To St. John's Parishioners and Friends:

God loves the world!

God loves us!

God loves you!

I love you!

God loves me!

I love me!

Thanks be to God!

Amen!

Rev. Churchill J. Gibson, Jr., "The Shouting Prayer"

Greetings from Shrine Mont! I'm serving as a youth chaplain at Shrine Mont summer camps in Orkney Springs, Virginia this week.

For those who don't know about Shrine Mont: Though our bishop ministers from Mayo House in Richmond, the Cathedral Shrine of the Transfiguration here in the mountains is officially the cathedral of the Diocese of Virginia. It holds the record for the highest ceiling. Because it has none. At the rear of the open-air church is a stone bearing the prayer above, which is shouted on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere. Every year, Shrine Mont hosts parish retreats, clergy conferences, and summer camps. Last year was my first here as a chaplain, and I just had to return.

I'll be working with our youngest campers, learning about images of God in Scripture: spirit, fire, rock, light, peace, word, and love. How are you connecting with God this summer? Where is your spirit, your fire? What's your rock or your light when things are challenging? How are you finding or making peace? What's your word for the world? Who will you love?

I'll miss you Sunday. Thanks to the Rev. Dr. Samuel R. Reddimalla, who will preside for us. I'll be back in the office August 2. If you have a pastoral emergency, please contact Deacon Steve Busch.

Grace and peace,

Kevin

The Rev. Kevin Laskowski

Priest-in-Charge

St. John's Episcopal Church

Craft and Jewelry Sale for African Team Ministries! Back for one more week!

African Team Ministries provides funding for orphan and refugee relief missions and evangelism in East Africa. Visit us after the service Sunday, July 30 to purchase dozens of unique gifts: scarves, pottery, figurines, jewelry, and more. Support received goes to partnering bishops to provide drip irrigation kits to communities and school fees, tuition, books, and uniforms for children in need.

WORSHIP

Last Sunday's Sermon

Rev. Kevin welcomes God's fire. God's fire is not coming for people but for the forces within the human heart that tear at the image of God. Some things need to burn so that the best in us can shine. The sinful are not destined for some hellfire but for freedom and transformation because of a God who loves them fiercely.

Upcoming Readings for July 30, 2023

Let us prepare our hearts and mind for worship with the readings for the Ninth Sunday after Pentecost:

First Reading: 1 Kings 3:5-12

God comes to Solomon in a dream, wanting Solomon to ask something of him. Solomon asks for wisdom, and God grants the humble, wise request.

Psalm: Psalm 119:129-136

The Psalmist is so passionate about God's teaching that they weep--in sorrow, not judgment--for a world that doesn't know God's love.

Second Lesson: Romans 8:26-39

In the depths of suffering, we may be too troubled to know how to respond, but God will lead us through the valley of death, always our companion, never separated from us.

Gospel: Matthew 13:31-33,44-52

Jesus presents many parables describing the kingdom of heaven; his transforming truth comes together to form the most cohesive picture possible this side of glory.

Altar Flowers Needed

Volunteers to provide or purchase altar flowers are urgently needed for upcoming Sundays. Please contact Marcia Evans or sign up 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.

Adult Lectionary Forum

Join us Sundays in-person in the church library or online via Zoom to discuss the day's lessons.

Summer with the Psalms

"Nowhere do the Psalms have an ideal of silence. Their assumption is that one finds God not in silence but in noise." - John Goldingay, biblical scholar

Join Rev. Kevin as we explore the Psalms Thursday nights at 7 PM in August. Each week, we'll take a in-depth look at one or two of the Psalms from each of the book's five sections. How did the authors find God's song amid the noise of the world? How did they sing back? How might we do the same? No homework required. Join us in the library or online. Click here for additional info and to register.

Tree of Life on August 8

St. John's needs you for our dinner on August 8! St. John's partners with several other local churches to prepare and serve a meal to some 70 local residents every second Tuesday of the month at the Sterling Community Center. For more information and to sign up, contact Val Tucker, Andrew Wade, or click here.

Western Fairfax Christian Ministries

St. John's is a founding partner of Western Fairfax Christian Ministries, which provides food and financial support to families at risk of hunger and homelessness in western Fairfax County. Please bring your donations to Sunday services, or drop at the church office. Here are their current food pantry needs for this month:

Food & Beverages​​

• Flour
• Canned Pears (no sugar added)
• Canned Mandarin Oranges (no sugar added)
• Fruit Cocktail (no sugar added)
• Black Beans, Garbanzo Beans, and Great Northern Beans
• Ramen Noodle Soup
• Jelly
• Boxed Pasta and Canned Pasta
• Pasta Sauce
• Cake Mix and Brownie Mix 

​Toiletries

Toiletry items cannot be purchased by clients with SNAP​​

• Body Wash
• Bar Soap
• Toothpaste
• Conditioner
• Lotion
• Feminine Pads (not tampons)
• Large size pull-ups (size 4T/5T for toddlers) 
• Size 5 and 6 Diapers 
• Baby Wipes 

​Only size 5 and 6 diapers and large pull-ups are needed at this time thanks to a partnership with Greater DC Diaper Bank. 

The Shepherd's Center of Western Fairfax

The Shepherd's Center needs drivers and support for local seniors.

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 Katharine K. Hanley Family Shelter

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.

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.

Altar Flowers

Dedicate the altar flowers in thanksgiving or in memory of a loved one here.

Tree of Life

Help us feed hungry families. Sign up here.

For the people 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.

--a prayer from Archbishop Justin Welby and Archbishop Stephen Cottrell

Episcopal Relief & Development provides humanitarian assistance to people fleeing the violence in Ukraine, working with ACT Alliance and its Anglican partners in Europe. You can contribute to its Ukraine Crisis Response Fund here.