With the All Saints’ Church Garden growing season over, and no longer receiving donations from First Fruits (for the season), the Food Giveaway has a big need for fresh produce donations for this month’s Food Giveaway on Saturday, December 10! Donations will be collected at the Perishable Food Drive on Friday, December 9 from 4:30-6:30 p.m.! Please email Tammy if you have any questions.
Readings and Collect for Sunday, December 11
Read ahead, follow along, and pray with the Saints using the “lectionary insert” for this Sunday.
An Advent Reflection from Deacon Andy
Take a look at this reflection and devotion from our very own Deacon Andy’s blog post!
Upcoming Baptism Class
All Saints’ next scheduled baptism will be on January 8, 2023 at the 11 a.m. service. The required pre-baptismal discernment class will be held at the church on Saturday December 17, 2022, from 9:30-11 a.m. for infant and child baptisms, and from noon until 1:30 p.m. for teens and adults wishing to be baptized.
Nursery care can be provided during the class if you let us know when you register. To register, please contact Deacon Julie Tilton via email or by phone 703-670-0093. This public declaration of faith in Jesus Christ takes place during Sunday morning worship on or near four occasions each year: Pentecost, All Saints’ Day, The Baptism of Our Lord (the Sunday after the Epiphany), and Easter Eve (a Saturday evening service).
More information about the meaning of baptism can be found in questions/answers #126-130 listed in To Be a Christian, An Anglican Catechism of the Anglican Church in North America.
December Birthdays & Anniversaries
Three Kings Search for the Newborn King
In the season of Advent, children will be taking turns in Sunday School receiving one of the three Kings dolls, carefully prepared by our beloved Margaret Nicholas. But this year, we have added a new twist....the children will hide them around the church! The 3 Kings will remind us we are all on a journey during Advent to search for the King of Kings!
Congregants are invited to take a photo if they find one of the 3 Kings, take a selfie with the King doll, and text to 571-330-9831. Photos will be highlighted each week in Lil' Saints 'children's newsletter! If you would like to receive Lil’ Saints newsletter, please email Tara.
The dolls will be hidden by the children, and carefully placed around the church, and they can either have their photo taken with their King doll on a special journey to find baby Jesus, OR they can journal/write, or draw a picture of their King somewhere on a special visit. Our King dolls will be traveling through all the weeks of Advent until Epiphany, when the children will be invited to share about their King's journey, hear the story of The Visit of the Wise Men, be visited by the singing and costumed 3 Kings themselves on January 8th. Ages 3 and up are invited to participate!
Assemble Nativity Bags or Donate Animal Crackers!
We will be making 300 Christmas activity bags for children, to be distributed in the front parking lot upon their arrival to the Living Nativity, so that as they wait in line, we can at least help with keeping the kids entertained. Each bag will have Nativity themed sticker & activity sheets, car friendly crafts, colorings, and an animal cracker pack treat!
You can donate a box of 20 individual packs for $14.96 and have them sent to the church by ordering here.
We also need helping hands to assemble the 300 bags! Please consider coming out on the following date (Christmas cookies, Coffee, & Fruit served!):
Monday Morning, December 12 (10 a.m., children welcome!)
RSVP to Tara at tpedersen@allsaintswoodbridge.org if you are able to help!
Neighborhood Walks Coming Up!
Walk with Us!
If you are not already planning to serve in the Food Giveaway on Saturday, December 10, 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 10 at 2 p.m. (simply leaving them on door knobs). We will walk around neighborhoods nearby the church in small groups, meeting first in the Atrium. Walk 1-2 hours, or as long as you are energized! Email Tara Pedersen with any questions or to RVSP. RSVP's for walkers are helpful.
December Food Giveaway!
Saturday, December 10 is another opportunity to give food away to our neighbors in need. We have been averaging more than 200 people collecting food at each food giveaway! There is a real need in our community, and God is orchestrating a way for us to work together to share his love by meeting that need.
Volunteers are needed Thursday (sorting food), Friday (at the perishable food drive and helping with set-up), and Saturday at the giveaway. Sign up to serve and experience the joy of giving firsthand! This month we have an extra need for fresh produce!
It is a blessing to provide non-perishables as well as fresh meat and fresh produce to every family who comes! During the winter/spring months we will not receive fresh produce from First Fruits Farm.
We especially need donations of fresh fruits and vegetables to be collected Friday, Dec. 9 between 4:30 and 6:30 p.m.
Non-perishable Food items most needed:
maseca
cartons of oats
pancake mix
corn
pasta sauce
Bread and fresh produce will be collected Friday, December 9 between 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
Please pray! This ministry belongs to God and only through Him are we able to make a difference in the lives of others.
Thanks again for all your support! If you have any questions, please contact Tammy.
“You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land.”
Deuteronomy 15:11
Readings and Collect for Sunday, December 4
Read ahead, follow along, and pray with the Saints using the “lectionary insert” for this Sunday.
