St. John's Episcopal Church - Centreville, VA
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Parish News - March 16, 2022
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Dear St. John's Parishioners and Friends:
The Episcopal News service posted the following article about a poll taken recently about religion in America:
"A new national study, Jesus in America, was released today in a partnership between The Episcopal Church and Ipsos. The research found that while the majority of Americans polled believe Jesus was an important spiritual figure and want equality in society, it also showed Christians are not necessarily practicing what Jesus taught, and Americans feel judged when talking about their beliefs.
"The study also found that the global pandemic has negatively impacted participation in organized religion — or religious activity — and more people are finding spiritual fulfillment in nature. In addition, while the church has been a place of community and non-judgment, some Americans feel that churches that discuss racism and slavery are acting with the wrong intentions.
"We are encouraged that the research shows Americans still find Jesus compelling, but we also see that the behavior of many of his followers is a problem, and it’s not just certain Christians: it’s all Christians,” said Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Michael Curry. “This is a wake-up call for us, and based on what we have learned, we are refocusing our efforts on being a church that looks and acts like Jesus and models its behavior on his teachings. In this process, we hope to ignite a revival of love that encourages all Americans to do a better job of loving their neighbors.”
To read the entire article and see specific results, click on the link below.
Although I don't know the wording of the questions in the poll, I was struck by the fact that that Jesus is referred to as "an important spiritual figure" and not the Son of God. There are thousands of important spiritual leaders, but there is only one who is the Son of God. What would you answer if you were asked to take this poll? Do you think the church has the wrong intentions when discussing racism and slavery? How can we draw people into a loving church community if they are finding their fulfillment, not in the church, but in nature? Do we need both? What do you think?
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The Rev. Carol Hancock
Rector
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JOIN US THIS SUNDAY AS WE HAVE RETURNED
TO IN-PERSON WORSHIP AT ST. JOHN'S!
We will continue to wear masks and socially distance ourselves as much as possible. We will also continue our "safe" way of having communion by using the individual cups for the bread and the wine.
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The services will continue to be live streamed at 9:30 AM on Sunday morning, and they can be watched later as well. The link to the online service is found below and will be the same link every Sunday. On Saturday, we will resend the link, along with a link for the bulletin and the lectionary class.
SUNDAY LIVESTREAM LINK:
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PARISH NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
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Lenten program - It's not too late to join us! Our Lenten book study will use the book "Soul Stages: Surviving and Thriving in the Second Half of Life" by Christopher Chamberlin Moore (2021) We will be looking at times of transition and change in our lives, as we look ahead to transition and change at St. John's. Please order your own book, which can be found on Amazon. We meet on Wednesdays at 7:00 PM on Zoom during Lent. Please read the second chapter of "Soul Stages" for tonight. The Zoom link is below. No need to register! Just read the book and join us on Zoom!
There are many online resources for Lent, including daily prayers and reflections. Here are a few:
If there are other online resources for Lent that you would like to share, please send the links to Carol and they will be included in the E Notes.
Retired Bishop Ted Gulick will be with us on Sunday, April 3 for the 9:30 AM service. All the loose plate offering will go to the Bishop's Discretionary Fund.
Marie McDermott is honored by WFCM - Harmonie Taddeo, the Executive Director of WFCM said this about Marie: "Marie has been volunteering with WFCM for more than 10 years. She is part of the dynamic trio on Tuesdays bagging groceries and also volunteers at least one additional day per week assisting with client services. Marie came to WFCM through St. John’s Episcopal Church and volunteering runs in the family as Marie’s husband volunteers weekly picking up groceries and their son volunteers with his dad during events such as Scouting for Food. In 2021, Marie volunteered for 445 hours earning a silver Presidential Service Award.
