Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. | |
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As we begin our 4-week Fall Stewardship series, "The Grace of Giving," we heard in the Gospel lesson for this past Sunday (Matthew 21:33-46 ESV) another vineyard parable from Jesus. This parable concerns tenants who acted as though the vineyard belonged to them. Sometimes we do the same. We often think of "my life," "my money," and "my possessions." But as the sermon pointed out, all of these things are on loan to us from God, who is the Maker and Owner of all things. We are merely the tenants - the caretakers - of what belongs to the Lord.
As the parable made clear, the Son of the vineyard owner entered into the vineyard and was killed by the very ones to whom He was sent. This is Jesus, who gave his life that we might be his own. We now see our selves, our time, and our possessions as gifts from a gracious and loving God, to be used for God's good purposes in the world.
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Fall Stewardship Series in October
"The Grace of Giving" is the theme for St. John's Fall Stewardship series which began on Sunday, October 8 and concludes on Reformation Sunday, October 29. The key Scripture verse for this series is from 2 Corinthians 8:7: "But since you excel in everything - in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you - see that you also excel in this grace of giving."
Each of us has been entrusted by God with managing what belongs to God: our selves, our time, and our possessions. "The Grace of Giving" seeks to help the members of our congregation grow in managing God's resources, all in response to what God in Christ has done for us. Information about this process was sent out via email to each household in the congregation earlier this week, and for those who need it, hard copy mailings are also available. Please review this carefully and prayerfully discern how you will support the mission and ministry of our congregation.
This 4-week series will conclude with commitments for ministry in 2024 being dedicated on Reformation Sunday, October 29, for the Lord's kingdom work in our congregation, community, and world. Please join us for a Chili Cook-off at 12 noon on Sunday, October 29 to conclude our Fall Stewardship series - sign up in the Narthex at church. Questions? Please contact Jim Burroughs, St. John's Treasurer or Jennifer Smith, St. John's Financial Administrator.
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Pastor Meehan Away Later This Week
Pastor and June Meehan will be away later this week for a reunion of Pastor's 1988 graduating class from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis. They will be away Wednesday evening, October 11 and returning home Saturday afternoon, October 14.
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10th Annual SJLC Men’s Octoberfest & Pig Roast
Men of St. John’s, come join us for our 10th Annual Men’s Octoberfest and Pig Roast from 5:00 – 9:00PM on Saturday, October 14th. This event is for the men at St. John’s. If you are a father, bring your son along. We will meet at the fire pit by the back parking area at St. John’s. Come early if you plan to play corn hole and pitch horse shoes. We will build a camp fire, tell stories, share our faith, and enjoy fellowship.
We will have smoked pulled pork, baked beans, coleslaw, potato salad, soda, water, and some desserts. There are benches around the fire pit, but you may want to bring a chair and your own favorite beverage. Consider inviting your neighbor.
Please RSVP by Thursday, October 12th, by emailing SJLCMen@sjlc.com or see the sign-up sheet in the narthex. If you would like to bring a dish or dessert, please let us know. For questions, speak with Joe Godwin, Greg Miller, Rodney Smith, Paul Swicord, Jim Burroughs, or Greer Putnam.
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2024 Lutheran Witness Subscriptions
CURRENT LUTHERAN WITNESS SUBSCRIBERS
Lutheran Witness Renewal Packets for 2024 have been sent out in the mail to all current Lutheran Witness subscribers. Please update and return the information by Thursday, October 26.
CONGREGANTS WHO WISH TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE LUTHERAN WITNESS
Interested in subscribing to the Lutheran Witness Magazine? Now is the time to act! Please click here to sign up through CCB. Sign up will be available until Friday, October 20. Subscription is $20.50/year and can be paid at www.sjlc.com/give. Choose Lutheran Witness from the designation dropdown menu.
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College Care Packages
Our Teens will be assembling and mailing out care packages for our SJLC college students. Parents of college students, please use this link to submit your college student’s address.
Please use this link to sign up to donate goodies for our college students. All donations are due by Sunday, October 22.
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Trunk or Treat
Join us Monday, October 30 at 6:00PM for a combined SJLC and ECEC Trunk or Treat! We’re looking for families or SJLC ministry groups to work together to host a trunk for a Trunk or Treat. This is a combined event for our families at SJLC and our ECEC families. This is a wonderful opportunity to meet and mingle with these two groups of people.
Here’s how to host a trunk for Trunk or Treat!
Step 1: Pick your trunk's theme: Trunk or Treat Car Sign Up
Step 2: Bring your trunk and decorate with the provided decorations*
Step 3: Greet our guests and hand out candy
Step 4: Have a good time with our ECEC/SJLC family and friends
*Candy and decorations will be provided, or choose your own theme and provide your own decorations.
