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May 12, 2013 - Vol 8:Issue 36 |
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 American Indian MinistryPlanning Meeting
THIS Saturday, May 11
In memory of our beloved Lynn Jones and with her last wishes for the American Indian Ministry (AIM), we will go out to Wakpala on Standing Rock Reservation, S.D. again this year, for a week in August. We encourage young people 16+ and men to consider joining us. An interest meeting will be held this Saturday, May 11, 10:00am-12:00 noon at the Church Office. Pray and see what the Lord will do. |
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Rev. Alison Barfoot Visiting COA
 THIS Sunday, May 12
Church of the Apostles Anglican is pleased to welcome The Rev. Canon Dr. Alison Barfoot as guest preacher this Sunday, May 12, 2013 at the 8:30am and 3:30pm Worship Services. Alison Barfoot is well known to many of the COA family, having served on the clergy here during the summer of 1997. Currently, she is a missionary in Uganda. Before responding to the call to go to Uganda in 2004, Alison was Co-Rector of Christ Church, Overland Park, KS. For the last nine years, she has served the Archbishop of the Church of Uganda as Assistant for Foreign Relations. In addition to her service to the Archbishop, Alison has founded her own missions organization, Global Mobilization Ministries, (GMM). Through this organization she has mentored indigenous African pastors to reach unreached people groups with the gospel, plant churches and make disciples throughout East Africa. Over and above these responsibilities, Alison heads up the Global Orphans Project in Uganda and has volunteered her time as Advisor for GENDEMI, an outreach to vulnerable girls in Uganda that COA sponsors. We at Church of the Apostles have been blessed to support Alison since 2005 in her far-reaching ministry on the front-lines of evangelism.
Phil and Jan Rooney will host a Parish Reception for Alison this Saturday, May 11, 2013, 4:00 to 6:00pm in their home in Fairfax. All are welcome. Please call the Church Office by Friday, May 10 at 4:30pm to RSVP.
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 Are You Called to be a Lay Eucharistic Minister?
LEMs are Needed at Both Services
The church is in need of Lay Eucharistic Ministers at both the 8:30am and 3:30pm Worship Services. Lay Eucharist Ministers assist the priest in administering the bread and wine, and serve on a rotating basis. If you would be interested in serving the Lord and His people in this way, or would just like to get more information about it, please contact the Church Office.
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Spotlight on Campus Ministry
By Melanie Fish
What comes to mind when you think about college? Do you think of parties? Academics? Life-changing friendships? Important decisions? Though the first thing that comes to mind probably isn't mission field, the truth is that college campuses are one of the most strategic places for missions in the world.
As a senior approaching my graduation, when I think about college the word that comes to mind is pivotal. Students of today are the leaders of tomorrow, and the decisions they make as young men and women in college can set them on trajectories for the rest of their lives. College ministry is a unique time of openness, a time to reach the lost, empower the youth that the church has raised up, and to reach the world through reaching international students.
. . . click here to read more of this article
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 New Bible Study on Thursday Nights
In the Hearthstone Room at the Vale Road Meeting Place
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, in the Hearthstone Room at the Vale Road Meeting Place. We invite you to join in 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.
As we study the Book of Acts, we will be asking the Holy Spirit to bring certain passages to our attention, then we'll ask ourselves
- What is the passage saying?
- What is the message for me, personally?
- What is the message for our church?
We'll 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.
Notes from the first class may be found here.
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Men's TPM Open House
Wednesday, May 15
Have you ever wanted to be set free from:
· lifelong fears
· shame, false guilt or regret
· anxiety, anger, or emotional pain
Have you ever been tired of reacting the same way, falling into the same patterns of behavior, even though you know better? Do you ever feel stressed at the expectations put upon you -- by others or by yourself -- or do you ever get upset because others aren't performing up to your standards? Have you ever desired to be able to hear from God, but always seem to come up with nothing from Him, and may even wonder, at times, if He really exists or if He really is a loving God?
If any of this resonates with you or you would like to help people with any of these challenges -- or even if you are just curious about TPM -- you are invited to our
Men's Group TPM Open House
Wed, May 15th, 7:00-9:00pm
COA Office
10195 Main St., Suite T
Fairfax, VA 22031
We'll watch a video, have a live demonstration, a Q&A time and, of course, snacks.