"Marie is a truly dedicated servant who has helped train numerous other volunteers in both pantry and client services work. I am so happy to present Marie with a Lifetime Presidential Service Award acknowledging that she has served at Western Fairfax Christian Ministries for more than 4,000 hours. Marie, we are thankful for these hours but more the care with which you serve and we are happy that there are many more hours of service in your future." Our congratulations go to Marie on her achievement!
Do you know someone who needs Community Service hours? This past weekend, all the windows in the building were cleaned on the inside by a high school student (and his parents) who needed community service hours. They did some other cleaning as well. Do you know anyone who needs community service hours? St. John's always has some projects that need doing!
A Celebration of the Life of Helen Rusnak has been scheduled for Saturday, April 9, at 1:00 PM in the historic church. Burial will be in the St. John's Cemetery after the service, followed by a reception at the church.
A Celebration of the Life of Mildred DeBell has been scheduled for Saturday, March 26 at 2:00 PM in the church. Burial will be in the St. John's Cemetery after the service.
In lieu of making donations for Easter flowers, please use that envelope in your pledge packet to make a donation to Outreach. The Flower Fund has enough money in it to purchase flowers for Easter. Cross out "Easter Flowers" on the envelop and write Outreach on the envelope and on the check. Please email Catherine or Carol if the donation is in memory of or in honor of a loved one.
Although Lent has just started, it's not too early to plan ahead for Holy Week and Easter. We need the following help:
-readers for the dramatic reading of the passion narrative on Palm Sunday, April 10
(Please let Carol know if you can help. Do NOT sign up on the sign up sheet.)
-lectors, ushers and crucifers for all services (sign up online)
-donations of wrapped candy for the Easter Egg hunt (NO plastic eggs are needed)
-several people to hide the plastic eggs before the 10:00 AM Easter service
-As we don't need funds to purchase Easter flowers, you can make a donation to
Outreach instead. You can use the Easter flowers envelop in your pledge
packets and write "Outreach" on it and on the memo line of your check. You can
let Carol or Catherine know who the donation is in memory of or in honor of.
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Postcard Ministry - Many thanks go to Denise McCarthy for volunteering to send out the birthday postcards each week.
Podcast – The Episcopal Church - Bishop Curry's "The Way of Love" is now a podcast. This podcast offers helpful ideas and inspiring stories from Bishop Curry and others. Click on the link to find out more about it.
As the Russian invasion of Ukraine escalates, please continue to pray for all those involved in this conflict.
God of peace and justice, we pray for the people of Ukraine today. We pray for peace and the laying down of weapons. We pray for all those who fear for tomorrow, that your Spirit of comfort would draw near to them. We pray for those with power over war or peace, for wisdom, discernment and compassion to guide their decisions. Above all, we pray for all your precious children, at risk and in fear, that you would hold and protect them. We pray in the name of Jesus, the Prince of Peace. Amen
(written by Archbishop Justin Welby and Archbishop Stephen Cottrell)
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YOU ARE INVITED TO A GATHERING!
SUNDAY - April 3, 2022 - 5 PM
To Celebrate the Ministry of The Rev. Carol Hancock
As many of you know, Carol will be taking a long-awaited sabbatical following her last Sunday, Easter Sunday, as St. John's Rector, and then will enter into her next chapter of life, her retirement.
The celebration will be held in the Parish Hall (lower level), and will be a catered dinner, dessert and tribute for Carol.
Please make Reservations:
Send Susie Pike a note with number of attendees, and a check for the cost of $25 per adult (nothing for children if attending with an adult, just let Susie know they are coming) to cover the meal costs.
Susie Pike, 15334 Oakmere Place, Centreville 20120,
(or dropped off at the church office.)
Susie should receive payments by March 18.
We are excited for Carol that she will be able to take her long-planned sabbatical and wish to show her how much she is appreciated, loved, and will be missed, at the dinner event.
