Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. | |
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"Show me the money!" That's what Jesus said to the religious leaders who approached him in the Gospel lesson for last Sunday. Their trick question for Jesus was turned around on them. Jesus' words speak to us today as well: "Therefore render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's."
As the sermon pointed out, the same question that Jesus asked about the coin brought to him can be asked about us: "Whose likeness and inscription is this?" Created in God's own image, we bear the likeness of our God. Washed clean in the waters of holy Baptism, we bear the inscription of our crucified Savior. We belong to the Lord! This sets the tone for our entire life. All that we are and have comes from the Lord and belongs to the Lord, to be used in ways that glorify the Lord and serve our neighbor.
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"Whose Land Is It?"
In light of recent world events, the Christian may be asking how to respond to all of this. An article, linked below, was written by Rev. Dr. Reed R Lessing, faculty member from Concordia Saint Paul in St. Paul, MN, and appeared in The Lutheran Witness (2006). The article does a great job of discussing the history of the land of Israel, as well as God’s purpose and plan for the nation of Israel.
Click on the link in the box below to read the entire article.
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The prayer below was written by Rev. Nabil Nour, a Lutheran pastor in South Dakota, who is ethnically Palestinian. He grew up in the Holy Land, near Mount Carmel.
Dear Lord Jesus Christ, Prince of Peace, we humbly come before You, seeking Your divine intervention in the land of Israel and Palestine, where hostilities have caused suffering and pain to Your children. We pray for an end to the conflicts that have divided communities, families, and nations. Grant wisdom and understanding to leaders and individuals on all sides, that they may find peaceful resolutions to their differences. Soften the hearts of those filled with anger and hatred, replacing their bitterness with compassion and empathy. Lord, we ask for Your protection over the innocent, who often bear the heaviest burden of these conflicts. Provide comfort to those who have lost loved ones and heal the wounded, both physically and emotionally. May Your Spirit of peace and reconciliation descend upon the land and our hearts, bringing unity and harmony where there is division. Let the people of Israel and Palestine and the surrounding regions find the strength to forgive and the courage to build a future filled with hope and cooperation. We place this situation and all conflicts into Your merciful and pierced hands, knowing that with Your guidance, even the most entrenched hostilities can be transformed into a lasting peace. In Your loving and gracious name, we pray. Amen.
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Fall Stewardship Series in October
"The Grace of Giving" is the theme for St. John's Fall Stewardship series which concludes next Sunday, October 29 on the Festival of the Reformation. The key Scripture verse for this series is from 2 Corinthians 8:7: "But since you excel in everything - in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you - see that you also excel in this grace of giving."
Each of us has been entrusted by God with managing what belongs to God: our selves, our time, and our possessions. "The Grace of Giving" seeks to help the members of our congregation grow in managing God's resources, all in response to what God in Christ has done for us. Information about this process has been sent out via email to each household in the congregation, and for those who need it, hard copy mailings are also available. Please review this carefully and prayerfully discern how you will support the mission and ministry of our congregation.
This 4-week series will conclude with commitments for ministry in 2024 being dedicated on Reformation Sunday, October 29, for the Lord's kingdom work in our congregation, community, and world. Please join us for a Chili Cook-off at 12 noon on Sunday, October 29 to conclude our Fall Stewardship series - sign up in the Narthex at church. Questions? Please contact Jim Burroughs, St. John's Treasurer or Jennifer Smith, St. John's Financial Administrator.
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New Giving Platform
St. John's is in the process of transitioning to a new giving platform. The new platform will offer more features that will help to properly track and acknowledge the many gifts we receive from our members and community. In the upcoming weeks, keep an eye out for more information on how this positively affects the ways in which you can give to SJLC.
If you already have a recurring gift set up through CCB, please watch for an email from us soon that will help you to move your offerings from the current platform to our new platform. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to our Financial Administrator, Jennifer Smith (703-971-2211).
We appreciate your patience and assistance during this transition!
