Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. | |
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In these closing days of the church year, our Gospel lessons come from Matthew 25. Take some time to read through this section of Scripture and hear what the Lord Jesus is saying to us as we wait and watch for his coming.
In worship this past Sunday, we heard Jesus' parable of the wise and foolish virgins in Matthew 25:1-13, the Parable of the Ten Virgins. Though we don't know the day or hour of his return, Jesus calls on his children to be ready and prepared for his coming, so that we may watch with encouragement, as the sermon proclaimed.
Strengthened by the Lord's gifts of Word and Sacrament in the fellowship of believers, we are encouraged and built up in faith day by day until the coming of our Savior.
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We are gathering this Saturday morning November 18, in Rooms 307/309 to pray in color. It is wonderful to take just this little time in this season of harvest and thanksgiving to lift up prayers of gratitude.
This prayer form has us putting our prayers to paper using simple tools like colored pencils, markers, stencils, random shapes and even words. Putting prayer on paper helps us concentrate and listen to the Lord as we pray. If you are new to this prayer form, please arrive at 9:30AM for orientation. Our hour of prayer begins at 10:00 am.
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Let's Meet at the Playground!
Over the last months, we have learned about some large deficiencies with our playground at church that serves both children of our Early Childhood Education Center (ECEC) during the week as well as church families on Sunday.
There are code requirements that necessitate major overhaul of the existing playground in order to bring this up to Virginia Department of Education code. Earlier this month, a crew of volunteers took care of an immediate tripping hazard inside the entrance gate to the playground, and we thank them all for their help. However, the overall project is very large as well as complex – much bigger than what we could realistically take on with volunteers from church and school families helping.
ECEC leaders in partnership with St. John’s Campus Projects Team (CPT) have been soliciting bids from different vendors to do the work. Now it is time to share all of this with you, the members of St. John’s. Weather permitting, you are invited to meet at the playground on the next two Sundays, November 19 and 26, immediately after the worship service. In the event of bad weather, we will meet in the Fellowship Hall. ECEC and CPT leaders will discuss playground renovation plans and answer any questions. In the meantime, if you have questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to any of the following: Mike Waring, CPT; Pat Zissios, ECEC Board chair; or Amanda Parks, ECEC Director.
We look forward to seeing you at the playground!
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Thanksgiving Eve Worship Service
St. John's Thanksgiving Eve worship service will take place on Wednesday, November 22 at 7:30PM. In advance of this, plastic Thanksgiving bags will be handed out to worshipers on the Sundays prior to Thanksgiving. You are asked to take these home and fill them with non-perishable food supplies to bless those in need in our community.
Please return these filled bags on or before the Thanksgiving Eve service on November 22, when they will be brought to the altar as part of our worship that evening. As we give thanks for God's many blessings in life, the love of Jesus moves us to help others so that there is both thanks and giving.
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Koinonia Christmas Baskets
Today we open the signup for items for Koinonia Christmas food baskets. For Christmas, all items are DUE SUNDAY, DECEMBER 10, at 10AM. We recognize this is a tight timeframe and appreciate your generosity in helping us fill these Christmas baskets!
| You may place your Christmas food items on the table on the Fellowship Hall stage marked, “Koinonia Christmas 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. | |
Koinonia Christmas Wishes
The Christmas Tree for Christmas Wishes is now up in the Narthex. Thank you for the many who have already signed up and taken a "star." There are still stars left to take. Each star represents a gift for a child of a certain age. You purchase the gift and return it to the tree with the star when you come to Worship.
Gifts are due back no later than Sunday, December 10th at noon. Koinonia asks that we do not donate Barbie dolls or Matchbox cars. Gift cards should not exceed $25.00. Talk to the attendant at the Tree on Sunday or contact Christy Hoins for more info.
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Women’s Christmas Dinner Friday, December 1
Sign up has begun for the Women's Christmas Dinner on Friday, December 1 in the Fellowship Hall. The evening will begin at 6:00PM with appetizers and fellowship followed by dinner. You can sign up and pay online through CCB; the cost of the dinner is $25 per person. You can also write a check made payable to St. John's with a note indicating it is for the Women's Christmas Dinner, and place it in the offering plate or give it to Barbara Wright or Cathy Schreiner. Final date to sign up is Monday, November 27 by 4PM.
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Pastor Nass Committal Service at Arlington Nat'l. Cemetery
Members and friends of St. John's are invited to the committal service for our own Pastor Ben Nass, which will take place with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery on Tuesday, November 21 at 1:00PM. Please meet at the Administration Building of the cemetery no later than 12:15PM to assemble.
