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 Face of God

Psalm 119:97-120 or 81, 82
Genesis 45:16-28
1 Corinthians 8:1-13
Mark 6:13-29
“When you look into the eyes of the one you love, you see the face of God.” This is my favorite quote. It sums up my feelings of love and my belief in God. When you hold your child in your arms—as a tiny baby or as a growing teen—looking at their sleeping face or looking into their eyes, you feel their love, you see their grace, you get their unbinding love.
This is the same way I see God. I see Him through my children, through the love of my partner, through peaceful breezes on a spring day, in the sounds of laughter at a dinner table filled with friends and family. It’s a hard concept to grasp really, and one I didn’t, until I sat holding my first child as she faded off to sleep. Children are the vessels of God’s love. No anger, no hate, no prejudice.  It was then I realized our children, family, and community all are the face of God.
I grew up thinking faith and belief were interchangeable words, but they are different.  You can believe something based on knowledge or scientific fact, but your faith is just that—accepting a truth without having concrete evidence, without being able to touch or see it for yourself. But I can see God through my faith when I look into the eyes of the ones I love.  It gives me inner strength, happiness, fullness of heart, all of which I receive from my faith in God.
Life is not easy, but difficult times help me appreciate life’s fullness.  I have endured tough times, sickness, the death of loved ones, unfair moments when I just couldn’t imagine taking on one more thing, but instead of asking God “why did You do this to me, or let this happen?” I look at the ones I love and see God’s love and strength with loving arms open wide, eyes of comfort and acceptance there to give me strength.
“There are no coincidences and no accidents in life. Everything big and small is for a reason…” – unknown

Brandon A. Montgomery

March 26 - Face of God


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