Masks are optional during the service

To St. John's Parishioners and Friends -

From the Deacon:

  As we end the Season of After Pentecost and start Advent on Sunday, November 27, the prophet Jeremiah is telling Judah and us about a king who will rule justly and wisely and execute justice through the land. Last Sunday, I read the children’s story about the Good Shepherd and how the good shepherd takes care of the sheep. Protecting them day and night from any danger and even if one wanders off the shepherd will do whatever they need to find the sheep and bring it back to the fold. Picture that lamb being carried on the shoulders of the good shepherd. In this week’s Old Testament reading from Jeremiah the Lord describes his actions with his people using the analogy of the shepherd and the flock. It is both a warning to the evil shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep and the promise of hope and safety under the good shepherd. He says, “I will raise up shepherds over them who will shepherd them, and they shall not fear any longer or be dismayed says the Lord.” As we end the Season of After Pentecost and start Advent next Sunday, the prophet is telling Judah and us about a king who will rule justly and wisely and execute justice through the land. The Lord will raise up a “righteous branch” and his name will be called: “The Lord of righteousness”. 

 Peace

Rev Deacon Steve

Other notes:

-        If you haven’t turned in your Pledge Card, please do so this Sunday.

-        Pray for the victims of the shooting at UVA. Bishop Goff’s prayer is included in this e-notes. You can also pray the prayer “For a Person in Trouble or Bereavement” on page 831 of the BCP substituting “They” for the italicized words.

-        The dedication of St. John’s new bell will be held on Sunday, December 4, following the service.

The Fire - Wood Fundraiser for Outreach

has started ! Bigger Bundles this year! The Woodchucks have been out chopping, and there is a lot of wood in store! $10 for a large bundle, $25 for 3 large bundles! Right outside the front door. Envelopes available - please drop envelopes with $$ or checks in our mailbox adjacent to the wood.

St. John's New You Tube Link to view the Sunday Services

https://youtube.com/@stjohnscentreville

How to help Ukrainians If you would like to help those in need, Episcopal Relief and Development is working closely with a group that is on the ground in Ukraine. You can make a contribution: at https://www.episcopalrelief.org/ 

A Prayer for all those involved in the Russian invasion 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

(written by Archbishop Justin Welby and Archbishop Stephen Cottrell)

Centreville Immigration Forum & Labor Resource Center

Volunteer & Intern Opportunities

• Sign up for an orientation.
• Fill out the Intake form on website
• Join us in action as we make Centreville a model of how day laborers and the community can work together!
• http://centrevilleimmigrationforum.org/

The Katharine K. Hanley Family Shelter

Toothpaste / Shampoo / Conditioner / Body Wash /

Bar Soap / Hand Soap / Deodorant

The items may be dropped off at the box in the office.

The Katharine K. Hanley Family Shelter is nearby and  houses up to 12 families onsite, 12 families in hotel sites and serve over 40 families in their prevention and rapid rehousing programs. Seeking volunteers for: On-call movers , Volunteer Shelter Assistant

Please contact Rev. Deacon Steve at stjohnscvdeacon1@gmail.com who will coordinate with KKHFS Community Coordinator to get you started.

• Lectors read the lessons, ushers greet and help with the service
• Lay Eucharistic Visitors help visit our sick and shut-ins who would like communion at their home (see Deacon Steve for this),
• Altar Guild members help prepare for our worship service (see Marcia Evans or another A.G. member)

We welcomed The Rev. Philene Ware Dunn on April 24 to St. John's, and she is the priest celebrating the Sunday services. She will be here on Sunday mornings only and will work with Deacon Steve on any pastoral concerns.

We can prepare our hearts & minds by reading ahead

for the Sunday Service lesson.

The Last Sunday after Pentecost

November 20, 2022

The First Reading: Jeremiah 23:1-6

Teachers and church leaders, beware and be humble. Leading the people astray awakens God’s wrath. Despite this evil, God will provide good leaders for his people.

The Canticle: 16, p. 92, BCP

The Second Reading: Colossians 1:11-20

Christians’ strength comes from the power of the Holy Spirit, manifest in Jesus Christ. Paul encourages believers in the power of the triune God.

The Gospel: Luke 23:33-43

Dying unjustly on the cross, Jesus forgives the repentant sinner and promises him eternal life, while others deride Jesus.

Dear People of the Diocese of Virginia,

As we continue to hear news about the shooting at the University of Virginia last night, we lament.  We cry with broken hearts for those who have died and those who are injured, for the students, faculty and staff of UVA who remain in lockdown at this hour. We cry that gun violence continues in our communities and that it touches, one way or another, the lives of all of us. In our pain, our anger and our fear, we pray:  

Holy God, source of all hope and all peace, we come before you yet once more in the hours after a school shooting, this time at the University of Virginia, this time within our own Diocese. We lament with broken hearts as we hold up to you the young people who have died, those who are injured, and all who are in fear and grief as the lockdown continues. We hold up to you as well all first responders and the officers who continue the search for the shooter. Be with our Canterbury House students, our campus chaplains at St. Paul’s Memorial and Christ Church, the clergy and staff of all our Charlottesville congregations, and all whose lives are touched by their ministries. Be with all students, faculty and staff of UVA. Give us strength through prayer, clarity of mind to know how to respond in love, compassion for all your people and, please God, a commitment to doing everything possible to end gun violence in our schools and towns and cities once and for all, so that your people may live in safety at school and in all the places that their lives take them. We pray this all in the name of the Prince of Peace, whose heart broke on the cross so that ours might be healed, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

As we learn other concrete ways that the support of our Diocesan community will be needed and helpful, we will let you know. God bless us all.

Faithfully yours,

Bishop Susan Goff