PARISH NEWS
for Wednesday, April 8, 2020
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Online Services for Holy Week and Easter Sunday
The
links to view them
will be sent out prior to each service in E-Notes. You may also print out the
Bulletins
for each service, including music, by visiting St. John's website:
www.stjohnscentreville.org
Maundy Thursday Service - 7:30 PM
Good Friday - 7:30 PM
Easter Sunday - 9:30 AM
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Even though we are not meeting in person, we are still collecting for
Good Friday, Diocese of Jerusalem
. If you wish to donate, please indicate that donation on the memo line of your check. Thank you!
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Dear St. John's parishioners and friends:
I think most of us are now getting into a routine of social distancing and not being around groups of people. However, it is still hard as our routines have changed so much. We think twice about going to the grocery store. We forget that we can't run out to do our normal errands with so many stores and restaurants closed. Some parks and beaches are closed so groups won't gather there. Life for us has changed and we are uncertain of when this will end.
So what do we do in the meantime? How do we deal with the anxiety and stress that we are feeling? Keep connected with friends and family, either by phone or computer. Keep in touch with your faith community by watching our services on Sundays at 9:30 AM, knowing that other parishioners are watching at the same time. Call other parishioners. We are still the church, whether we gather together for worship or not.
Pray.
Focus on God. Pray without ceasing. Put your fears and anxiety and stress in God's hands. Pray for strength. With our focus on God, and taking one day at a time, we will get through this, because God is our strength and our hope. And God will never, ever abandon us.
This is one of the holiest times in the church year when Jesus was betrayed by a friend, put on trial, beaten, and crucified. It's hard not being in church to mark these important events. But these Holy Week services will be online on Wednesday, Maundy Thursday and Good Friday at 7:30 PM. The links for each service will be sent out ahead of time. Please watch with us.
This virus will not last forever, and at some point, we will all be back at St. John's. In the meantime, we need to put our faith and trust and hope in God who gives us the strength to endure and to grow. Take care of yourselves and stay healthy!
The Rev. Carol Hancock
Rector
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The parish office will be closed Easter Monday
*
St. John's is here to help you!
If you or someone you know has a need that the church can help with during this pandemic (going to the grocery store, picking up prescriptions, etc), please do not hesitate to call the church (703-803-7500). Many of us are ready and willing to help, should the need arise. The church is here to help in any way we can.
Diocesan Resources
The Diocese of Virginia has posted on its website (www.thediocese.net) many resources for individuals and clergy to use during this time when we cannot gather together for worship and Christian Education. On the opening page of the website, you will see "Covid 19 Resources" in the upper right hand corner. This page includes statements by Bishop Susan Goff, some church financial resources, tips about recording services online, and Christian Education resources to use at home. One resource is entitled "Do Faith at Home" and has ideas for adults and children (
www.dofaithathome.org).
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With schools being closed
items
are being included for
breakfast and lunch food for kids
(primarily single servings that do not require a stove). The bags will also include bread, fresh fruit and items already in our pantry that come daily from grocery stores.
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HOW TO HELP WFCM FAMILIES DURING COVID-19
WFCM is pre-bagging food
to continue to provide all clients with food.They are
not accepting individual small donations from homes.
If you would like to donate food items,
please order food and toiletry items online and ship them directly to WFCM's office in Chantilly or
donate online
.
Here is the link that takes you directly to WFCM's 'wish list' on Amazon:
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Habits of Grace: An invitation for you, from Presiding Bishop Curry
Episcopal Church Office of Public Affairs
As we learn how to adjust our lives given the reality of the coronavirus and the request to do our part to slow its spread by practicing social distancing, I invite you to join me each week to take a moment to cultivate a ‘habit of grace.’
I encourage all of you to watch his videos on Monday mornings. They are less than five minutes and are very uplifting.
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Palms from Palm Sunday:
Some of the palms that were blessed for Palm Sunday were taken to others by Val Tucker. Thanks, Val!
Our Palm Sunday Service had 96 views on YouTube!