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Reformation Sunday
We will celebrate the Festival of the Reformation on Sunday October 29th. As we give thanks for how the Holy Spirit worked so powerfully through Dr. Martin Luther and the Reformation movement of the sixteenth century, we continue to affirm the truth that we are saved by God's grace alone, through faith in Jesus Christ alone, made known in holy Scripture alone. Red is the liturgical color for the Festival of the Reformation, and so you are encouraged to wear red to church on October 29.
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HELP!...Volunteers needed for playground repairs
Our playground needs repair and we need your help to do it! The entrance to the playground has been identified by the VA Department of Education as a hazard and will not pass it on our next inspection.
The Men's Ministry has offered to do the repairs to the 12x7 foot area just inside the gate, but we are in search of a couple additional volunteers to help us cut and pull up some of the rubber surface, break up an approximately 2x4 foot area of concrete, and to replace it with some 2x4s, dirt, and artificial turf. The project will take place on Saturday, November 4. If you are available and interested in helping out, please let Jennifer Smith know!
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Mighty and Mysterious Colossians
New Christians in first-century Colossae were not all that different from Christians today. They, too, struggled to understand who Jesus is, how Jesus alone reconciles us to God, and why things aren't perfect in the Church.
In St. Paul's letter to these Christians he had never met, he doesn't say they should stop asking hard questions. He doesn't tell them to stop searching God's Word, to stop seeking spiritual wisdom, or to stop striving for unity within the Church. Instead, Paul takes the focus off of their questions and struggles and on to the Gospel of the mighty and mysterious God: the same God who created the universe revealed Himself among us and reclaimed us as His own through His Son, Jesus.
Join us on Sunday mornings as we walk through God's Word to the Colossians. Though many things will remain mysterious until we see our Savior face-to-face, participants will discover that God fills them right now in every way through the mighty and mysterious Body of Christ, the Church.
Mighty and Mysterious Colossians begins Sunday, November 5, and is a six-week Bible study that includes six weeks of personal study that encourages readers to dig deep into Scripture and apply its truth to their lives. This new class will be led by Jim Burroughs. Jim has been teaching our teens for many years and is sharing his gift with our adults for this course. The book for the class is $13.00 and can be purchased in advance through the registration link. Click here to register for this class.
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Trunk or Treat Candy Donations
We are accepting Halloween candy donations for our SJLC & ECEC Trunk or Treat. Please make sure all donations are nut-free. This means no peanut butter candy. All donations can be left in the church office or given to Jennifer Hills. All donations should be dropped off by Sunday, October 29.
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Trunk or Treat
Join us Monday, October 30 at 6:00PM for a combined SJLC and ECEC Trunk or Treat! We’re looking for families or SJLC ministry groups to work together to host a trunk for a Trunk or Treat. This is a combined event for our families at SJLC and our ECEC families. This is a wonderful opportunity to meet and mingle with these two groups of people.
Here’s how to host a trunk for Trunk or Treat!
Step 1: Pick your trunk's theme: Trunk or Treat Car Sign Up
Step 2: Bring your trunk and decorate with the provided decorations*
Step 3: Greet our guests and hand out candy
Step 4: Have a good time with our ECEC/SJLC family and friends
*Candy and decorations will be provided, or choose your own theme and provide your own decorations.
For questions or more information, please contact Jennifer Hills or 703-971-2210.
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SEMINAR: Social-Emotional Toolbox for reaching and teaching children dealing with trauma
Saturday, November 4, 2023, 9:30AM-3:00PM. At St. John’s Lutheran Church, 5952 Franconia Road, Alexandria, VA 22310.
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Spotting trauma: Understanding the signs and what they may mean
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Mindfulness: Practices to bring awareness to the body and mind to help reduce suffering
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Narrative therapy: Construct a storyline that helps you understand options for change
Register Here, Cost is $35 that includes lunch and snacks.
SPEAKERS:
Dr. Margaret Wong is in private practice as a licensed clinical and licensed school psychologist at Ashburn Psychological & Psychiatric services.
