Announcements – 2/25/18

Announcements: Week of Sunday, February 25th 2018

Morning Call

On this Sunday, Feb. 25, we shall begin a new series on “Problems of Self-Deception” that may be helpful for your spiritual journey during this Lent and beyond. The starting-point for this series is the New Testament verse that we often hear during Lent: “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us” (I John 1:8). We meet in the great hall of the new building, starting around 10:20am. This series is available for everyone in high school and above.

Youth Group

The Youth Group for teenagers in grades 6-12 will have their next evening meeting on this Sunday, Feb. 25, from 4pm till 6pm, with dinner served, as part of our every-other-week schedule.  Teenagers are expected to bring $40 each in order to cover their meals at most evening meetings for the school year, and parents are expected to provide meals at evening meetings once or twice during the school year (with reimbursement up to $80/meal available); no meals for February or afterward have been scheduled yet.  Please contact Father Morris (morris@aquiachurch.com or 540-659-4007 at the church office) in order to schedule your family's turns providing meals and in order to submit your teenager's meal money.  In addition to the evening meetings, the youth group meets on Sunday mornings during the time for Sunday school:  the middle school group meets in the new building downstairs, while the high school group meets upstairs in the great hall as part of Morning Call.

Wednesday Bible Studies

The Wednesday morning Bible study (10:30am—12:00noon) led by Father Rickenbaker will continue on Feb. 28 and will focus on the New Testament Letters of 1, 2, and 3 John, with Mar. 7 being the last session in this series.  Then starting on Mar. 14, both of our clergy will lead together a new Wednesday morning series on “The Ten Commandments for Today.”  The Wednesday evening Bible study (7:00pm—8:30pm), led by Father Morris, will continue a new five-week series about “The Devil in Disguise” through Mar. 21; this series explores the Bible’s array of sometimes surprising depictions about the destructive deceits of our spiritual adversary. 

Thursday Evening Lenten Dinner-And-Discussion Series:  Our Lenten dinner-and-discussion series will be held in the great hall every Thursday evening (6:30pm—8:30pm) through March 22.  A simple but hearty meal will be available starting at 6:30pm, including vegan/vegetarian options, followed by presentation and discussion about this year’s topic:  “Forgiveness in the Bible and in Everyday Life.”  We’ll explore the connections among what God in Christ has done to forgive us, what he expects from us in return, and how our relationships at home, work, school, neighborhood, church, and the wider world ultimately rely on forgiveness.  A brief but helpful book about forgiveness will be available for purchase, and your clergy will provide handouts to enrich the discussion.  A copy of our study book on forgiveness will be ordered for you upon payment of $15.00 (cash or check payable to Jay Morris).  In order to reserve your copy of the book and in order to indicate how many people you will bring to dinner, please use the sign up sheet at the back of the church or contact Father Morris directly (morris@aquiachurch.com or 540-659-4007 at the church office).

First Communion Class:  This is the last week to sign up your child for our annual Communion study and preparatory class.  Even if your child has been receiving communion, but has not formal instruction, we encourage you to take advantage of the classes being offered.  Our first class will meet this Sunday, 2/25 from 4-5 pm.  The remaining classes will be on 3/4, 3/11, and 3/18 with a celebration dinner on Saturday, 3/24.  If you are interested in this class for your child, please contact Kristen Morgan at christianed@aquiachurch.com by Sunday, 2/25.  

Lenten Quiet Day:  On March 3rd from 10am-2pm, we will observe a Lenten quiet day on campus. There will be explanation on the day of regarding the importance of quiet, retreat, and especially Sabbath. Our schedule for that day will be as follows:

  • ∙    10:00-10:30 - Morning Prayer
  • ∙    10:30-11:00 - First Talk - The Importance of Retreat
  • ∙    11:00-11:15 - First Quiet Reflection
  • ∙    11:15-11:45 - Second Talk - The Biblical Foundations of Sabbath
  • ∙    11:45-12:30pm - Second Quiet Reflection
  • ∙    12:30-1:00 - Quiet Lunch with Scripture Reading
  • ∙    1:00-1:30 - Final Talk - Practical Applications of Sabbath
  • ∙    1:30-1:45 - Final Quiet Reflection
  • ∙    1:45-2:00 - Noonday Prayer

If at all possible, we would like participants to stay the whole time so that they can experience the retreat in its fullness. Please sign up, if you are interested, on the clipboard at the tall table in the back of the church. As we enter the Lenten season, it is important to be intentional about prayer and strengthening our relationship with God. This quiet day is a perfect opportunity to undertake that important work.

