What if gratitude could become more than a list of things for which we're thankful? What if it becomes the lens through which we view our lives?
Join us in SpiritFit: Thanksgiving. Each day, we will spend 5-10 minutes in a four-fold prayer exercise of Read, Practice, Pray & Carry as a way of training ourselves to see our lives through a lens of gratitude.
A few minutes a day…from now to Thanksgiving…to grow out hearts in gratitude…Here we go!
At Abiding Presence, we’re listening for the “Next Big Thing” God is calling us to as the church for the sake of the world. Heading into 2026, we lifted up six BIG THINGS we heard God calling us to do. Check them out. Be excited. Come be part of the BIG THINGS God is doing in this place.
Tuesdays from 5:30-7:00 p.m.
We are excited to be expanding our weekday kids ministry programming this fall with the Abiding Kids Club for preschool through 5th grade. It is a time to create music, grow faith and share dinner together. The doors are open and all are welcome.
Sunday, October 25
from 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Trunks arrive @ 3:30 p.m.
Boo! The Abiding Presence Trunk or Treat is back! We are excited to share in the holiday spirit and spend some time together. If you would like to sign-up to participate in decorating your trunk or volunteering at the event, you can use our Sign-Up Genius.
Sunday, August 23 at both the 9:00 & 10:30 a.m. services
It’s Back to School and this calls for a celebration! Let’s prepare for the excitement of a new school year. This special Sunday will include blessings for:
Kindergartners starting school
Teachers, IAs, adminstrators, professors, counselors and all who work in preschools through universities
Students at all stages of their education
Sunday, September 13
Come be part of the excitement as we kick off a new year of learning together. Sunday morning faith formation launches for all ages with preschool Sunday School, elementary workshops, confirmation (7th-9th grade), Abiding Fellows (10th-12th grade) and Abiding Table for Adults. We’d love to welcome you into the Abiding Presence community this year!
Catch up on the action packed summer as we traveled around the Metro-DC Synod to 12 partner congregations to help them put on a week-long Vacation Bible School. Our “On the Road Yearbook” tells the story of the summer. Click here to read it!
We’re diving into the book of Romans this summer as a congregation. Throughout June, July and August, we’ll be reading from Romans as we explore the promise that nothing can separate us from God. Along the way, we will encounter hope, grace and love in this biblical book about which Martin Luther said, “"It would be quite proper for a Christian, not only to know [Romans] by heart word for word, but also to study it daily, for it is the soul's daily bread.”
Join us in worship on Sunday mornings for a sermon series and throughout the week for our asynchronous SpiritFit Bible Study.
Happy Pride! Join us boldly proclaiming God's abiding love for all people not just during Pride, but all year long. Wonder Why Celebrating Pride Month Matters? In a world where many LGBTQIA+ people hear words of hate and damnation from Christians, it is especially important for inclusive churches like ours and followers of Jesus like us to speak up. We want to make sure the loudest religious voices our LGBTQIA+ siblings are hearing are the one that say, “God Loves You!”
May Meal Break for Military Families
Wednesdays, May 6, 13, 20 & 27 from 4:00-6:00 p.m.
Served Drive-Thru Style at Abiding Presence
We want military families to accept this as a sincere "thank you" for your service and the sacrifices you make every day. No strings attached, no IDs required, and no questions asked. Just a hot meal for you and your family, on us.
What if prayer didn’t feel like pressure…but like strength training? This course is for you if you’ve struggled to maintain a prayer life, you’re curious but unsure where to start, you want something deeper—but also doable and you’re ready for grace, not guilt. Signup today!
Sunday, April 5 at 6:15 a.m.
Burke Lake Park Amphitheater
Early Easter Sunday morning, we will gather in the Burke Lake Park Amphitheater for a sunrise service. This is a family friendly service where children of all ages are welcome. Dress is casual. We will proclaim, “Christ is risen,” as the sun rises over the lake. Following the service, there will be coffee and donuts.
12:00 & 7:00 p.m. Services of Holy Communion & the Imposition of Ashes
6:00 p.m. Children’s Service
Click here to learn more
The Glas family used to live just down the street from Abiding Presence. While they didn’t attend services, they knew neighbors who were members and saw signs about the Food Pantry every time they drove by. Kim and her husband Tim have put an emphasis on a yearly family project during the holidays. “Last year we did a project to educate girls in Guatemala and raised $10,000” Kim shared. So when they gathered as a family to discuss their 2025 project, Oliver and Abigail chose the Abiding Presence Food Pantry. “Sometimes I volunteer at the Pantry with my husband on Saturday mornings and the kids would ask things like, ‘How long was the line?’ or ‘How did things go this morning?’,” Kim recalled. “One particularly difficult story to tell them was that a few weeks ago someone slept in their car overnight just to get fresh food,” she said. She shared, “The kids feel especially connected to Abiding Presence because they’ve been involved with the Kids Food Pantry packing produce for pantry guests.”
