News from Lutheran Church of the Abiding Presence

Please note that there will be no Saturday evening service and only one Sunday service at the special time of 10:00 AM next weekend in honor of the sanctuary rededication. We'll return to our regular worship schedule the following weekend.

Ash Wednesday Worship

Wednesday, February 13 at 12:00 Noon and 7:30 PM Join us for this service of holy communion and the imposition of ashes as we begin our Lenten journey.

New Member Sessions

Monday, February 4 and 11 from 7:00-8:30 PM Abiding Presence is looking to welcome new members to the congregation! Those interested in learning more about the congregation and formally joining the church are invited to attend either of the Monday sessions. The sessions will offer you the opportunity to connect with others in the church, get to know the ministry and theology of our congregation and ask questions about God and faith. New Members will then be received into the congregation at the worship service of their choosing the weekend of February 23-24. For more information or to sign up for one of the sessions, contact Pastor Keseley. Childcare can be provided in the church nursery if needed, just let Pastor know.

Pre-Baptism Dinner - Sunday, March 3 at 5:00 PM in the Fellowship Hall All those who are looking at the possibility of having their child baptized at Abiding Presence this spring are encouraged to attend this pre-baptismal dinner with Pastor Keseley. You'll have the chance to meet other couples in the congregation and learn more about our Lutheran understanding of baptism. Infants are, of course, welcome to attend the dinner with their parents and we can provide childcare in the nursery for older siblings. Please RSVP to Pastor Keseley.

Volunteers Needed for Luncheon Following Rededication Service

Lynn Jones is heading up the planning committee for the Rededication Luncheon on Feb. 10. She needs volunteers to help with the luncheon planning, set-up, and clean up. Please sign up on the Count-Me-In form or contact Lynn Jones.

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner and Carnival - Tuesday, February 12

Our annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner and Carnival will be held Tuesday, February 12 from 6:00-7:45PM. Steve Meyeraan is coordinating the carnival and needs help from adults, confirmation and high school youth. Confirmation and high-school youth will host a game room. The youth will learn more about this during their Wed. night classes. The adults are asked to monitor the games and activities. Please sign up to help on your Count-Me-In form or contact Steve at sjmd@meyeraan.com

Cakes and Cupcakes Needed for Shrove Tuesday Carnival

We will have a "Cake Walk" as part of our Shrove Tuesday carnival. We will need people to bring in small cakes and/or cupcakes to give out to the winners. Please sign up on your Count-Me-In if you can bring a cake or cupcakes.

Tables for Eight - A wonderful fellowship activity for all adults.

Would you like the opportunity to get to know the person possibly sitting next to you at the Service? Do you like good food, libations and desserts? If the answer is yes, then Tables for Eight is for you. Once a month, one couple will host the dinner for three other couples. The host will provide the main dish and libations, while the other three couples furnish salad, sides, and dessert. You don't have to host in order to participate; you don't have to attend the dinner every month if have other plans, and you can choose to do as much as you would like. If you are interested in joining or learning more about Tables for Eight, please contact April Pawlowski.

AP Bridge Group

The Abiding Presence bridge group is actively looking for new members. All who enjoy bridge or want to learn are encouraged to contact us. We play at members' homes the third Friday of every month and plan to start additional sessions as part of the Wednesday night gatherings. Anyone interested or with questions can contact Dick Bowes or Kris Vick. If you cannot locate these jokers, let Pastor know--she will bridge the gap!

2013 Contribution Envelopes

Contribution envelopes for 2013 are available in the narthex . Even if you give electronically, a few special service envelopes are available for you, as well. Please pick up your packet so that we can save the cost of mailing them to you. If you need envelopes and do not see a packet with your name on it, please notify the church office. Thank you!

Stewardship 2013 - Serve Boldly

If you have not yet submitted your Pledge Card or Time and Talent forms, it is not too late, and we still need you. We each have our own unique gifts from God, and our work in serving God will not be complete without you and your gifts. If you no longer have your Stewardship packet, extra forms are available at church. Thank you again for your generosity!

Adult Bible Study on Sunday Mornings

Adults interested in Bible Study will gather at 10 AM in the library with Mike Magnell for a study on Philippians.

Thursday Morning Bible Study-Hallelujah, the Bible and Handel's Messiah: The Lenten Portion

This study continues through the Lent season. Our Bibles are the main text as we learn the source of Handel's music. In conjunction with the Lenten season, we will be studying the Lenten portion. Our group welcomes new members at any time. If you are interested in joining this study, please contact Kathryn Ives.

