Apostles News - April 28, 2013 - Vol 8: Iss 34

Throughout Lent, a number of home groups and others came together for Joe's teaching, leadership and walk through the Book of Luke. The story of Jesus' ministry on earth begins in the Temple and ends in the Temple. Jesus left His apostles and disciples with the charge of taking Him to the ends of the Earth. He has given us, Church of the Apostles, the same charge, and what better way to see how it is done than by studying Luke's second book, The Acts of the Apostles? Our rector, Joe, will lead us through this book on the first and third Thursday of each month, 7:30-9:00pm, beginning next Thursday, May 2. We invite you to join us as we join together in worship, prayer, and a time of seeking God's plan for each of our lives and for our corporate life as a church as shown through His Word and the inspiration of His Holy Spirit. To prepare for the May 2 class, please read Chapters 1 and 2 of Acts and ponder answers to the following questions for the various passages which the Holy Spirit brings to your attention:

What is the passage saying?
What is the message for me, personally?
What is the message for our church?

And then pray for a hungry heart and for open eyes, ears and mind as we join together to learn more of God's plan and of His ways.

Wednesday Morning Prayer

Bible Held at the Church Office

You are invited to gather for Morning Prayer on Wednesday mornings, beginning at 11:30am. Our Rector will lead us in the Morning Prayer service, which will be held in the Conference Room at the Church Office (10195 Main Street, Suite T, Fairfax). If you have not been to the Church Office before, please note that, although the address is Main Street, the door to the office faces Locust Street. There is ample parking in the parking lot of the office complex. If you have questions about directions, feel free to call the Church Office.

Work Day at the yard work

Vale Road Meeting Place

Saturday, May 4

We've been blessed as a church body to have a place to regularly meet. Whole Word Fellowship has graciously extended hospitality to us at our meeting place on Vale Road. We have an opportunity to help care for the property that WWF kindly shares with us. Whole Word is sponsoring their Annual Work Day Party on Saturday, May 4, from 8:00am-12:00pm, followed by a lunch provided by Whole Word. Tasks for the day include weeding, mulching and making the grounds look beautiful. If you can come for part or all of the day, please bring work gloves and any gardening equipment to help out, such as shovels and wheelbarrows. Along with being a day of work, it is also an opportunity of fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ. If you have any questions, please contact Larry Cobb of WWF at 703-620-3900.

Training for Prayer Ministry

prayer Saturday, May 18

Would you be willing to be used by God to pray with and for people during the Sunday services and other special COA events? Prayer Ministry Training is being provided for current Prayer Ministers, and also for those who are interested in becoming commissioned as a Prayer Minister. All COA Prayer Ministers go through a training and commissioning process, as well as have ongoing training. The Spring COA Prayer Minister training will be held on Saturday, May 18 from 9:30-11:30am in the Upper Room at Truro Anglican Church, 10520 Main St, Fairfax. (To get to the Upper Room, walk to the end of the glass vestibule/hallway and take the stairs to the top.) Current Prayer Ministers are expected to attend this training. If you are interested in becoming a Prayer Minister or would like more information, please contact the Church Office.

Prayer Summit: The Circle Maker

Circle Maker Saturday, May 18 - 9:00am-3:00pm

"Rise up, My love, My fair one, and come away." Song of Solomon 2:10

COA Women's Ministry invites everyone -- men, women, teens and children -- to come and spend the day with the Lord and with each other. The Prayer Summit: The Circle Maker, will be held on Saturday May 18, from 9:00am-3:00 pm at the Vale Road Meeting Place.

We will worship and view four short, engaging videos: "The Circle Maker" by Lead Pastor Mark Batterson of National Community Church. After each video, you will have quiet prayer time to seek the Lord in response. Come with Bible and notebook in hand expecting the Holy Spirit to speak! You will "pray circles around your biggest dreams and greatest fears."

There is no cost for the event; however, "The Circle Maker" four-session Participant's Guide will be available for purchase for $10.00. It is helpful, but not necessary.