Kelsey and Calvin Hunt, along with their two daughters, are regular worshippers at Abiding Presence and have made weekly church activities a part of their family life. Some people may not know that Kelsey was baptized here as a baby and grew up attending church with her family. “As part of the puppet ministry and choir with Ms. Lori I did everything Abiding Presence had to offer,” Kelsey shared. She recalled, “Through youth service trips, synod events, and nationwide youth gatherings we created lasting relationships with fellow youth.”
“We felt comfortable as soon as we walked in,” recalls Craig Fraedrich, about his first time visiting Abiding Presence with then fiancée Monique. “We knew right from the beginning it would be a place where we were welcomed and engaged in the community immediately as they encouraged new people to participate,” he said. Craig and Monique were married here and raised their two boys in this church with Sunday worship and weekly activities a part of their family values.
“This is not a church of spectators, but one of people being involved,” Craig shared. Monique added, “It’s not even just worship services, but everyone is encouraged to be a part of the ministry happening here.” Having raised their boys from first communions to Confirmation classes and beyond they said, “Our children had the experience of making their own decisions and we gave them that foundation they still carry with them today.”
When Roger moved to Northern Virginia, the first thing he did was find a church. As he moved throughout the area from McLean to Alexandria and finally Springfield, finding a church was always a priority. Growing up in Minnesota as part of a farming family, church was a big part of their community. The family attended church every Sunday and provided not just comfort but guidance. Roger recalled, “being part of a church was a matter of carrying on and honoring the family tradition.”
No matter how much snow we get, it cannot cover over the brokenness of our world that we are seeing on display right now. What is happening is not okay. The grief, fear and heartache over what is happening in Minneapolis, especially the killing yesterday of Alex Pretti, drives us to not be okay. Trusting that when we pray, God gets to work in and through us, we pray together.
If you are struggling to process what is happening in our world right now, reach out. You aren’t alone. Pastor Keseley and Pastor Kresse are available by text, email and phone throughout the snow storm to be of support. We are Abiding Together. Reach out!
Build a snowman with us! This Sunday’s winter weather is closing the church building, but we’re still out being the church. Enter our snowman making contest! Spread some cheer in the snow.
We’re looking for 10 Lutheran churches in the area to partner with us this summer to reach out to their neighbors by offering a week of summer camp in their location.
Sundays, December 28 & January 4
10:00 a.m. (One Service Only)
We continue the celebration of Christ’s birth in worship as we gather for the singing of carols and to hear the rest of the Christmas story.
Abiding Presence’s new ministry that takes us out into the community to care for our neighbors, sharing God’s love along the way.
Wednesday, November 26 at 7:00 p.m. at Temple B’nai Shalom
For nearly 40 years, Abiding Presence and Temple B’nai Shalom have worshipped together on Thanksgiving Eve in an interfaith service filled with prayers, music and scripture. A reception follows the service. All are welcome!
Friday, October 31 from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Free food distribution for federal workers, contractors and active duty military. Government worker ID required. Shelf stable food, eggs, butter, produce and Halloween treats will be provided, as well as a hot to-go lunch. Food will be distributed curbside as vehicles drive-thru the line.
Check out our 2025 Summer Yearbook that tells the story of our summer ministry to kids, teens and college-age young adults.
Are you looking for a church home? Are you curious about faith? Do your kids (or yourself) have big questions about God? Welcome to Abiding Presence! We would love to have you participate in this community of faith. We know people go looking for a church home for a variety of reasons. Whatever your reason, we’re delighted you are looking at churches and especially delighted that you are looking at Abiding Presence.
We are offering 9-weeks of summer day camp for ages preschool through 12th grade. Click here to check out the schedule and register.
Sunday, November 8 at 9:00 & 11:00 a.m.
As we observe Veterans Day, we will surround our veterans and active duty military with our prayers and blessings. You are welcome to wear your uniform, a piece of service attire or whatever makes you feel most comfortable and honored.
Sunday, November 8 at 2:00 p.m. at Burke Presbyterian Church
We will join the interfaith community to work together to stomp out hunger locally and globally. Register to join the Abiding Presence team or make a donation to support the cause. All ages of walkers are welcome!
