St. John's Episcopal Church - Centreville, VA
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Parish News - November 10, 2021
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Dear St. John's Parishioners and Friends:
The Diocese of Virginia will have its 227th Annual Diocesan Convention this Friday and Saturday, November 12 and 13. St. John's will be represented by your Rector, your Deacon, and Lay Delegate Walt Cooner. Due to COVID concerns about having about 500 people crowded together in a hotel ballroom, the convention will be held online. You are invited to watch the convention using the link TheDiocese - YouTube . The budget will be presented and voted on, thirteen resolutions will be discussed and voted on, elections and appointments to various committees will be decided, and a few changes will be made to the Constitutions and Canons of the diocese. All of this information can be found on the diocesan website at The Episcopal Diocese of Virginia (thediocese.net). Click on the link for the convention. On Friday evening, starting at 7:00 PM, we will have the opening worship service, followed by "Stories of the Diocese". Saturday's agenda will begin at 9:00 AM.
Participation in the Diocesan Convention is a duty and responsibility of each Episcopal Church in the diocese. Clergy and elected delegates make important decisions for the health and welfare of the diocese. Budget decisions are always important as we fund the various ministries we consider important. Although much of the daily ministry occurs at the congregational level, we are part of a larger entity, the Diocese of Virginia, which is part of the national Episcopal Church, and the larger, worldwide Anglican Communion.
Please remember in prayer all the bishops, clergy and delegates as we gather on Friday and Saturday to tend to the business and ministry of God's church in the Diocese of Virginia.
A Collect for the 227th Annual Convention
God of breaking and mending, we who have been broken open come before you to offer our work of worship, prayer, and hope for our Diocese; Help us bring all that we are and all that we feel to this convention; that just as our Savior’s body, broken for us, is mended among us, so might our worship and our work be mended, that we might be one body to your praise and glory, together with the Holy Spirit, for all time to come. Amen.
The Rev. Carol Hancock
Rector
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PARISH NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
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We are searching for a new non-profit group to use the parish hall during the week. If you know of any group looking for space, please tell them to contact David Thompson at St. John's (703-803-7500). We need to spread the word as widely and as quickly as possible. There are flyers on the back table in the church if you know of someone to send it to or a public bulletin board to post it. We have put an ad on Craigs List. If you know other websites, social media, or other places where we could advertise (preferably for free), please let Carol know. Without this income from a group using the parish hall during the week, we will have financial difficulties down the road.
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Our Annual Pledge Campaign for 2022 - If you have not already returned your pledge card for 2022, please prayerfully consider what your pledge will be in response to God's great goodness and mercy and return your pledge card as soon as possible. To date, we have received 35 pledges for a total of $196,212. Last year, we had 47 pledgers for a total of $215,565. Thanks go to those who have returned their pledge cards to support St. John's financially in 2022.
Veteran's Day is November 11 and we want to honor and remember the military service of those at St. John's:
Steve Busch - US Marine Corps, Lieutenant Colonel, 1976-1997
David Kantor (deceased) - US Coast Guard, Captain, 26 years
Walt Cooner - US Air Force, Colonel, 1974-2000
Susan Davis - US Navy, Commander, 1971-1995
Bruce Davis - US Navy, Lieutenant, 1967-1979
Dick Griffith - US Army, Sargent 1st Class, 1961-1972
Monti Zimmerman - US Army, Colonel, 1985-2016
Bob Faithful - US Air Force, Captain, 1974-1978
Steven Spear - US Navy, ETR 2, 1968-1974
Thank you for your service to our country!
Congratulations go to Debbie and Steve Naughton on the birth of their grandson, David Killian Naughton, Jr., on October 30. David's delighted parents are David and Brooke Naughton who are living in North Dakota.