3-B's Friday Bible Study

3B's is a women's fellowship group that meets in each other's homes for a light Breakfast, Bible study and a time to share our Blessings from God. The Bible study we use comes from the ELCA's women magazine, "Gather." This year's study is "Gathered by God"- a look at all the ways God calls us to gather. We would love to have you join us. Our next meeting will be on Feb. 8th at Pam Park's home. For more information, please contact Kathy Schmiesing.

God and Me Award for Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts
At least one Tiger Scout in the congregation has expressed interest in earning the God and Me Award. If you are in scouting and interested in earning the award, please let Pastor Keseley know. She'll be scheduling classes within the next few weeks.

Mainly Music Spring Session

The spring session of Mainly Music will be held every Tuesday morning through June 4 from 10:15-11:45 am. (There will be no session during Holy Week/Spring Break on March 26.) The cost for the spring session is $80.00 for the entire session ($83.00 if paying by PayPal). You may also choose to pay in two installments, $40.00 at the beginning and $40.00 on March 19 ($42.00 each time if paying by PayPal), or $5.00 per session. Visit our website to register: www.abidingpresence.net/children-and-youth. For more information contact Leslie Trieu.

2013 Senior High Youth Mission Trip

We're planning ahead and have already set the dates for our 2013 Sr. High mission trip. We'll be headed to rural Bluefield, WV, for a week of home repair, July 7-13, 2013. The cost will be $550 per person for the week, which will include all meals except for dinner one night. Registration forms available from Vicar Nicole or Pastor Keseley.

Confirmation

Hey Confirmation Youth! Are you ready to have some fun outside? Then get ready for some down and possibly a little dirty occasion. The Bleicken's have mapped out boundaries and are set for some Ultimate Capture the Flag. This Ultimate Capture the Flag adventure is going to take place March 17, 2013 from 1:30-3:30pm at the Bleicken's home. All the confirmation youth are encouraged to come and have a good time, parents you are welcome to stay. This promises to be a great way to enjoy the afternoon of St. Patrick's Day.

Hypothermia Shelter Help Needed

The Service Ministry team is working with the hypothermia shelter operated at the Rising Hope on Route 1, with the aim of taking responsibility for manning the shelter and providing meals on Monday, Feb 18 and Monday, March 25. This ministry, a partnership between New Hope Housing and Ventures in Community, provides shelter, a hot meal and a bagged breakfast for up to 25 adults every night from Dec. 1 to March 31 each year. There must be at least 4 volunteers from one of their Faith Partners each night, or the shelter does not open. We will commit to just the two nights this year, and then will evaluate the interest and availability of our congregation in pursuing a longer term relationship with this ministry in the future. If you are interested, please contact Pam Park or Sue Franke for more information.

Children's Weekend Meal Program

The next delivery of weekend meals for children in our area is Thursday, Feb. 7. Please leave donations by Wed., Feb. 6th, in the bin in the narthex. Thank you so much for your generosity. The list of what is needed is in the Narthex and in the e-news.

Meal Ministry

AP has started a new meal ministry similar to the cookie brigade. Members of the meal ministry team will be assigned a week. Pastor will identify a family in the congregation who could use a meal delivered. It you would be willing to prepare and deliver a meal approximately 3-4 times a year, please contact Susan McClean.

Current ECHO Needs

Currently, ECHO needs canned meats, powdered milk, canned fruit, vegetable oil, bandaids, deodorant, and adult or children's over-the-counter pain medicines. We would love to have donations of new or gently used men's medium and small sweatpants and sweatshirts and, queen size bedding.

ECHO volunteers assemble "children's enrichment bags" for the children of families who come to us for clothing. The items in these bags are meant to entertain and educate. You can assist in this worthy project by donating new or used educational games and toys, blocks, dolls, action figures, and books for children under 14. All donations may be brought to ECHO at 7205 Old Keene Mill Road, Springfield, on weekdays between 9:30 am and 12:30 pm, or on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings between 7:00 and 9:00. Note that when weather causes schools to be closed, ECHO will be closed as well.

Lutheran World Relief Quilt Campaign "13 for 2013" - Tied in faith. Sent in hope. Wrapped in love!

Making a Fabric Donation

We still welcome any fabric donations you would like to make. Just bring it to the church office or give it to Lynne Imre or Kathryn Ives.

