Pentecost Fast
We are inviting everyone to participate in our corporate fast as we prepare ourselves for Pentecost Sunday and water baptisms (May 19) as much as you are willing and able. This will be a time in which we corporately and individually humble ourselves by abstaining from food to increase our focus on prayer for another outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
Although there are sometimes medical constraints, we are encouraging everyone to fast in one of the following ways:
COMPLETE FAST - water only.
PARTIAL (intermittent) FAST - fasting for a specific period of time each day (usually sun up to sundown).
DANIEL FAST - abstaining from meats, sweets, processed treats, and alcoholic drinks.
HOW TO PREPARE YOURSELF SPIRITUALLY AND PHYSICALLY FOR A FAST
By Bill Bright
SPIRITUAL PREPARATION
In preparation for this special time with God, I urge you to examine your heart through prayer, and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any unconfessed sin. Scripture records that God always requires His people to repent of their sins before He will hear their prayers. King David said:
“Come and listen, all you who fear God, and I will tell you what he did for me. For I cried out to him for help, praising him as I spoke. If I had not confessed the sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened. But God did listen! He paid attention to my prayer. Praise God, who did not ignore my prayer or withdraw his unfailing love from me.
(Psalm 66:16-20, New Living Translation)
In your prayers, confess not only the obvious sins that come to mind, but allow yourself to linger in His presence, giving Him time to show you the less obvious ones as well. You may want to ask God if you are experiencing any of these signs of leaving your first love: worldly-mindedness, self-centeredness, spiritual indifference, unwillingness to share your faith in Christ with others, not spending sufficient time in God's Word and in prayer, a poor relationship with your spouse, your children, your friends, or other members of your church community.
Another great way to prepare for your fast is to practice what I call “spiritual breathing.” The concept is simple, but it has changed my own life and that of countless others.
Like physical breathing, spiritual breathing is a process of exhaling the impure and inhaling the pure. If you knowingly sin, breathe spiritually to restore the fullness of God's Holy Spirit in your life. You exhale by confessing your sins when you become aware of them, and you inhale by inviting the Holy Spirit to re-take control of your life. As an act of faith, trust Him to empower you. During the fast, spiritual breathing-constant reliance on the Holy Spirit-will enable you to resist temptation, not only to sin but to abandon your fast.
PHYSICAL PREPARATION
Although fasting is primarily a spiritual discipline, it begins in the physical realm. You should not fast without specific physical preparation.
If you plan on fasting for several days, you will find it helpful to begin by eating smaller meals before you abstain altogether. Resist the urge to have that “last big feast” before the fast. Cutting down on your meals a few days before you begin the fast will signal your mind, stomach and appetite that less food is acceptable.
Some health professionals suggest eating only raw foods for two days before starting a fast. I also recommend weaning yourself off caffeine and sugar products to ease your initial hunger or discomfort at the early stages of your fast.
BAPTISM SERVICE
Water baptism is the outward expression of an internal conversion. It is the ceremonial act of joining with Jesus in His death and resurrection.
The sacrament of baptism is said to have two parts: The one an outward and sensible sign, used according to Christ’s appointment; the other an inward and spiritual grace thereby signified.
Register by May 5
Church Picnic
Rain or shine, stay for a church picnic immediately following Sunday service on May 19. Hang out, meet new people, explore the church grounds. (Gluten-free and vegetarian options will be available).
CEF 5 Day Club
Child Evangelism Fellowship 5-Day Club
5-Day Clubs are led by teens who are trained as summer missionaries to teach children about Jesus.
· This is a ministry of Child Evangelism Fellowship. The focus is on bringing children to know Jesus as Lord and Savior but the content is also geared towards helping saved children grow in their relationship with God.
· The 5-Day Clubs will be held July 8-12 starting at 10:30 and ending at 12:00.
· There is no cost to attend.
· Recommended age range is 5-12 due to the length of the program
· Reach out to Mary Beth Romani with any questions
· Please invite your friends and neighbors so they can learn about the saving love of Jesus!