St. John's is doing everything we can to keep people who come to the Sunday services safe. Everyone must wear a mask, particularly when singing. We have "touch-less" communion. You pick up your own cup with a consecrated wafer, and a small cup with consecrated wine. We do not pass the offering plate, but have it in the back for people to put in their offerings. We are averaging about 25 - 30 people in person on Sundays so people can easily distance themselves from others. If you feel comfortable being inside with these safety practices in place, please join us in church on Sunday morning. Being together in community is important. If you still don't feel safe, please watch our services online. Don't get "out of the habit" of coming to church!
Treasurer and Assistant to the Treasurer set to retire. After serving faithfully for 6 years, our Treasurer, Tom McDermott, and our Assistant to the Treasurer, Penny Parker, will be retiring in February when we have our Annual Parish Meeting. We need to find a new Treasurer as soon as possible so they can "shadow" Tom and learn the ropes. If you have some financial skills and a little time to commit, please consider volunteering. If you have questions about what is involved, talk with Tom or Penny. Please let me, Tom or Penny know as soon as possible if you are interested. and willing to serve as our next Treasurer.
Our Neighbor's Child - Again this year, we will be providing an opportunity to purchase specific gifts for Christmas for children in need. More information will be forthcoming later this month.
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Wood Bundles now for sale after the Log Splitting & Wood Bundling last Saturday
Crown Down Tree service lent their log splitter for the church to use this past Saturday! We did splitting and bundling . We also have a rack that makes it easy to bundle the wood. The price is still nominal at $5 per bundle and the bundles are located outside the breezeway. Donations can be put in the envelopes provided and put in the secure adjacent mailbox.
Andrew Wade
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Reminder, the Western Fairfax Christian Ministry Thanksgiving food boxes are due back to St. John’s by Sunday, Nov 14th.
We will need to deliver the boxes to the collection site, Centreville United Methodist Church, on Saturday, Nov 20th between 8:00 - 9:00 AM. We will request volunteers to deliver them directly to CUMC due to the early delivery time. So not too early to think about whether you can help with the delivery.
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Thank you for all the items donated for Afghan Refugees
For now, we have collected all the shoes, socks, and luggage that were needed by the Afghan refugees coming to Dulles Airport. As the refugees begin to get settled, other needs will most likely arise. Please stay tuned to the E Notes and church announcements for updates. Thanks to all who have supported this ministry.
from the 'St. John's Outreach Committee'
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Western Fairfax Christian Ministries has put out their list of the foods that they need the most. You can bring your non-perishable items to the church on Sunday mornings, or drop them off in the box outside the door by the breezeway during the week and they will be delivered to WFCM.
· Canned garbanzo beans (low salt preferred)
· Canned kidney beans, red beans, and black beans (low salt preferred)
· Canned pasta
· Pasta Sauce (low salt preferred)
· Canned Tuna and Canned Chicken
· Flavored pasta/rice
· Mashed Potatoes
· Oatmeal (Quaker Oats Healthy Old Fashioned Oatmeal)
· Canned vegetables (corn, carrots, spinach, beets) (low salt preferred)
· Canned Pineapple (no sugar added preferred)
· Tomato Paste (low salt preferred)
· Toiletries: Toilet paper, shampoo, conditioner, feminine pads, deodorant, baby wipes, shaving cream, mouth wash (NOTE: we are not currently in need of diapers due to our partnership with Greater DC Diaper Bank. Please only donate larger size pull ups or wipes if you want to donate items for babies.)
Parishioner Denise McCarthy has informed us that Northern Virginia Family Services is collecting money, food and toys for the holidays for those in need. If you would like an additional way to help others and to learn more about wishlists, volunteering, or where and when to drop-off your donations, please visit nvfs.org/holidayprograms, or contact Jessica Warren at [email protected].
Outreach Opportunity to Help Our “Neighbors”
The Western Fairfax Shepherd Center is still accepting volunteer drivers to support clients who need help getting to appointments, shopping trips (for food), and to deliver food from WFCM to clients. Please contact the Shepherd Center at 703-246-5920 or email [email protected] and copy Deacon Steve at [email protected].
