Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. | |
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In worship this past Sunday, December 17, the story of Jesus' birth was told in Word, song and prayer by members of our congregation in our annual Christmas program. The old story of God's saving love revealed in the coming of the Child born of Mary becomes new each year in the lives of God's people as we tell that good news of great joy that is for all people.
And now, in these closing days of the Advent season, we prepare to celebrate the mystery of Christ's coming in special Christmas worship services. Please see the announcement below about these services, and invite others - friends and family, neighbors and co-workers - to come with you and worship our Savior. May the peace of Christ fill our hearts with joy!
In Christ,
Pastor Meehan
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Merry Christmas from St. John’s Staff
We take this opportunity to wish everyone a blessed and happy Christmas as we rejoice in the birth of our Savior Jesus. We also say thank you for your many kind expressions to us in this season. It is a privilege for us to serve among you, working in partnership with you to extend God’s kingdom in this time and place. As we look ahead to the coming New Year, may “the grace of God which has appeared, bringing salvation to all” (Titus 3:11), guide and direct us all for his glory and for the good of all people.
- Pastor Meehan
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Jennifer Hills, Director of Discipleship
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David Leahey, Director of Music
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Amanda Parks, Early Childhood Education Center Director
- Kari Wells, Early Childhood Education Center Administrative Assistant
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Michelle May, Office Administrator
- Jennifer Smith, Financial Administrator
- Jackie Fuller, Communications Specialist
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Help with Online Giving
Are you giving online to St. John's, or want to, but do not know how? Are you confused with recent news about a change to PushPay? Have you tried to give but could not make it work? Let us help. On the first three Sundays in December a small team will be in the library / narthex to walk you through the process. We will make it easy.
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Special Advent-Christmas Worship Services and Events
Did you know that research reveals most people who do not have a church home are very receptive to an invitation to come to a worship service at Christmas? In these weeks leading up to the celebration of our Savior's birth, please be praying for who you can invite to join you in special worship services in this Advent and Christmas season.
Please note the earlier service time indicated below in red for Sunday morning worship services on December 24, 25, and 31!
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Wednesday, December 20 at 12 Noon - Midweek Advent Worship with homily and Holy Communion will be held in the Sanctuary.
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Friday, December 22 at 11: 00 AM - Christmas Chapel for Early Childhood Education Center will take place in the Sanctuary.
- Worship on Sunday, December 24
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9:30 AM - Fourth Sunday in Advent will take place in the Fellowship Hall with Holy Communion.
- NO EDUCATION HOUR or ADULT BIBLE CLASS.
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5:00 PM - Christmas Eve Children's Service, a 45-minute non-Communion service designed for young children and families.
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7:30 PM - Christmas Eve Candlelight Service with Holy Communion.
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Monday, December 25 at 9:30 AM, Christmas Day Worship Service with Holy Communion.
- Sunday, December 31
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9:30AM - First Sunday after Christmas with Holy Communion.
- NO EDUCATION HOUR or ADULT BIBLE CLASS.
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5:00 PM - New Year's Eve Worship Service with Holy Communion as we move from the old year into the coming new year
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Church of England's Festive Single Sees Thousands Poised To 'Join the Song' and Rediscover The Real Meaning of Christmas | |
As we approach one of the church’s busiest of seasons, David Leahey shares some music news from his home country. Bob Chilcott was a professor of his at The Royal College of Music, and this year he has composed a carol for The Church of England.
Read more on our website.
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Final Midweek Advent Worship Service
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. The fourth and final service is today Wednesday, December 20, beginning at 12 noon. These services will include a homily and Holy Communion, and will be live streamed. 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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Give to St. John's Endowment Fund
Every year, ministry leaders from within and outside St. John's apply for funding from the Endowment Fund. Only due to extraordinary generosity from legacy gifts and annual giving are these missions funded outside the church's normal budgeted ministry obligations.
As the end of the year rapidly approaches, consider giving to St. John's Endowment Fund. Your gift is tax deductible, retained, added to the existing fund, and invested where only income generated from the investment is distributed.
A gift to the Endowment Fund will continue to support St. John's ministries in perpetuity. You can give electronically by visiting St. John's Pushpay site and selecting "Endowment Fund" under the Fund dropdown menu. You can also contribute by check made out to St. John's Lutheran Church and including "Endowment Fund" in the memo line. If you have any questions, please contact Mark Gilbertson.
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Adult Bible Study coming in January 2024
When our Lord says, “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10), what does He mean? God’s Word promises that in whatever kind of storm we find ourselves in, Jesus always comes to us.
This January join us on Sunday mornings for a study of Psalm 46. In Be Still and Know, unpack the promises found in Psalm 46 that are fulfilled in Christ. The first session looks at Psalm 46 in detail and examines the storms of life. Then, in the following seven sessions, study narratives from the Gospels as Jesus meets various women who are experiencing their own storms and explore each woman's perspective as Jesus provides refuge, strength, help, and hope. Looking to the biblical and cultural contexts will allow you to better grasp the depth of Christ’s care, purpose, and attention to every need. In the midst of today’s storms, may God reveal His refuge for us in Christ, the one who has overcome the world.
Stacey Crosson returns to our Sunday morning education hour to lead this study. A Commissioned Minister (DCE) in the LCMS and the Clinical Supervisor of Safe Harbor Behavioral Care Virginia, Stacey has over 30 years of experience in the people-helping business and provides a developed lens on matters of the heart and mind. Stacey and her family are newer members of SJLC. She especially loves the intergenerational feel of St John’s and its commitment to being on a mission with Jesus every day!
Be Still and Know begins Sunday, January 7 at 9:15AM. Workbooks for this class are $14 each and can be purchased by registering for this class with this link.
Questions or need help registering? Please contact the church office via email or phone at 703-971-2210.
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End-of-Year Giving Guidelines
As we enter the month of December, you may be thinking of a special year-end gift for St. John's congregation or school ministry. Please note the following guidelines: contributions received through the end of December will be recorded on the 2023 Contribution Statement; therefore, contributions made at the December 31, 5PM New Year’s Eve service will be the last recorded for 2023. PLEASE NOTE that a contribution deposited in the church offering in January 2024 cannot be deducted in 2023, even if it is backdated to 2023. However, there is one exception: checks mailed and postmarked in 2023 are deductible in 2023, even if the postal delivery is not received until January 2024.
Questions? Please contact Jim Burroughs, St. John's Treasurer or Jennifer Smith, Finance Administrator, 703-971-2211. Thank you, members and friends of St. John’s, for your faithful contributions toward God’s kingdom work among us.
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Looking Ahead
- Church Office and School Holiday Closing -
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Friday, December 22 at 12 Noon - St. John's Early Childhood Education Center (ECEC) and the church office will be closing at noon.
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Monday, December 25 - ECEC and the church office will be closed for Christmas Day.
- Please note that a number of St. John's staff members will be away the week between Christmas and New Year's to spend time with their families.
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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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