VBS
Join us July 29-August 2 for a fun-filled week as we discover God’s rock solid truth in a world of shifting sands! Breaker Rock Beach VBS is open to children ages 3 (must be potty trained) - rising 6th graders.
Cost: $40/child
If you have any questions, please reach out to our children’s director, Melissa Lee, at melissa@wholeword.net.
[Workshop] Parents - Is Your Child Ready to be Baptized?
"How do I know if my child is saved?"
"Is there an age too young to be saved or baptized?"
"What about infant baptism and sprinkling?"
"How do I talk to my child about salvation?"
Parents, if you have any of these questions or wonder if your child is ready to be baptized, this workshop is for you!
This short workshop will help you learn more about salvation and baptism and how to talk to your child about these matters.
CHILD DEDICATIONS
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Luke 2:21 And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. 22 And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every male who first opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”) 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.”
Leviticus 12:6 “And when the days of her purifying are completed, whether for a son or for a daughter, she shall bring to the priest at the entrance of the tent of meeting a lamb a year old for a burnt offering, and a pigeon or a turtledove for a sin offering, 7 and he shall offer it before the Lord and make atonement for her. Then she shall be clean from the flow of her blood. This is the law for her who bears a child, either male or female. 8 And if she cannot afford a lamb, then she shall take two turtledoves or two pigeons, one for a burnt offering and the other for a sin offering. And the priest shall make atonement for her, and she shall be clean.”
Deuteronomy 6:4 “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.
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Will you, as the Parents commit to raise your child in the ways of God?
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Will you, the Body of Christ assist these parents in raising up these children in the ways of God?
Registration: closed
DISCOVER
Whether you are looking to just learn more about our church or you want to become a member, attending our Discover classes is the first step to joining our church. Discover is a 3 week course designed to help you discover:
Who We Are
What We Do
How to Get Involved
[Special Guest] Howard Morgan
Dr. Howard Morgan is an internationally renowned Messianic Jewish prophetic teacher. His insightful, humorous and anointed ministry is inspiring, empowering and equipping believers around the world.
He had a dramatic supernatural encounter with God in December of 1971 that brought him to faith in the Messiah Jesus. His wife Janet, who is also Jewish, had a supernatural encounter in August of 1976 that brought her to faith. Together they planted and pastored churches in New York City from 1976 to 1987. Since 1987, Dr. Morgan has been traveling in a full time prophetic and teaching ministry, helping to establish and oversee churches and ministries, mentoring leaders and pastoring pastors.
[Special Guest] Sidikie Kamara
Sidikie Kamara is the General Overseer of GEM (Gethsemane Evangelical Ministries) headquartered in Freetown, Sierra Leone. GEM has planted and built over 75 schools and churches in Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Guinea.
Women's Ministry Interest Meeting
There is a meeting on Sunday, 2/25 after service (lunch provided) for those who are interested in serving the Women’s Ministry.
1 + 1 = 1 Conference - YOUR Calling in Marriage
1 + 1 = 1 CONFERENCE
YOUR Calling in Marriage w/ Sue and Merle Shank
ABOUT:
Marriage is the God-given and God-ordained union of one man and one woman. It is two different people coming together for a unified calling as one. Join us for a weekend of Holy Spirit filled teaching on strengthening and also preparing for marriage.
Registration (REQUIRED):
Early Bird (ends Jan 19): $30/person
Regular: $50/person (deadline Feb. 11)
Child care: $80/child (deadline to register for child care Feb. 4)
SCHEDULE
Friday Feb 16
7-9pm Session 1
Saturday Feb 17
9:30am-11:30am Session 2
11:30am-12:30pm Lunch (provided on site with each Registration)
12:30pm-2:30pm Session 3
Sunday Feb 18
10:30am Worship Service (open to all)
SPEAKERS
Merle & Sue Shank just celebrated 35 years of marriage in September 2023! Having met while students at James Madison University (Harrisonburg, VA), they didn’t actually start dating until a month after their December graduations. Their “on & off dating” (the “off’s” were always Sue’s doing - but that’s a story for another time!) continued for 3 years before getting engaged in April 1988 and married in September of that same year. Merle worked as a software engineer for almost 13 years before being called into ministry with Grace Covenant Church. Sue stayed at home full-time while raising their 4 children. During those busy years, they served together as small group leaders and premarital counselors. Sue also led worship and mentored younger women in the church; while Merle pastored and served on various community non-profit boards.
