Announcements: Week of Sunday, July 22nd 2018
Change in Worship Schedule
Starting on August 5 (the first Sunday of August), Aquia Church will follow a new schedule for weekly worship:
7:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist
9:00 a.m. Christian Formation for All Ages (with Sunday School resuming on September 9)
10:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist with Music (with Adult choir resuming on September 9)
5:00 p.m. Evening Worship
The clergy and the vestry have unanimously endorsed this new schedule after receiving substantial feedback during June and July through 89 written survey forms available at church and in the Cross Section newsletter, 2 discussion sessions at Morning Call, direct conversations with at least 5 parishioners, and e-mails from 4 other parishioners. We are grateful for the many suggestions and comments.
The 7:30 a.m. worship service will remain unchanged, and will be followed by the usual breakfast fellowship on the deck end of the great hall. Morning Call (our Sunday morning forum for adult formation and discussion) will begin at 9:00 a.m. on the historic church end of the great hall, with simple refreshments available as provided by hosting parishioners. Also starting at 9:00 a.m., Sunday school will be available throughout the school year on the lower level of the new building. By holding Christian formation for all ages during a consistent period of time each Sunday, we can offer students and teachers in Sunday school and adults at Morning Call a more predictable timeframe for their spiritual growth. The 10:00 a.m. Eucharist will feature music from our adult choir and occasionally from our Aquia Choristers choir for children. The 10:00 a.m. Eucharist will follow Rite Two more often than not, with Rite One included during some of the year, and this worship service will be followed on occasion by a fellowship lunch. The evening worship service will begin one hour earlier than usual (5:00 p.m. instead of the current 6:00 p.m.) for several reasons, such as enabling us to offer choral evensong periodically, helping worshipers get out sooner, and letting us offer occasional dinners and special events after worship. The evening Eucharist will continue to use both Rite One and Rite Two.
We hope that this new schedule will still offer members and visitors several options for weekly worship, will encourage more interaction on Sundays among our parishioners (who are currently scattered across four worship services), and will promote greater attendance at all of our Sunday gatherings. Perhaps above all, we hope that this new schedule will increase our sense of togetherness and community by drawing us closer together in unity through worship, formation, and fellowship for serving here and hereafter in the kingdom of God. While this new schedule undoubtedly will not suit everyone’s personal preferences, we genuinely believe that it will help address a number of concerns and create some new opportunities for everyone. The new schedule begins at the start of August, so that the transition can take place before fall arrives.
Have to Miss a Sunday?
When you have to miss a Sunday during the summer or anytime of year, you can still keep up with what is happening at Aquia Church through our Website (www.AquiaChurch.org). Audio recordings of most Sunday sermons are posted there, as are weekly bulletin announcements and other news. Stay informed and spiritually nourished even when illness or travel prevent your attendance at church.
Nursery Summer Schedule
Our Noah's Ark Nursery will provide nursery care for children ages 3 and under for the 9 am service only for the month of July. The nursery will remain available to parents during all services for feeding & changing.
Morning Call: Throughout July, the clergy will continue a short-term summer series about preaching: what is involved in preparing and delivering sermons, what is helpful for listening to sermons and hearing the message, what kind of replies the clergy find especially valuable, and what the congregation can do to offer suggestions and constructive criticism to the preachers. There will also be opportunities available for you to provide written feedback and comments on our clergy's sermons, whether or not you attend Morning Call. Offered most Sundays of the year, Morning Call is our Sunday morning forum for adult formation and discussion, starting around 10:20am in the great hall.
Wednesday Bible Studies: On this Wednesday, July 25, Father Rickenbaker will conclude his Wednesday morning Bible study series on St. Paul's letter to the Galatians. Also on Wednesday, Father Morris will continue a new six-week evening Bible study series about the Holy Trinity. Among the topics to be explored in this new series: how the early Christians came to understand that Jesus was God on earth and that the Holy Spirit was fully divine as well, why we can refer to God as Father, what difference there is (if any) between Jesus Christ and God the Son, how the early Christians' experience of God prompted them to re-read the Old Testament in fresh ways, and why Christians believe in the Holy Trinity when the phrase "the Trinity" never even appears in Scripture. In other words, this short-term series will help explain who God is, as the early Christians experienced and understood God for themselves as reported in the Bible and as we accordingly experience and understand God. Each week's discussion will be largely self-contained, so that you can miss an evening or two for summer opportunities as needed. The morning series meets 10:30am—12noon and the evening series meets 7:00—8:30pm, both in the downstairs conference room. For the evening series, consider joining the meal served at Aquia's Table in the great hall starting at 6pm before the Bible study begins at 7pm.
