The Weekly Net
December 4, 2020
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From our Priest-in-Charge
Dear Friends in Christ,
We look forward to the celebration of Christ’s birth and prepare for Jesus’ second coming. In this already and not yet realized Kingdom, we find ourselves in the middle, waiting. This particular season brings its usual Andy Williams, joy-filled celebrations and it also brings grief. We may or may not consider ourselves “ready,” for Christ to be here, but sometimes we call out as our Psalmist did this past week:
Restore us O God of hosts, show us the light of your countenance – Psalm 80
How we desire for God to break into our lives, here and now. Yes, Christ will come again, but let us not forget that we celebrate God’s inbreaking into our very lives today. Our passage from Mark 13 pointed to examples in Scripture, when God intervened and broke into our world. God became human in the person of Jesus Christ and God continually breaks into our world through the power of the Spirit. Here, now, today.
How can we invite the inbreaking of the Spirit into our lives? This Advent, continue to search for ways to invite God to break into your lives in new ways. It can begin by calling out as our Psalmist has. Perhaps set aside 5 minutes at the end of each day to read over the parish prayer list. It may be following #AdventWord on social media. It could be opening the Book of Common Prayer and praying Daily Devotions for Individuals and Families (pg. 136) or online at bcponline.org under Daily Office. These are all small, practical ways to call out and invite God to break into your life. In so doing, we recognize we are accepting that invitation.
One of the most potent ways of witnessing the Spirit in our lives is in our relationships. Cherish them and continue to reach out to friends, family, and perhaps those you have not heard from in a while. In worship, we all come together, One Together, and the Spirit is palpable in those moments. In our worship this week, lift up prayer and feel the presence of this beloved community. Christ is in those moments and we find the light of Christ break through darkness. We wait, but we do not wait alone.
I look forward to seeing and worshiping with you this week.
Faithfully yours,
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The Reverend William L. Packard
(571) 449-7438
For pastoral emergencies, please call (571) 336-6509
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Online Worship & Gatherings for the Week |
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Saturday, December 5th
Sunday, December 6th
@ 9:00 a.m. – Bible Study (Mtg: 142 074 0872 | pwd: CMrCxTkf488)
@ 11:00 a.m. – Coffee Hour (Mtg: 847 0278 7729 | pwd: 437719)
Weekday Mornings
Wednesday, December 9th
@ 10:30 a.m. – Bible Study (Mtg ID: 884 0844 2173 | password: 313159)
Note: When joining any of our Zoom meetings, please make sure your name is displayed.
2nd Note: If any of the service links above don't work, check our website for updated links.
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Weekend Onsite Events
Your one stop shop for everything happening at St. Andrew’s this weekend. Click here for a step-by-step guide if you need help signing up. Links for these events are also available on our website.
Sunday, December 6th
- Outdoor Service @ 10:00 a.m.
- Sunday School (Pre-K-8th Grade) @ 11:00 a.m. (no sign up required)
- Confirmation Class (9th-12th Grade) @ 11:00 a.m. (no sign up required)
- If weather prevents us from meeting this weekend, Zoom links will be provided in the Sunday Service Links email for all Sunday School classes.
Guidelines you must follow to participate with onsite events:
- Everyone two years and older must wear a mask
- Keep 6ft apart from people not in your family group at all times
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If you are feeling sick, or have any COVID-19 symptoms, stay home
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If you are in an at risk group, strongly consider staying home
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Christmas Schedule
Christmas Eve, Thursday, December 24th:
Christmas Day, Friday, December 25th:
- Online Christmas worship @ 10:30 a.m.
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Cedar Café Closing
Cedar Café in Burke (across from St. Andrew’s) has been a staple in our community for over 20 years. They have been extremely generous to the homeless in Fairfax and have been a “go to” lunch and dinner spot for so many of our parishioners. We found out their doors will be closing on Christmas Eve. Please do what you can to order from Cedar Café during the month of December, and let them know we have them in our prayers and appreciate all of the wonderful things they have done for us and our community. Your support will be very much appreciated.
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Stewardship Ingathering Continues
Thanks to everyone who has already turned in their 2021 pledge. We are at 91% of our goal! For those who haven’t pledged yet, we invite you to do so via one of these options:
- Mail in your pledge using the pre-stamped envelope that was sent with your pledge packet
- Drop off your pledge in our mailbox, located at the driveway entrance
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Or pledge online by clicking on the “Giving” tab on our website, or by clicking here to go there directly.
We ask for your prayerful discernment with regard to your Annual Pledge, even in these stressful times, and for you to be there for us, others, and God in a time where it is needed most. We continue to serve the Lord, and our manifold missions…One Together.
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Meet Father Will!
Father Will would like to meet with each and every one of our parishioners. Now that the weather is colder, meetings will be via Zoom only.
A Sign-Up Genius has been created, so pick a time that works best for you/your family and sign up here to schedule a meeting.
We hope you take advantage of this time to meet our new Priest-in-Charge.
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Nov. 29th - What are those tender moments in our lives that remind us of Christ's presence? In this Advent season, let's look for God breaking into our lives in such moments as these.
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Nov. 30th - What does it take to deliver the Good News in the world? On our Advent journey, let's look at how Christ's love is delivered in our lives and in our community.
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Dec. 1st - In a Christian covenant community, we strengthen our relationship with Christ with each other. How is our community able to strengthen your relationships this Advent?
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Dec. 2nd - We are formed of the earth and called to tend to it.
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Dec. 3rd - With the faith of a mustard seed, anything is possible to rebuild!
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Dec. 4th - Fellowship is a hallmark of St. Andrew's!
Go Nats!
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Online Giving
During these unprecedented times, we are called into community in unprecedented ways. Your financial gifts to St. Andrew’s are of vital importance to support our ongoing ministries and our outreach to the most vulnerable among us. Please continue to offer your faithful gifts by:
- Mailing your check to our church office (6509 Sydenstricker Rd, Burke VA 22015)
- Hand delivering cash or checks to the church mailbox (cash or check should be sealed in an envelope marked with your name)
- Using your bank’s online bill-pay feature
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Using St. Andrew’s online giving feature. You will be asked to provide your email address, an amount, date of gift, whether it is one-time or recurring, and a fund. In the fund box, you can click the arrow at the right-hand side to see the drop-down menu (the current options are Pledge and Plate Offering). The next page will give you the option of paying via your bank or debit/credit card. Please note that St. Andrew’s will pay fees on these transactions and you will be asked if you would like to increase your donation to offset these fees.
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Prayer List
Please keep these members of our community in your prayers:
Tina Boyd, the Camp Family, John and Janet Carver, Carol Cobb, Chris Conrad, Gloria Covington, Theresa DelConte, Larry Dickerson, Dale Dickey, Katie Durso, Eddie Fortune, Lori Hardin, Bill Hartig, Susan Henderson, Donna and Kent Hoover, Linda and Ed Hunter, Jack & Janet Keyser, Nancy Knight, Chely Lopez, Ryan Martel, Gunnar and Heike Mayer, Regina McCombs, Mary J. Moses, David Nies, Pam, Andrew Parthum, Philippa Pearce, Terry Peel, Charles Petty, Kate Schneider, Lloyd Sterling, Douglas Taggart, and Susan White
Those Departed
Emily Miller (niece of Sandy Mansfield)
Jeannette Crutchfield (former parishioner)
Louisa McAllister (friend of Deborah England)
Dick Blair (friend of Bob Gleason)
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emily@standrews.net | www.standrews.net
(703) 455-2500
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