If May 15th doesn't work for you, feel free to drop in on another Wednesday night in May or June, 7:30-9:00pm, same location. If Wednesday evenings don't work for you, let us know because we have other groups starting up and will have more in the future.
If you want to know more before coming, feel free to read all or part of the first 3 chapters of the Healing Life's Hurts book, found here.
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 Prayer Summit: The 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, or you can eat outside and enjoy the lovely grounds at Vale Road. (Sorry, no refrigeration is available; bring a small cooler, if needed.) A beverage bar will be provided throughout the day.
RSVP: to the Church Office by Monday, May 13 and let us know if you want a copy of the Participant's Guide ($10, payable at the event)
We hope you can join us as we enjoy this one-day prayer retreat at the beautiful Vale Road Meeting Place.
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Training for Prayer Ministry
 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 Undercroft at Truro Anglican Church, 10520 Main St, Fairfax. (Please note this room change. The Undercroft is located underneath the Sanctuary.) 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.
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Life Model's Belonging Class
Begins Sun, May 19 - 6:00pm
Belonging, the second in a series of Life Model classes offered by COA's Healing Center, will begin on May 19. Belonging enables you to develop skills for creating joyful community around you as well as skills for removing barriers for community. Belonging will be offered on Sunday evenings, beginning May 19th, 6:00-7:45pm in the Hearthstone Room at our Vale Road Meeting Place. The cost of the class and workbook is $66. You may request a workbook when registering for the class. If you already have a copy of the Belonging workbook, the class fee is $41. You must have taken either Forming or Restarting before taking the Belonging class. The cost of the class and workbook is $66. This workbook is a new version (2010), therefore, if you have an older version you will still need to purchase a workbook. You may request a workbook when registering for the class.
To register for the class, go to www.GodHealsToday.org.
Please note that online payment is available for a $4.00 surcharge OR a check can be mailed to The Healing Center, Church of the Apostles Anglican, 10195 Main St, Suite T, Fairfax, VA 22031. Checks should be made out to "COAA" with "Belonging" written in the memo line. A book for the class may be reserved while registering for the class. Please include payment for the book with the class payment.
A good explanation of the Life Model classes, and the benefits to be derived from them, may be found on the Redeemed Life blog. It is written by Betsy Stalcup, Associate Director of the Healing Center.
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Prayer Ministry Commissioning
 On Sunday, May 19, Church of the Apostles will commission four new Prayer Ministers. Kristin Colligan, Reid Lowe, Catherine Purdy, and Marianne Turner have felt a call toward serving in prayer ministry. They have been through a ten-week training program which serves as time to discern the calling, covers the basics of prayer ministry, as well as "hands on" experience praying for one another. The commissioning represents a formal recognition of their calling and welcomes them into service as COA Prayer Ministers.
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 Fellowship Picnic with Lamb Center Guests Wednesday, May 22 4:30-6:00pm
The Lamb Center is a daytime drop-in center for the poor and homeless in Central Fairfax. Many of the guests there participate in the Hypothermia program during the winter months, which provides a warm, safe place for the men and women to spend the night during the dangerous cold. To continue building relationships with the Lamb Center and Hypothermia guests, the churches sponsoring the Hypothermia nights are planning several events during the warmer months, including a monthly Fellowship Picnic. The next picnic is to be held on Wednesday, May 22, 4:30-6:00pm. The Picnic will be held at Van Dyck Park-Lower Pavilion. Van Dyck Park is located at 3720 Old Lee Hwy, Fairfax City. (To get to the lower pavilion from the parking lot, walk down the hill past the tennis courts. The pavilion is on your left.) Fried chicken will be provided, but please bring a side dish, dessert or drinks to share. Feel free to also bring games, lawn chairs and other picnic items.
In addition to the monthly picnics, there are Karaoke Nights, Game Nights, and Movie Nights held at the Lamb Center, 6:30-8:00pm. You're invited to come to any or all of these!
- First Fridays: Karaoke (June 7, July 5)
- Second Fridays: Game Night (May 10, June 14, July 12)
- Third Fridays: Movie Night (May 17, June 21, July 19)
Meeting with the guests at the park, at the Hypothermia Centers or at the Lamb Center is a way to meet them in surroundings that are familiar to them. This is another way we can go outside the church building to bring Christ to the world. If you'd like more information on The Lamb Center, you may check out their website.
