Vacation Bible School

Kingdom Rock, Where Kids Stand Strong for God

July 15-19, 2013 from 9:30 AM-12:30 PM

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. 

Vacation Bible School Prep Day

Calling all middle and high school youth and other church volunteers!  We need your help to transform the fellowship hall into a castle kingdom for Kingdom Rock.  We will be painting, constructing castle towers and building blocks.  Join us Thursday, July 11th from 10am-1pm and enjoy a pizza lunch.  Contact Pastor Keseley or Marlys Loyer with questions.

VBS Helpers Needed

We still need helpers for VBS!  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.

Wish List for Vacation Bible School

Thank you so much for your generosity!  We are getting excited for Kingdom Rock Vacation Bible School.  The following items can be used during Vacation Bible School.  If you can donate any of them, please bring them in and place them in the collection box in the narthex.

Toilet paper/paper towel roll tubes (empty); Old newspapers; Dixie cups  (3 oz bath cups); Red plastic cups; Glow-in-the-dark stickers; 4x6 Foam picture frames or foam craft sheets (2 doz); Knight's helmet (adult size); Royal Scepter; Tiara; 12" light/white colored balloons (2 bags); Foam Core; 2 plastic squeeze bottles

Our VBS kitchen staff provides a snack to nourish the children's bodies while they are busy learning about God.  The kitchen staff would like to borrow:  5 bar pans.  They also have a wish list of supplies:  2 bags little marshmallows; 1 big bag of raisins.  Donations can be left in the marked box in the narthex.  Contact Leslie Trieu or Marlys Loyer if you have items to loan.

Vacation Bible School Service Project

We would like to invite the congregation to participate in our Vacation Bible School Service Project for New Hope Housing.  New Hope Housing is committed to find lasting solutions to end homelessness.  Children attending VBS will be donating items for a housewarming kit to provide residents as they move into permanent housing.  The congregation can support this effort by also donating some of these basics for those residents:  dishes, flatware, pots and pans, trash cans, brooms, mops, new towels, toilet paper, paper towels, cleaning supplies. 

Boy Scout God and Me Award

Pastor and Vicar will be teaching the God and Me and God and Church programs for any boy scouts interested in receiving the awards through their troops.  Classes will be taught following Vacation Bible School on Tuesday, July 16 and Wednesday, July 17 from 1:00-3:00 PM.  The boys should bring a bag lunch and will have a supervised lunch/play time from 12:30-1:00 PM. Anyone interested in participating is asked to please contact Pastor Keseley.

Pantry Shower for Vicar Christine

We still need several more items to fill the kitchen for Vicar Christine:  a skillet, dish towels and washcloths, 9x13 pan, paring knives.  To sign up for specific pantry/food 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!

Back by Popular Demand-Bible Study 101

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

3-B's Friday Bible Study

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

Starting this fall, Pastor Keseley will be putting together a group of adults who are interested in taking part in an adult confirmation experience. The group will meet approximately 2-3 times per month from September through May and then have the opportunity to affirm their faith. The adult confirmation group is geared towards anyone who is looking to grow in their faith regardless of whether or not they had a confirmation experience as a teenager. If you might be interested, please let Pastor know so that she can begin putting together a calendar for the classes.

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 on the sheets in the narthex, or email Sara Dyson or Mike Utell to sign up!  Other upcoming events:

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! 

Summer High School Youth Group Bible Study

Who: All rising high school freshman to rising college freshman

What: Dinner, games, and Bible study

When: Sunday nights, 6:00-9:00 PM

Where: Home of the Luckys, 6834 Camus Pl. Springfield, VA 22152

Why: To build a Christ based community where you can learn about God, life, faith, and how they all fit together while enjoying the fellowship of some new and old friends

Lock-In, July 23-24. Lock-Ins are always a blast! We hope to have as great of a turn out as the fall lock-in. Stay tuned for more information! 

Playtime at the Park-Tuesdays, July 9 & July 30 at 10:00 AM

Join Pastor and Julia for outdoor playtime this summer.  The next date will be this coming Tuesday, July 9.  We will again meet at the church for pool and sprinkler play time.  Please bring your child's favorite water toys.  There will be no playtime at the park on July 16 due to VBS.  On July 23 and August 13, please join us for a summer session of Mainly Music in the Fellowship Hall.  The Utells have planned a July 30 outing at the Lee District Playground and Sprayground.  Outdoor events are all weather permitting, so call the office if you're not sure if we're there.

Pre-Baptism Dinner-Sunday, August 4 at 5:15 PM in the Fellowship Hall

Families who are thinking about having their children baptized at Abiding Presence are invited to join Pastor Keseley for a pre-Baptism dinner. It's a chance to learn more about baptism and get to know other families in the congregation. Infants are welcome to attend with their parents. Childcare will be available in the nursery for older kids. RSVP to Pastor Keseley.

Mainly Music Summer Sessions-Tuesdays, July 23 and August 13 at 10:30 AM

Cost is $5.00 per family for each session.

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.

Noisy Offering for July will support the Shepherd's Center of Fairfax/Burke

Weekend of July 20-21

The Shepherd's Center of Fairfax-Burke (SCFB) is a "not for profit" organization dedicated to helping older adults continue to live independently in their own homes by providing enrichment and social networking opportunities that keep life exciting and rewarding for them. Programs include Accompanied Medical Transportation and Companion Shopping (for older people who are no longer able to drive), Friendly Callers/ Visitors (for people who are mostly homebound), Caregivers Support Groups (for those who have loved ones with dementia), low-cost exercise classes (to promote strength, balance and flexibility), and Lunch N' Life, Adventures in Learning, and Wednesday at the Movies programs, all of which provide mental stimulation and socialization opportunities. Recently, Abiding Presence has become one of the new partners of the Shepherd's Center Faith Community, with several members helping provide the offered services. In fact, the September Lunch 'N' Life luncheon will be held in the Abiding Presence Fellowship Hall on September 19 and will feature "Dr. Gridlock" as the guest speaker. Please see the June newsletter for more information about the Shepherd's Center and on programs that the SCFB provides.

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.

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.