Pastor Nass died on June 15, 2022, and his memorial service took place at St. John's on July 9, 2022. Having served as a Chaplain in the US Army for thirty years prior to serving as St. John's Associate Pastor (1997-2006), this committal service will be a fitting tribute to one who served his country with honor and distinction.
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Fundraiser Event at &Pizza
St. John's Early Childhood Education Center is having its first fundraiser of the year!
Here's our Goal!
RAISE $400 in sales on Tuesday, November 21
from 4pm - 8pm
What's the Reward?
25% of all sales that day
Join in on this fun event by:
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Ordering in person - give your phone number + code (STJ23) at the Kingstowne location at 5626 Kingstowne Towne Center.
- Ordering online or on their app - enter code (STJ23) in promo field at checkout.
More information in English and Spanish is attached.
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The Hopeful Neighborhood Project
The Hopeful Neighborhood Project aligns well with the concepts of "Joining Jesus on His Mission." To learn more about "Joining Jesus on His Mission," visit our website and scroll to the bottom of the home page.
You are encouraged to register now for these free virtual events.
November 16th, 6:00-7:00 CST - Love Your Neighborhood Workshop: Snack Boards
Workshops are FREE and open to all, but an RSVP is required.
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Advent Wreath-Making Event on Sunday, December 3
You are invited to a fun, intergenerational activity on Sunday, December 3 at 9:15AM (First Sunday in Advent) in the Fellowship Hall. This event will be in lieu of Sunday Morning Children’s Ministry and Adult Bible Class. All materials and instructions are provided so that you walk away with a beautiful Advent wreath to use at home.
This Advent Wreath-Making Event is open to everyone, but please register in advance so we know how many materials to have ready. You can click here to register for the Event.
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Midweek Advent Worship Services
Advent is a holy time of waiting and watching for the coming of Christ. This is a 4-week period to prepare our hearts and minds for his first coming at Bethlehem, as well as his promised second coming. Midweek Advent worship services will be held on the Wednesdays in December prior to Christmas. These dates are Wednesday, December 6, 13, and 20, all beginning at 12 noon. These services will include a homily and Holy Communion, and will be livestreamed. In the midst of a very busy season, let us find blessing through the presence and promise of our Advent Lord Jesus Christ.
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Poinsettia Plants for Christmas
Please help beautify the Sanctuary for the holidays by dedicating red poinsettias for the altar. All plants will be at a cost of $18 each and can be taken home following the worship service on Sunday, December 25.
Orders and payments may be made online via CCB or by check payable to St. John’s and noting “Poinsettia Plant” on the memo line. The deadline to order a poinsettia is Wednesday, December 20. Checks can be dropped into the offering basket located near the rear of the Sanctuary or mailed to the Church Office. Thank you!
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Thank you!
Awesome news, St. John's!
Meals packaged at your Rise Against Hunger Experience have shipped. At this moment, healthy meals are on their way to a community in urgent need of nutrition. We’re excited to share that destination with you. (Drumroll, please!)
Meals you packaged are headed to the Philippines!
The Philippines consists of over 7,000 islands in the Ring of Fire in the Pacific Ocean. One of the most environmentally disaster prone countries in the world, it faces near constant threats of natural disasters like earthquakes, typhoons and volcanic eruptions. These disasters cause displacement and major loss of livelihoods and infrastructure, and disproportionately affect poor communities in rural areas, where people rely on agriculture and fishing. The Global Hunger Index, which assesses food insecurity based on indicators that measure undernourishment and undernutrition, categorizes the Philippines as having a “moderate” level of hunger overall. Rise Against Hunger serves the regions of the Philippines where hunger is most urgent.
Your impact
To address some of the food security challenges that children, families, and communities in the Philippines face, Rise Against Hunger partners with organizations that support educational programs by providing meals to children at schools and early child development centers. This is a key part of Rise Against Hunger’s Nourishing Lives pathway. In some cases, the food children receive at school will be the majority of the food they eat in a day. The meals you packaged will help ensure that children have access to the consistent nourishment they need to live healthy lives and successfully pursue their education. Read more about how your meals make an impact by checking out our Pathways to End Hunger!
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Looking Ahead
- Church office and ECEC closed for Thanksgiving holiday - November 23-24
- Festival of Christ the King (last Sunday of the church year) - November 26
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Congregational Virtual Voters' Meeting - December 3 at 1:00PM
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Annandale Brass Christmas Concert in Sanctuary - December 10 at 4:00PM
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Important Links
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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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