Join Pastor Keseley at the Abiding Table this Sunday from 10:00-10:45 a.m. to hear a bit about where we’ve been this past year and where we hear God calling us to go in 2019. Come be part of the conversation in shaping the future of our ministry.
Read MoreMaking Firm our Living Out of God’s Story in Our Story
God’s story is not just limited to the pages of Holy Scripture. God’s story is our story, too, lived out in our experiences and relationship. Having spent the past year focusing on dwelling in God’s word and learning God’s story, we will now turn our focus to living out God’s story in our daily lives. We want to equip each person with tools, experiences and relationships to take the next step in their discipleship journey.
Adult Small Groups
· Increase the number of people involved in congregation-wide adult small group experiences so that at least 125 people will be part of a group this year
· In order to help people experience Sabbath rest, create an adult spirituality group that will be led by a trained spiritual director to help people explore various spiritual gifts and discipline
Senior High Youth Ministry
· Discern the “next big thing” for our ministry to and with senior high youth through our participation in the “Community of Practice” with the Log College Project of Princeton Seminary
· Establish a new ministry specifically geared toward 11th graders called the “Launch Team” that will gather youth for small group Bible Study, prayer, participation in the Dominican Republic Mission Team and discussion about the transition to young adulthood
Children’s Ministry
· Explore how to make our children’s ministry scalable for growth given the significant increase in the number of children involved in Sunday School and midweek youth groups
· Find ways to provide tangible and intentional experiences for children to live out their faith
· Explore ways for our senior high youth to serve as faith role models for our children and continue equipping them to lead our elementary school youth groups
Read MoreOn All Saints Sunday, we remember the saints who have gone before us and are part of the great cloud of witnesses. This year we would like to create a visual representation of the friends and loved ones who gather with us at the Lord’s Table, not just on All Saints Sunday, but every weekend we worship. You are invited to bring in a picture of your friends and/or loved ones who have died. It can be in a frame or not in a frame, any size or shape you wish. Please put your name on it so we can be sure to get it back to you. Pictures can be dropped off in the church office anytime before November 3, or you can bring them to worship with you the weekend of November 3-4 and put them directly on the altar. If you would rather not bring a picture, you can fill out a name card with your loved one’s name or email the name for us to fill it out. These name cards will be displayed along with the pictures. Pictures and name cards will help all of us experience the power of being surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses.
We will also be reading the names of anyone who has died since last All Saints Sunday. If you have a loved one who has died this past year, please email the name along with their date of death (or approximate date of death). We will read these names aloud in worship. Please email all names by Wednesday, October 31.
Read MoreWednesday, October 24 from 6:45-7:30 p.m.
Looking for a safe, family-friendly way to trick or treat? Children ages 6th grade and under are invited to dress in costume and come trunk or treat in the church parking lot! "Trunk or Treat" cars will be parked in half the parking lot and roped off to incoming cars. Children then walk from trunk to trunk to collect candy. Trunk or treating will be from 6:45 - 7:30 p.m. All are welcome!
Feeling creative? We are also in need of families and individuals who will decorate the trunk of their vehicles for this event! Please let Sara Dyson, Children and Family Minister, know if you can provide a trunk and approximately 300 pieces of candy. Trunks will need to be parked by 6:30 p.m. and will be asked to stay in the lot until 7:45 p.m.
Read MoreSaturday, October 13 from 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Abiding Presence offers a free community fall festival. Lots of volunteers are needed to make this event possible! Please consider volunteering for an hour shift (or more) before or after enjoying the festival by signing up here. The festival is completely FREE and offers food, games, live music, haunted houses, bouncy house, pumpkin paining, balloon artist, face painting and much more.
Sunday, October 14, 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Join us at Paradise Springs Winery in Clifton for an afternoon of socializing with other adults in the congregation. Meet new people, reconnect with those you haven’t seen in awhile and enjoy tasty food and beverages. We’ve reserved ½ of the picnic grove, which is to the right past the small vineyard as you come into the winery. Please bring an appetizer or dessert to share. Non-alcoholic beverages are welcome as well. You’ll be able to purchase whatever wine you would like from the main tasting room and bring it down to the picnic grove. Feel free to invite a friend or neighbor to come along. RSVPs are helpful, but not necessary.
**While Paradise Springs is a family friendly winery, this particular event is for adults 21+ only.**
Read MoreWednesday Night Gathering is back this fall! Plan to join us each Wednesday for dinner and activities. We even have a few exciting new additions to the schedule this year. Dinner is served "cafeteria style" each week from 6:00-6:45 p.m. A full schedule of activities is available by clicking on the link to read more. Childcare for children under the age of 3 is provided in our professionally staffed nursery.
Read MoreAdults of the congregation are invited to gather on Saturday, September 29 at 6:00 p.m. in celebrating the fall season with a nod to the German tradition of Oktoberfest! Dig out your lederhosen, dirndls and steins and join us in this once in a while AP tradition. We will be meeting at the home of Steve and Cheryl Lucky. If you are a Saturday church attendee please feel to come after service. Brats and beverages will be provided; please bring a side dish, dessert or home brew to share at this adults only gathering. Please RSVP on the sheet in the narthex or by e-mail.
Read MoreLooking for an opportunity for your child or youth to learn more about God, have fun and build relationships with other kids? Come join us for Sunday School at Abiding Presence each Sunday at 9:50 a.m. We’ll all gather in Bailey Hall for our Sunday School Lift Off and will then dismiss to age appropriate classes at 10:00 a.m. Sunday School ends at 10:50 a.m. Adults can participate in the Abiding Table, our adult breakfast and conversation group, which meets from 10:00-10:45 a.m. in Bailey Hall. Please register your children ages 3-Senior High for Sunday School to help us plan accordingly. Of course, you can always just stop in any Sunday as well!
