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

Grace alone... faith alone... Scripture alone. The blessed truth of the Reformation rings in our ears! We celebrated the Festival of the Reformation this past Sunday in worship, giving thanks to God for the Holy Spirit's presence and power that raised up reformers like Martin Luther to call the Church back to its central teaching.

Our 4-week stewardship series, "The Grace of Giving," concluded on Reformation Sunday with the sermon theme, "Truth and Freedom," based on Jesus' words in the Gospel lesson (John 8:31-36).

At the close of the sermon, we dedicated our commitments for ministry in 2024 to the Lord for His kingdom work in our congregation, community, and world. If you have already submitted your commitment card, thank you! If you have not done so yet, please do this today. Online commitment forms are available at 2024 Giving Commitment Card. Hard copy commitment cards are available from the church office. Thank you, members and friends of St. John's, for your faith-filled support of Christ's mission and ministry.

As we look ahead to next Sunday and the Festival of All Saints on November 5, remember to fall back one hour on Saturday night, November 4! Daylight Saving Time ends and we gain that hour we lost back in early spring.

In Christ,

Pastor Meehan

Pastor Meehan's Blog - November 2023

Koinonia Holiday Baskets Program

Supporting our local social service agency, Koinonia, is a long-standing tradition at St. John’s. The holiday baskets program provides the food so that the needy area clients which Koinonia services can share a special meal with their families during the holidays. This year, St. John’s plans to contribute 8 baskets of food at Thanksgiving and again at Christmas.

Since we are back to meeting in person, we are once again asking the congregation to contribute specific food items to make up a bountiful holiday meal for Koinonia clients. For Thanksgiving, all food will be due by Sunday, November 12, at 10AM.

Place your items on the table on the Fellowship Hall stage marked “Koinonia Thanksgiving Baskets.” If you have any problems making your choice(s) online, please email the Church Office or call 703-971-2210 and someone will be able to help you.

We are also accepting financial donations starting Oct 4 through the end of the month for the food gift cards which accompany each basket, at both Thanksgiving and Christmas. To contribute, click here and then drop down to the designated offering for "2023 Koinonia Holiday Baskets." Any funds received in excess of what is needed for the food basket gift cards will be donated to the Koinonia food pantry during December. Thank you for your generosity!

Trunk or Treat, THANK YOU!

A huge thank you to all the people who helped make our Trunk or Treat amazing! We had a wonderful evening with trunks hosted by St. John's members, ECEC families, and ECEC staff. So many people from our community came through to trick or treat and share in community and fellowship. Thank you to all who helped make this event a success!

NEW Chili Cook-Off Champion!

Another successful Chili Cook-Off is in the books! Many thanks to all the cooks who provided a delicious chili for all of us to enjoy. The chili chefs are stepping up their game and the chili gets better each year! Congratulations to our 2023 Chili Cook-Off winner Grace Rempe who won with her Pulled Pork Chili recipe.

Share Sunday for Koinonia on November 5

The first Sunday of each month is Share Sunday at St. John’s, in which we gather items to bless those in need in the community around us. These items are given to Koinonia, the local Franconia/Kingstowne community service agency, and they are then disbursed to people who need them.

Please consider picking up something from Koinonia's most recent "needs list" when you are at the store. Your donations can be left in the shopping cart at the church (only non-perishable items, please) on Sunday, November 5, or you may drop them off at Koinonia. Please share the blessings God has bestowed on you by helping those in need through Koinonia. Thank you!

Mighty and Mysterious Colossians

New Christians in first-century Colossae were not all that different from Christians today. They, too, struggled to understand who Jesus is, how Jesus alone reconciles us to God, and why things aren't perfect in the Church.

In St. Paul's letter to these Christians he had never met, he doesn't say they should stop asking hard questions. He doesn't tell them to stop searching God's Word, to stop seeking spiritual wisdom, or to stop striving for unity within the Church. Instead, Paul takes the focus off of their questions and struggles and on to the Gospel of the mighty and mysterious God: the same God who created the universe revealed Himself among us and reclaimed us as His own through His Son, Jesus.

Join us on Sunday mornings as we walk through God's Word to the Colossians. Though many things will remain mysterious until we see our Savior face-to-face, participants will discover that God fills them right now in every way through the mighty and mysterious Body of Christ, the Church.

Mighty and Mysterious Colossians begins Sunday, November 5, and is a six-week Bible study that includes six weeks of personal study that encourages readers to dig deep into Scripture and apply its truth to their lives. This new class will be led by Jim Burroughs. Jim has been teaching our teens for many years and is sharing his gift with our adults for this course. The book for the class is $13.00 and can be purchased in advance through the registration link. Click here to register for this class.

SEMINAR: Social-Emotional Toolbox for reaching and teaching children dealing with trauma 

Saturday, November 4, 2023, 9:30AM-3:00PM.  At St. John’s Lutheran Church, 5952 Franconia Road, Alexandria, VA 22310.

• Spotting trauma: Understanding the signs and what they may mean 
• Mindfulness: Practices to bring awareness to the body and mind to help reduce suffering 
• Narrative therapy: Construct a storyline that helps you understand options for change 

Register Here, Cost is $35 that includes lunch and snacks. 

