The Twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost
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The Feast of All Saints
O Lord, support us all the day long of this troublous life, until the shadows lengthen, and the evening comes, and the busy world is hushed, and the fever of life is over, and our work is done. Then, Lord, in thy mercy, grant us a safe lodging, a holy rest, and peace at the last. (BCP p. 833)
These words, written by John Henry Newman, once Anglican priest and then Roman Catholic cardinal, are some of the dearest words in the prayer book. Though they are intended as a collect for the evening, I have prayed them countless times as I sat vigil, sometimes alone and sometimes with family members, by the bedside of a parishioner as she or he waited for death. And as our days shorten and shadows lengthen during these beautiful days of autumn, Cardinal Newman’s prayer comes to mind again, especially as we near All Saints’ Day and the annual commemoration of those who have run the race before us.
For some, the death of a loved one is recent and painful, for others it may be more seasoned, but the memory of those we have loved is poignant and close, no matter the time frame. I pray, as this great feast of the Church approaches, that you remember those now a part of the great cloud of witnesses, as St. Paul reminds us, and that you a join us at The Falls Church at 6:00 on All Saints’ Day, amidst our own cloud of witnesses in the churchyard, as we celebrate the souls now in the hands of God, especially those whom we have lost in the past year.
May you know, this All Saints’ Day and throughout the year, the powerful presence of the saints in light, those both known by us and those known only to God, and rejoice in those who have received the crown of glory that never fades away.
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The 9:00 a.m. service premieres on YouTube at 8:55 a.m. and remains available afterwards. If you are worshiping virtually, you may follow along with the service bulletin. See the Week-at-a-Glance below for the complete Sunday schedule.
Adult Forum
On Sunday, October 24, we welcome special guest Stephanie Higgins, Minister for Diocesan Development and Congregational Stewardship with the Diocese of Virginia. Stephanie will discuss with us the theology of generosity and how stewardship is connected to your relationship with God.
Join us from 10:20-11:00 a.m. in person or online.
All persons, regardless of vaccination status, must wear masks indoors.
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Youth are meeting outoors. Here's the current Sunday schedule:
Youth Forum: 10:20-11:00 a.m. (Acorn Island)
High School Youth Group: 1:00-2:00 p.m. (South Lawn)
Middle School Youth Group: 6:30-7:30 p.m. (South Lawn)
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It's Fall Weather! Please don't forget to encourage your children to bring their fall coats and fall mittens. We will be working to keep our tents nice and warm for the children but we encourage everyone to dress warmly. Thank You!
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To watch this service livestreamed, click here. To follow the service with a bulletin, click here.
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2022 Annual Giving Campaign
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Click the Regathering Rebuiliding Reigniting graphic
for a video about the campaign.
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Dear Friends of The Falls Church,
Mark your calendars for our Celebration of Giving Sunday on November 21! We will celebrate our stewardship by packing more than nine tons of food together outdoors for our neighbors in need through the Arlington Food Assistance Center. Use our Sign-up Genius to volunteer.
If you have not already done so, now is the time to make your pledge for 2022! Making your pledge by November 21 allows your Vestry to plan for the year ahead and allows The Falls Church to fully live into its mission to be a welcoming community called to be an enduring beacon of faith, hope, and love to all.
Please prayerfully consider your pledge for 2022. You can pledge easily online through REALM (here) or by returning your pledge card at the Celebration of Giving on Sunday, November 21.
Faithfully,
Veronica Kannan, Stewardship Committee Chair
Erin Cline, Stewardship Warden
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TFCE Week-at-a-Glance
For activities October 24-31, click here
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Please use the Prayer List in your prayers for each other and the world.
Praying for each other and the needs of the world is a powerful way to love our neighbors as ourselves! THIS WEEK’S PRAYER LIST
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Update on Organ Repair
Thanks to all who have given so generously towards the Steiner-Reck's repair so far! And if you haven’t yet – there’s no time like the present. We are more than halfway to our goal, at approximately $38,000, which includes the $10,000 match from an anonymous donor. The parts for the circuit board are on order from overseas, and due to delays in the supply chain that are commonplace these days, have not yet been shipped to our organ builders. Upon arrival in the coming weeks, they will be assembled and then the installation will take place, along with other long-standing repairs (including in the pedal division). It is our hope and plan to have the organ up and running in time to celebrate All Saints’ Sunday, November 7. If you have any further questions, don’t hesitate to contact me at [email protected].
Julie Huang Tucker, Music Director
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Please drop off food donations at the handicap access driveway on Washington Street (not the upper parking lot). Want to volunteer?
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Make sandwiches for those in need
Make sandwiches or bag lunches for drop-off at the Bailey's Crossroads Shelter or New Hope Housing's Eleanor Kennedy Shelter near Ft. Belvoir. Contact Bianca Clark via email for more information.
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The Little Free Food Pantry
On Fairfax Street near the church’s Thrift Shop is a small “take some food, leave some food” pantry (like the “little libraries” where people can take or leave a book). We are definitely seeing people use that pantry to supplement their groceries, and you can drop off non-perishable food items there at any time.
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Please mail your check to:
115 E. Fairfax Street
Falls Church, VA 22046
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Donate safely and securely through our website.
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Text “TFCE” and the amount to 73256.
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If you have questions about Realm or eGiving, please reach out to
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Are you shopping more online these days? If you’re buying more items from Amazon, please consider adding The Falls Church Episcopal to your AmazonSmile account. With every purchase you make, the church earns a small percentage. Simply click here to
add us to your account!
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