Grace to you and peace in our Lord Jesus Christ!

In the Gospel lesson for this past Sunday (Luke 10:1-20 ESV), Jesus sent out the seventy-two to all the places where he himself would go, proclaiming that “the kingdom of God has come near.” It is in Jesus that the kingdom of God has broken into our troubled and sinful world, calling all people to repentance and new life in Jesus. This is the message which we continue to bring to the world.

Jesus called his disciples, then and now, to pray that the Lord of the harvest would send out workers into his harvest fields. That remains our calling today. Through our Baptism into Christ’s death and resurrection, we are called to be Jesus’ everyday missionaries in our homes and neighborhoods, our places of work and leisure, as the sermon pointed out.

In Christ,

Pastor Meehan

From the Pastor's Desk - July 2022

A Celebration of Life memorial service will take place in the Sanctuary of St. John's on Saturday, July 9 at 11:00 AM. The service will be live streamed on St. John's YouTube Channel. A luncheon will be held in the Fellowship Hall following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions (select "Nass, Pastor Bernard Memorial") have been directed by the family to St. John's Lutheran Church. Please ensure that all gifts are designated "in memory of Pastor Ben Nass."

Have you had an interest in joining the choir but didn't have the time or didn't want to commit to singing every Sunday? Summer Choir is just the thing for you. Everyone is invited—including children with choral experience—to join us to learn an easy anthem or hymn on Sunday mornings. We will be meeting in the choir loft at 8:30 AM to prepare for the service.

We would love to have you! If you or your child are interested in joining, please complete the CCB form. Questions? Please contact David Leahey, SJLC Director of Music.

St. John’s Church Council, the governing board of our congregation, will have its next meeting on Sunday, July 10 at 1:00PM. This will be a virtual meeting and input from members of the congregation is always welcome; contact person is Congregational President, Denise Canter.

  

Join us this summer for our Nurturing Your Faith Sunday morning Bible study. Pastor Meehan and Jennifer Hills will lead this series as we explore this two-part series from Lutheran Hour Ministries.

Part one Nurturing Your Faith: Life Together explores the letter of 1 Peter and its implication for believers. We are transformed by God through faith. Led by His Spirit of hope to live holy before Him, we love and serve those in our communities while struggling against the world's influence. Our churches, too, should be welcoming places to non-believers who are looking for integrity, relevance, and a commitment to God's truth. Study author and host Dr. Dale Meyer introduces each video session.

Part two Nurturing Your Faith: Called is based on Ephesians. God calls us to faith through His Word, through Baptism, through Communion, and through the witness of faithful Christians. In Nurturing Your Faith: Called, learners will see how God's call changes us and shapes us into His people. Called from the world to be new creations, by faith we recognize God at work in our lives. There will be challenges; however, as we find our voice to speak the truth in love, the world will try to silence us. Thankfully, it is God's Spirit who empowers us, giving us the words to say.

Teens and adults are invited to join us for this summer series. This series begins next Sunday, July 10, and will wrap up on August 28. Each session will be from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm in the fellowship hall. This is a hybrid class. Participants may attend in-person or virtually. Advance registration is requested.  Please click here to register for this class.

Mark your calendar for the next SJLC Men’s Group Bible study on Saturday, July 16. Additional information forthcoming - watch your email early next week for further details and Zoom/hybrid connection.

Friends of Eleanor (Schriock) Carter are welcome to attend the interment at Arlington National Cemetery, Thursday, July 21 at 3PM with Pastor Meehan officiating. Please park at the administrative office and get in queue by 2:15 PM.

A Celebration of Life reception will follow at 5PM. The family invites you to join them for dinner and drinks, and to share stories about Eleanor.

Please save the date for National Night Out which will take place on Tuesday evening, August 2 on our westside campus at church. Food trucks, fire and police officials, music, and children’s games are planned. National Night Out is an annually occurring event that brings neighbors together to ensure the safety of the community. Watch for more information about National Night Out! Please contact the church office if you’d like to help or would like more information.  

We continue to offer Holy Communion each Wednesday at 12 noon. Based on feedback from individuals, we will continue with this midweek time of worship throughout the summer. All are welcome to join us. Please register here or feel welcome to contact the Church Office (703-971-2210).

During the summer season when many people travel and are on vacation, be sure to worship with fellow Christians wherever you may be. Should you worship with another faith tradition, observe what is different and what is similar to our own worship patterns as these give glory and praise to our triune God. Bring a bulletin back and post it in the Narthex. Go to The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) website to find another sister congregation near to where you’ll be vacationing.

Please ensure that your tithes and offerings for the ministry and mission of our congregation continue while you are away. You may want to consider electronic funds transfer which allows your contributions to take place automatically weekly, monthly, or on whatever frequency you choose. If you’d like more information about how this might work for your household, please contact Jennifer Smith, St. John’s Finance Administrator. 

Many of you may be aware that there has been an increase in COVID-19 cases in the Fairfax Health District (the "District" is comprised of Fairfax County, Fairfax City, and Falls Church City). Our policy is to follow the CDC guidance and since the first week in May, our "community level" has been at "medium." This is a change from our previous "low" transmission level!

The CDC website provides a link for anyone to check the current status of COVID transmission in their locality. Simply click here to keep up to date on the status of COVID transmission in your county or city.

Please be aware that, at this point, our "CDC Mask Guidance and St. John's" policy as shown in the article below, has not changed.

St. John’s policy has been to follow CDC guidance (Use and Care of Masks | CDC). Although health officials have now indicated it is okay not to wear a mask, even in indoor settings, members of our congregation may choose to mask at any time. Those exhibiting symptoms, or who have tested positive for COVID, or who have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 should certainly strongly consider wearing a mask. Pastor Meehan and the Lay Assistants will continue to wear masks during the Distribution of Holy Communion.

Please note that if circumstances change and the transmission category for COVID is on the rise in our area, we will once again encourage everyone to wear a mask indoors. Feel welcome to contact the Church Office, 703-971-2210, should you have questions or concerns.

www.sjlc.com | 703-971-2210