For questions or more information, please contact Jennifer Hills or 703-971-2210.
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Trunk or Treat Candy Donations
We are accepting Halloween candy donations for our SJLC & ECEC Trunk or Treat. Please make sure all donations are nut-free. This means no peanut butter candy. All donations can be left in the church office or given to Jennifer Hills. All donations should be dropped off by Sunday, October 29.
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Praying In Color
We will gather again on Saturday morning, October 21 in the Church library for a special time of praying in this unique way. This prayer form has us listening to the Lord through scripture and placing prayers onto paper using simple shapes, color, and even words. All supplies are provided. This is a great way to take some time to reflect and be still before the Lord in this busy autumn season. If you are new to this prayer form, please arrive at 9:30am for orientation. Our hour of prayer begins at 10:00am. No sign up is needed.
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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.” Please sign up online through CCB to choose the food item(s) you wish to contribute. 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. The Christmas Baskets food contribution signup information will be posted starting November 13.
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!
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St. John’s 28th Annual Craft and Bake Sale
Saturday, November 11, 2023, 9 AM – 3 PM
How many different items can you spot in this photo? Here are just a few of the items spotted: quilts for kids and adults, reusable fabric bags, soft books, Christmas ornaments, wall hangings, framed counted cross stitch prints, placemats, and mantle decorations. This is just a small part of the Craft Sale. So much to explore; so many treasures to find!
With 4 weeks to go, the final flurry of preparations is underway - catnip bags, ornaments, pecan pie, and chili. On Saturday, November 11, come and see how it all works together to bring you something for everyone.
Home crafters, there is time to finish that craft project or even to start a quick one. Home bakers, find your recipes and begin checking your supplies. We look forward to all your contributions which add variety to this amazing event.
Proceeds from the Craft and Bake Sale benefit so many who have so little. Through our gift to Orphan Grain Train, a recognized service organization of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, we all help them meet their mission of "Sharing resources and bringing Christ's name and character to needy people far and wide."
Next week's article will talk about Bake Sale favorites so you can begin planning for your baking. Check out St. John's Facebook page for Craft and Bake Sale photos.
If you have questions, please contact Cathy Schreiner or Karen Kemmet at 703-973-5358 (cell).
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ESL Classes Are Underway
More than 150 adult immigrants are currently studying English online and in person as part of St. John's ESL program. Our students hail from 40 different countries. The largest groups by country are: Afghanistan, 21%; El Salvador, 10%; Mexico, 9%; Republic of Korea, 5%; Chile, 5%; Peru, 4%; Vietnam, 3%; and Yemen, 3%.
They speak 19 different primary languages, including: Spanish, 46%; Dari/Pashto, 17%; and Arabic, 10%. About 44 percent have university educations, and 34 percent have high school or trade school education.
We are grateful for the 34 caring volunteers from St. John's and elsewhere who provide this much needed service to our immigrant neighbors. Our students are so appreciative!
If you want to learn more, you're invited to observe a class. Click here for more information, go to or contact ESL Coordinator Dori McCormick
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Task Force to Study Community Garden for St. John's
St. John's Church Council gave approval at its October 8th meeting to form a Task Force to do a feasibility study for placing a community garden on the westside area of our church campus. The idea was brought to the Church Council as a follow-up from Pastor Meehan's summer sabbatical that focused on caring for God's creation. A growing number of congregations, including some in our immediate area, have community gardens in place already, and so there is much to learn from their experience.
The Task Force will study this idea and report back to the Church Council, which would then bring this before the congregation. If you would like to serve on the Task Force, please contact Pastor Meehan.
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Financial Update
The August 2023 St. John's Lutheran Church financial results for the Operating Fund and ECEC are posted in the Narthex. For the first time this year, we are now experiencing a deficit. Although operating costs are not as high as anticipated, offerings are lower than expected at this time. This is probably related to less attendance at Church in the summer.
We will begin our fall stewardship campaign next week. The theme this year is "The Grace of Giving."
More details are posted in the narthex or may be obtained from Jim Burroughs, Minister of Finance.
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Looking Ahead
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ECEC Board Meeting - October 14
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ECEC Back to School Night - October 19
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Chili Cook-Off - October 29 (12 noon in Fellowship Hall after worship service)
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Trunk or Treat - October 30
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Important Links
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Registration for Holy Communion held on Wednesdays at noon.
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Facebook Live for viewing live services or educational opportunities as well as those previously recorded.
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YouTube for viewing church services
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Click here for the bulletins
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