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May 19, 2013 - Vol 8:Issue 37
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"Pray Circles Around Your Biggest Dreams and Greatest Fears"
The Circle Maker: Saturday, May 18 - 9:00am-3:00pm
This Saturday is an opportunity to get away for a day retreat, to focus on God and on your prayer life. Prayer Summit: The Circle Maker will be held on Saturday May 18, from 9:00am-3:00pm at the Vale Road Meeting Place.
"Pray circles around your biggest dreams and greatest fears" is the theme for The Circle Maker. During this retreat day, 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!
There's still time to sign up. Contact the Church Office.
During the day, 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.
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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This Sunday is Pentecost Sunday!
WEAR RED OR SOMETHING THAT SHARES THE CULTURE OF A DIFFERENT COUNTRY!
This Sunday, May 19, is Pentecost Sunday, when we celebrate the first in-filling of the church by the Holy Spirit. We will celebrate Pentecost in a variety of ways, including worship, dance and scripture. Another way is by wearing RED to represent the tongues of fire that fell upon the believers, or wearing something that shares the culture of a different country to represent the many languages in which the believers spoke in tongues. We look forward to celebrating this special day of the liturgical calendar, and pray for the Holy Spirit to fill us anew!
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Prayer Ministry Commissioning
This Sunday, May 19, Church of the Apostles will commission four new Prayer Ministers during our afternoon service. 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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Parish Meeting
Sunday, June 9
Please mark your calendars for Sunday evening, June 9 for our next Parish Meeting & Dinner. The dinner will follow immediately after the 3:30pm Worship Service (starting about 5:30pm) and the meeting will begin at 6:45pm. The purpose of the meeting is to inform the congregation of the status of the opportunity we've been given to rent property on Pickett Road, and for our Rector and Vestry to get input from the congregation.
As you are aware, our Rector and Vestry were approached with an opportunity to have a building built for us on Pickett Road (near the ball field) and have it rented to us. We were asked to pray about this during the season of Lent and to share any words we received from the Lord. No decision has been made about the property; however, it was felt that we were to pursue additional information on the opportunity. The Vestry is still in the process of getting plans for the property, and will share what they know at the time of the June 9 Parish Meeting. There will also be time for the congregation to ask questions and to give feedback. We encourage everyone to come together for this time of fellowship, information sharing, questions, and prayer. IF this is a project we are to go forward with, it's important that we all be united and committed to the next step for COA.
Childcare will be available for the meeting portion of the evening (6:45-8:30pm). To register for childcare, please contact Pam at PMarsh@ChurchoftheApostles.org or 703-591-1974. More details about the dinner are to come.
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Lay Eucharistic Ministers Needed at Both Services
Training Provided
The church is in need of Lay Eucharistic Ministers at both the 8:30am and 3:30pm Worship Services. Lay Eucharistic 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 Vanessa Bickle.
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| Summer Camp: Compassion
Know a Child Who Might Benefit From a Week at Camp?
Even if you don't have a rising 4th-rising 9th grader yourself, you likely know someone who does -- maybe a neighbor, a niece, nephew, grandchild, or godchild . . . COA's Children's Ministry leads a Summer Camp that has the regular camp activities like low ropes, creek walks, swimming, games, and archery. But it offers so much MORE! There's biblical teaching, spirit-filled worship, prayer ministry, and awesome counselors to guide the kids through the week. Summer Camp is often a time of great spiritual growth, and also a time some children make their commitment to follow Jesus or open themselves to the work of the Holy Spirit. Please pray to see if the Lord is leading you to invite a child to Summer Camp.
Summer Camp will be held Aug 4-9 (Sunday to Friday) at Camp Highroad in Middleburg, VA. The Children's Ministry, led by Kristin Colligan, plans and supervises the activities, prepares the teachings and worship time, and spends time praying for and with the kids. The cost for the week of Camp is $375 and scholarships are available. We request registrations be turned in by Monday, May 27; however, final registration deadline is June 24. (We have to confirm our spot at Camp Highroad by May 27 and need to have 30 kids attending camp for it to be held. So, if someone knows they plan to send their child to camp, it would be helpful for them to register as soon as possible. Thanks.)
To get more information on Summer Camp, check out this brochure. A registration form may be downloaded here. Please feel free to pass these along to your friends, neighbors and relatives. If you have any questions, please contact Kristin Colligan, the Children's Ministry Director, at KColligan@ChurchoftheApostles.org.
