Readings and Collect for Sunday, December 4

Read ahead, follow along, and pray with the Saints using the “lectionary insert” for this Sunday.

The March for Life and Life SUMMIT

Anglicans For Life (AFL) invites you to attend our annual Life SUMMIT conference which coincides with the annual March for Life. The events kick-off Thursday evening, January 19, 2023, and run through Saturday, January 21, 2023. Over the course of three days, students and adults will celebrate life, mourn the hastened death of the unborn and elderly, worship our Creator, and equip the Church for Life-Affirming ministry! 

While we celebrate the overturning of Roe v.Wade and the thousands of lives that will be saved, God’s people must also be prepared to help women facing unplanned pregnancies, as well as offering support to the aged and terminally ill. AFL’s Life SUMMIT empowers attendees to be effective ministers of the Gospel of Life to those that are lost and lonely in our communities.

Starting with the virtual Youth Summit on Thursday 1/19 at All Saints’ Church (Multipurpose Room), continuing with the Prayer Service at The Falls Church Anglican and the March on Friday 1/20, and concluding with the LIFE Summit at The Falls Church Anglican on Saturday 1/21 there are a variety of ways for everyone to participate! 

The goal of Life SUMMIT 2023 is to mobilize you and your church to bear witness to the Sanctity of Life through education, pastoral care, and ministry in your community. 

Learn more and register for the weekend’s events by clicking below.

Ushers Needed

With extra services coming up in the Christmas season we have a big need for ushers. You can serve once a month, and training is provided. Please see TC Andrews for more information.

Christmas Memorial Flowers

If you would like to honor your loved ones during this Christmas season with a special gift of beauty donations are open to the Memorial Christmas flowers. The deadline to submit is Monday, December 19. Fill out the information through the link below, and see your dedication projected throughout Christmas. There will also be cards available in the atrium to fill out. All memorials and thanksgiving will be listed in the Christmas media (Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Lessons and Carols, and in the Newsletter). Donations can be made through this form.

Request for Cookies!

If you haven't been able to contribute to the Living Nativity yet, we need cookies! We need homemade or store-bought Christmas cookies for the Living Nativity volunteers. The 50+ Nativity volunteers will have an area to warm up with hot cocoa and cookies on Friday, December 16, 6:30-8:30pm. Bring your cookies anytime to the church office (Monday-Thursday 9 a.m.-4 p.m.) or bring on Sunday, December 11! If you can provide cookies, please email Tara so that we can track that we have enough provided.

Thanksgiving Day Service

Gather together on Thanksgiving morning at the 10 a.m. service with The Rev. Dr. Jessica Hughes!

Most merciful Father, we humbly thank you for all your gifts so freely bestowed upon us: for life and health and safety, for strength to work and leisure to rest, for all that is beautiful in creation and in human life; but above all we thank you for our spiritual mercies in Christ Jesus our Lord; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever.  Amen.

Office Closed

The Church Office will be closed Wednesday, November 23-Friday, November 25 during Thanksgiving Week.

No Newsletter on Thanksgiving Day

There will be no weekly Newsletter next week due to the Thanksgiving Holiday. However, check your inbox on Monday for a special edition Advent email highlighting all things Advent and Christmas!

Readings and Collect for Sunday, November 20

Read ahead, follow along, and pray with the Saints using the “lectionary insert” for this Sunday.

Advent Sunday School

Take a look at the Advent Sunday options for all ages!

Adults New Sunday School! Advent: We Wait in Hope

This Advent season we invite you to come and prepare for the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ! Each of the 3 weeks (Dec. 4, 12, 18) will focus on a different topic. We will explore how Jesus fulfills prophecy and brings light from darkness. How He calls us to be ready when He comes and inspires us to live our lives in active and hopeful waiting for His arrival. Class will meet in the Sanctuary during the Education hour, Sunday from 9:45-10:45 a.m.

High School Sunday School in Advent

The High School students will continue their deep dive into the Gospel readings for each Sunday during the Sunday School hour. Donuts, discussion, and fellowship all happen in the Multi-purpose classroom downstairs.

Middle School Advent Word Study

During the Sunday School hour, the Middle School class will be doing a different Advent word study for each week: December 4 (Peace), December 11 (Joy), December 18 (Love). Come to the Admin Conference room for donuts, learning, and fun!

Children’s Ministry

Children’s Church: Carols & Rehearsals for Christmas Eve every Sunday in Advent beginning Thanksgiving Weekend. Starting Sunday, November 27, the children at 11 a.m. Children’s Church will receive an Advent devotion, and then prepare for a Savior for the 5 p.m. Christmas Eve Family Service with singing carols and participating in roles reenacting the Nativity. Each child, whether participating one week in Advent, or all four, will receive a costume and are invited! It is All Saints' tradition that the 3rd graders are offered the key roles, and if at all possible should be available most Sundays of Advent for practice. During Advent, 8:15 Children’s Church will not be offered. Children up to age six are welcome to come to the nursery during the 8:15 service time. (Please note: The service and children's church on this coming Sunday, Nov. 27, is at 10am ONLY).