Many thanks go to
David Weir for recording our services and getting them online for you to see. Thanks also go to Val Tucker and Walt Cooner who assisted with the Holy Week services. Thanks also go to Larry Pike for playing the music from You Tube at the appropriate time.
Just so you're aware...
the prayers of the sick, and those who have died, are read during the services we are posting on YouTube. So they are now "viral".
We encourage you
to please stay current with your pledge and contributions to St. John's. Our bills continue to come in and need to be paid. You can mail your contributions to St. John's at 5649 Mt. Gilead Road, Centreville, VA 20120. If you would rather give online, please use the Tithe.ly buttom below. As we will not be having the two Easter services in the church, when we normally get a large plate offering from visitors, we ask that you be particularly generous with your contributions, if you are able.
Blood supplies
are getting low. If you are able to give blood, please consider doing so. Y
ou can go to the Inova Blood Services website to find donation sites and you can sign up online.
The funeral for Mildred DeBell
has been postponed from April 18 to sometime this summer.
Every Monday morning
throughout this pandemic, Presiding Bishop Michael Curry will broadcast a short reflection entitled, "Habits of Grace". He has encouraging words of hope and love for all of us during this difficult time. You can watch the videos at
https://episcopalchurch.org/habits-of-grace
If you have a prayer or a reflection
, either one you have read or one you have written and you would like to share it in the E-Notes, please send it to Carol. If its one that someone else has written, be sure to include their name.
Mulch Arriving -
Bags of mulch are arriving later in the month, and plans are to spread it on
April 25 at 9AM.
We can still keep our "social distancing" but get some exercise and fellowship at the same time. Please bring rakes, shovels and wheelbarrows if you have them.
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Make an Online Donation!
You can make your donation here electronically.
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Use this button to make your donation.
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THE SUNDAY SERVICES ARE CURRENTLY SUSPENDED DUE TO THE VIRUS
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We can prepare our hearts & minds by reading ahead
for the Sunday Service lesson
Easter Sunday
April 12
9:30 AM
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The First Reading: Acts 10:34-43
Peter speaks to the assembled Gentile crowd, giving testimony of Jesus' passion and resurrection, connecting these events with God's story of redemption throughout history.
The Second Lesson: Colossians 3:1-4
In Jesus' resurrection, all is made new; therefore, we have the power to live with transformed hearts and minds.
The Gospel: John 20:1-18
Jesus, raised from the dead, reveals himself to his disciples, first to Mary Magdalene and then to others.
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CURRENTLY THESE ACTIVITIES ARE NOT TAKING PLACE
CHILD CARE IS PROVIDED IN THE NURSERY
(Rm. 205)
During the Service
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JOINT SUNDAY SCHOOL: 10:30 - 11:30 AM
Each week, St. John's children join with our Ministry Partners:
Wellspring UCC & Grace Baptist Church
Room 215 (207/208 the first Sunday of the month)
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St. John's Sunday School
class for ages 2-4, Room 215
Meets the first Sunday of each month from 9:50 - 10:40 AM
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THE ADULT LECTIONARY FORUM
Now being held online
MEETS EACH SUNDAY IN THE LIBRARY, FOLLOWING THE SERVICE
FROM 10:50 - 11:50 AM
(The Saint of the Week:)
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Most of the bundles will be ash wood. If you would like to fill up your car or truck, please leave a message with the church office and we will make arrangements.
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St. John’s Men’s Group / Lumberjacks SELLING WOOD!
Replenish your firewood, as we are all sequestered at home! And help benefit St. John's at the same time!
The Lumberjacks are selling bundles of wood outside the front entrance to the Historic Church for the great price of $5 per bundle.
(or $20 for 5 bundles).
Please give the money to someone in the office, a vestry member, or Carol.