We will have a break from 12:00-1:00pm. Lunch is not provided, however, the Fellowship Hall is available if you want to bring a lunch to eat there. (Sorry, no refrigeration is available; bring a small cooler, if needed.) A beverage bar will be provided throughout the day.

Kristin Colligan, COA Children's Ministry Director, will lead a Children's Program based on "The Circle Maker", for children ages 5 -11. Nursery Care will be provided for infants through age 4. Children will eat with their parent during the 12:00-1:00pm break.

RSVP:

For the Prayer Summit, RSVP by Monday, May 13 to info@ChurchoftheApostles.org and let us know if you want a copy of the Participant's Guide ($10, payable at the event)

For Children's Program (ages 5-11) by Monday, May 6 to KColligan@ChurchoftheApostles.org.

For Nursery Care (infant to 4 yrs) by Monday, May 6 to PMarsh@ChurchoftheApostles.org.

God calls us to meet with Him. We hope you can join us as we enjoy this one-day prayer retreat at the beautiful Vale Road Meeting Place.

New Men's TPM Group

Open House on Wednesday, May 15

The Men's Theophostic Prayer Ministry (TPM) training group is open to new members during the months of May and June. We meet on Wednesday evenings from 7:30 until 9:00pm at the Church Office, 10195 Main St, Suite T, Fairfax, VA. The current men's TPM group is made up of men from COA as well as nine other churches. We have been meeting in Fairfax, on Wednesday nights, for over two years. We last took new members a year ago. We have found that using TPM in a group of men is profoundly healing. We also have become very close as brothers in the Lord.

To give you an opportunity to check out the group, an Open House will be held on Wednesday, May 15, 7:30-9:00pm, at the Church Office. You're welcome to stop by and hear about TPM, observe a demonstration, and have your questions answered.

During May and June, men can drop in and receive ministry and "try out" the group. Before anyone can receive ministry, however, they do need to read the first three chapters of the book Healing Life's Hurts Through Theophostic Prayer which can be read at www.Theophostic.com. The men plan to start going through the book as a group on May 22, in addition to doing sessions. The group provides a strong environment for men to be transformed into the image of Christ.

Our Rector's Schedule

Our Rector, Joe Acanfora, would like the congregation to be aware of his weekly schedule, so that it can help you in planning time if you would like to meet with him. His day off is now on Fridays, therefore he is generally available for appointments Monday through Thursday. Below is a general outline of his schedule; however, it would be best to call to set up an appointment if you want to meet with him. Although these are his regular hours, please know that Joe will do his best to be available at other times in case of a pastoral emergency.

Sundays - Worship Services (8:30am, 3:30pm)

Mondays: 1:00-6:00pm - available for appointments

Tuesdays: 9:00am-12:00pm - meetings;

1:00-5:00pm - available for appointments

Wednesdays: 9:00am-5:00pm - available for

appointments

Thursdays: 1:00-5:00pm - available for appointments

Friday: day off

Saturday: available for meetings, as needed

If you would like to make an appointment with Joe, please contact the Church Office and ask for Pam Marsh, who is currently handling Joe's calendar.

High School Seniors Honored at Senior Recognition Sunday

Sunday, June 9

A tradition here at COA is to honor our high school seniors with a special day -- Senior Recognition Sunday. This year, it is scheduled for Sunday, June 9, and we will honor the seniors during the 3:30pm Worship Service. If you have (or are) a high school senior -- whether active in the Student Ministry or not -- and have not received information in the mail or by email about Senior Recognition Sunday, we'd love to include you. Please contact Janet Kirby in the Student Ministry Office, so that we can get the information out to you right away.