Join us for adult fellowship and conversation as we read and discuss, “Mattering” by Jennifer Breheny Wallace. Enjoy fellowship from 7:00-7:30 p.m. and discussion from 7:30-8:30 p.m. For details and location, email Craig F or the church office.
Tuesday, November 10
5:30-7:00 p.m.
We are excited to be expanding our weekday kids ministry programming this fall. Welcome to the Abiding Kids Club! Ms. Michaela, Dr. Dave and Ms. Nicole are exited to gather with our preschool and elementary friends for a time to create music, grow faith and share dinner together. The doors are open and all are welcome.
Questions? Reach out to our Children & Family Minister, Michaela Silvis.
Tuesdays from 5:30-7:00 p.m. (during Abiding Kids Club)
Geared for parents of kids ages birth through high school, this gathering will share in joys, challenges and practical tips for raising kids in the faith. If there is interest, we will continue meeting throughout the fall. No RSVP necessary, simply show up. Questions? Reach out to Pastor Keseley.
Thursday, November 12 at 1:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary
You do not need to have read the book in order to attend. Bring a friend!
No RSVP necessary. Just show up.
Kate Bowler, PhD is a four time New York Times bestselling author, award-winning podcast host, and an Associate Professor of American Religious History at Duke University. She studies the cultural stories we tell ourselves about success, suffering, and whether (or not) we’re capable of change. She is the author of Blessed: A History of the American Prosperity Gospel and The Preacher’s Wife: The Precarious Power of Evangelical Women Celebrities. After being unexpectedly diagnosed with Stage IV cancer at age 35, she penned the New York Times bestselling memoir, Everything Happens for a Reason (and Other Lies I’ve Loved) and No Cure For Being Human (and Other Truths I Need to Hear). She has also co-written with Jessica Richie, spiritual reflections: Good Enough: 40ish Devotionals for a Life of Imperfection and The Lives We Actually Have: 100 Blessings for Imperfect Days. Kate’s book, Have a Beautiful, Terrible Day! Daily Meditations for the Ups, Downs, and In-Betweens, is packed with bite-sized reflections and action-oriented steps to help you get through the day, be it good, bad, or totally mediocre.
Her latest book, Joyful Anyway reveals the surprising magic of joy – and how we can access it even when happiness feels out of reach. Kate hosts the award-winning Everything Happens podcast where, in warm, insightful, often funny conversations, she talks with people like Malcolm Gladwell and Beth Moore about what they’ve learned in difficult times. She lives in Durham, North Carolina with her family and continues to teach do-gooders at Duke Divinity School.
No RSVP necessary. Just show up.
Thursday, November 12
5:30-6:30 p.m.
Students of all ages are invited to join Ms. Michaela and participate in a service project for the Abiding Presence Food Pantry. On the Thursday before every Abiding Presence Food Pantry, you can come learn about how the food pantry operates, help pray over the produce and the people who are coming, and learn about service as a spiritual discipline.
*You can sign up through our Sign-Up Genius here.A parent or guardian must accompany all students.If you have questions or need accommodations, please reach out to our Children & Family Minister, Michaela Silvis.
Saturday, September 26 from 6:00-9:00 p.m. in Bailey Hall
Adults (21+) are invited for a night of table top games, fellowship and fun. Bring a snack to share. Childcare will be provided by our Abiding Fellows for children ages 3-12 with a movie. Signup here.
Join us for adult fellowship and conversation as we read and discuss, “Mattering” by Jennifer Breheny Wallace. Enjoy fellowship from 7:00-7:30 p.m. and discussion from 7:30-8:30 p.m. For details and location, email Craig F or the church office.
Tuesday, November 17 from 12:00 - 2:00 p.m.
Join us for lunch followed by a program.
RSVP with an email or a phone call to the church at 703-455-7500.
Tuesday, November 17
5:30-7:00 p.m.
We are excited to be expanding our weekday kids ministry programming this fall. Welcome to the Abiding Kids Club! Ms. Michaela, Dr. Dave and Ms. Nicole are exited to gather with our preschool and elementary friends for a time to create music, grow faith and share dinner together. The doors are open and all are welcome.
Questions? Reach out to our Children & Family Minister, Michaela Silvis.
Tuesdays from 5:30-7:00 p.m. (during Abiding Kids Club)
Geared for parents of kids ages birth through high school, this gathering will share in joys, challenges and practical tips for raising kids in the faith. If there is interest, we will continue meeting throughout the fall. No RSVP necessary, simply show up. Questions? Reach out to Pastor Keseley.
6th-12th graders are invited to join us for Youth Wednesdays at Abiding Presence.
