November 30, 2022

Your Midweek Update

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

The blessed Advent season is upon us – a time for quiet reflection, repentance, love and good works as we await the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. More than simply preparing us for the celebration of Jesus’ birth at Christmas, Advent calls us to be ready and watchful for Jesus’ second coming when He will return with great power and glory.


Our theme for preaching during the 4-week Advent season is based on the appointed Old Testament lessons, all from the prophet Isaiah, and entitled “This Will Be a Sign for You.” All of the signs that the prophets pointed to lead us to Jesus, as we heard in the Old Testament lesson, Isaiah 2:1-5 ESV) for worship on the First Sunday in Advent. As the sermon pointed out, Jesus is the sign of our salvation, sealed in his blood shed for us.         

In Christ,
Pastor Meehan

From the Pastor's Desk - November 2022

Visit our Online Calendar

Midweek Advent Worship Services at Noon on Wednesdays

 

The blessed Advent season will soon be here in which we anticipate not only Jesus’ first coming as the Child of Mary born in Bethlehem, but his second coming as King and Judge of all creation. Midweek Advent worship services will take place on Wednesdays during the Advent season on the following days: November 30, December 7, 14, and 21, all beginning at 12 Noon.  

 

These services will build on the Wednesday noon Holy Communion that takes place each week and will be live streamed for worshipers to watch live or at a later time. Advent devotional booklets will be available (both hard copy in the Narthex as well as online) through Lutheran Hour Ministry Advent Devotions. If you have questions, please contact the church office.

St. John's Fall Stewardship Report


A heartfelt Thank You to everyone who participated in St. John’s Fall 2022 Stewardship Campaign. Praise to God for all He has provided! To date, we have received 78 pledges for 2023 operating funds, for a total pledged amount of $572,342. Half (39) of all pledges represent an increase over 2022 commitments. Please note that the last day to submit a pledge for 2023 is Saturday, December 3.


While we have surpassed the amount where we were at this point last year, we are still falling far short of the requested budgeted amounts for each Ministry for 2023. We recognize that we are living in challenging times and that the cost of everything is constantly increasing, but if you are able, we encourage you to please complete your 2023 financial pledge. You can obtain a hard copy of the form from the church office, or you can complete the form online.  

 

If you have questions, please contact the church office. Thank you again for your commitment to stewardship of all that the Lord has entrusted to our care! 

Financial Update

 

The October 2022 St John's Lutheran Church financial results for the Operating Fund and ECEC are posted in the Narthex. The monthly decrease in the net operating income is due to three pay periods in the month of September. The overall surplus to the operating budget continues to be a combination of realized investment income and generous contributions from you, the congregation. Thank you!

 

The Early Childhood Education Center (ECEC) continues to operate at near capacity while expenses are less than expected. St. John’s ECEC is blessed to be such a trusted and important part of the community!

 

The Stewardship Campaign culminated on Reformation Sunday, 30 October 2022. The four-week series for the Campaign was entitled “Placed for a Purpose." It placed an emphasis on how God uses us in our family, church, state and means to further His Kingdom and enrich our lives. Currently, 78 pledges have been received totaling $572,342 and there are an additional six recurring non-pledged donations totaling $45,460. Please note that the last day to submit a pledge for 2023 is Saturday, December 3. You can obtain a hard copy of the form from the church office, or you can complete the form online.

 

More details are posted in the narthex or may be obtained from Jim Burroughs, Minister of Finance.

SJLC Men’s Breakfast and Bible Study

 

Hope to see you Saturday, December 3, 7:30AM, for a light breakfast in the Fellowship Hall, and at 8:00AM for Bible Study. Check your Tuesday AM email for log-in details should you wish to attend the Bible study virtually. Please review the materials linked here in advance as no printed copies will be available:


"Freshly Fallen Snow " Isaiah 2:1-5

Share Sunday for Koinonia is December 4



Share Sunday is the first Sunday of each month at St. John’s, and that will be next Sunday, December 4. Please consider picking up some extra non-perishable items when you are at the store and bring your donations to church. If you prefer, you can drop your items off at Koinonia which is located not far from St. John's at 6037 Franconia Road, Alexandria in the small brick building behind Franconia United Methodist Church. Give Koinonia a call at 703-971-1991 or check their website for their operating hours (they are not open on Sundays).


Please share the blessings God has bestowed on you by helping those in need through Koinonia, the Franconia-Kingstowne community service agency. Thank you!

Virtual Congregational Meeting on Sunday December 4

 

Members of St. John’s are invited and encouraged to participate in a virtual Congregational Voters' Meeting on Sunday, December 4 at 1:00PM. Chief among the agenda items for this meeting will be considering for approval the proposed operating budget for 2023 for our congregation. The Church Council reviewed and approved the proposed budget at its most recent meeting on November 13. 


The December 4 Congregational Meeting will take place on Zoom. Log-in information was included in an email sent by Congregational President, Denise Canter, on Tuesday afternoon, November 15, via Church Community Builder (CCB). A meeting agenda with the proposed 2023 budget summary was also included in the November 15 CCB email.

 

Please know that St. John’s Bylaws do not allow for absentee or proxy voting. All voting must take place in the context of the meeting itself. For those who are not familiar with using Zoom, and would like help, please contact the church office, 703-971-2210.


Questions? Please contact Congregational President, Denise Canter.

Christmas Wishes - Gifts Due Sunday, December 4


Christmas Wishes time is now! Thank you to all who have signed up to donate toys, books, or gift cards for the Koinonia Christmas Wishes program. Many thanks to all who have already brought in their gifts. All gifts are due back on this Sunday, December 4 at the tree when an attendant is there to receive them. Your generous giving in Jesus’ name is so appreciated by those who receive them!

