To St. John's Parishioners and Friends:

Eternal God, the heaven of heavens cannot contain you, much less the walls of temples made with hands. Graciously receive our thanks for this place, and accept the work of our hands, offered to your honor and glory.

A Litany of Thanksgiving for a Church, Book of Common Prayer, p. 578

This Sunday, we'll mark our anniversary with worship and a special anniversary potluck. (If you haven't RSVPed already, do that now!) We know that the mission of Jesus Christ didn't begin with or at St. John's. And, yes, we know that no church, however beautiful and loved, could contain God. But in so many ways, God has graced our lives in this place, and so we pause and we give thanks for the occasion and this community of St. John's. May we continue to be a wondrous sign of God's love for us all.

Grace and peace,

Kevin

The Rev. Kevin Laskowski

Priest-in-Charge

St. John's Episcopal Church

Anniversary Worship and Potluck

St. John's was first built in 1850 and consecrated July 14, 1854. Join us this Sunday, July 16 for worship at 9:30 AM followed by a festive potluck on the Gilead Green (that's our backyard!). Come as you are. Bring a dish or dessert to share. RSVP here.

Funeral Services Saturday, July 15

Funeral services for William Davis will be held Saturday, July 15 at 11 AM in the historic church.

Funeral services for Henry Hadfield will be held Saturday, July 15 at 4 PM in the historic church.

We hold their families in prayer.

WORSHIP

Last Sunday's Sermon

Recently returned from sabbatical, The Rev. Deacon Steve Busch recalls the Messiah who entered Jerusalem not at the head of an army but on a donkey, offering rest and relationship with God. Then, he shares some experiences visiting other houses of worship during his time away.

Upcoming Readings for July 16, 2023

Let us prepare our hearts and mind for worship with the readings for the Celebration of St. John's Anniversary:

First Reading: 1 Kings 8:22-30

King Solomon dedicates the temple. God is not contained there but is always present to God's people.

Psalm: Psalm 84

The Psalmist rejoices in God's house and blesses all who set their hearts on pilgrimage, on growing closer with God.

Second Lesson: 1 Peter 2:1-5, 9-10

The church is not only a building but the priesthood of all believers, who come before God and are rebuilt into a spiritual house.

Gospel: Matthew 21:12-16

As Jesus storms the temple and drives out the moneychangers, so Jesus drives out the thieves in our hearts to make room for healing.

Altar Flowers Needed

Volunteers to provide or purchase altar flowers are urgently needed for upcoming Sundays. Please contact Marcia Evans or sign up here.

Join Us In Person or Online

Join us in the historic church at 9:30 AM Sunday or watch live via YouTube. Additional links to the livestream, worship bulletin, and lectionary class are sent Saturday and also available on our website.

No Adult Lectionary Forum This Sunday

There will be no Adult Lectionary Forum this Sunday because of our anniversary celebrations. We'll resume next Sunday, July 23.

Summer with the Psalms

"Nowhere do the Psalms have an ideal of silence. Their assumption is that one finds God not in silence but in noise." - John Goldingay, biblical scholar

Join Rev. Kevin as we explore the Psalms Thursday nights at 7 PM in August. Each week, we'll take a in-depth look at one or two of the Psalms from each of the book's five sections. How did the authors find God's song amid the noise of the world? How did they sing back? How might we do the same? No homework required. Join us in the library or online. Click here for additional info and to register.

Tree of Life Serves 65!

St. John's served 65 meals last night in Sterling. The crowd loved the chicken tetrazzini.

Sign up to assist us on August 8. Members of our usual crew can't make it, and we need you!

St. John's partners with several other local churches to prepare and serve a meal to local residents every second Tuesday of the month at the Sterling Community Center. For more information and to sign up, contact Val Tucker, Andrew Wade, or click here.

Western Fairfax Christian Ministries

St. John's is a founding partner of Western Fairfax Christian Ministries, which provides food and financial support to families at risk of hunger and homelessness in western Fairfax County. Please bring your donations to Sunday services, or drop at the church office:

Food and Beverages

• Maseca Flour
• Canned Tuna and Canned Chicken
• Vegetable Oil 
• Peanut Butter
• Coffee
• Ramen Noodles 
• Vienna Sausages 
• Tomato Sauce 

Toiletries (Toiletry items cannot be purchased by clients with SNAP)

• Body Wash
• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Lotion
• Feminine Pads (not tampons)
• Large size pull-ups (size 4T/5T for toddlers) 
• Size 5 and 6 Diapers 
• Baby Wipes 

The Shepherd's Center of Western Fairfax

The Shepherd's Center needs drivers and support for local seniors.

Centreville Immigration Forum

CIF provides immigrants in need with the means to improve their lives and become more integrated into the community, improve communication and cooperation among all groups serving immigrants, and build community recognition of our strength in diversity.

The Katharine K. Hanley Family Shelter

Bring donations for our local family shelter to church or drop by the office:

• Toothpaste
• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Body Wash
• Bar Soap
• Hand Soap
• Deodorant

Sunday Services

Additional readers and ushers are needed. Sign up here.

Coffee Hour

We gather after worship for food and fellowship. Assist with snacks here.

Altar Flowers

Dedicate the altar flowers in thanksgiving or in memory of a loved one here.

Tree of Life

Help us feed hungry families. Sign up here.

For the people of Ukraine

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.

--a prayer from Archbishop Justin Welby and Archbishop Stephen Cottrell

Episcopal Relief & Development provides humanitarian assistance to people fleeing the violence in Ukraine, working with ACT Alliance and its Anglican partners in Europe. You can contribute to its Ukraine Crisis Response Fund here.