5:30-6:30 p.m. Youth Music with Dr. Dave (6th-12th Grade)
No prior musical experience is required. You can sign-up and find more information here. If you have any questions, reach out to our Music Minister, Dr. Dave.
6:30-8:00 p.m. Youth Group with Pastor Kelsey (6th-12th Grade)
Wednesday November 18th is going to be a very special edition of Youth Wednesdays!!
To celebrate out students' love for Cranberry Sauce and everything Thanksgiving, we're doing Friendsgiving! Please sign up here to send something with your student for our special dinner. We will not be ordering pizza that night. If you have any questions or your student has dietary restrictions, please email Pastor Kelsey at pastorkresse@abidingpresence.net
Friday, November 20 from 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. in Room #1
Retired women of the congregation gather monthly around the three Bs of Bible, Blessing and Bread. New women are always welcome! Simply show up.
Middle and High School Synod Youth Event
6th-12th grade
November 20-22
Skycroft Retreat Center, Middletown MD
Registration due October 15
Saturday, November 21 at 1:00 p.m.
OWLs Fall Excursion at West Springfield High School
Spartan Theatre Production of The Woodsman
6100 Rolling Rd. Springfield, VA 22152
Doors open at 12:30 p.m. general admission.
Tickets are $18.00 per person.
Nick Chopper, a lonely woodsman from the Land of Oz, must embark on a harrowing journey to protect the love of his life from her evil guardian, the Wicked Witch of the East.
Hauntingly beautiful, this nearly wordless play tells the untold story of the Tin Woodsman through puppetry, movement, and song. Come discover the legend before the legend.
The play runs approximately 70 minutes long with no intermission. Seating is limited!
The Woodsman will use theatrical effects like fog, flashing lights, stage weapons (axe) and sudden loud noises. The show depicts themes of love, jealousy, and death. Ages 13+ Recommended. This is a darker Oz than you remember.
A Note on Seating: Although the production takes place in the auditorium, it is staged in an intimate, immersive setting, with all audience seating located onstage within the performance space. Access to the seating area requires climbing seven steps. If you require assistance or elevator access, please select the appropriate ticket type and notify our staff upon arrival. Wheelchair and other accessible seating options are available.
Due to the intimate nature of this staging, seating is limited. We encourage you to reserve your tickets early! There will be no late seating once the performance has begun. Guests that show up late forfeit their tickets to any guests on the waitlist for that performance.
If you'd like to attend with the OWLs:
STEP 1. Purchase your ticket here (This link takes you directly to the Spartan Theatre ticketing site. If you see a "password" requested, tickets are not yet on sale and the password will be provided once available.)
STEP 2. RSVP with an email or a phone call to the church at 703-455-7500 to let Heather know you're coming. Inform her of any assistance or elevator access needed or if you require wheelchair seating. She will make sure enough seats are grouped together for OWLs attending the performance. NOTE: You must purchase your own ticket(s) to attend.
Monday, November 23 from 2:00-3:30 p.m.
The Comfort of Crows by Margaret Renkl
The Abiding Presence Book Club welcomes all readers of the congregation to join them. At the September meeting, they will discus The Comfort of Crows by Margaret Renkl. New readers are always welcome! For more information, contact Pastor Keseley who will put you in touch with the group. The group meets in classroom #1 at the church.
There is NO Youth Wednesday November 25th because we have our joint Thanksgiving Eve Service with Temple B’nai Shalom.
Wednesday, November 25 at 7:00 p.m. at Abiding Presence
We are excited to host TBS for our 40th Thanksgiving Eve service together. This festive service features a combined choir and orchestra, prayers, readings and reflections. Leave with a sense of gratitude for what is and hope for what can be.
To make our 40th Thanksgiving together special, we are hosting a pie reception following the service. Sign up to bring a homemade or purchased pie and/or help with the reception.
Musicians are encouraged to participate in the joint choir and instrumental ensemble. Contact David Chavez, Music & Worship Minister, for more details.
Sunday, November 29
from 10:05-10:45 a.m.
Advent is a time of watching, waiting and preparing for Christ to come. The Advent wreath is one of the tools we use to mark time in our waiting. Join us during the education hour for an intergenerational Advent wreath making workshop. Wreath forms, decorations and candles, will be provided. Show up with your household to make an Advent wreath to take home and use.
Questions? Reach out to our Children & Family Minister, Michaela Silvis. If you still have your wreath from last year, please bring the wreath form with you.
6th-12th graders are invited to join us for Youth Wednesdays at Abiding Presence.
5:30-6:30 p.m. Youth Music with Dr. Dave (6th-12th Grade)
No prior musical experience is required. You can sign-up and find more information here. If you have any questions, reach out to our Music Minister, Dr. Dave.