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Children's Ministry News
Infants through 6th grade
Vacation Bible School - Thursdays, July 18, July 25, and August 1, 9:30am-12:00pm. Your children are invited to join us for summer fun and learning more about having hearts of compassion, like Jesus. VBS is for children 3-9 years old (toilet-trained preschoolers, please), and will be held at Ratcliffe Park, 10300 Sager Ave, Fairfax . (The park is located directly across from the Church Office.) There is no cost for VBS; however, donations will be accepted. This is a great opportunity to invite friends with young children to take a break and have their children participate in safe, fun and Christ-centered activities. You may download a brochure and registration form at the link at the bottom of this section.
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. It's a time of refreshment, fun and an opportunity for kids to experience a little bit of "supervised" independence. Camp activities include Bible teaching, praise and worship, prayer ministry, the opportunity to experience the miracle power of the Holy Spirit, and the typical camp activities of swimming, sports, ropes course, and crafts.
We must confirm our reservation with Camp Highroad on Monday, May 27. We will need commitments from a minimum of 30 campers by that date in order to hold Summer Camp. Therefore, PLEASE turn in your Camp registration form and deposit of $25 no later than May 27. We will continue to accept registrations after this date if we reach our minimum. A brochure and registration form may be downloaded, below.
Feel free to share these with friends!
 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 May 5 Home Page may be downloaded here.
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Student Ministry News
For students in 7th-12th grade
No Altared this Sunday, May 12, since it's Mother's Day. Remember to pray for your mom today!
Altared will return the following Sunday, May 19, 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.
Bible Study - Wednesday, May 15. Guys meet from 7:00-9:00pm at Carl's house and the Girls meet 7:30-9:30pm at Ali's farmhouse. Please note that the Girls' Bible Study has moved to Ali's farm house for the summer. Please close the gate as you enter and exit the property.
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A Journey of Faith
By Eileen McCreight
Editors note: Beth Acanfora authors 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 discovered that Eileen had already written many of her testimonies in a notebook for her family. We appreciate the opportunity to read some of Eileen's testimonies. Thank you, Eileen, for sharing these stories with us!
Medical Miracle #3 - The Groin - We're Covering All of the Body! and
Not All Healing Happy Endings
With this particular healing I think God was trying to teach me not to box Him into probabilities/to try to figure Him out. Some are healed. Some are not. Not for us to speculate. Helen, my prayer partner, and I have a saying that we are to 'act as if we've had a lobotomy, and to simply follow God and to keep Helen and Eileen out of it.' For two people who can laugh over the silly stuff that we do, you would think we've already done the lobotomy bit!
This particular healing is 'way out there' folks . . .
. . . click here to read more of this two-page article
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 The Possible and the Impossible By Beth Acanfora
But Jesus looked at them and said to them, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."
Matthew 19:26
As Mother's Day quickly approaches, I thought I might share with you something that was given to me many years ago. It is once again so affirming that I have held onto it as a reminder to continue to take care of the possible for my children and trust God for the impossible. We, as mothers and grandmothers, are to love, encourage, teach, listen and care for the physical needs of the family. We cannot convict of sin, create hunger and thirst for God, or convert. These are miracles, and miracles are not in our department! Thank goodness our Lord is a miracle worker!
. . . click here to read the rest of this article
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S.A.L.T. 
Seeking After Liberating Truth
S.A.L.T. (Seeking After Liberating Truth) is a 16-week program for any man struggling with the sexual onslaught we experience in everyday life. It offers help to find freedom from these struggles, any associated behaviors, and pornography. The program begins Thursday, May 30, 2013. Please contact Regeneration NoVA at 703-591-4673 or at infoNoVa@RegenerationMinistries.org for an application.
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We are Family! 
Happy Birthday to Elizabeth Dankel on May 10, Scott Smith on May 10, David Smith on May 14, and Jesse Colligan on May 15.
Happy Anniversary to Carl & JoAnn Metzger on May 9.
Congratulations to Stephen Klein, son of Michelle and Timothy Klein, who is graduating with honors from the University of Miami (FL) on Friday, May 10. Stephen was also selected "Most Outstanding Senior" in Broadcast Journalism.
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
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CHURCH OF THE APOSTLES
ANGLICAN
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.
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DOMA's