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Work Day Party at Whole Word

Saturday, June 1
The Work Day Party that Whole Word Fellowship postponed from it's May date has been rescheduled for Saturday, June 1. 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, June 1 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 for fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ.
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Welcome Home, College Students!
We are glad to have the students who have been away at college back in the area. COA has a Young Adult Ministry for persons age 18-35, and we'd love for you to join us at our weekly gathering. We meet on Tuesday evenings, 6:00-8:30pm, at the home of Andrew and Sharon Blount, 13620 White Stone Ct, Clifton. It's a relaxed evening of hanging out together, sharing the good and bad of life, and having fun together. Plus there's usually a Ping-Pong, soccer or volleyball game thrown in, too! We hope you'll check it out. For more info, call Andrew Blount at 703-282-5555 or check us out on Facebook at COA Young Adult Group!
The group is open to all young adults, whether from COA, another church, or not attending a church. Feel free to share this information with family members, friends and neighbors.
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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 12 Home Page may be downloaded here.
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Student Ministry News
For students in 7th-12th grade
Altared - 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 22. 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. Also, please note that Bible Study will not be held on May 29, as the leaders will be out of town.
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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, begins this Sunday, 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. To register for the class or for more information, go to www.GodHealsToday.org.
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Release: The Healing Power of Forgiveness
This Saturday, May 18 in Chevy Chase, MD
Just this week we found out about a workshop that we thought might be of interest to some. All Saint's Church in Chevy Chase, MD, is offering a workshop entitled Release: The Healing Power of Forgiveness. It's a morning-long workshop held this Saturday, May 18, by a doctor who has had tremendous results working on forgiveness with cancer patients. This is of interest not only to those involved in healing ministry but anyone whose life is touched in some way by cancer or other terminal illness, or for whom forgiveness remains a factor in their health or healing. The speaker will be Rev. Dr. Michael Barry, Director of Pastoral Care at Cancer Treatment Centers of America. The workshop is free, but pre-registration is required. Details about the day may be found at http://www.osl-washingtondc.org/.
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Miss the Talk on Campus Ministry? Read Below. . .
By Melanie Fish
Editors Note: Melanie Fish, who is a long-time COA member and daughter of Tom Fish, spoke at the services last Sunday. If you missed her talk and would like to hear what she shared, she has written a summary for us, below. Melanie graduated from UVA this spring.
What is Chi Alpha?
Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship (XA) is a nationwide movement affiliated with the Assemblies of God. The name stands for Christ's Ambassador's and it is a reference to 2 Corinthians 5:20. As a student, I have been heavily involved in the UVA chapter of XA.
Why is Campus Ministry Vitally Important?
College is a vulnerable time, in both a good and bad way. College years are far from easy, they are filled with temptation and strife and lots of soul searching, but they truly are defining years. The college campus is a place where the gospel needs to be preached boldly and where students have an incredible opportunity to be equipped for the life that lies ahead of them.
Campus Ministry Really Does Change Lives!
Many people come to faith or take ownership of their faith for the first time in their college years. On Sunday I shared about my friend Sarah who grew up in a non-Christian home. Sarah had no intention of becoming involved in a Christian fellowship while at UVA. However, she was invited to a XA party the first night of school, was pursued in loving friendship by an older student, began to attend a Bible study, and by the close of her first month of school had given her life to Christ. Meeting her savior began a process that would heal her wounds, restore her soul, and transform her into one of the most powerful witnesses that I know . . .
. . . Click here to read the rest of Melanie's article
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Fellowship Picnic with Lamb Center Guests
THIS 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 will be held this Wednesday, May 22, 4:30-6:00pm, 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. This is a great opportunity to go outside the church building to bring Christ to the world. If you have questions or need more information, please call Jody Halliday at 703-945-3154. If you'd like more information on The Lamb Center, you may check out their website.
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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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"Grief Share" to be Held at WWF
Tuesdays, June 4 - September 3
Grief Share, an international support ministry for grief recovery, is coming to Whole Word Fellowship this summer. It is open to all people (including non-Christians) who have lost loved ones. If you or someone you know would benefit, please join us Tuesday evenings, 7:00-9:00 pm, June 4 - September 3 (There will be no meeting July 30). It is better to attend all sessions but not essential, as each one is valuable in itself. The group will meet in the Hearthstone Room (lower level of the Log Cabin Building). Cost is $15 for a workbook. For information or sign up, call or email Pat Williams, Grief Share facilitator, at pat_williams2@verizon.net.
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We are Family!
Happy Birthday to Sue Edwards on May 20, and Gayle Fischer on May 22
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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