6:30-8:00 p.m. Youth Group with Pastor Kelsey (6th-12th Grade)
Youth can join Pastor Kelsey for devotions at 6:30 p.m. After have pizza for dinner and then split games or projects. We are asking for a suggested donation of $5/student to help cover the cost of the pizza. You can donate for the whole semester or one week at a time here.
Saturday, December 5
from 9:00-11:00 a.m.
Abiding Presence is welcoming Santa for bagels and photos! Enjoy our FREE community event with a photographer on site taking photos of your family with Santa. Our professional photographer will have digital photos back in time for the holidays, within a couple weeks of the event. We’ll also have a bagel bar, coffee, crafts for kids and adults alike.
Sign up here! Contact our Children & Family Minister, Michaela Silvis with any questions.
This year we will be collecting individually packaged snacks for our Food Pantry as well as collecting free will donations to support our Abiding Fellows program and our college-age campus ministry.
6th-12th graders are invited to join us for Youth Wednesdays at Abiding Presence.
5:30-6:30 p.m. Youth Music with Dr. Dave (6th-12th Grade)
No prior musical experience is required. You can sign-up and find more information here. If you have any questions, reach out to our Music Minister, Dr. Dave.
6:30-8:00 p.m. Youth Group with Pastor Kelsey (6th-12th Grade)
Youth can join Pastor Kelsey for devotions at 6:30 p.m. After have pizza for dinner and then split games or projects. We are asking for a suggested donation of $5/student to help cover the cost of the pizza. You can donate for the whole semester or one week at a time here.
Thursday, December 10
5:30-6:30 p.m.
Students of all ages are invited to join Ms. Michaela and participate in a service project for the Abiding Presence Food Pantry. On the Thursday before every Abiding Presence Food Pantry, you can come learn about how the food pantry operates, help pray over the produce and the people who are coming, and learn about service as a spiritual discipline.
*You can sign up through our Sign-Up Genius here.A parent or guardian must accompany all students.If you have questions or need accommodations, please reach out to our Children & Family Minister, Michaela Silvis.
Sunday December 13 at 9:00 a.m.
All of our Sunday School groups from infants/toddlers up through 6th grade will have parts in our Christmas Pageant that will happen during worship. Watch the Christmas story come alive through the children of Abiding Presence.
Sunday December 13 at 11:00 a.m.
All of our Sunday School groups from infants/toddlers up through 6th grade will have parts in our Christmas Pageant that will happen during worship. Watch the Christmas story come alive through the children of Abiding Presence.
Tuesday, December 15 from 12:00 - 2:00 p.m.
Join us for lunch followed by a program.
RSVP with an email or a phone call to the church at 703-455-7500.
6th-12th graders are invited to join us for Youth Wednesdays at Abiding Presence.
5:30-6:30 p.m. Youth Music with Dr. Dave (6th-12th Grade)
No prior musical experience is required. You can sign-up and find more information here. If you have any questions, reach out to our Music Minister, Dr. Dave.
6:30-8:00 p.m. Youth Group with Pastor Kelsey (6th-12th Grade)
Youth can join Pastor Kelsey for devotions at 6:30 p.m. After have pizza for dinner and then split games or projects. We are asking for a suggested donation of $5/student to help cover the cost of the pizza. You can donate for the whole semester or one week at a time here.
Friday, December 18 from 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. in Room #1
Retired women of the congregation gather monthly around the three Bs of Bible, Blessing and Bread. New women are always welcome! Simply show up.
Wednesdays, January 13, 20 & 27 from 7:00-8:30 p.m.
Location TBD
This year’s annual joint adult education class between Temple B’nai Shalom and Abiding Presence be about prayer. Explore Jewish and Christian approaches to prayer while growing in your individual prayer life. Taught by Pastor Keseley and Rabbi Widzer, this annual joint class is a favorite tradition.
Wednesdays, January 20 & 27 from 7:00-8:30 p.m.
Location TBD
This year’s annual joint adult education class between Temple B’nai Shalom and Abiding Presence be about prayer. Explore Jewish and Christian approaches to prayer while growing in your individual prayer life. Taught by Pastor Keseley and Rabbi Widzer, this annual joint class is a favorite tradition.
Wednesdays, January 27 from 7:00-8:30 p.m.
Location TBD
This year’s annual joint adult education class between Temple B’nai Shalom and Abiding Presence be about prayer. Explore Jewish and Christian approaches to prayer while growing in your individual prayer life. Taught by Pastor Keseley and Rabbi Widzer, this annual joint class is a favorite tradition.