Due to the coronavirus pandemic, regular in-person worship remains canceled until further notice. Drive-in and Lawn services are planned and plans regarding the safe return to in-person worship are being developed.
Please continue your mitigation efforts as the coronavirus Delta variant has gained a foothold and infection rates have risen dramatically in the last few weeks, as it has become the dominant strain in new infections and appears to be about 200% more transmissible than the original strains. This trend is expected to continue, particularly among those not yet fully vaccinated, and over 95% of new COVID cases requiring hospitalization are unvaccinated individuals. Overall, daily new coronavirus cases are up around 65% in the last week, and hospitalizations are up around 25%.
Primarily due to the spread of the Delta variant, the CDC issued updated guidance on 7/27 recommending masks be worn by all individuals in indoor public spaces for higher risk areas (“Substantial” or “High”). Prince William and Fairfax counties are currently at the “Moderate” level while Stafford and Spotsylvania counties are at “Substantial” level.
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A devotion for today
That’s Why God – The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir
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Worship Services (weather permitting – inclement weather will move worship to online only):
– This Sunday, August 1st, 10am: Drive-In, Lawn, and Online (bring lawn chairs),
– Sunday, August 8th, 10am: Drive-In, Lawn, and Online (bring lawn chairs).
We have begun expanded outdoor worship. Those who wish to do so may bring lawn chairs for the area by the main parking lot under the trees (above the pavilion), and those who wish to remain in their cars may do so. Online worship via Facebook will also be available. Those with lawn chairs please park your car closer to the church or in the Flea Market parking area, to allow those who remain in their cars to park closer to the worship service area,
Planning is currently underway to safely return to in-person worship in the Sanctuary sometime in August. A lot of work must be done before that can happen, and a lot of health related rules must be followed. The current rise in new covid-19 infections may delay this process. Stay tuned for more info!
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Prayer Requests and Hospitality:
July Birthdays:
Roshier Bailey (7/02),
Linda Irby (7/15),
Edna Plancon (7/18),
Alexander Berry (7/25),
Bruce Magruder (7/26),
Mary Jewell (7/30)
July Anniversary:
Walter & Melanie Blair (7/4)
Continuing prayers and concerns for: Eunice Bonner, Deirdre Dorsey, Mary Jane and Harry Fizer, Kathy French, Kyle Keen, Marian Benson Ivy, Mary Jewell, Cheryl Petitt, Rev Gayle Porias, Mark Young
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Olympic Moment:
– The first organized Olympic games took place in Olympia, Greece in the 8th century BC and were held every 4 years for 12 centuries. They were discontinued in the 4th century AD and the modern Olympics were restarted in 1896,
– The Olympic Torch, as well as a backup torch, is lit in Hera, Greece to kick off the games using a parabolic mirror and the sun’s rays, and is transported to the Games’ host city by relay, where it is used to light the Olympic Cauldron. If the torch goes out during the games it can only be relit by the backup that was also lit in Greece,
– The five rings in the Olympic symbol represent the interlinked five regions of the world. The ring colors (blue, yellow, black, green, and red) were chosen because every country’s flag has at least one of those colors,
– The Winter Olympics were added in 1924,
– Today’s games last from 16-22 days. In 1908 the games lasted 188 days,
– The Modern Olympics have been canceled 3 times: 1916, 1940, and 1944 due to the World Wars,
– The Olympics have never been held in Africa or Antarctica,
– Since 1916, Olympic gold medals have been gold plated silver,
– The original Olympic motto: “Faster, Higher, Stronger.” Was amended in 2021 to: “Faster, Higher, Stronger – Together”.
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COVID-19:All of Virginia is now in Open Season vaccine eligibility. Every Virginian 12 and older is eligible for vaccination and pre-registration is no longer required.
Community Vaccination Center (CVC) offers Pfizer and Johnson and Johnson vaccines.
Clinic Hours: Monday through Saturday (8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.)
Location: 14041 Worth Ave., Woodbridge, VA 22192 (in the former Gander Mountain store)
- Pfizer vaccine (12 and older)
- Johnson and Johnson vaccine (18 and older)
- CVC offers some walk-ins, especially for those wanting the J&J vaccine
- For appointments, use this link: https://vase.vdh.virginia.gov/vdhapps/f?p=vasereg:vaccinationappointments
- After getting to the VASE website, enter “22192” for the zip code.
PWHD Manassas Mall clinic offers Moderna vaccine.
Clinic Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday (9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.) Thursday (1 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.) and Sunday (closed)
Location: 8300 Sudley Road, Manassas, VA 20109
- Moderna vaccine (18 and older)
- Limited walk-ins
- For appointments, use this link: https://vase.vdh.virginia.gov/vdhapps/f?p=vasereg:vaccinationappointments
Please visit the Virginia Department of Health System at Vaccinate Virginia, and see the Prince William County Vaccine Update Information page for the latest state and local vaccination information.
Prince William County offers free COVID-19 testing opportunities for people living or working in Prince William County.
For more information, please visit:
Prince William County COVID-19 Testing Site
Prince William County Coronavirus Site
Virginia Coronavirus Site
CDC Coronavirus Site
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ACTS (Action in Community Through Service) has many volunteer opportunities available. Please visit their website for more information.
Visit Volunteer Prince William for local volunteer opportunities.
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Spotlight Recipe: Slow Cooker Vegetarian Mac and Cheese
by CrockPot.com
Ingredients:
1 can (about 14 ounces) stewed tomatoes, undrained,
1 ½ cups prepared Alfredo sauce,
1 ½ cups (6 ounces) shredded mozzarella cheese, divided,
8 ounces whole grain pasta (medium shells or penne shape), cooked and drained,
7 ounces Italian-flavored vegetarian sausage links, 1/4-inch slices,
¾ cup fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced and divided,
½ cup vegetable broth,
½ teaspoon salt,
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions:
1. Coat inside of Crockpot™ slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray. Add tomatoes, Alfredo sauce, 1 cup mozzarella cheese, pasta, sausage, ½ cup basil, broth and salt to slow cooker; stir to blend. Top with remaining ½ cup mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese,
2. Cover; cook on LOW 3 1/2 hours or on HIGH 2 hours. Top with remaining 1/4 cup basil.
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Please consider these ways that you can support the church right now:
1) Support Cokesbury with Your Financial Gifts, Time, Talent, and Witness,
2) Share Information About Cokesbury,
3) Contact Someone from Cokesbury,
4) Share Your Ideas with The Pastor,
5) Pray. Pray. Pray.
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Reminders and Links:
Keep an eye on Cokesbury UMC’s Facebook page and website for periodic updates and items of interest.
– The worship message is streamed online every Sunday at 10am on Facebook. You can find previous worship messages there as well.
Cokesbury UMC Facebook Page
Cokesbury UMC Web Site
Common Lectionary Daily Readings
For Tithes and Offerings:
– Join us for Sunday Worship,
– Online via the Cokesbury web site,
– Via mail to Cokesbury UMC, 14806 Blackburn Road, Woodbridge, VA 22191,
– Via the mail slot next to the upstairs door at the church.
If you shop at Amazon, please use our AmazonSmile access link to direct a portion (0.5%) of the price of eligible sales to Cokesbury UMC (it will not change the prices you pay):
https://smile.amazon.com/ch/54-1255430
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Coral City Cam– Live underwater camera at an urban reef in Miami, FL, in place since 2019.
Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus – Sounds Like Reign
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God be with you til we meet again,
Eunice and Walter
Cokesbury UMC Church Council Co-Chairs
Volume 2.16 – 7/28/2021