WELCOME TO SAINT JOHN’S CHURCH

Welcome to St. John's Church, Lafayette Square—a vibrant historic Episcopal church located across from the White House. We invite you to join with us for worship, Christian fellowship and outreach.

History

From our organization as a parish in 1815 to today, St. John's Church has provided a powerful symbol of faith in the heart of our nation's capital.

Mission

At St. John's, we believe Christ is calling us to be a renewed church in a changing world. In worship, education, parish life, and social action, we seek to expand our horizons by serving God by loving one another.

Clergy, Staff, & Vestry

Meet St. John’s diverse and engaging clergy, vestry and staff.

Directions & Parking

Located at the corner of 16th and H Streets in Northwest Washington, St. John's is near the McPherson Square and Farragut North Metro stations. Limited street parking is available; free valet parking is offered for certain hours.
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The Annunciation

by Jeremy Skog
The Second Friday of Lent
The Annunciation
Jeremiah 5:1-9 Psalms 69, 73 Romans 2:25-3:18 John 5:30-47

Arnold Toynbee is credited with saying that Civilizations die from suicide, not by murder. In our Civilization, one of the most popular artistic subjects has been the Annunciation, today’s feast celebrating the angel Gabriel’s message to Mary that she will be the mother of Jesus. I suspect a reason for this popularity is that artists acutely feel the challenge and burden of the need to create and at the same time wish to inspire us to do the same.
All of us are constantly called to face challenges in our lives. We are not called because we are particularly worthy, as the passages make clear: “There is none righteous, no, not one” or “I can of mine own self do nothing.” We never really feel as ready as we could be for any task, but what matters most is that we are willing to try.
This is what I see as the challenge of the Annunciation: will we take up the call, no matter how impossible it may seem?

Annunciation
The Annunciation by Pietro Cavallini (image from Wikimedia Commons)
While many see Lent as a time of denial, I have always preferred positive, improving resolutions: “tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther” simply, be better than we are today, but only if we put ourselves in the position to be tested.
As Toynbee noted, the greatest challenge is not that we might fail, but that we might not have the drive to try. Thus, today we are asked, will we be willing to bear the cost? As Mary replied, “Nothing is impossible with God.”


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