Sunday School: Children in the Pre-K and Elementary classes will receive an Advent teaching each Sunday during the Sunday School hour from 9:45-10:45 a.m.

Living Nativity Needs

Thank you to all that signed up to serve in costumed and support roles for our Third Annual Living Nativity on Friday, December 16, 6:30-8:30 p.m.! The Rain Date (heavy rain or snow only) is Sunday, December 18.

There are still a few more roles to fill for the Living Nativity! Our immediate needs are adult & boy shepherds, hospitality to warm up our volunteers, setup crew at 3:30 p.m. or later, and take down crew at 8:30 p.m. Over 50 volunteers have already signed up for this outdoor, drive-thru Nativity that attracted up to 300 vehicles each year. With five memorable scenes, live animals, a splash of lights and music, all are invited to continue the tradition of sharing the Good News of the birth of our Savior to our Community! This year, we are adding 10,000 watt, single beam spotlight to be seen all over Eastern Prince William County to announce the newborn King! Contact Tara if you are available to help with this festive event.

Readings and Collect for Sunday, November 13

Read ahead, follow along, and pray with the Saints using the “lectionary insert” for this Sunday.

A Thank You From Bishop John and Meg

Take a look at the thank you note from Bishop John and Meg to the All Saints’ Church congregation!

Dearest Friends,

We cannot begin to tell you how deeply grateful we are for your most kind send-off this past weekend. The lovely reception and dinner, your gracious words—those offered by Scott+ and by David, Margie and Heidi, and those spoken to us individually—and the delightful photo montage (spanning 41 years!) all touched us deeply and we will treasure them always. We're reading all your encouraging notes and we'll enjoy the Advent book and calendar box with our grandchildren! Your gift is so very generous and we look forward to using it to take a special trip in retirement. And perhaps most of all, thank you for your faithful and sustaining prayers. 

We love you all and we’ll hold you always in our hearts.

In Jesus’ Name and with great thanksgiving,

Bishop John and Meg

No Evening Compline this Friday

This Friday, November 11, there will be no Compline via Zoom. Compline will resume next Friday, November 18 at 8:30 p.m. For more information about our weekly Compline click here.

Readings and Collect for Sunday, November 6

Read ahead, follow along, and pray with the Saints using the “lectionary insert” for one service at 11 a.m. this Sunday.

GriefShare Surviving the Holidays Classes in Our Area

This year All Saints’ Church is not hosting a Surviving the Holidays GriefShare seminar. However, there are two local opportunities to participate in this one session event:

• In-Person Meeting: Burke Community Church (November 15 at 7 p.m.)

• Online Meeting: First Mount Zion Baptist Church (November 14 at 7 p.m.)

You can register for these seminars or find another seminar in your area by clicking below.

Gather Together for the Greening of the Church!

Sunday, November 27, after the one service at 10 a.m. is the annual Greening of the Church! Pizza lunch will be available for all who are staying to help. Childcare and nursery will be available and will include a pizza and fruit lunch. Children will enjoy lunch in the Children's Wing, and Advent craft activities while the parents hang the greens. So we have enough pizza, please RSVP by Monday, November 21. Click below to RSVP.

You Are Invited to Synod 2022

The Synod is the legislative body of the diocese meaning it adopts canons (our governing rules), approves the budget, elects diocesan committee members and takes any other action necessary for the life and work of our diocese.

But Synod is more than just “business.” It’s a joy-filled opportunity to gather as a diocese for worship, fellowship and spiritual growth. Come and be re-energized and refreshed by the worship, Bible teaching, testimonies and breakout sessions on topics central to our churches’ ministries and mission Everyone is invited to Synod.

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DOMA’s Annual Pre-Synod Workshop

This year’s pre-synod workshop grapples with the cultural moment of widespread doubt, anxiety, and meaninglessness. We will consider how the secular age impacts churches and the people they minister to, as well as to note the helpful structures Anglicanism has to resist secularism. We will also consider ways we’ve seen the Spirit continue to faithfully press the Good News of the Gospel toward skeptics and believers alike, even today.

Children's Ministry Families Thanksgiving Service Projects

While we want to promote thankfulness all throughout the year, it’s still the perfect time to help kids to turn their eyes towards being grateful for everything around them. Children's Ministry will be participating in several opportunities to encourage Thanks-living and focusing on those in need around us.

November Service Projects

Thanksgiving Food Donations for Dale City Families: Children and families are invited to bring traditional Thanksgiving foods to complete a turkey dinner (mashed potatoes, corn, stuffing, international options, etc.) on Sunday, November 6 for our November Food Giveaway. Bring to the atrium or children's wing.

Donate Baby Items for Life: In thanksgiving for the moms that choose life at 'First Care Women's Health' Pregnancy Center, the children and families are invited during November to bring the pregnancy center's biggest needs at this time, to be gifted to mothers: (Only NEW items please)

• newborn baby toys

• teethers & pacifiers

• bottles, burp cloths, or neutral colored baby clothes

• diapers (size N, 1, 2)

• Baby wipes

• Pack-n-Plays (very gently used with no staining welcome)

Gifts will bless mothers in need. What a wonderful way to share life with our children! Items can be brought to the children's wing any Sunday in November, or dropped by the church office.