SPEAKERS: 

Dr. Margaret Wong is in private practice as a licensed clinical and licensed school psychologist at Ashburn Psychological & Psychiatric services.

Craig Gordon is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC) who works with adults, couples, teens, and families with anxiety-related disorders at Consider Mindfulness LLC in Tysons Corner, VA.

Julie D'Ann is a certified Life Transformation Illumination Guide & Dream Builder Coach through the Mary Morrissey Brave Thinking Institute.

Remembering the Faithful Departed  

In the days leading up to the Festival of All Saints on Sunday, November 5, our congregation has a long tradition of remembering loved ones who have died in the Lord during this past year. You are invited to write names in the Book of Remembrance found on the podium in the Narthex, or you may submit names via email to the church office, which will then be written in our Book of Remembrance.

Please email names to office@sjlc.com. “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord henceforth…” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them” (Revelation 14:13). 

Join the SJLC Men’s Group Saturday Morning for Breakfast and Bible Study

“What Are People Good For?" – Text: Psalm 46:1

Join the SJLC Men’s group in the Fellowship hall, Saturday November 4, Breakfast 7:30AM and Bible study at 8:00AM. 

The links for the study are:

• sermon text
• sermon audio
• devotion

Check your (Monday) email from the SJLC Men’s Ministry for further information and login information should you wish to join us via ZOOM.

Read Psalm 46 aloud. Why are the nations raging?

St. John’s 28th Annual Craft and Bake Sale

Saturday, November 11, 2023, 9 AM – 3 PM

This beautiful quilt is on display in the Narthex. It's a lovely large quilt that will dress up any room. It would make an exceptional gift for yourself or someone you love. Wishes are only $1 each. At the close of the Craft Sale, a winning wish is drawn from the Wish Box. Winner does not need to be present. Watch for the ladies selling quilt wishes after services on Sunday or see any one of the Craft Fellowship team members. Wishes will also be sold at the Craft and Bake Sale!

Have you gathered your recipes and made your shopping list for the items you are making for the Bake Sale?

If your time is limited,

• just make,
• bake, and
• drop your items off in the church kitchen. We will be happy to package.
• Please note any ingredients that are allergens such as nuts or peanuts.

You may drop your homemade items off in the church kitchen anytime on:

• Thursday, Nov. 9
• Friday, Nov. 10
• Saturday morning, Nov. 11

We appreciate your generous support which is critical to the success of the Bake Sale. Thank you.

The St. John's 28th Annual Craft and Bake Sale promises to be an extraordinary event. We have items that have been favorites over the years such as:

• spa items, quiet toys
• jams and jellies
• cloth gift bags
• wall hangings
• decorated trees
• gifts for pets

The list above is just a sampling. We also have some new items that just might be favorites in the years ahead. Come, explore and see for yourself.

The BBQ or hot dog lunch will be served from 10:30AM to 2:00PM the day of the Craft and Bake Sale. Come, shop, refresh with lunch and go back for a second round of shopping! Meet friends or family and enjoy lunch together.

Please mark Saturday, November 11 on your calendar. Invite friends, family and neighbors. We look forward to seeing everyone there.

Proceeds from the St. John's Craft and Bake Sale benefit people locally and globally. Bethany House of Northern VA is one of the local charities supported when you shop our Craft and Bake Sale. Bethany House is a Christian ministry helping women and their children who are escaping domestic violence. This organization provides the support and care needed for health, dignity and transitioning into lives without abuse.

Check out St. John's Facebook page for pictures of some of the festive items for this year's Craft Sale as well as photos from prior years.

If you have questions, please contact Cathy Schreiner or Karen Kemmet at 703-973-5358 (cell).

New Giving Platform

St. John's is in the process of transitioning to a new giving platform. The new platform will offer more features that will help to properly track and acknowledge the many gifts we receive from our members and community. In the upcoming weeks, keep an eye out for more information on how this positively affects the ways in which you can give to SJLC.

If you already have a recurring gift set up through CCB, please watch for an email from us soon that will help you to move your offerings from the current platform to our new platform. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to our Financial Administrator, Jennifer Smith (703-971-2211).

We appreciate your patience and assistance during this transition!

New Midweek Update Request Procedure

Interested in submitting an article for our weekly Midweek Update Newsletter? Look for the black banner at the top and bottom of this page and click on "Click Here."

While filling out the form, please be sure to provide all the necessary details including:

• Article Title
• Article Details (include day, date, and time - if applicable)
• Two preferred Wednesday dates (additional dates my be requested - if needed)

Please submit announcements

Thursday 8 am - Monday 4 pm

Requests can also be made by visiting the contact us page on our website www.sjlc.com. Look for "Announcement requests for our Midweek Update Newsletter" to submit requests through our website. We look forward to hearing from you!

Looking Ahead



• All Saints Sunday - November 5 (remember to fall back one hour before going to bed on Saturday night as Daylight Saving Time ends)
• Executive Team Meeting - November 6
• Veteran's Day - November 11
• Koinonia's Christmas Wishes program - Beginning November 12
• Church Council Meeting - November 12
• Thanksgiving Eve worship service - November 22 at 7:30PM
• Festival of Christ the King (last Sunday of the church year) - November 26

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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