Making Your Own Quilt

If you want to start a quilt on your own, please remember that Lutheran World Relief mission quilts are simple. Tops and bottoms can be made of whole pieces of fabric or any type of patchwork of smaller squares. They must be 60" by 80" and made of washable fabrics with no holes or stains. They should be tied with crochet or similar cord or machine quilted. (Fabrics may not contain religious, patriotic or military symbols. No camouflage pattern.) If you just want to make a 60" by 80" top and bring it to us, we will be sure it receives batting and a back and is tied.

Making a Financial Donation

If you can't participate in making a quilt, you can still get involved by donating to help purchase batting and backing for the quilts. Money is also needed to pay for shipping the quilts to the places where they are needed. Lynne Imre and Kathryn Ives are contact people for your questions about the project.

Autism Awareness at Abiding Presence

My name is Nicole Zupan, and I am the president of Parents of Autistic Children of Northern Virginia (POAC-NoVa). POAC is a 100% volunteer run group that provides support to families of children with autism. We offer monthly member meetings, workshops, and informal coffee support group meetings throughout the year. Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are found in all cultures and across all social-economic groups; the ration of boys to girls with ASD being 4 to 1. In the past 30 years, the spectrum disorders occur in 1 out of every 88 children born (CDC, 2012). Autism is not rare and the importance of effective intervention is critical on a personal, familial, and societal level. For those wishing to learn more about autism, interventions to help those with autism, and POAC, Jane Pagan and I will be giving a brief talk between Sunday services in the near future. Stay tuned! Please feel free to call or e-mail me if you need help in this area. I can be reached at nicizupan@verizon.net or 703-250-9398.

Shepherd's Center of Fairfax-Burke

Lunch N' Life-Are you 50 or Better? Please join us for the next Lunch N' Life sponsored by the Shepherd's Center of Fairfax-Burke on Thursday, March 21, 2013, (12:00-2:00 p.m.) at Jubilee Christian Center, 4650 Shirley Gate Road, Fairfax. The historian Jenee Lindner will present One Nation, Two Flags, Three Women. Julia Ward Howe, Clara Barton and Sarah Tracy contributed to the events in Fairfax County during the Civil War. For reservations, call Faye Quesenberry (703) 620-0161 by March 14. The cost is $10.00; checks payable to SCFB. If transportation is needed, call the SCFB office (703) 323-4788. See www.scfbva.org.

Adventures in Learning

Older Adults Shape Up Mentally and Physically with the Shepherd's Center of Fairfax-Burke: Join the Shepherd's Center of Fairfax-Burke (SCFB) for its spring session of Adventures in Learning. This program is open to all adults age 50 or better. Registrants bring a bag lunch and stay for a full day of classes/activities and socializing, or pick and choose the classes that interest them the most. Mondays, March 18 through April 29, 9:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. at Lord of Life Lutheran Church, 5114 Twinbrook Rd., Fairfax; cost $30.00. Beginning February 15, registration form and class schedule will be available at www.scfbva.org, or by calling 703-323-4788. Registration is open throughout the session.

Sun., 2/3 8:30 am, Praise Service

9:45 am, Learning

11:00 am, Traditional Service

12:15 pm, Hallelujah Ringers

1:30 pm, Korean Cong.

3:45 pm, Girl Scout Troop

4:00 pm, Daisy Troop

Mon., 2/4 3:00 pm, Blood Drive

Tues., 2/5 10:00 am, Mainly Music

6:00 pm, Girl Scout Troop

7:30 pm, AP Choir

Wed., 2/6 9:15 am, Music Together

10:00 am, ESL

10:15 am, Music Together

5:00 pm, Puppets

6:15 pm, Dinner

6:45 pm, Sonrise Preschool Choir

6:45 pm, Holy's Youth Group (K-2nd)

7:00 pm, Confirmation

7:00 pm, Sr. High Youth Group

7:15 pm, Adult Education

7:15 pm, Sonrise Cherubs Choir (K-2nd Grade)

7:15 pm, Spirits! Youth Group (3rd-6th Grade)

7:15 pm, Preschool Youth Group

7:45 pm, Sonrise Singers Choir (3rd-6th Grade)

Thurs., 2/7 10:00 am, Bible Study

7:30 pm, Woodbridge Flute Choir

Fri., 2/8 No Activities Planned

Sat., 2/9 4:00 pm, Praise Band

No Vespers Service

7:00 pm, Spanish Congregation

Sun., 2/10 10:000 am, Re-dedication of the Sanctuary (Reception Following)

3:45 pm, Girl Scout Troop