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Sign Up: Sunday service reader or usher We welcome, need, and value your help! The lector will read the 2 lessons and the psalm. The usher will hand out bulletins and bring the elements and offering to the altar. If you would like to do either of these, CLICK HERE.
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Sign Up: Altar Flowers
Please indicate how you wish your flower donation to appear in the Sunday bulletin. (Wedding anniversary, in memory of someone - something special you want to remember by providing flowers.) CLICK HERE
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Service of Evening Prayer - Virtually
Every Wednesday, St. John's has a Service of Evening Prayer. It is a peaceful way to end the day, and it's now being held virtually. Here is the link to this evening's service:
Wednesday, November 10
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THE ADULT LECTIONARY FORUM - IN PERSON & ON ZOOM
All are invited to join in, following the Sunday service. Here is the link to the Lectionary Forum via Zoom, in case you cannot attend in person:
PLEASE NOTE LINK updated
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Last Sunday's recorded service: All Saints' Day, November 7, 2021
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SUNDAY WORSHIP & EDUCATION
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THE ADULT LECTIONARY FORUM - HELD EACH SUNDAY
All are invited to join in, following the Sunday service, in the library. Or use the link to the Lectionary Forum via Zoom, in case you cannot attend in person, found above.
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We can prepare our hearts & minds by reading ahead
for the Sunday Service lesson
The Twenty-fifth Sunday after Pentecost
November 14, 2021
The First Reading: Daniel 12:1-3
The Lord speaks through Daniel about the end of time and the Lord’s provision for his chosen people.
The Psalm: 16, p. 599
The Second Reading: Hebrews 10:11-25
Christ’s sacrifice not only reconciles us with God, but shares divines power with us as we strive to be obedient disciples.
The Gospel: Mark 13:1-8
Jesus describes the violence and chaos of this world as the birth pangs of the new heaven and new earth.
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Online Contributions
to St. John's
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St. John's now offers three buttons for online donations via Tithe.ly. You may use the buttons below to go directly to Tithe.ly, or you may download the Tithe.ly app on your phone or tablet.
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The Pledge payment button may be used only to make your pledge payment (after signing up to be a pledger, which may be done at any time in the year. See Carol or Vestry)
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The Facility Campaign button may be used only for any contribution for the facility's buildings and grounds, or special facility campaigns.
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The Donation button may be used for any other type of donation to St. John's. To designate a special purpose (i.e. Organ Fund, Ministry Partner payments, etc.) please send a note to [email protected].
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The Power of Habit
“The Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words.” Romans 8:26
Lord God, I don’t know how to pray as I ought,
even though I’ve been praying my entire life.
In a family health crisis,
or when facing my own mortality,
or when the push and shove of others mount,
I can scarcely sit still in my prayer chair.
The squirrels that run in circles in my mind
win out despite my desire just to let them go.
That’s when your Spirit intercedes in me
with sighs too deep for words.
That’s when the fruits of the habit of prayer kick in.
Suddenly, the words of prayers I’ve been praying for decades
pray themselves in me, unbidden.
Suddenly, I wake up in the morning with verses of hymns
singing themselves in my heart.
Suddenly, chants and psalms and memorized lines come alive,
holding me tight.
It doesn’t always occur this way,
But it does occur often enough to remind me
that a habit of prayer is not about
what happens when I’m praying,
but about what happens when I can’t.
After all these decades, I still don’t know how to pray as I ought.
I don’t even know what “ought” means.
And still your Spirit prays in me when I need you most.
So keep me constant in prayer, Lord God,
even when I can’t focus,
even when prayer is hard,
even when the squirrels run rampant.
Keep me constant in the habit of prayer,
that creates a space
for your Spirit to come and intercede.
Bishop Susan Goff
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Citizenship
Our citizenship is in heaven. We spend most of our time and thought in this world, and its concerns can crowd out that other life, our life hidden with Christ in God. It is so important, every day to deepen our relationship with God, to receive the strength and power from that other country – so that we can live in this country with faith and trust and hope.
-Br. Geoffrey Tristram
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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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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: [email protected].
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