Children's Ministry News

Infants through 6th grade

Current 6th grade students and their parents are invited to this Sunday's Student Ministry's Altared (Sunday, April 28, 6:00-8:30pm). Altared is the weekly youth group meeting for 7th-12th grade students, and June begins our "move up" of welcoming the 6th graders into the Student Ministry. We'd like this evening to be a taste of what Altared and the Student Ministry is all about. The evening begins in the Fellowship Hall at our Vale Road Meeting Place (shortly after the end of the 3:30pm service.) Students, parents and leaders will begin the evening together with dinner, then the parents will move into the Sanctuary for a meeting while the students enjoy game time and a talk from one of our leaders. At 8:00pm, parents, students and leaders will join together in the Chapel for a time of worship. We hope all 6th graders and their parents can join us for this introduction to the Student Ministry!

Vacation Bible School - Thursdays, July 18, July 25, and August 1. Save the dates. More details to come.

Summer Camp at Camp Highroad - August 4-9, 2013. Summer Camp at Camp Highroad is a week of adventure for rising 4th-rising 9th graders, that includes all the fun camp elements -- canoeing, hiking, swimming, arts and crafts, games, and lots of outdoor time -- with ways to help children grow in their faith. The Camp is run by COA's Children's Ministry, with Kristin Colligan overseeing an awesome group of camp counselors. Each evening includes a God-inspired talk and worship, and there's Bible study and ministry time through out the week. Summer Camp can have a profound impact on a child's walk with God and we encourage parents to start praying now about sending their child(ren) to Summer Camp at Camp Highroad. Summer Camp is open to children in the community, so think of friends your child might want to invite. More details to come, but mark your calendar!

Summer Dance Camp with Children of the Light Dancers - June 24-28, 2013. Children of the Light is a dance ministry, formed in 1991 by Jeannine Lacquement, that uses the art forms of dance, drama and storytelling to disciple and equip children and youth for the ministry of encouragement and hope. They offer a Summer Dance Camp for boys and girls ages 4-12, and no dance experience is necessary. There are two sessions available: the first is held 9:00am-12:00pm at Fairfax Community Church; the second is held 2:00-5:00pm at Word of Grace Christian Center in Herndon. The cost for the Dance Camp is $90 per child, with family discounts available.

The Children of the Light Dancers particpate in the Fairfax City Fourth of July parade, and part of the Summer Dance Camp (for 6-12 year olds) will be preparation for the parade. Children ages 6-12 participating in the Dance Camp may be part of the parade, however it is not a requirement in order to be part of the Dance Camp. For more information and contacts, please see the attached flyer.

The Home Page is created to reinforce the lessons learned in Children's Church and is an easy way to start a conversation with your child about what they're learning about God. The April 21 Home Page may be downloaded here.

Student Ministry News

For students in 7th-12th grade

Altared - This Sunday, April 28, 6:00-8:30pm. We'll gather in the Fellowship Hall at 6:00pm and have an evening of dinner, games, worship, teaching and small groups. John Kirby will be the speaker this evening.

Parents' Meeting - This Sunday, April 28, 6:00-8:30pm (during Altared). An opportunity for parents to sit down with our Youth Pastors while they share the vision the Lord is giving them for the Student Ministry; tell about the wonderful things they see God doing in and through the students; give some practical information; share about the upcoming summer plans, including the Summer Mission Trip to Baltimore; and have a time of Q&A. Plus, there will be time to share dinner together and join in a time of worship with the students and leaders. We will be welcoming the parents of the rising 7th graders this night, also. Here's what the evening will look like:

6:00pm - parents, students and leaders eat dinner together in the Fellowship Hall

6:30-8:00pm - students have game time (outside) and Altard talk time (in Chapel) with Student Ministry volunteers supervising

6:30-8:00pm - parents, John and Chris (youth pastors) have their meeting time in the Sanctuary

8:00-8:30pm - parents, students and leaders join in worship together (Chapel)

We hope you can join us for this important time, as we seek to come alongside the parents of our teens, to help the teens grow in their relationship with God.

Bible Study - Wednesday, May 1. Guys meet from 7:00-9:00pm at Carl's house and the Girls meet 7:30-9:30pm at Zaki's house. Call the Church Office for directions.

