News from Lutheran Church of the Abiding Presence

Join us for a week filled with fun and faith! Each day we will begin with an opening where we will sing, pray and learn about the day's Bible theme. Then we will travel in small groups to stations for music, science and crafts, games, Bible time and snack. We'll end each day with a closing celebration. Children ages 3 (and potty trained) through completed 4th grade are welcome to join in the fun. There is a special VBS leadership program for youth who have completed 5th and 6th grades. The cost for the week is $25 for one child or $50 per family for multiple children. Registration forms are available in the narthex. Scholarships are available for those in need; simply talk with Pastor Keseley.

VBS Helpers Needed

It's time to start putting all of our helpers in place for Vacation Bible School this summer! VBS will be held July 15-19 from 9:30 AM-12:30 PM. Adults are needed to serve as small group guides and station leaders. Youth who have completed 7th-12th grade are needed as helpers. Please let Marlys Loyer or Pastor Keseley know if you are able to help.

Pantry Shower for Vicar Christine

In August we'll welcome our new vicar! Vicar Christine will be joining us and moving into an apartment without any food. We all know how time consuming and costly it can be to set up your kitchen. The Internship Committee is organizing a "Pantry Shower" for Vicar Christine. To sign up for specific items, please go to: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E054AA8AE1-pantry.

You can sign up for listed items, or add your own. Bring them to church by July 7 and we'll get them to her apartment before she moves in. There is a collection bin in the narthex under the coat racks. Thanks!

Other Kitchen Items Needed for Vicar Apartment

We will also need a few kitchen items to furnish her apartment. If you have a microwave in good condition that you no longer need, please contact Pastor Keseley or the office staff. We also need kitchen cooking and serving utensils, sharp knives, mixing and serving bowls, cookie sheets, baking pans, etc.

Nursery Assistants Needed

We are in need additional people to help out in our church nursery during worship on Sunday mornings. We have a paid nursery staff, but we need one volunteer to assist during each service. Youth are welcome and encouraged to help! Volunteers would need to serve once every 2-3 months, and you can choose which service time that you would like to assist. Please contact Susan Magnell if you are willing to give of your Time and Talents in this way, or if you would like more information.

Physically Fit for His Service and for Summer-Thursday Evenings this Summer

Abiding Presence is offering an exercise class for ALL fitness levels on Thursday nights this summer. Wendy Kunc is leading a combination cardio and strength class that will work all major muscle groups and get that heart rate going to a pace comfortable for each individual. All cardio drills will have both low and high-impact options. We'll meet in the Fellowship Hall from 7:00-8:00pm. Be sure to wear comfortable clothes and bring an exercise tube (medium resistance), a mat or large towel for ab work and stretching, and a bottle of water if you like. If you have questions, contact the church office and they'll put you in touch with Wendy. If you are looking to rid your basement of any unused exercise equipment such as exercise steps, dumbbells, or balance balls, please consider donating to A.P. If you get motivated to use the equipment again, we'll give it back!

Playtime at the Park-Tuesdays, June 25, July 2, and 9 at 10:00 AM

Join Pastor and Julia for playtime at the park this summer. This week we'll meet at the playground at Hidden Pond Nature Center, located at 8511 Greeley Blvd. in Springfield. These events are weather permitting, so call the office if you're not sure if we're there.

Back by Popular Demand-Bible Study 101

Tuesdays, July 9, 16, 23 and 30 at 7:00 PM

Pastor has had a few requests for another session of Bible Study 101. It's the Bible Study for people who have always wondered about Bible Study and haven't been sure where to start. Don't worry if you'll miss a week for vacation-just come when you can.

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 study will be held on Friday, July 12th, at 9:30 AM at the home of Kathryn Ives. We also meet at the church on the 4th Friday of every month to help with the Quilt Campaign. For more information, please contact Kathy Schmiesing.

There are many upcoming events for the young couples! Please sign up for as many events as you would like. On July 14 and August 17, there will be small group dinners. There are usually around 4 couples at each, and it's a great way to get to know other couples at church in a more private and one on one setting. Please sign up at least a week in advance so there is time to coordinate who will host, and what each couple should bring to the dinner. More details are on the signup sheets in the narthex, or email Sara Dyson or Mike Utell to sign up!