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Living Well Through Lent
An Introduction to
Practicing Courage with All Your Heart, Soul, Strength, and Mind
Lent is a time for introspection and self-reflection, a time to reflect on the core of what it means to live a Christian life in the midst of great change and uncertainty. When facing change and uncertainty, few practices are more central to that life than courage—the courage to be vulnerable, the courage to grow, the courage to change direction, the courage to let go, the courage to act with grace, and the courage to walk the way of love. To receive daily devotions from Living Well throughout Lent, please click here:
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April 7, 2020
A video reflection from Bishop Susan Goff to the people of the Diocese of Virginia.
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Since the url is from facebook, you will probably need a FaceBook account to view the video.
https://www.facebook.com/EpiscopalDioceseofVirginia/videos/261949604823919/
Click below:
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A Message from the Bishops of Virginia, Maryland and Washington, DC
March 31, 2020
Dear Friends in Christ,
In this time when circumstances change from day to day, we Episcopal bishops of Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC have conferred with each other in order to share our best wisdom with you. We know that we are better together during this stressful time, and at all times.
We urge everyone in our congregations to abide by the stay-at-home orders of our civic leaders. The orders make provisions for essential businesses and workers, and they provide mandatory guidelines for individuals and groups.
We have consulted with the offices of Governor Hogan, Governor Northam, and Mayor Bowser regarding the practice of live-streaming or recording services in our houses of worship. All three jurisdictions allow for such offerings provided that:
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No more than 10 persons are present in-person for any service.
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Those participating are not at high-risk for contracting the coronavirus. We are especially concerned for our elder clergy who, in love for their congregations, might take risks. We urge the elders and those with health issues to exercise wisdom and restraint.
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Physical distance of six feet or more is maintained at all times, with hands washed and surfaces cleaned.
Within these parameters, Episcopal churches within our dioceses may offer live-stream or recorded services from our church buildings. This permission does not extend to any other gatherings in our church buildings or grounds, other than on site work by a limited number of church employees necessary for administrative services that cannot be performed remotely. These persons must rigorously observe mandated safety practices.
We fully support clergy and appropriate lay leaders who choose to live-stream or record worship from their homes. In this time when visits to hospitals and other facilities are limited, we urge you to offer pastoral care to people in those facilities via phone or other electronic means.
Should stricter guidelines be mandated in the future, we will adjust accordingly. For now, we will plan our Holy Week and Easter observances with the assurance of Christ's presence with us and in the sure and certain hope of the resurrection.
The Rt. Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde, Bishop, Episcopal Diocese of Washington
The Rt. Rev. Mark Bourlakas, Bishop, Episcopal Diocese of Southwestern Virginia
The Rt. Rev. Jennifer Brooke-Davidson, Assistant Bishop, Episcopal Diocese of Virginia
The Rt. Rev. Susan E. Goff, Bishop Suffragan and Ecclesiastical Authority
Episcopal Diocese of Virginia
The Rt. Rev. Susan Haynes, Bishop, Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia
The Rt. Rev. Robert Ihloff, Assisting Bishop, Episcopal Diocese of Maryland
The Rt. Rev. Chilton Knudsen, Assisting Bishop, Episcopal Diocese of Washington
The Rt. Rev. Santosh Marray, Bishop, Episcopal Diocese of Easton
The Rt. Rev. Eugene Sutton, Bishop, Episcopal Diocese of Maryland
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Coronavirus Updates and Information
from the Fairfax County Interfaith Office
FOOD RESOURCES
:
As the coronavirus (COVID-19) public health emergency continues to evolve, we understand that individuals and families in our communities may have food assistance needs. To make it easier for you to find food resources, the county has developed a searchable map that includes all food distribution sites, including Fairfax County Public Schools, community meal distribution sites, food pantries and other related services. You can enter your address, select how many miles from your address you want to search and select from the food distribution and assistance sites to find the name, address, hours (if available) and driving directions.
The map can be accessed
here
Breakfast and Lunch
(Breakfast served 8AM- 10:30 AM; Lunch served 10:30 AM- 2PM).