Summer Mission Trip - July 8-14 (Mon-Sun). Open to students currently in 7th-12th grade. Brochures will be mailed out this week. Save the date!

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Lynn Jones

Lynn Jones, wife of Marvin Jones and long-time member of Church of the Apostles, passed away on Tuesday morning, while with their daughter in North Carolina. Many of us are familiar with Lynn through her work with the American Indian Ministry here at COA.

Marvin and his family request quiet and privacy at this time, as they grieve the loss of their dear wife and mother. Although they appreciate friends wanting to share their condolences and prayers through a phone call, the best way to reach out to them at this time is by sending a card to their Northern Virginia address and it will be forwarded to them, or by writing a note on their Caring Bridge website, or Lynn's Facebook page. Marvin and his family greatly appreciate the prayers of their church family, and that is the best way we can help at this time.

We are not aware of funeral arrangements at this time; however, we will send out information by newsletter when they are available to us.

Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his faithful servants. Psalm 116:15

McCord Prayer Update

Mike & Julia Anne McCord, SIL Missionaries

The word 'ecstasy' [literally, outside of a static place] helps us to understand more fully the joy that Jesus offers.... Joy is essentially ecstatic since it moves out of the place of death which is rigid and fixed, and into the place of life which is new and surprising.

(Henri Nouwen, Eternal Seasons)

McCords

In March, Mike had some moments of ecstasy on sand and snow. With Sarah and Katie, we frolicked on the dunes of White Sands National Monument, near where Sarah lives in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Then, following some trauma healing meetings in Philadelphia, Mike met up with Steve for a weekend, including a day of skiing/snowboarding.

Nouwen's definition of ecstatic joy also fits recent changes in my (Julia Anne's) life. . .

. . . click here to read more of the McCord's Prayer Update

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An Article to Share on Leadership

caution 7 Signs a Leader Is About to Fall

As we step out into our communities to share the love and good news of Jesus Christ, it's important to keep our own faith and relationship with God strong. An article on the Church Leaders website shares some important reminders. Although the article is geared to leaders, it is relevant to all Christians, as we are all held to a high standard.

"Simon Peter is one of my favorite Bible characters. He is so real ... so human. He was the leader of the apostles, named first in the lists of the disciples in the New Testament. Still, though, he fell in a dramatic way (Luke 22:31-62).

The story of Peter's fall is filled with warning signs for today's leaders. Though these signs don't always happen in a linear fashion, each one should cause us to slow down and evaluate our lives.

. . . Read the rest of this article at the Christian Leader website.

A Journey of Faith

By Eileen McCreight

Editors note: Beth Acanfora author a section in our newsletter called A Journey of Faith. In it, she passes along testimonies from others in our congregation. While talking with fellow COA member Eileen McCreight, Beth discoverd that Eileen had already written many of her testimonies in a notebook for her family. For the next few weeks, we'll get the opportunitiy to read some of Eileen's testimonies. Thank you, Eileen, for being willing to share these stories with us!

Church of the Apostles - Healings

So, here it was, 1980 and I'm church hunting for our family. Bob got sick this particular Sunday, so he stayed home with our 3-1/2-year old twins, Brian and David, and 5-month old Adrienne. I'd heard about a Charismatic Episcopal (now Anglican) church that met in a warehouse-like building in Fairfax County. In the parking lot, however, I discovered that another church was using Church of the Apostles, as the latter had outgrown the warehouse. "We're at Fairfax High School now," said a latecomer I met in the parking lot. (That was a timely meeting!) "Come on, follow me. I'm going there now." And that's how we came to be at COA. I must admit, I had never been in a charismatic congregation before, so the exuberance and all the hands in the air was a bit off-putting at first. But something kept us coming back. Even Robert, the mainsteam Episcopalian, who never got into the "hands in the air thing", wanted to make that our home church. . .

