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

Jesus' resurrection from the dead signals a new beginning for life and for each one of us. In the Gospel lesson for this past Sunday, John 20:19-31, which is always the same from year to year, Jesus appears to his confused and uncertain disciples, reassuring them that He is truly risen from the dead. Thomas' refusal to believe, because he had not seen like the rest of them, led to Jesus' invitation for Thomas to touch and see his hands and side. "My Lord and my God!," Thomas then cried out. As the sermon pointed out, Jesus calls us blessed - we who have not seen and yet believe. In this Easter season, and in every season of life, we walk by faith, not by sight. Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

Remember that both Pastor Meehan and Jennifer Hills are away through today (Wednesday, April 10), attending the Southeastern District's Church Workers Conference in Asheville, NC.

Pastor Meehan's Blog - April 2024

NO NOON WORSHIP SERVICE TODAY

Congregational Voters' Meeting

Through a series of town hall meetings, our congregation has been discussing a proposed renovation and expansion plan for our church facilities. Whether or not we move forward with this project will be determined by a congregational vote. 

Click here to view the architect's PowerPoint presentation.

The voters' meeting to consider the proposed renovation and expansion has been set for Sunday, April 28. This meeting will be held immediately following the morning worship service and will take place in the Sanctuary. Please note that our congregational bylaws do not allow for absentee or proxy voting, and so voting will be in-person and by secret ballot. All voting members of St. John's congregation are strongly encouraged to attend. Watch for an email with further information about this upcoming meeting. Please make every effort to be present on Sunday, April 28 and participate in this important decision for our congregation!

Please check out the short video below from our Campus Projects Team Chair, Mike Waring, discussing the proposed renovations.

If you have questions or concerns, you are welcome to reach out to Mike Waring, Campus Projects Team Chair or Denise Canter, Congregational President.

St. John's Kids Summer Camp

Outdoor Activities | Led by Licensed Teachers | STEAM Activities

Calling all school-aged child adventurers! Join us for an unforgettable summer at our Kids' Summer Camp filled with exciting outdoor activities, with creative arts and crafts, STEAM activities, and endless fun. Don't miss this fun to create lasting memories. Sign up now and let the adventure begin! 8:30am - 4:30pm

Dates:

• June 24-28
• July 8-12
• July 15-19
• July 22-26
• July 29- Aug 2

For more information visit our website or email us.

Sincere and Heart-felt Thanks!

To all who contributed to our congregation's Lenten, Holy Week, and Easter Sunday worship services! Thank you...

• To everyone who assisted with cleaning up and mulching around our church's grounds and gardens - they look beautiful!
• Kudos to David Leahey, our Director of Music, the choirs and brass ensemble for beautiful music to enrich worship of our crucified and risen Savior.
• To our hardworking office staff, Michelle May and Jennifer Smith, thank you for your diligence and faithfulness with managing daily tasks in this busy season!
• To Barbara Wright and her kitchen crew for the wonderful Easter Breakfast on Easter Sunday - well done!
• To Jennifer Hills, our Director of Discipleship, and teen helpers for overseeing the Easter Egg Hunt, which was a big hit with the many children who participated in this.
• To all of the faithful Lay Assistants, Communion Lay Assistants, Altar Care members, AV operators, Ushers, Greeters, Nursery Attendants, Sunday Morning Children's Ministry and Adult Bible Class leaders, and everyone who serves in worship and teaching not just during Holy Week and Easter, but throughout the year.

To God be the glory in our risen Lord Jesus Christ!

God Bless,

Pastor Meehan

Scrapbooking Event Coming Soon

Our scrapbooking group will be having a special 2 day event to benefit Operation Smile. It will start on Friday, April 19 from 1pm-9pm and continue Saturday, April 20 from 9am to 9pm. Please email Kathy Sullivan if you are interested in learning more or wish to attend. Registration is required.

St. John’s Softball Team

Are you a softball enthusiast or looking for a fun outdoor activity to participate in? Are you between the ages of 15 and 100? Do you miss playing lacrosse or baseball? St. John’s Lutheran Church Coed Softball Team is actively seeking more players. We currently have a pool of about 10 men and 5 women who regularly juggle hectic work schedules and family time to participate one night per week.

We play two back-to-back games on Thursday (usually alternate dates are currently Tuesday or Wednesday, TBD) evenings. The season officially begins in May 2024, and we play under the Adult Fairfax County Softball rules. The season runs for about 8 weeks and there are playoff games as well. The schedule usually wraps up by the 4th of July weekend. If you are interested in playing this year, please contact Jim Burroughs, 571-305-0150. All skill levels are welcome!

St. John's Endowment - Seeking Grant Proposals

The St. John's Endowment Fund is blessed to have over $15,000 available to distribute this year. The Endowment Committee is seeking your input for how you would like to see the money distributed. Your recommendations can help fund outreach and in reach ministries above and beyond those funded by the church's operating budget.

A CCB form has been created to collect your inputs - "Endowment and Memorial Grant Recommendation." If you have any questions, please contact Mark Gilbertson, Endowment Committee Chair.

Sale of the Alexandria Office Building Update

Dear Sisters and Brothers:

Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia. 

The former district office building was officially sold. Last week all the paperwork was signed, and the closing is final. We rejoice and give thanks for the many years of mission and ministry that came from that office and look forward to new opportunities at our new office in Henrico, Virginia. 

Throughout the process, we have strived to share the most information with you as our partners in ministry. To that end, I am sharing the final numbers and how the SED's Board of Directors has determined to utilize those funds for the sake of the Lord and His mission in the Mid-Atlantic area of the LCMS. 

• $1.1 Million: The final sale of the former office building.

• $125,000: The SED BOD has directed me to use a portion of the sale to reimburse the District, not to exceed $125,000, for costs related to the sale, including relocating, compensating departing staff, calling new staff, etc. 

• 10%: The Board has directed that a tithe be given of the remaining funds. The tithe is to be shared between the District and Synod's work, including the LCMS Wellness Initiative, SED Student Aid, and SED Student Debt Reduction. 

• For the sake of the health of the District's overall financial picture to support ministry work for many years to come, the remaining funds will be invested in the LCMS Foundation. 

• Interest from this investment will be used to support mobilizing witness and empowering wellness in the SED. These funds and the vital and necessary mission partnership support from each of the congregations in the SED contribute to the District's collective mission to connect people with Jesus so that lives are transformed, and God's Kingdom grows. 

Special thanks to each of you for your prayers, encouragement, and support. May the Lord be praised in all we do, and may we be faithful and courageous stewards of the gifts and opportunities He places before us.

President Bill Harmon

Tennis Classes Available

Are you or your kids looking for a fun activity this spring? Starting on Saturday, April 27, Tullar Tennis Academy will be offering 6 week sessions for age 4 - 65+ at John R. Lewis High School. Classes are offered on Saturday and Sundays at various times.

Session Dates:

• Session 1: April 26/27 - June 8/9
• Session 2: June 15/16 - July 27/28
• Session 3: Aug 3/4 - Sept 14/15
• Session 4: Sept 21/22 - Oct 26/27

For registration and questions, email Alyssa, call 571.658.4199, or visit their website.

Looking Ahead

• April 24 - Administrative Professionals Day
• April 28 - Congregational Voters' Meeting in Sanctuary immediately following worship service

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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