What Would Jesus Brew?  On Tuesday, February 27th, we will have our next installment of What Would Jesus Brew (our young adult ministry). The night will have a Lenten theme.  Come to El Gran Charro Mexican Restaurant at 7pm for some good food, good fellowship, and discussion regarding Lent. If you have questions about WWJB, get in touch with Fr. Rickenbaker at rickenbaker@aquiachurch.org.

Newcomers and Visitors to Aquia Church:   The Welcome Ministry will host a luncheon for all Newcomers and visitors on Sunday, March 4th.  This event will start in the historic church at approximately 12:30pm after the 11:15am service  for a brief history presentation and then move to the Great Hall in the Christian Education building for lunch.  

Spring Clean -up:   On Saturday, 17 March, 8 AM to Noon.   The Building and Grounds Committee is seeking workers to help with the cleanup of our grounds in preparation for Holy Week and Easter Sunday services.   We will be cleaning up debris from the winter months, clearing the growth along the entry/exit road and pruning shrubbery.   All are welcome to lend a helping hand.   Bring gloves, rakes, manual/power trimming tools and yard carts.  Make-up day for inclement weather will be the following Saturday, 24 March, same time.   

Diocesan Listening Sessions:  As the Diocese of Virginia prepares to elect a second bishop suffragan, Episcopalians in the Fredericksburg Region are invited to attend listening sessions that will take place in our area in order to help the nominating/search committee with its work.  Both sessions will be held 7pm—9pm, with one on Monday, Feb. 26 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 5486 St. Pauls Road, King George (Owens), and the other on Tuesday, Feb. 27 at Trinity Episcopal Church, 825 College Avenue, Fredericksburg (adjacent to the University of Mary Washington campus).  You are invited to attend and share your views about the kind of person for whom we should be searching.  The Diocese will soon announce opportunities for people who cannot attend these listening sessions to submit their views in written or electronic form.  If you have any questions or concerns about this, please speak with one of our clergy.
 
St. Patrick’s Day Potluck Dinner & Games:  Saturday, March 17th  5:00pm – 8:00pm.  Fellowship Events will host the annual Potluck Dinner and Family Games Night. Please bring a dish to share, your family, friends and neighbors for a great fun filled evening and wonderful fellowship. Contact Michael and Jean Golas for more information.

Baked Potato Bar:  - Sunday March 18th  Outreach Committee will be having a fully loaded Baked Potato Bar after all 3 Morning Services, with all the fixings. Eat them at the Great Hall or take them home with you or maybe both! $7.00 with anything your heart’s desire on a baked potato. Thank you to all of you for all of your help in supporting Aquia’s Outreach Committee, so that we can continue to do God’s work in our community.

Christian Seder Meal and Service - Palm Sunday:  Sunday March 25th - 5:00 pm-8:00 pm  Join us on Palm Sunday, for the Christian Seder Meal. Not only will we have a wonderful feast, but will also share in the rich history and celebration of the Seder. Please watch outside of the church for a sign up sheet and hope that you can join us. For more information contact Jean and Michael Golas.

Save The Date:  GOLF TOURNAMENT!  The Aquia’s Table Golf Tournament will be held on the morning of Friday, May 11, at Augustine Golf Club in Stafford.  Golfers are encouraged to start gathering groups of friends to play and support this major fundraiser for this life-giving ministry.  This is an excellent opportunity to invite golfing friends from outside our membership to join us for a day of fun that supports a major service for our community.  Opportunities for individual sponsorships and corporate sponsorships are available for showing your support.  More details coming soon!

Capital Campaign for New Building: Can you help us achieve our goal for this capital campaign?  You can make a tax-deductible gift regardless whether you have made a pledge for this campaign.  As of 18 February, there are over $63,000 dollars pledged but not yet paid.  Also, as of 18 February, we have received $860,406.61 from donors making pledges and $107,126.93 from donors who have not made a pledge but have contributed nonetheless, for a combined total of $967,533.54—so we are very close to reaching our one-million-dollar goal!  With this capital campaign ending in April 2018, there is indeed time to fulfill your existing pledge or even increase it, but you will want to plan accordingly for the remaining months.  There is also opportunity for those who are enjoying our new building but have not yet pledged toward it to make a new pledge or a one-time contribution that will support our efforts to reduce the costs of our construction loan.

Episcopal Church Women:  A great adventure awaits you!  Forward Day by Day, a manual of daily Bible readings and devotions is inviting us to join them in the “Good Book Club”.  Instead of the normal Daily Office and Revised Common Lectionary readings, they will give us a short snippet of Luke or Acts to read each day.  If you would like to follow the daily readings, they are available on their website at: www.prayer.forwardmovement.org   Available on the tall table in the sanctuary, the small guidebook, will guide you through Lent to Pentecost.