. . . click here to read more of this article

Dandelions

By Beth Acanfora

"Everyone to whom much is given, of him much will be required; and of him to whom men commit much they will demand the more." Luke 12:48

As we gather up the "leftover fragments" from "Missions Unpacked," the Vestry retreat and our "Child Sponsorship Sunday" worship services last weekend, I am once again reminded of dandelions. It is that time of year when those pesky little weeds begin to sprout up everywhere! At our home in the country, we always would kid around saying things like "If we didn't have dandelions we wouldn't have a lawn," or "If we could sell these blasted dandelions we'd be millionaires!" I don't know why they bothered me so much but they did, and I dreamed of the day I would have a sod lawn, free of all weeds with pristine flower beds scattered about. In fact, I would go so far as to say May is my least favorite month because of dandelions! Joe would mow the grass and the very next day, within 24 hours, up they would sprout with their long stems; and then the seed poppers would blow a jillion more seeds over the lawn to ensure future successful distribution of the darn weeds for years to come! I spent exorbitant amounts of time trying to rid them from my flower gardens and convinced Joe to put down weed killer on acres of lawn one year to try to curb them. It was to no avail. I can honestly say some of them had roots that were the size of mature, full grown carrots!

. . . click here to read the rest of Beth's article.

National Day of Prayer

Click on the picture to hear Sanctus Real's song, "Pray"

Thursday, May 2

The National Day of Prayer is an annual observance held on the first Thursday of May, inviting people of all faiths to pray for the nation. It was created in 1952 by a joint resolution of the United States Congress, and signed into law by President Harry S. Truman. The National Day of Prayer Task Force is a privately-funded organization whose purpose is to encourage participation on the National Day of Prayer. It exists to communicate with every individual the need for personal repentance and prayer, to create appropriate materials, and to mobilize the Christian community to intercede for America's leaders and its families. The Task Force represents a Judeo-Christian expression of the national observance, based on our understanding that this country was birthed in prayer and in reverence for the God of the Bible.

Because of the faith of many of our founding fathers, public prayer and national days of prayer have a long-standing and significant history in American tradition. The Supreme Court affirmed the right of state legislatures to open their sessions with prayer in Marsh vs. Chambers (1983). The National Day of Prayer is a vital part of our heritage.*

. . .to read more of this article, click here.

*Taken from the website of the National Day of Prayer Task Force, http://nationaldayofprayer.org/

Five Talents Charity Golf Tournament

Monday, June 24

Five Talents has impacted the lives of over 85,000 of the world's poor, providing them with access to financial services, literacy and business skills training, and spiritual development. In an effort to reach even more people, Five Talents is holding a charity golf tournament on Monday, June 24, at International Country Club in Fairfax, VA. Their goal is to raise enough funds to reach an additional 6,000 men and women as a result of this year's tournament. For more info, to become an event sponsor or to play, contact JenniferRuff@fivetalents.org or 703-242-6016 or go to www.FiveTalents.org/Golf.

We are Family! birthday flowers

Happy Birthday to Sue Nystrom on April 29.

We'd love to include your birthday, anniversary, graduation,

or other significant life event to share with our congregation.

Please let us know about them and give us permission to

share them by contacting info@ChurchoftheApostles.org.

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CHURCH OF THE APOSTLES

ANGLICAN

703-591-1974

ChurchoftheApostles.org
Info@ChurchoftheApostles.org

Testimony@ChurchoftheApostles.org

Apostles News is a weekly newsletter that we hope will inspire, encourage, and inform. More than just letting you know what lies ahead of us, we especially want to tell the stories about what God has been doing in our midst. We make the Apostles News available to persons who have provided Church of the Apostles Anglican with their email addresses at one time or another. If you prefer to be removed from the Apostles News distribution list, click on the "SafeUnsubscribe" link below.

If you have any reports, testimonies, announcements, stories, or other items you'd like us to consider for Apostles News, please send your material or suggestions to us.