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SPECIAL REQUEST
A video tribute for Carol is being developed. If you have any pictures of Carol you would like to include please email them to me. If you wish, you can also email me a short video of your thoughts on her departure. Request your video be no more than a minute long. Please have any pictures and videos sent to me NLT March 18th. My email address is:
David Weir and Sandy Jones are assembling a video and photo tributes for Carol. If you have any videos / photos you would like included, please email them to David at [email protected] or photos to Sandy at [email protected]. Please have all videos and photos sent no later than March 18th.
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*Wood Bundles For Sale*
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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OUTREACH and VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
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The Katharine K. Hanley Family Shelter is located nearby and currently house up to 12 families onsite, 12 families in hotel sites and serve over 40 families in their prevention and rapid rehousing programs. Seeking volunteers for:
- On-call movers: 3-4 volunteers with a pick-up truck or U-Haul Rental Truck, must be able to lift and move furniture and other household items.
- Volunteer Delivery Driver (VDD): Provides essential help in getting items to community members, residents, and Shelter House Program Participants. This position requires a working vehicle, license, and personal ability to navigate to new places.
- Volunteer On Call Moving Assistant (VOCMA): Requires the ability to lift, carry, and drive. They work directly with residents who are moving out of shelter or relocating This position does not include the transportation of people. (Ages 18+)
- Volunteer Shelter Assistant (VSA): A versatile position that participates in
onsite tasks such as cleaning, organizing, and various hands-on activities depending on the needs of the shelter determined by the Building Manager and/or Community Coordinator. (Ages 16+)
- If you are interested in any of these opportunities, please contact Rev. Deacon Steve at [email protected] who will coordinate with KKHFS Community Coordinator to get you started. Note: positions may require training from the KKHFS particularly those involving direct contact with clients.
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Western Fairfax Christian Ministries updated 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.
Most needed items in the food pantry this month, March 2022:
- Canned Vegetables (low salt spinach, collard greens, corn)
- Juice (100% Fruit in plastic containers)
- Syrup
- Jelly/Jam
- Flavored Rice/Pasta
- Canned Pasta
- Pasta Sauce (low salt preferred)
- Canned Pineapple
- Brown Rice
- Spaghetti (whole wheat preferred)
- Jello/Pudding
- Maseca flour
- Sugar
- Granola Bars and Individual Snacks (chips, crackers)
- Condiments and Salad Dressing (family size not miniature packs)
- Baby Food (jar food, rice cereal)
- Similac Baby Formula (Blue Label/Advance)
- Toiletries: Toilet paper, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, body wash, lotion
As a reminder, we accept food and toiletry donations Monday - Friday 8-10 am at 4511 Daly Drive Suite H (Back Door) and on the second Saturday monthly 9-11 am.
- (NOTE: we are not currently in need of diapers size 0-4 due to our partnership with Greater DC Diaper Bank. Please only donate larger size diapers, larger size pull ups, or wipes if you want to donate items for babies.)
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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The Adult Lectionary Forum - IN PERSON & ON ZOOM
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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 Third Sunday after the Epiphany
March 20, 2022
The First Reading: Exodus 3:1-15
God reveals himself as he calls his servant Moses, to deliver his people from evil in Egypt. God of fire and of unspeakable glory visits and charges this shepherd with the work of leading the people of God.
The Psalm: 63:1-8, BCP
The Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 10:1-13
The ways of the human heart are laid bare in the account of the Israelites in the wilderness. We all wander, but knowing their story, we are forewarned of the pitfalls and temptations of sin, and we have the ultimate leader and guide through the darkness, which is Jesus Christ.
The Gospel: Luke 13:1-9
God sees into each human heart and knows the evil and darkness which dwells there. A sin that is larger or further-reaching may not be judged in the same way. God is the only one who sees all.
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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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In the wilderness, Jesus fasted.
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Body
Revere your body. Your body is the edifice in which you have entered life, in which you practice life, in which you will part from this life. Treat your body kindly, attentively, respectfully, peacefully, gently, gratefully, lovingly, in a holy way. You are God’s temple.
-Br. Curtis Almquist, SSJE
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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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