Craig Gordon is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC) who works with adults, couples, teens, and families with anxiety-related disorders at Consider Mindfulness LLC in Tysons Corner, VA.
Julie D'Ann is a certified Life Transformation Illumination Guide & Dream Builder Coach through the Mary Morrissey Brave Thinking Institute.
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Remembering the Faithful Departed
In the days leading up to the Festival of All Saints on Sunday, November 5, our congregation has a long tradition of remembering loved ones who have died in the Lord during this past year. You are invited to write names in the Book of Remembrance found on the podium in the Narthex, or you may submit names via email to the church office, which will then be written in our Book of Remembrance.
Please email names to office@sjlc.com. “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord henceforth…” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them” (Revelation 14:13).
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Koinonia Holiday Baskets Program
Supporting our local social service agency, Koinonia, is a long-standing tradition at St. John’s. The holiday baskets program provides the food so that the needy area clients which Koinonia services can share a special meal with their families during the holidays. This year, St. John’s plans to contribute 8 baskets of food at Thanksgiving and again at Christmas.
Since we are back to meeting in person, we are once again asking the congregation to contribute specific food items to make up a bountiful holiday meal for Koinonia clients. For Thanksgiving, all food will be due by Sunday, November 12, at 10AM.
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Place your items on the table on the Fellowship Hall stage marked “Koinonia Thanksgiving 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.
We are also accepting financial donations starting Oct 4 through the end of the month for the food gift cards which accompany each basket, at both Thanksgiving and Christmas. To contribute, click here and then drop down to the designated offering for "2023 Koinonia Holiday Baskets." Any funds received in excess of what is needed for the food basket gift cards will be donated to the Koinonia food pantry during December. Thank you for your generosity!
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St. John’s 28th Annual Craft and Bake Sale
Saturday, November 11, 2023, 9 AM – 3 PM
Pictured above is one of the unique and one-of-a-kind items you will find at the St. John's Annual Craft and Bake Sale. Isn't this wreath adorable? Doesn't the owl look like he knows a secret? This wreath works well for autumn, the holiday season, and the winter months that follow. Check out all our wreaths.
Our St. John's Annual Craft and Bake Sale is just a couple weeks away. Every year we hear from people who expectantly await the Bake Sale. We don't want to disappoint them, and this is where your help is vital. With your help, making and contributing your favorite homemade treats, we can offer a plentiful and varied selection to our shoppers. That's what makes it a success. Thank you for helping our Bake Sale be a success.
You may have a plan for what you are making for the Bake Sale but wondering how to package. We suggest smaller packages such as:
- 4 to 6 muffins, cupcakes, or bars
- Small cakes or 1/2 cakes
- 6 to 12 cookies or pieces of candy
- Small baggies of sweet/salty snacks
- Small or medium breads
Packaging in small amounts and sizes works for small households and allows people to select a variety of items to enjoy without having too much of any one item:
- You can place items in little bags and decorate them with stickers and a bright ribbon to tie.
- Some items work well on a colorful paper plate covered with clear plastic wrap and a bow on top.
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Covered and protected is the important thing.
- If you don't have the supplies or the time to fuss with packaging, don't worry, just make, bake, and drop off in the church kitchen. We are happy to do the packaging.
One of the charities that St. John's Craft and Bake Sale supports is Doctors Without Borders. Doctors Without Borders responds to medical crises resulting from conflicts, disease outbreaks, natural and man-made disasters, and refugee situations in more than 70 countries. When you make a purchase at the Craft and Bake Sale, you are supporting this life saving charitable organization.
Check out St. John's Facebook page for pictures of some of the festive items for this year's Craft Sale as well as photos from prior years.
If you have questions, please contact Cathy Schreiner at Cathy Schreiner or Karen Kemmet at 703-973-5358 (cell).
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Looking Ahead
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All Saints Sunday - November 5 (remember to fall back one hour before going to bed on Saturday night as Daylight Saving Time ends)
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Share Sunday - November 5
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Executive Meeting - November 6
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Church Council Meeting - November 12
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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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