Dear Friends in Christ, 

During this Lenten season, we remember the image of Jesus in the wilderness, being tempted by Satan and receiving ministration from angels. Jesus often went away to pray and spend time with God. We also acknowledge the number of times the disciples are alone with Jesus. One small lesson we may learn is that intentional time away may help each of us in our relationship with God as we seek to follow Jesus. 

The Vestry retreated this past weekend for an orientation, to engage in fellowship, and pray. You will see some of the new commission assignments below and we spent time looking at how we might more intentionally carry out our work as a Vestry with a larger church. We have returned, excited to engage and with a prayerful grounding in our mutual discipleship. 

How might you spend time “in the wilderness” or “away” for orientation, fellowship, and to pray? 

I look forward to seeing you all this Sunday when we all find sanctuary in the Sanctuary. 

Faithfully yours, 

We will have Morning Prayer this morning at 9:30 a.m. as Father Will is out of the office today. We will not meet for Bible Study. See you all next week!

Saturday, February 24th

@ 6:00 p.m. – Holy Eucharist: Rite II

Sunday, February 25th

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

@ 9:00 a.m. - Bible Study

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

@ 11:30 a.m. - Sunday School / Coffee Hour

@ 5:00 p.m. - Choral Evensong for the 2nd Sunday in Lent

Wednesday, February 28th

@ 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 - Take up your cross, the Savior said (Hymn 675)

Sequence - The Old Rugged Cross (LEVAS 38)

Offertory Anthem - O, for a closer walk with God (Scottish traditional tune, arr. John Kitchen (b. 1950)

Communion - My faith looks up to thee (Hymn 691)

Communion - Will you come and follow me (WLP 757) [insert]

Closing - How firm a foundation (Hymn 636)

Join us this Sunday, February 25th, at 5:00 p.m. in the Nave for our next Evensong service. The glorious evensong tradition returns along with the St. Andrew’s Choir, but this time with music that reminds us that there are many complex flavors to our church calendar and to our music history. Lent is not necessarily sad, but it is introspective; in a world when most evensongs are festal and loud, join us for a night to “read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest,” the choir leading us in prayer.

Join us for a Coffee Chat at West Springfield Panera on Thursday, February 22nd at 9:30 a.m. Come in from the cold and enjoy a hot beverage and warm conversation! See you there!

Calling all St. Andrew's bowlers! It's a combined Men's and Women's Fellowship event this Saturday, February 24th, from 7:00-9:00 p.m. at Burke Bowl America on Guinea Road. If you are interested in bowling, the cost will be $25/person and includes two games and shoes. RSVP by this Friday, February 23rd (we regret the late notice).

Our first speaker for our next Adult Forum series, Embrace the Wilderness, will be Jennifer Pharr Davis on Sunday, March 3rd.

Davis is a hiker, author, speaker, and National Geographic Adventurer of the Year who has covered over 13,000 miles of long-distance trails on six different continents. In 2011, Pharr Davis set the fastest known time on the Appalachian Trail completing it in 46 days, 11 hours, and 20 minutes. She has published nine books, including her seminal Appalachian Trail memoir Becoming Odyssa.

• Feb. 25th – Hypothermia Prevention 
• Mar. 3rd – Jennifer Pharr Davis
• Mar. 10th – End of Life Care and Planning (Capital Caring Hospice)
• Mar. 17th – Old Testament Themes of Wilderness – The Rev. Stephen Cook, Ph.D.
• Mar. 24th – Palm Sunday
• Mar. 31st – Easter Sunday

An additional resource mentioned in today's sermon is Treasure in the Wilderness: Desert Spirituality for Uncertain Times, by Andrew D. Mayes.

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.

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

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