Movie Under the Stars and Camp Out - Friday, July 27th: There will be a movie shown at dusk, Fellowship will provide hot dogs, popcorn, soft drinks and s’mores. There will be some games set up like a ring toss and lawn darts. Everyone that wants to spend the night will need to bring their own tent, sleeping bag and such. If anyone wants to bring a dish to share, that will be fine, but not required. For more information contact Michael Golas at mb_golas@yahoo.com. Dinner at 7pm - first movie starts at 8:45pm - double feature - The Emoji Movie and Paul, Apostle of Christ.
Back to School Supplies: Back To School supplies are on sale in local stores. When you are shopping for school items, consider picking up "extras" for our less fortunate children. No glue sticks or crayons, please! Collection for supplies will begin after August 3-5, which are Tax Exempt Days. Due date is August 26th giving Stafford Social Services time to allocate our items to families in need. Place your donations on the picnic table or back pew beginning August 5th. The Outreach Ministry thanks you for your generosity.
All You Can Eat Crab Feast: Saturday, August 25th - 4pm - 7pm - Live Bluegrass “Reckless Brigade Bluegrass” - Adults = $35.00 - Ages 6 - 16 = $10.00 All you can eat crabs, steamed shrimp, fried cod, corn on the cob, coleslaw and hushpuppies. Lemonade, iced tea will be provided, BYOC (bring your own cooler or BYOB). Come to a great fun filled event, enjoy great music, great food and enjoy fellowship with your family and friends. Tickets go on sale Sunday, July 22nd.
Second Quarter Statements: Help us save postage. Please pick up your quarterly statement. The Second Quarter Statement will be on the table at the back of the church through July 22nd.
Historic Church Renovation: The repair and repainting work on our historic church building's interior has now been completed, and our contractor (Habalis Construction of Fredericksburg) has taken very good care of our church. Your patience throughout this project is deeply appreciated.
Fall Fest 2018 Auction Action: As you may have read in the newsletter, the Fall Fest Auction list is starting to grow! To date, from our parishioners alone, we have received these offerings for your bidding:
- Potomac Point Winery: food and wine basket PLUS dinner for four in the Wine Library Room at the winery (a $500 value) offered by Cindi and Skip Causey
- Mouth-watering Pies: a pie a month for 4 months baked by Pat Moncure, famous pastry chef oThe Happy Clam
- Best of Britain Basket offered by Jean and Don Bittner
- Made in Virginia Basket offered by Jean and Michael Golas and Briget and Tom Kane
- Redskins Football Tickets: two tickets to the Redskins vs. Atlanta Falcons on November 4 offered by Marion Wall
- Virginia Cavalier Football Tickets: 4 tickets to the University of Virginia vs Liberty University on November 10 in Charlottesville offered by Marion Wall
- A Scrumptious Dinner Party for 8 Guests prepared and served at his home offered by Father Jay Morris
- Guided Fishing Trip offered by Bill Hoffman, owner of Aquia Fishing Guide Service an awesome eight-hour fishing trip on the Potomac River in his boat. Bill’s motto is: “No Fish Left Behind”
- Delicious Roasted Pork Butt — hand rubbed by Jean Golas
The Auction Team has also been busy soliciting local merchants. We will keep you up-dated on our progress each week. We have a long way to go to complete this auction! Please let the Auction Team know if you have a gift to offer or any suggestions. The team includes Becky Monger, Brenda Monger, Debbie Smith, our award-winning auctioneer Shields Jones and Mary Jane Cole (maryjane@cfsw.biz).