Read MoreOur fall worship schedule resumes the weekend of September 8/9:
Saturday at 6:00 p.m.
Sunday at 8:45 a.m. (Contemporary Service)
Sunday at 11:00 a.m. (Traditional Service)
Sunday School for All Ages at 9:50 a.m.
Please help us plan for fall by registering your children ages 3 through Senior High for Sunday School and youth groups. We ask families to please fill out a new registration form each year so we can stay updated on allergies and other needs for each child. Registration is available here. Contact Children and Family Minister Sara Dyson with questions.
Read MoreAs the old Sunday School rhyme reminds us,
The church is not a building.
The church is not a steeple.
The church is not a resting place.
The church is the PEOPLE!
You are the church and as our church seeks to do God's work, we need more hands! Our ministry continues to grow and we need to grow the number of people involved in leadership. Please prayerfully consider serving in one of the following ways:
Sunday School Teachers (Sunday mornings from 10:00-10:45 a.m.)
Our Sunday School classes are growing by leaps and bounds, and we are adding yet another classroom of kids this fall! Consider volunteering to be a Sunday School teacher this fall! No previous teaching experience needed, only a love of Christ and helping to share that love with the children at Abiding Presence. Sunday School starts on September 9, and substitutes are always available if you are out of town. Please talk to or email Sara Dyson, Children & Family Minister (sara@abidingpresence.net) if you are interested.
Wednesday Night Teachers (Wednesday Evenings from 6:45-7:45 p.m.)
We are looking to reenvision what Wednesday night youth and children programs look like, and I am looking for 2-3 high schoolers or adults who would commit to teaching with me on Wednesday evenings from 6:45 p.m. - 7:45 p.m. I'll provide the curriculum, guidance, and help, but you'll have the freedom and creativity in the classes. Please talk to Sara Dyson, Children & Family Minister (sara@abidingpresence.net) to get more information or if you're interested.
To volunteer for the following worship assistant opportunities, contact Pastor Keseley.
Usher
Time commitment in addition to worship: 15 minutes before and after service
Job: Greet worshipers at sanctuary doors, pass out bulletins prior to the service, collect offering, dismiss people to communion and make sure sanctuary is picked up following service
Who Can Volunteer: Senior High through Adults; Families with young children are encouraged to sign up as a family so parents and kids can serve together
Greeter
Time commitment in addition to worship: 15 minutes before service
Job: Greet worshipers at the main church doors
Who Can Volunteer: Anyone with a smile! Families with young children are encouraged to sign up as a family so parents and kids can serve together
Lay Reader
Time commitment in addition to worship: None
Job: Read the assigned lesson which is emailed to you in advance
Who Can Volunteer: Senior High through Adults
Communion Assistant
Time commitment in addition to worship: None
Job: Distribute either the pouring chalice or common cup at the time of communion
Who Can Volunteer: Senior High through Adults
Altar Guild
Time commitment in addition to worship: Approximately 20 minutes before or after the service
Job: Set up or clean up the altar from Holy Communion
Who Can Volunteer: Senior High through Adults; Families with young children are encouraged to sign up as a family so parents and kids can serve together
Mental Health First Aid is designed to teach how to help someone who is experiencing a mental health or addictions challenge or is in crisis. Class size is limited so register as soon as possible at: abidingpresence.net/mhfirstaid
Read MoreAs of the end of the school year, rising 6th graders are now officially eligible to participate in Youth Band and Youth Choir at Abiding Presence! To officially welcome them to the groups (and just for a super-fun thing to do together!) we're going to a Washington Nationals home game vs. the Atlanta Braves at 1:35pm on Sunday, July 22.
Read MoreWhile the majority of our old sanctuary chairs found a second life at a Christian church in Maryland, about 30 of them found their second life at ECHO. ECHO is one of our community partners who supports people in need in the immediate Burke and Springfield area.
Recently, ECHO lifted up the need of children's shoes, especially for older children. If you have new or gently used shoes to donate, please bring them to church and drop them in the ECHO bin under the coat rack.
If you're looking for an opportunity to volunteer this summer as a teen or adult, consider signing up for one of ECHO's backpack packing sessions to help them get ready to distribute backpacks with school supplies to local school children.
We're grateful to have such a strong community partner with whom we can serve our community!
Read MoreHot Dogs & S'mores is a favorite summer kick off activity at Abiding Presence! We'll be out on the church patio (weather permitting) Wednesdays, May 30, June 6 and June 13 beginning at 6:15 p.m. We provide all of the hot dogs, fixings and s'mores components. You simply show up! The fire will be ready to go and you can roast your hot dog over the hot coals and make your s'mores.
Read MoreCheck out everything you need to know for our special 40th anniversary celebration on Sunday, May 20 at 10:00 a.m.
Read MoreSchedule for orchestra, choir, and praise band
Read MoreAbiding Presence is celebrating our 40th anniversary on Sunday, May 20. There will be a festival worship service at 10:00 a.m. followed by a luncheon. (Please note, only one worship service this weekend.)
RSVP if you are attending the luncheon by May 2 so we can get an accurate count for the caterer. There will be a basket for freewill donations for the luncheon. There is no need to RSVP if you are just planning to attend the service.
Volunteers are needed Sunday morning to help with various tasks. Please sign up to volunteer.
It is going to be a fabulous morning of giving thanks for God's Abiding Presence that has led this congregation for the past 40 years and will now lead us into the next 40 years!
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