“Unsure of where I am and unsure of what to do next.” 

“It is not a mistake to get lost.” What?! Jennifer Pharr Davis reminded us of this on Sunday. Getting lost “is a natural, inherent, unavoidable part of any longer journey…if you do anything for long enough, at some point you take a wrong turn…at some point you end up not where you want to be…that is not a mistake, that is guaranteed.” 

As we Embrace the Wilderness, we remember that getting lost on any journey, including our journey of faith is not a mistake and it is guaranteed. It is in the wilderness when we may remember on whom we rely and to whom we belong. As we navigate the many gifts of resources in our lives from food and water to Scripture and faith, we are able to find where we are. 

The path of discipleship is not easy, especially as we approach or are thrown into the wilderness. Jennifer Pharr Davis asks us to “have a routine and know (our) resources,” which helps us get back on the right path. What are those routines of faith on which we may rely? 

What are some routines of faith and who might you lean on in times when you are lost? Is Sunday worship a routine of faith, reading Scripture, or prayer? 

Hang onto the words of our preacher this past week as we continue to Embrace the Wilderness. 

Faithfully yours, 

Saturday, March 9th

@ 6:00 p.m. – Holy Eucharist: Rite II

Sunday, March 10th

@ 8:00 a.m. - Holy Eucharist: Rite I

@ 9:00 a.m. - Bible Study

@ 9:00 a.m. - Newcomer Café

@ 10:00 a.m. - Holy Eucharist: Rite II

@ 11:30 a.m. - Sunday School

@ 11:30 a.m. - Embrace the Wilderness: End of Life Care & Planning

Wednesday, March 13th

@ 9:30 a.m. - Holy Eucharist: Rite II

@ 10:30 a.m. - Bible Study

Links to our online services and Bible Studies are available on our website.

Opening - Kind maker of the world, O hear (Hymn 152)

Sequence - When Christ was lifted from the earth (Hymn 603)

Offertory Anthem - God so loved the world (Sir John Stainer, 1840-1901)

Communion - The great Creator of the worlds (Hymn 489)

Communion - O love of God, how strong and true (Hymn 455)

Closing - God is Love, let heaven adore him (Hymn 379)

Please join us for some multi-generational fellowship and refreshments immediately following the 10:00 a.m. service each Sunday! There will be time to enjoy conversation, a cup of coffee, and a snack before Sunday School and Adult Formation begin.

Fellowship will provide coffee, tea, and cold beverages; we need volunteers to provide the snacks (for children and adults). You can use this link to sign up: http://tiny.cc/h4apwz

Also, we are always looking for more coffee hosts - if you think you might enjoy being a part of our coffee ministry, contact Lori Foster.

All newcomers (and parishioners who would like to meet our newcomers) are invited to a get-together this Sunday, March 10th, at 9:00 a.m. in the Parish Hall. We will have coffee and refreshments and some Vestry members you can chat with. Come enjoy a treat, meet some parishioners, and learn a little about our family here at St. Andrew’s.

Join us on Sunday, March 10th as we welcome the Rev. Dr. Christine E. Reimers as our guest preacher and Adult Forum speaker. Christine is a clergyperson ordained in the Presbyterian tradition (PCUSA). She is an Interfaith Hospice Chaplain for Capital Caring Health. Christine began hospice chaplaincy in Oregon before returning to the N VA area nine years ago. She has also served as a hospital chaplain, pastoral counselor, seminary administrator, and adjunct seminary faculty member in pastoral counseling over the last 33 years.

The common thread, across many contexts of ministry, is a sense of calling to be present with persons in major life transitions, supporting them in their faith in difficult times seeking to "love one another as God has first loved us.'

Christine grew up in the N. VA area, attended Robinson HS, the University of Virginia, and Claremont School of Theology, receiving an MDiv., MA, and Ph.D. in Pastoral Care and Counseling.

From March 10th to April 8th, Peace Islamic Center will be using the Parish Hall in the evenings for prayers during Ramadan. Set up will begin at 7:30 p.m. with their prayers starting around 8:30 p.m. Please keep this in mind if you are here for an evening meeting or event.

Starting this Sunday, March 10th, we will be implementing a sign-in/sign-out policy for our Sunday School classes. Parents will need to drop off their children and sign them into class, as well as pick them up and sign them out once the bell rings. Children will not be allowed to leave without a parent/guardian present.

This year we have modified our Vestry Commissions slightly. We have separated Welcome from Worship and created a new commission of Safety & Security. Click here to read a summary of our commissions and what their responsiblities are.

We are preparing for our Easter Egg Hunt, set to take place on Easter Sunday between our 9:00 and 11:15 a.m. service (10:30ish)! If you would like to help, please donate individually wrapped candy (no nuts or peanut butter) and/or small toys that can fit inside plastic Easter eggs. There is a box across from the church office where you can drop off your donations.

You can also help by volunteering to stuff eggs on Thursday, March 28th, at 10:00 a.m. Go here (http://tiny.cc/egghunt24) to sign up to stuff eggs, hide eggs, or donate candy/toys.

We are looking at updating and/or changing our church website. If you have experience in this area and would like to be considered to give of your time and talent, please email Emily.

Our last guest for our Embrace the Wilderness series this Lent is VTS professor, Stephen L. Cook, PhD, who will preach at our services on Sunday, March 17th, and speak during Formation Hour.

Stephen is the Catherine N. McBurney Professor of Old Testament Language and Literature. He joined the Virginia Theological Seminary faculty in 1996. His areas of expertise include Hebrew, Aramaic, Ugaritic, Ezekiel, Deuteronomy, Prophetic and Apocalyptic Scripture, Social Setting of Scripture, and education technology.

Prior to joining the VTS faculty, Stephen served on the faculty of Union Theological Seminary at Columbia University in New York City for four years. He did his doctoral training in Old Testament at Yale University after completing an M.Div. degree at Yale’s Divinity School, where he also served as an instructor and fellow. His undergraduate work was at Trinity College, Connecticut, where he graduated with honors as a religion major in 1984.

Join us on Sunday, March 17th, from 3:30-5:00 p.m. in the Parish Hall for our next young family fellowship time! We will have snacks and a variety of toys for the kids to play with while parents socialize and connect. Older children are also welcome, but we have scheduled the event to give younger children a chance to nap after church. Don't miss out on this opportunity to meet other families and grow our community!

The Easter Flower envelopes are now available on the bulletin board next to the Church Office. Please fill out your envelope and return it, with your donation ($25 requested), to Emily’s desk (look for the ducks) in the office by Sunday, March 24th. Flowers will be available for pick up after the 10:00 a.m. service on Sunday, April 7th.

Our 2024 Workcamp will take place from June 15th to 22nd in Frederick, MD. We have spots for 10 youth. Contact Stacey or Carl for more information or if you have questions.

Our 2024 Vacation Bible School will take place from July 29th to August 2nd. We are in need of volunteers to lead the program this year, so if you are able to step up and help out, please contact Amy.

Our Pre-K and Nursery classes, which watch our youngest members from 10:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. on Sundays, need helpers for each classroom. Each class has a paid staff member, but for the safety of everyone, we need at least one helper with them throughout the morning.

Our Nursery needs an adult helper each week, and our Pre-K class needs an adult or teen helper each week. Teen volunteers (14+) can earn service hours for their work.

Sign up here to volunteer: http://tiny.cc/babywatch-win24.

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
• 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.

emily@standrews.net | www.standrews.net

(703) 455-2500