News from Church of the Holy Comforter

Church of the Holy Comforter eNews | March 29, 2024

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Submit contributions HERE by noon Monday

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The Church Office will be closed April 1–5. During that time, please use the pastoral care line (703-216-1864) should you need emergency clergy support—this number is also on the outgoing message on our Church Office voicemail when there is no one available to answer the phone.

NOTE: There will be no Saturday Church, Children's Chapel, or Sunday School this weekend!

Give Online

Or Give by texting to 73256 then type CHCGIVING (ALL CAPITALS, NO SPACES)

FRIDAY, MARCH 29 (Good Friday) Learn more.

12:10 p.m. The Way of the Cross

The Stations of the Cross will include musical responses, projected imagery, and readings. (livestreamed on Facebook and YouTube)

7:30 p.m. Liturgy of Good Friday

Good Friday is a day of intense sorrow, but of sorrow that holds tightly to Christian hope. (livestreamed on Facebook and YouTube)

12:10 p.m. Service Bulletin

7:30 p.m. Service Bulletin

SUNDAY, MARCH 31 (Easter Sunday) Learn more.

6:30 a.m. Sunrise Service

Join us on the outdoor Labyrinth for the lighting of the primeval fire and the paschal candle and the celebration of the Eucharist. Please bring blankets or lawn chairs to set up where desired.

9 a.m. Holy Eucharist (Easter Bells, Brass Quintet)

(livestreamed on Facebook and YouTube)

10:30 a.m. Easter Egg Hunt

11:15 a.m. Holy Eucharist (Easter Bells, Brass Quintet) (with incense)

9 a.m. Service Bulletin

Prayer List

YOUTH MINISTRY BAKE SALE THIS SUNDAY: 9 A.M.–NOON - The youth will be hosting this Easter bake sale. Please bake your favorite recipe and drop off before 9 a.m. that day or leave in the Ministry Center refrigerator. Proceeds go to support Holy Comforter’s Youth Mission Trip to Puerto this summer. Sign up HERE to donate a baked item.

EASTER EGG HUNT - We will welcome the risen Jesus with bells, joyful song, and the dove kite! Meet us between services (at about 10:30) for our traditional Easter Egg Hunt. No Sunday School or Children's Chapel on Easter Sunday.

Acolytes support the clergy in a variety of tasks during worship. Youth in grades 7th through 12th are invited to serve in the Acolyte Ministry. Learn more.

Choristers is open to boys and girls in 2nd through 12th grade. No previous musical experience is required but good reading skills are helpful. Learn more. Or contact Dr. Kelley.

Coffee Hour Hosts can be ministries, families, or individuals! This is a great opportunity for ministries to highlight what they do and distribute information about upcoming events. Please sign up online HERE.

Eucharistic Visitors (EVs) bring Holy Communion to home-bound parishioners twice per month on Sundays. Interested? Please contact the Rev. Jackie Thomson.

Greeters welcome members of the congregation and visitors as they arrive for the service, introduce newcomers to members of the congregation, and provide support as needed. Please sign up online HERE.

Ushers distribute service bulletins, count attendance, pass the collection plates, bring the collection plates and elements forward, assist with communion, and tidy the pews. Please sign up online HERE.

SAVE THE DATE AND RSVP FOR DINNER

2nd Saturday Church & Dinner

Saturday, April 20; 5 p.m.

2nd Saturday Church is intergenerational, inclusive, and family-friendly. At April's service we'll celebrate the joy of the Easter season on the THIRD Saturday—April 20. Please RSVP HERE for dinner afterwards. If you have questions or would like to help with music or worship planning, please contact Susan McGuire.

RESERVE BY APRIL 1

Youth Beach Trip June 7–9

Calling all youth grades 7–12! Sign up for a fun weekend at Rehoboth Beach! Leave Friday, June 7 at 4 p.m. Return Sunday, June 9 at 2:30 p.m. Cost is $75. To reserve, pay by April 1. We are limited to 10 youth on a first come basis. Friends are welcome if space is available after April 1. Pay online HERE (select “Youth Beach Trip” in the Fund dropdown menu.

BOOK GRANTS FOR GRADUATING HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS - Graduating high school seniors who have been active in church activities and plan to attend a course of higher education are invited to complete the application for a grant to purchase textbooks. Download the application form HERE. Email the completed form to Kip Brailey or drop off at the Church Office. The due date is April 24.