We will also have several more events for the summer. Signup sheets will be in the narthex or RSVP to Sara Dyson or Mike Utell.

Saturday, June 29 (9:00 AM-1:00 PM)- Indoor family play day. This is for all young couples, as well as their families. Whether you have kids or not, please join us for a free-time play in the fellowship hall. Feel free to bring your child's favorite toy(s) to share.

Friday, July 19 (5:30-7:30 PM) -Restaurant Night at Sakura Japanese Steak House in Fair Lakes. Join us for a couples' night out! If there is enough interest we can provide childcare in the nursery for a small cost per child.

Saturday, August 3 - Family Travel Day. Whether you have kids or not, please join us for a day out! We are still planning the location and details, but are trying to make it only a day trip, and thinking along the lines of the Children's museum or aquarium in Baltimore. Ideas are always welcome!

Six Sundays of Summer Service starts this week!

Plan to stay after the 8:30 service, or come early to the 10 AM service on each of the next 6 Sundays and take part in a service project. Below is a "shopping list" of items that you can contribute to these projects. Don't worry if you are late with a contribution - the projects will be ongoing throughout the summer, but with a focus on the designated day. Many of the projects will have "take home" options that can be completed by your family at home (or can be picked up later by those attending the Saturday Vespers service.) And all of the activities can serve as ideas for family projects that each family can continue or expand throughout the year.

This week we will be quilting! Learn to tie knots, cut squares, and do other tasks to help reach our goal of quilts for Lutheran World Relief. Donations of cotton fabric, sheets for backings, embroidery thread or blankets for batting are much appreciated, and can be brought in at any time. No sewing is necessary, and you can join the group on Friday and Saturday morning (June 28 & 29) for more fun.

June 30 - Bright nail polish is needed. We will learn to make bracelets that will be sold to benefit Love Without Boundaries.

July 7 - Towels, washcloths and soap are needed for the residents of the Eleanor Kennedy Shelter. Please bring in your gently used or new bath towels, washcloths, individually wrapped soaps, and plastic soap travel boxes and place them in the bin in the narthex, or bring them with you on July 7 to make the kit. We will be putting these kits together, including writing an encouraging note or scripture. You can also pick up an instruction sheet, make the kits at home, and bring them back to the church. We will deliver them on July 28, when we go to play Bingo. If you would like to help lead Bingo and deliver the bath towel kits, please contact Jen Burkman. Thank you!

July 14 - 70 page notebooks, unsharpened pencils, pencil sharpeners, crayons, rulers and scissors are needed to provide school supplies for needy children. We will also be using sturdy fabric to make backpacks - a very easy sewing project for teens or adults working on new sewing skills. Instructions and donated fabric will be available for you to take home. The supplies will be split between ECHO and the ongoing LWR school kit project.

July 21 - Small pots (2-4 inches) are needed, as we will have a chance to pot a plant for a neighbor in need. Let those in your community know that they are loved!

July 28 - White socks and hand lotion are needed for the homeless in Fairfax County. An easy project, but one that is much appreciated. These items were the ones most requested at the hypothermia shelter last winter.

Let's use our hands and feet to serve others as Jesus taught us.

Carpenter Shelter Meal-Next Sunday, June 30

Abiding Presence will feed residents of the Carpenter Shelter on Sunday, June 30. The meal will be sloppy joes, potato salad, melon cups and cookies. If you can provide any part of the meal and/or help serve the meal, please sign up on the sheet on the table in the narthex. A recipe for the potato salad is also included on the table.

Games and Fellowship Night at Eleanor Kennedy Homeless Shelter

On the fourth Sunday evening of each month, a small group of us serve the folks at Eleanor Kennedy Homeless Shelter by playing Bingo, sharing snacks and gift cards, and having some great conversations! It's a fun and rewarding way to spend a Sunday evening! We would love to have more people join us. Future projects will include painting the basement, designing a mural, and planting flowers outside the shelter. If you're interested in visiting the shelter and helping out, please contact Jen Burkman.