To view the growing list of FCPS meal sites, please
click here
Bus Route Meal Service:
Beginning Thursday, March 19, Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) buses will begin delivering grab and go meals along some bus routes. School buses will stop at designated intersections to deliver these meals. To view the list of bus stops,
click here
HEALTH RESOURCES
:
We have the latest on TESTING. In summary:
- Call your doctor! Physicians will assess and provide referrals for testing as necessary
- Here is a five minute video by Dr. Schwartz giving in-depth testing information, and here is a link to the testing page that will be updated regularly.
- We are working with our health care providers to support and facilitate more opportunities for testing within health care settings. As we do not provide primary care services, the Health Department is not conducting testing. Please visit our county website for information on low-cost health care resources in the community. Contact one of these resources via phone to discuss your concerns, and the health care provider will determine if you need to be tested for COVID-19 and arrange for that test if needed. https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/strategymanagementhhs/health-integration-safety-net
Fairfax County Neighborhood and Community Services
If you or your congregants are have congregants are facing difficulties - including food, shelter, employment, financial assistance, healthcare and more other needs, please call Coordinated Services Planning (CSP)
703-222-0880 (8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays).
Residents can also visit the Human Services Resource Guide (HSRG) at
https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/hsrg/
, an online, searchable guide to available health and human services resources in Fairfax County.
STAY IN TOUCH:
In an effort to ensure you are receiving accurate and timely information, Fairfax County has created a webpage that includes updated information and community resources at
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/covid19
. You can also view the
emergency blog
,
The Emergency Blog can be translated into different languages
. The Health Department has a dedicated phone line that residents can call if they have questions
703-267-3511 (9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays and 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends)
From Governor Northam and Fairfax County (3/30/20)
Fairfax County strongly urges residents to follow the
stay-at-home order
issued by Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam today.
This order is critical to help slow the spread of the coronavirus as cases continue to climb across the state with 225 confirmed cases in the Fairfax County Health District. Social distancing is the most effective method to
limit the disease’s transmission
.
The governor’s action, which currently remains in effect until June 10, means that
residents should stay in homes with only a few exceptions for essential activities
, including:
- Getting groceries or medicines.
- Caring for a sick family member or friend.
- Getting medical care for yourself .
- Going outside for exercise for yourself or pets (although not in groups larger than 10 people).
- Getting essential social or government services.
- Traveling to and from work or place of worship.
Do not go out unless you need to go out.
“To date, this has been a suggestion to Virginians,” said Northam. “Today it’s an order.”
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VOLUNTEERING AT ST. JOHN'S
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Sign Up Here
to be an altar server
,
or to donate flowers for a Sunday service.
(
if you're not an altar server, and would like to be a Lay Eucharistic Minister (LEM), a Lector, or a Crucifer, please see Carol).
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WESTERN FAIRFAX
CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES
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"We know that food can be one of the most expensive items on a household budget list. Our hope is that in allowing our clients to visit once per month they will save enough money to pay for other expenses such as rent or utility bills."
I
tems are collected weekly in the baskets at the front door of St. John's Church. For food list:
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Trust
It’s not that God can’t, or doesn’t, or won’t work during the brightness of the day, but we need God most in those moments of our life that are full of darkness and fear. If you have ever been or are even now afraid of the dark – afraid of the darkness of your own life, afraid of the darkness of the life of another, afraid of the darkness of the world – take courage for as terrifying as it can be, Holy Week promises us that God is at work even there, even then, even now.
-Br. James Koester
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My email address is stjohnscvpriest@gmail.com,
and the office number is 703-803-7500.
May our ministry together spread God's love to all whom we encounter.
-
Carol
The Rev. Carol Hancock, Rector
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ST. JOHN'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH | 5649 MT. GILEAD RD. , CENTREVILLE, VA | 703-803-7500
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Please note:
If you choose to unsubscribe below, please be aware that you will no longer receive either St. John's sermons or E-Notes, which are sent weekly. If you do unsubscribe and later want to be added back in, that needs to be done through the provider, Constant Contact. Please email St. John's office with the request: SJECCentreville@aol.com.
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