, Craig, for your years of invaluable service and for sharing your many gifts with us.

The Treasurer is a parish volunteer who works with our staff and bookkeeper to report on the parish finances to our Finance Committee and Vestry. If you have an interest in this ministry, and feel you might be called to it, contact Rev. Kevin.

Progressive Dinner Returns!

Saturday, April 27, 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM

St. John's parishioners, the Progressive Dinner returns April 27! This is an opportunity for St. John’s adults to gather in one another’s homes for food, fun, and fellowship. We will meet for drinks, hors d’oeuvres and fellowship at the home of a parishioner before dividing into groups and heading to other homes for dinner. The evening ends at yet another location for dessert and coffee. Past dinners have been a huge hit, and everyone has had a wonderful time! Print this flyer and return to Penny Parker by April 14 to be part of the festivities.

WORSHIP

Last Sunday's Sermon: Easter

The disciples run from the tomb because true love can be overwhelming and terrifying, but, by God's grace, we are capable of more than we can imagine.

View Easter Day on March 31 here, and look for new sermons as always here.

Good Friday Sermon

Jesus died to free us from sin and death. He suffered to make us a family. (Watch the whole Good Friday service here.)

Maundy Thursday Sermon

Friendship is an important education on the way to the agape love Jesus commanded and we all hope for. (Watch the whole Maundy Thursday service 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 Second Sunday of Easter

Let us prepare our hearts and mind for worship:

First Reading: Acts 4:32-35

As the early Church proclaims the resurrection of Christ, poor and rich Christians unite in common life and care for each other.

Response: Psalm 133

Second Reading:1 John 1:1-2:2

Walking in God’s light means turning from our sins and finding forgiveness through Jesus.

Gospel: John 20:19-31

In a joyous reunion with his disciples, Jesus imparts the Holy Spirit. He later grants Thomas the evidence this disciple required to believe in the Lord’s resurrection.

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.

Interested in Confirmation, Reception, or Reaffirmation? Save the Date for Bishop's Visitation

The Rt. Rev. James J. "Bud" Shand will visit St. John's on Pentecost, May 19, 2024. Bishop Shand is the retired Bishop Diocesan of the Diocese of Easton (Maryland), served as Chairman of the Board of the Virginia Theological Seminary, and is now Visiting Bishop here in the Diocese of Virginia.

If you're interested in Baptism, Confirmation, Reception, or Reaffirmation on Pentecost with the Bishop, or what these things might mean for you, 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)

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 underway on Wednesday nights. Contact Walt Cooner for more information.

Prepare and/or Serve Meals for the Katharine K. 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 April 9 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.

Parishioner Sandy Jones shared the impact St. John's support has had, in the community and on those who serve:

"After a year of serving a monthly dinner at Tree of Life in Sterling, we switched to the Katherine Hanley Family Shelter. It always felt good to serve and connect with families at Tree of Life, but it was a bit far and made it difficult for more people to participate. So we switched to the Katherine Hanley shelter, just two-and-a-half miles from St. John's. For me the experience was very different. We still bought and made the food, and we still served it with a smile, but it was not the same. We are serving people in our neighborhood who are at a place in life that is hard to imagine. They are without a home, and they are trying to start over with their children. Showing love and compassion, and serving them and sharing a conversation with our neighbors is a moving experience. For me the biggest impact is seeing the families sit and eat together, knowing how important that time is for a family. Most of the children are quite young, the youngest I met was two weeks old. Showing them they are cared about and supported is a gift to us as much as it is a gift to them."

Volunteer in a New Way with the Katharine K. Hanley Family Shelter

St. John's has been supporting KKHFS for several years with donations,

funds, and, recently, one dinner every month. As the residents prepare to

move out of the shelter into long-term housing, many need help with

independent living skills. The shelter assigns a case manager to help

ensure a successful transition; however, some may need additional support,

such as household management, budgeting, organizing skills, and

childcare. Also important are skills related to securing and maintaining a job, such as resume-building, interviewing, scheduling, and discipline to keep the job and perform well. Case managers are looking to match clients' needs with volunteers interested and skilled in these areas. Please let Deacon Steve know if you would be interested in volunteering to help a KKHFS client.

Western Fairfax Christian Ministries

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. Please continue to bring donations of food and more to Sunday services, or drop at the church office.

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.

Prayers for the Holy Land

Many prayers have been offered in the wake of terrorist attacks by Hamas and the outbreak of war. Presiding Bishop Michael Curry called for prayer again as an Anglican hospital in Gaza was destroyed. The Presiding Bishop and Pope Francis have both called for ceasefire, return of hostages, and humanitarian aid as the conflict continues. Pray along with Archbishop Hosam Naoum of the Episcopal Diocese in Jerusalem:

O God of all justice and peace we cry out to you in the midst of the pain and trauma of violence and fear which prevails in the Holy Land. Be with those who need you in these days of suffering; we pray for people of all faiths - Jews, Muslims and Christians and for all people of the land. While we pray to you, O Lord, for an end to violence and the establishment of peace, we also call for you to bring justice and equity to the peoples. Guide us into your kingdom where all people are treated with dignity and honour as your children for, to all of us, you are our Heavenly Father. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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.
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• Explore more about giving to St. John's on our website or by contacting Father Kevin.