Giant Grocery "Cash for Causes"-Help us fund our Playground

If you shop at Giant grocery and are willing to purchase Cash for Causes gift cards from the church, you can help fund the playground without any extra effort. For every $100 in gift cards AP sells, the playground account will earn $5.00. The process is simple. Order forms are in the office. Complete the form and place it and your check made out to Abiding Presence in the specially marked box in the office. We will order gift cards around the 1st and 15th of the month. Cards will be available for pick up about five days after the order is placed. You will need to come into the office and pick up your cards. This is a very easy way to watch the playground fund grow.

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

We are meeting every 4th Friday and Saturday of the month. Our next sessions will be on June 28-29, at 9:30 AM. We hope you can join us!

ECHO Updates

Current Needs: powdered milk, 2 lb. bags of sugar or flour, vegetable oil, dried beans, shaving cream, deodorant, toilet tissue, shampoo, laundry detergent, men's or boys jeans (new or used) and queen size bedding (new or used). ECHO accepts donations and gives receipts from 9:30 am-12:30 pm on weekdays and from 7:00 - 9:00 pm on Tuesday-Thursday evenings. Drive around to the donation door on the west side of our building at 7205 Old Keene Mill Road, Springfield, and a cheerful volunteer will help you with your donations.

Volunteers Needed: ECHO provides an orientation for anyone interested in finding out more about the organization. They need donation door greeters (mornings and evenings), clothing sorters, and morning food sorters. E-mail echoadmin@verizon.net to arrange an orientation or find out more about the possibilities.

Shepherd's Center of Fairfax Burke (SCFB) Activities:

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, July 18, 2013 (12:00-2:00 p.m.) at Burke Presbyterian Church, 5690 Oak Leather Drive, Burke, VA. Mr. Phillip J. Kenny, JD, CFP of the Collins Firm will speak on Legal Issues for Seniors. For reservations, call Faye Quesenberry, (703) 620-0161, by July 12th. The cost is $10.00; checks payable to SCFB. If transportation is needed, call the SCFB office (703) 323-4788. See www.scfbva.org for more information.

Dementia Care Givers Support Groups

The Shepherd's Center sponsors three Dementia Care Givers Support Groups at Lord of Life Lutheran Church, 5114 Twinbrook Road, Fairfax. The groups meet on the 2nd Tuesday at Noon-1:30 pm, and 3rd Wednesday at 7:00-8:30 pm. The groups are for those caring for someone with dementia or for those interested in learning more about providing care-giving to a person with a disorder that affects memory and cognition and may impact behavior and physical abilities. Before attending, please contact the facilitator, Eileen Thompson.

Lord of Life Preschool

Lord of Life Preschool-Fairfax still has a few openings for the fall session, and they would love to have you come and visit. LOLPS-Fairfax is a half day, part year program for children ages 2 ½-5. For more information check their website at www.lordoflifepreschool.org or call 703-323-5581. Summer office hours are Monday-Friday from 9:00 AM-12:00 noon.

Sat., 6/22

6:00 am, Korean Congregation
9:30 am, WELCA Board Mtg.
4:00 pm, Praise Band
6:00 pm, Vespers Service
7:00 pm, Spanish Congregation

Sun., 6/23

8:30 am, Praise Service
9:30 am, Fellowship
10:00 am, Traditional Service
1:00 pm, Nationals Baseball Game
1:30pm, Korean Cong.

Mon., 6/24

7:30 pm, AP Book Group

Tues., 6/25

8:00 pm, Korean Cong.

Wed., 6/26

No Scheduled Activities

Thurs., 6/27

7:00 pm, Physically Fit Exercise Class-Fellowship Hall
7:30 pm, Woodbridge Flute Choir-Sanctuary
8:00 pm, Korean Cong.

Fri., 6/28

9:30 am, Quilting-FH

Sat., 6/29

6:00 am, Korean Congregation
9:00 am, Indoor Family Play Day-FH
9:30 am, Quilting-Martin Luther
4:00 pm, Praise Band
6:00 pm, Vespers Service
7:00 pm, Spanish Congregation

Sun., 6/30

8:30 am, Praise Service
9:30 am, Fellowship/Summer Service Opportunity
10:00 am, Traditional Service
1:30 pm, Korean Cong.
4:30 pm, Burke Historical Society