Gift Card Fundraiser


Our teen Gift Card fundraiser is back! Teens will be accepting orders for gift cards Sunday, December 4 and 11. Click here to view a list of our vendors or click this link to print an order form. A percentage of each card comes back to our youth! Think of all the groceries and shopping you have and purchase a gift card to make your purchases. Gift cards will be available for pick up on December 18. Gift cards can be paid for in advance or at pick up. Cash or checks are accepted. Please speak with Jennifer Hills for more information.

Welcome Our Afghan Families

 

Please join us as we welcome the Afghan families St. John’s congregation recently helped. Two SJLC huddles will host a tea/open house on Saturday, December 10, from 12:30 – 4:30 PM in the Fellowship Hall. This invite also includes Afghan students in our English as a Second Language (ESL) classes. The tea/open house will provide an opportunity for the Afghan families and our congregation to get to know each other. You are invited to stop by anytime between 12:30 and 4:30 PM on Saturday, December 10th.

Holiday Concert - Sunday, December 11


St. John’s cordially invites you to the Annandale Brass Holiday Concert to be held on Sunday, December 11, 4PM. The program will include a selection of seasonal favorites and a sing-along. A reception to follow in the church Fellowship Hall. 


A free will offering will be taken in support of Medical Missions Outreach, an organization that assists underdeveloped communities by partnering with local churches to provide to those who need it most free medical, dental, and vision screening and care.

Sunday December 11 - Celebrating St. John's ECEC and Maritza Guerra's 28 Years as the ECEC Director


St. John’s Early Childhood Education Center (ECEC) will celebrate its 39th year in ministry next month. We thank and praise God for this opportunity to serve families in the Franconia/Springfield area through this ministry. This year’s anniversary is also unique as it is Maritza Guerra’s 28th work anniversary and final year as the ECEC Director. Maritza has chosen to transition to another role within the ECEC, so although she is stepping down as Director, she is not leaving our school. 

 

You are cordially invited to join us for this special Anniversary on Sunday, December 11 at our 10:30 am worship service where our ECEC ministry will be lifted up in joyful celebration. A reception will follow in the fellowship hall after the service.


The congregation, school and ECEC families give thanks for Maritza’s many years of dedicated service and faithful leadership in our ECEC and we would like to use this opportunity to show our appreciation and acknowledge her 28 years. 

Please click here to RSVP for the reception. If you would like to contribute to a gift for Maritza please go to www.sjlc.com/give, scroll down in the giving options to “Maritza Guerra Gift,” and follow the prompts. Make sure to mark your designation for MARITZA GUERRA GIFT. Questions or help with your RSVP can be directed to the church office at office@sjlc.com or 703-971-2210.

Teen Ministry Christmas Party


This year our teens (grades 6-12) are joining teens from Our Savior Lutheran Church, Arlington. for a joint Christmas party extravanageza on Sunday, December 11 from 5 -7 pm at Our Savior. The reindeer games will be hilarious and fun will be had by all. Teens are invited to wear an ugly sweater and bring their holiday spirit. We can carpool from SJLC to Our Savior or you can meet us there! Please use this link to RSVP for the party.

“When Christmas Hurts” – A Special Worship Service

 

The Christmas season can be a dark and difficult time for those struggling with grief, sorrow, and stress at the loss of loved ones, relationships, a job or career situation, health, isolation, direction and more. We offer this special worship service on Thursday evening, December 15 at 7:00PM to help people acknowledge these feelings and connect to our loving God of grace and hope through His word, prayer, reflection, music, and candlelight. The service happens near the shortest day of the year (December 21, winter solstice) and so is an appropriate time to remind ourselves of the One who is the Light of the world and who is Emmanuel, God-with-us. 

 

“When Christmas Hurts” is sponsored by St. John’s Prayer Ministry and will an in-person service held in the Sanctuary as well as streamed online. Those participating online may wish to have a candle ready to light. Prayer Team members are available after the service for in-person individual prayer if desired. You are encouraged to invite others – friends, neighbors, and co-workers – who may be struggling with this holiday time and would be blessed through this special worship service. 

THE ST. JOHN’S ENDOWMENT – ANOTHER WAY TO SPREAD BLESSINGS TO OTHERS

 

While our church is active in the community with many activities and charitable events, one way we can all make a difference is by participating in the St. John’s Endowment.

 

As an endowment, the St. John’s fund collects donations from members of the congregation, either directly or via estate gifting. Thanks to a major donation left to the church from former members Gene and Doris Weinley, our endowment is now over $400,000.  That money then generates thousands of dollars in income that can be used to support various charitable activities. All funds donated help build the principal and are not expended.

 

Having St. John’s in your year-end giving or in your estate planning is a great way to achieve a potential tax deduction while also helping a wide variety of deserving recipients with funds for special projects. To find out more, check out the endowment information on the St. John’s website or speak with Chairman Mark Gilbertson or any other members of the Endowment Committee. It’s a conversation worth having – for you and for those who will receive these important funds.

Poinsettia Plants for Christmas

 

Please help beautify the Sanctuary for the holidays by dedicating red poinsettias for the altar. All plants will be at a cost of $18 each and can be taken home following the worship service on Sunday, December 25.

 

Orders and payments may be made online via CCB or by check payable to St. John’s and noting “Poinsettia Plant” on the memo line. The deadline to order a poinsettia is Wednesday, December 21. Checks can be dropped into the offering basket located near the rear of the Sanctuary or mailed to the Church Office. Thank you!

Important Links


  • Facebook Live for viewing live services or educational opportunities as well as those previously recorded.
  • YouTube for viewing church services
  • Click here and scroll down for the bulletins
www.sjlc.com | 703-971-2210
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