What Does it Mean to be Chosen? All Saints’ Church has a new daytime Bible Study based on the TV series, The Chosen. If you have watched The Chosen, you know how special it is to be walking with Jesus and the disciples through the streets and fields of the Holy Land. If you haven’t seen the series, watch it with us! It’s great! Each week we will watch the show and then discuss the homework. This 10-weeks study will meet at church from 1-3 p.m. on Tuesdays, beginning on Tuesday, Jan 18, 2021. Contact Sharon McKannon at 703-629-0732 to register and for the link to order the book.
A Note From the Bookkeeper
As the End of the Year Approaches There are several things to keep in mind.
Firstly, all check requests (for reimbursement, payment of invoices, etc.) must be submitted to the church office as soon as possible but no later than Monday, January 3. Please help us to capture all 2021 expenses in the 2021 financial statements.
Secondly, it is important to have any 2021 contributions to All Saints’ turned into the church before the year end if they are to be posted to the 2021 end of the year contribution statements. Payments received after the end of the year will appear on your 2022 contributions statements.
Thirdly, thank you to all those who have completed their pledge cards indicating their commitment to God through their offerings for 2022. To those who have not yet made a pledge concerning your giving for the coming year, please do so as soon as possible. The Vestry is working on the budget for 2022, and all pledges are extraordinarily important in determining how we all as saints together will move forward in our mission to do God’s work. You may pledge online via the church website or by calling the church office if you need to request a pledge card. Thank you!
If you have questions, please email our bookkeeper, Lynne Cheney.
Church Office Closed for the Holiday
The Church Office will be closed December 24 through January 2. We will be back in the office January 3.
Epiphany Services
Take a look at the service times for the first week in January:
Sunday, January 2 we will have one service at 10 a.m. celebrating Three Kings Sunday.
Thursday, January 6 we will have a service for Epiphany at 7 p.m.
Readings and Collect for Sunday, December 19
Read ahead, follow along, and pray with the Saints using the “lectionary insert” for this upcoming Sunday- the third Sunday in Advent. Please note the variation in the Gospel reading this Sunday:
Luke 1:46-55
Mid-Week Eucharist Updates
There will be no Midweek Eucharist on Wednesday, December 29, and Wednesday, January 5.
Additionally, in the event of inclement weather- if Prince William County Schools is canceled or delayed there will be no Midweek Eucharist.
Ultrasound Modeling
First Care Women’s Health in Woodbridge has a new nurse sonographer coming onboard, and they are seeking pregnant volunteers to help complete her training by receiving an ultrasound. The earlier in the pregnancy the better, but all gestational ages are welcome to receive this free service!
Open dates are Jan 3, 5, 10, 12, 19, 24, 26, 31, and February 2, 7, 9. Please call the center at (703) 330-1300 if interested and let them know you want to be a model.
Memorial Service for Darwin Koester
Darwin Koester, beloved husband of Sheila Koester passed away December 1, 2021. His funeral service will take place Thursday, December 16 at 11:00 a.m. at Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church (12807 Valleywood Drive Lake Ridge, VA 22192).
Teen ySummit
Youth & parents! You are invited to participate in the annual "Anglicans for Life YSummit" watch party at All Saints' Church on the evening of Thursday, Jan 20. Anglicans for Life want the youth in Anglican churches to fully understand the worth of all human life, including their own. Please come to this youth-centered Life event full of engaging content from pro-life advocates, abortion survivors, and church leaders. Stay tuned for more details! Email Jedd+ with any questions.
Ushers Needed for Christmas Eve Services
The Usher Team is seeking volunteers to serve at any one of the three services (5 pm, 7 pm, or 10 pm) on Christmas Eve. There will be a sign-up sheet for volunteers to select the service he/she is available for in the atrium. You can also email TC Andrews with any questions.
Thank you greatly for your volunteer spirit.
Sharing God's Word with Storytime at the Park!
When a mom who attends the weekly Storytime at the Park mentioned she was reading the Bible to her son, but was looking for a kid-friendly option, Children’s Ministry Director Tara Pedersen had just what she needed!
All Saints’ Church weekly Storytime at Cloverdale Park has provided an opportunity for moms in the community to gather with their children, hear a story, and enjoy a craft. Tara has also connected with moms in different stages of their life- some who attend church, and some who don’t. One part of this ministry has been providing Jesus Storybook Bibles to families who show an interest in hearing more about God’s word.
