Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. | |
|
Our celebration of the birth of Jesus our Savior doesn't stop when Christmas Day is over, even though the world around us seems to have packed things up and moved on to whatever is next. We continue to rejoice in the birth of Christ for twelve days until January 6, when we celebrate the Epiphany of Our Lord, remembering the coming of the Wise Men and the gifts they presented to Jesus. As we heard in the Gospel for Christmas Day, Jesus is the Word-made-flesh who came to dwell among us, full of grace and truth. In Jesus, God is not far removed and distant from us, but is Emmanuel, God-with-us and God-for-us.
As the sermon for Christmas Day pointed out, this good news of great joy is for all people. May this good news of Christmas fill our hearts and minds with joy and peace, not only in this season, but at all times.
In Christ,
Pastor Meehan
| |
|
Merry Christmas and Thank You from St. John’s Staff
We take this opportunity to wish everyone a blessed and happy Christmas as we rejoice in the birth of our Savior Jesus. We also say thank you for your many kind expressions to us in this season: the cards, messages, treats and gifts that you have generously given to us. Thank you, members and friends of St. John's, for the staff Christmas gifts presented to us. It is a privilege for us to serve among you, working in partnership with you to extend God’s kingdom in this time and place. As we look ahead to the coming New Year, may “the grace of God which has appeared, bringing salvation to all” (Titus 3:11), guide and direct us all for his glory and for the good of all people.
- Pastor Meehan
-
Jennifer Hills, Director of Discipleship
-
David Leahey, Director of Music
-
Amanda Parks, Early Childhood Education Center Director
- Kari Wells, Early Childhood Education Center Administrative Assistant
-
Michelle May, Office Administrator
- Jennifer Smith, Financial Administrator
- Jackie Fuller, Communications Specialist
| |
|
Some of the Staff Away This Week
Please note the church office and Early Childhood Education Center (ECEC) will be open December 26-29, however, many of our staff members are taking some time off in this week between Christmas and New Year's.
| |
|
Worship Services on Sunday, December 31
We continue to celebrate the good news of great joy that is for all people in the birth of our Savior! Worship next Sunday, December 31, will be as follows:
Sunday, December 31
-
9:30AM - First Sunday after Christmas with Holy Communion
-
NO EDUCATION HOUR or ADULT BIBLE CLASS (please note earlier start time for the service - 9:30AM vs. 10:30AM)
-
5:00 PM - New Year's Eve Worship Service with Holy Communion as we move from the old year into the coming new year
| |
|
Give to St. John's Endowment Fund
Every year, ministry leaders from within and outside St. John's apply for funding from the Endowment Fund. Only due to extraordinary generosity from legacy gifts and annual giving are these missions funded outside the church's normal budgeted ministry obligations.
As the end of the year rapidly approaches, consider giving to St. John's Endowment Fund. Your gift is tax deductible, retained, added to the existing fund, and invested where only income generated from the investment is distributed.
A gift to the Endowment Fund will continue to support St. John's ministries in perpetuity. You can give electronically by visiting St. John's website and selecting "Endowment Fund" under the Fund dropdown menu. You can also contribute by check made out to St. John's Lutheran Church and including "Endowment Fund" in the memo line. If you have any questions, please contact Mark Gilbertson.
|  | |
End-of-Year Giving Guidelines
As we enter the month of December, you may be thinking of a special year-end gift for St. John's congregation or school ministry. Please note the following guidelines: contributions received through the end of December will be recorded on the 2023 Contribution Statement; therefore, contributions made at the December 31, 5PM New Year’s Eve service will be the last recorded for 2023. PLEASE NOTE that a contribution deposited in the church offering in January 2024 cannot be deducted in 2023, even if it is backdated to 2023. However, there is one exception: checks mailed and postmarked in 2023 are deductible in 2023, even if the postal delivery is not received until January 2024.
Questions? Please contact Jim Burroughs, St. John's Treasurer or Jennifer Smith, Finance Administrator, 703-971-2211. Thank you, members and friends of St. John’s, for your faithful contributions toward God’s kingdom work among us.
|  |  | |
Adult Bible Study coming in January 2024
When our Lord says, “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10), what does He mean? God’s Word promises that in whatever kind of storm we find ourselves in, Jesus always comes to us.
This January join us on Sunday mornings for a study of Psalm 46. In Be Still and Know, unpack the promises found in Psalm 46 that are fulfilled in Christ. The first session looks at Psalm 46 in detail and examines the storms of life. Then, in the following seven sessions, study narratives from the Gospels as Jesus meets various women who are experiencing their own storms and explore each woman's perspective as Jesus provides refuge, strength, help, and hope. Looking to the biblical and cultural contexts will allow you to better grasp the depth of Christ’s care, purpose, and attention to every need. In the midst of today’s storms, may God reveal His refuge for us in Christ, the one who has overcome the world.
Stacey Crosson returns to our Sunday morning education hour to lead this study. A Commissioned Minister (DCE) in the LCMS and the Clinical Supervisor of Safe Harbor Behavioral Care Virginia, Stacey has over 30 years of experience in the people-helping business and provides a developed lens on matters of the heart and mind. Stacey and her family are newer members of SJLC. She especially loves the intergenerational feel of St John’s and its commitment to being on a mission with Jesus every day!
Be Still and Know begins Sunday, January 7 at 9:15AM. Workbooks for this class are $14 each and can be purchased by registering for this class with this link.
Questions or need help registering? Please contact the church office via email or phone at 703-971-2210.
| |
|
Looking Ahead
- Church Office and School Holiday Closing -
-
Monday, January 1 - The ECEC and the church office will be closed for New Year's Day.
- Please note that a number of St. John's staff members will be away the week between Christmas and New Year's to spend time with their families.
| |
|
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
| | | | |