CHRISTIAN SUMMER CAMP GRANTS FOR CHURCH YOUTH - ECW (Episcopal Church Women) is offering grants to parish youth to encourage their participation in a Christian camp this summer. One grant per child is available for attendance at Shrine Mont Summer Camp or another Christian camp. Grant amounts will be determined in May based on the number of applicants and the total grant funds available, and are limited to a maximum of $150 per child. Download the application form HERE. All applications are due by April 28. Questions? Please contact Lauren Bain.

PENNYWISE Thrift Shop

at 214 Dominion Road, NE, Vienna, VA

Pennywise will be closed on Good Friday and Easter Sunday. We will be open regular shop hours this Saturday (10 a.m.–4 p.m.) and the normal Pennywise schedule will resume on Tuesday, April 2.

From all of us at Pennywise, "May your heart be filled with joy, happiness, and peace this blessed season and always."

REGISTER FOR SAMARITAN MINISTRY'S NEXT STEP BREAKFAST! Join us at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. on Saturday, April 6, 9–10:30 a.m. Register HERE. When registering, please indicate that you are with Holy Comforter and Lisa Curtis is your table captain.

ALL WOMEN WELCOME! RSVP BY APRIL 1

ECW Spring Luncheon

Sunday, April 7; 1–3 p.m.; Ministry Center

Lunch will be followed by a tasting of chocolates paired with wines and non-alcoholic beverages. Learn more.

BUY TICKETS TODAY

Voce Chamber Singers Concert

Saturday, April 6 at 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, April 7 at 4 p.m.

Celebrate Voce’s 35th anniversary season with the heart-pounding beauty of choral music! Learn more.

FOR COUPLES

The Seven Principles of Making Marriage Work

April 8; May 6; June 3; 8:30–9:30 p.m.; Zoom

Join our Rector, the Rev. Jon Strand, for conversation and exploration. Learn more.

Mamma Mia…Here We Go Again!

Friday, April 12; 7–10 p.m.

Holy Comforter Episcopal Preschool and Kindergarten is hosting its annual Auction Dinner. Tickets go on sale Sunday, April 7. Learn more.

Youth-Led Service

Sunday, April 14; 9:30 a.m.

(with sermon by Erin-Grace McGuire)

At the 9:30 service, our youth will serve as worship service leaders, select music, and for the first time, present the gospel in drama form.

FREE CONCERT

Holy Comforter Concert Series: The Vivaldi Project

Sunday, April 14; 4 p.m.

The Vivaldi Project is a period-instrument ensemble that has been praised for its brilliant and expressive playing. Learn more.

DISCOVERY, EXPLORATION, AND FUN!

Celebrate Earth Sunday at Holy Comforter

Sunday, April 21; 10:30 a.m.–Noon

Discover something for all ages including Bird Identification Walk, Electronics Recycling, Plant Based Food, Sneaker Recycling, and more! Learn more.

REGISTRATION EXTENDED TO APRIL 7

Annual ECW Women's Retreat

April 26–28 at Shrine Mont

Learn more.

REGISTRATION OPEN

Father and Son Weekend in Nature

April 27–28 in Rolling Ridge, WV

Learn more.

REGISTRATION OPEN

Annual Men's Retreat

May 3–5 at Shrine Mont

Learn more.

REGISTRATION OPEN

Hogwarts Vacation Bible School (VBS)

June 24 - June 28; 11 a.m.–2 p.m.

Learn more.

JOIN THE MONTHLY FACETS OUTREACH! The FACETS Team continues to need cooking and delivery volunteers (youth and adults). The time commitment is once per month for about 1.5 hours. We will be cooking and delivering the next meal this Sunday, April 14. Contact Laura Gori or sign up HERE.

VESTRY PERSON OF THE MONTH (VPOM) For March 2024, the VPOM is Kerry Gilpin. Learn more about Kerry at the Holy Comforter website, which also includes the minutes from the monthly Vestry meetings, the Vestry Corner, and other Vestry communications. If you have comments, questions, or are in the need of pastoral care, please reach out this month’s VPOM.

MINISTRY LEADERS: A whiteboard with magnets is now available in the Narthex for you to post announcements. Please use the board rather than posting on the walls or columns in the Narthex.