“After reading a Christmas story, and wrapping up a Christmas craft with the moms and children, one mom shared with me that she was reading Luke 2 during December with her 3 year old.” Tara explains, “She shared that he often loses interest before the reading is done, and asked what version of the Bible is child-friendly. This gave me an opportunity to share the Jesus Storybook Bible with her, and I asked her if I could bring her one next week. She was delighted! Another mom asked for an extra Bible Verse sticker; not for her child, but for herself. Several mothers from Storytime that have had babies received baby blankets from the ASC Needlework Ministry as well!”
Thank you, Tara for continuing to be a presence in the community, showing the light of Christ, and sharing God’s Word! If you would like to know how you can support this important community ministry email Tara.
You Answered the Call to Feed the Homeless this Month!
The sign-ups to bring a meal to the homeless at the Ferlazzo Building are full! Thank you to all those who quickly answered the call to provide food or drinks to those in most need in our community. Even though this season becomes busy, the members of All Saints’ Church have recognized the importance of serving others to show them the light of Christ in this world!
December Birthdays & Anniversaries
Readings and Collect for Sunday, December 12
Read ahead, follow along, and pray with the Saints using the “lectionary insert” for this upcoming Sunday- the third Sunday in Advent. Please note the variation in the Gospel reading this Sunday:
Luke 1:46-55
Activity Bag Assembly and Snack Donations Needed for Living Nativity
New at the Living Nativity this year! We will be making 300 Christmas activity bags for children, to be distributed in the front parking lot upon their arrival so that as they wait in line, we can help with keep the kids entertained. Each bag will have Nativity-themed stickers & activity sheets, car-friendly crafts, colorings, and an animal cracker pack treat! You can donate a box of 20 individual packs for $16.75 and have them sent to the church by ordering here. Included on our wish list are snacks and hot cocoa for the snack station for the volunteers the night of the Living Nativity.
We will need helping hands to assemble the 300 bags! Please consider coming out on either date (Christmas cookies, Coffee, & Fruit served!)
Monday Morning, December 13 @ 10 a.m. (childcare provided)
Monday Evening, December 13 @ 6:30 p.mm
Un-Trim-A-Tree: It's Not Too Late to Sign Up and Bring Your Gifts!
Today, the Un-Trim-A-Tree team is hosting a gift drop-off from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. If you can’t make the Thursday evening drop-off time, you can still bring your gift to the church on Sunday morning, where we will be blessing the gifts at both services.
It’s also not too late to sign-up for a child in need! There are still many children left on the sign-up. If you haven’t already, you can sign-up for a gift for a child, and bring your gift on Sunday.
Your Invitation to the Living Nativity
You are invited to a FREE Drive-Thru Living Nativity at All Saints' Church! Come experience the Christmas season with a Living Nativity on Friday, December 17, 6:30-8:30 p.m. This is a community event for all ages! Stay in your car, and drive through five scenes from the beloved Christmas story. Each scene has a splash of lights, live animals, music, and costumes. Children's Nativity Activity Bags will be distributed upon arrival. The community is invited to contribute a canned/boxed good upon arrival for the church community food pantry. All Saints' Church is located at 14851 Gideon Drive, Woodbridge, next to Hylton Memorial Chapel.
The rain date is Sunday, December 19 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Living Nativity Neighborhood Walk!
A call to the church for all ages! If you are not already planning to serve in the Food Giveaway on Saturday, December 11, come spread the news of the nativity by being part of a team to distribute door hangers announcing the Drive-Thru Living Nativity. We will be taking beautiful door hangers to our Dale City Community neighbors on Saturday, December 11, at 2 p.m.
Readings and Collect for Sunday, December 5
Read ahead, follow along, and pray with the Saints using the “lectionary insert” for this upcoming Sunday- the second Sunday in Advent.
Advent 2021 Resources and Opportunities
Advent 2021-A Savior is Coming
Advent is the four-week season before Christmas Day and marks the beginning of our church year. This year it started on Sunday, November 28. The liturgical color of the season is purple, and it symbolizes a time of waiting. It also represents the royal aspect of our Lord who is King. For many centuries, the church and Christian families in all parts of the world have celebrated this season in lots of creative ways. It is a season of preparing, reflecting and waiting. It is s season of hope and anticipation. It is a season of love and joy. 2021 has been another year marked by uncertainty and unrest, by cynicism and hopelessness, by pandemic and loss. Keeping a holy Advent is a way of practicing hope in the face of hopelessness and joy in the face of uncertainty.
What will your holiday season look like this year? How can we make time to really enter into this season of waiting and preparation? Plan now to make time to show the love of Christ to one another and to those who need to hear some good news. We have gathered some suggestions and some resources we hope will help.
Consider what might work for you and your family this year. Be intentional and experience a beloved time preparing for the birth of Jesus. Many opportunities abound right in your home, here at church, and in our community. Here are a few ideas to get you started.