The March for Life and Life SUMMIT
Anglicans For Life (AFL) invites you to attend our annual Life SUMMIT conference which coincides with the annual March for Life. The events kick-off Thursday evening, January 19, 2023, and run through Saturday, January 21, 2023. Over the course of three days, students and adults will celebrate life, mourn the hastened death of the unborn and elderly, worship our Creator, and equip the Church for Life-Affirming ministry!
While we celebrate the overturning of Roe v.Wade and the thousands of lives that will be saved, God’s people must also be prepared to help women facing unplanned pregnancies, as well as offering support to the aged and terminally ill. AFL’s Life SUMMIT empowers attendees to be effective ministers of the Gospel of Life to those that are lost and lonely in our communities.
Starting with the virtual Youth Summit on Thursday 1/19 at All Saints’ Church (Multipurpose Room), continuing with the Prayer Service at The Falls Church Anglican and the March on Friday 1/20, and concluding with the LIFE Summit at The Falls Church Anglican on Saturday 1/21 there are a variety of ways for everyone to participate!
The goal of Life SUMMIT 2023 is to mobilize you and your church to bear witness to the Sanctity of Life through education, pastoral care, and ministry in your community.
Learn more and register for the weekend’s events by clicking below.
Un-Trim-A-Tree Signups Needed!
Ushers Needed
With extra services coming up in the Christmas season we have a big need for ushers. You can serve once a month, and training is provided. Please see TC Andrews for more information.
Christmas Memorial Flowers
If you would like to honor your loved ones during this Christmas season with a special gift of beauty donations are open to the Memorial Christmas flowers. The deadline to submit is Monday, December 19. Fill out the information through the link below, and see your dedication projected throughout Christmas. There will also be cards available in the atrium to fill out. All memorials and thanksgiving will be listed in the Christmas media (Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Lessons and Carols, and in the Newsletter). Donations can be made through this form.
Request for Cookies!
If you haven't been able to contribute to the Living Nativity yet, we need cookies! We need homemade or store-bought Christmas cookies for the Living Nativity volunteers. The 50+ Nativity volunteers will have an area to warm up with hot cocoa and cookies on Friday, December 16, 6:30-8:30pm. Bring your cookies anytime to the church office (Monday-Thursday 9 a.m.-4 p.m.) or bring on Sunday, December 11! If you can provide cookies, please email Tara so that we can track that we have enough provided.
Thanksgiving Day Service
Gather together on Thanksgiving morning at the 10 a.m. service with The Rev. Dr. Jessica Hughes!
Most merciful Father, we humbly thank you for all your gifts so freely bestowed upon us: for life and health and safety, for strength to work and leisure to rest, for all that is beautiful in creation and in human life; but above all we thank you for our spiritual mercies in Christ Jesus our Lord; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Office Closed
The Church Office will be closed Wednesday, November 23-Friday, November 25 during Thanksgiving Week.
No Newsletter on Thanksgiving Day
There will be no weekly Newsletter next week due to the Thanksgiving Holiday. However, check your inbox on Monday for a special edition Advent email highlighting all things Advent and Christmas!
Readings and Collect for Sunday, November 20
Read ahead, follow along, and pray with the Saints using the “lectionary insert” for this Sunday.
Advent Sunday School
Take a look at the Advent Sunday options for all ages!
Adults New Sunday School! Advent: We Wait in Hope
This Advent season we invite you to come and prepare for the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ! Each of the 3 weeks (Dec. 4, 12, 18) will focus on a different topic. We will explore how Jesus fulfills prophecy and brings light from darkness. How He calls us to be ready when He comes and inspires us to live our lives in active and hopeful waiting for His arrival. Class will meet in the Sanctuary during the Education hour, Sunday from 9:45-10:45 a.m.
High School Sunday School in Advent
The High School students will continue their deep dive into the Gospel readings for each Sunday during the Sunday School hour. Donuts, discussion, and fellowship all happen in the Multi-purpose classroom downstairs.
Middle School Advent Word Study
During the Sunday School hour, the Middle School class will be doing a different Advent word study for each week: December 4 (Peace), December 11 (Joy), December 18 (Love). Come to the Admin Conference room for donuts, learning, and fun!
Children’s Ministry
Children’s Church: Carols & Rehearsals for Christmas Eve every Sunday in Advent beginning Thanksgiving Weekend. Starting Sunday, November 27, the children at 11 a.m. Children’s Church will receive an Advent devotion, and then prepare for a Savior for the 5 p.m. Christmas Eve Family Service with singing carols and participating in roles reenacting the Nativity. Each child, whether participating one week in Advent, or all four, will receive a costume and are invited! It is All Saints' tradition that the 3rd graders are offered the key roles, and if at all possible should be available most Sundays of Advent for practice. During Advent, 8:15 Children’s Church will not be offered. Children up to age six are welcome to come to the nursery during the 8:15 service time. (Please note: The service and children's church on this coming Sunday, Nov. 27, is at 10am ONLY).
Sunday School: Children in the Pre-K and Elementary classes will receive an Advent teaching each Sunday during the Sunday School hour from 9:45-10:45 a.m.