In September 2022, at the Lord’s direction, Merle handed over the primary leadership of Grace Covenant Church to one of the (younger) associate pastors on staff. It was time to hand over leadership to the next generation and the Lord told Merle & Sue that there was a “next” for them; they wouldn’t be retiring. And He was right! In August 2023, Merle began a 1-year interim position as Executive Pastor for a church in our One Focus Network that is located in Virginia Beach. He currently works on site for 3 days/week and is home the other 4. Sue’s passion for mentoring continues and she spends most of her days in coffee shops and lunch spots in Harrisonburg meeting with women. They both love how the Lord is using them in this new “next” season of life!
Merle & Sue have 3 sons, 1 daughter, 2 daughter-in-laws, 1 son-in-law and one grandchild.
Bowling Night
We invite you to join us for a night of fun and bowling! Kids, teens, and adults—all are welcome! This will be a wonderful time of fellowship and a great way to get to know someone new.
NOVAHOP Sunday
As we wrap up Ascend the Hill: 21 days of prayer and fasting, we are devoting this Sunday’s service for an extended time of corporate worship and prayer. We are calling this Sunday, “NOVAHOP Sunday,” to give everyone a feel for what we do as a community in our NOVAHOP prayer meetings on Tuesdays 7pm and Fridays noon.
Here is what to expect:
The service will begin promptly at 10:30am with a special announcement and call to worship.
We will worship for about and hour and pray for different needs of our church community as the Holy Spirit leads.
There will be no Kid’s Ministry. Parents, use this opportunity especially to model and teach worship to your children as you worship together as a family. (If you need some space, the Fellowship Hall will be open with the service livestreaming. No drop-offs. Parent supervision required).
At the end of service, we will partake in Communion together, as we do the last Sunday of each month. After Communion, the Sanctuary will remain open for extended ministry. Altar Ministers will be available for prayer.
We are praying for a mighty outbreak of the Holy Spirit for all of us as we have devoted the start of 2024 for the Lord.
[Ascend the Hill] 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting
Join the Fast
As 2024 begins, we want to start the year with 21 days set apart to seek God with all our hearts in prayer and with fasting.
Let’s commit ourselves to go deeper with the Lord.
3 Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord?
And who shall stand in his holy place?
4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
who does not lift up his soul to what is false
and does not swear deceitfully.
5 He will receive blessing from the Lord
and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
6 Such is the generation of those who seek him,
who seek the face of the God of Jacob.Psalm 24:3-6
Why Fast?
To unite ourselves with the Lord and seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast in that day.
Mark 2:20
HOW TO FAST
Although there are sometimes medical constraints, we are encouraging everyone to fast in one of the following ways:
How to Prepare Yourself Spiritually and Physically For a Fast
By Bill Bright
SPIRITUAL PREPARATION
In preparation for this special time with God, I urge you to examine your heart through prayer, and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any unconfessed sin. Scripture records that God always requires His people to repent of their sins before He will hear their prayers. King David said:
“Come and listen, all you who fear God, and I will tell you what he did for me. For I cried out to him for help, praising him as I spoke. If I had not confessed the sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened. But God did listen! He paid attention to my prayer. Praise God, who did not ignore my prayer or withdraw his unfailing love from me.
(Psalm 66:16-20, New Living Translation)
In your prayers, confess not only the obvious sins that come to mind, but allow yourself to linger in His presence, giving Him time to show you the less obvious ones as well. You may want to ask God if you are experiencing any of these signs of leaving your first love: worldly-mindedness, self-centeredness, spiritual indifference, unwillingness to share your faith in Christ with others, not spending sufficient time in God's Word and in prayer, a poor relationship with your spouse, your children, your friends, or other members of your church community.
Another great way to prepare for your fast is to practice what I call “spiritual breathing.” The concept is simple, but it has changed my own life and that of countless others.
Like physical breathing, spiritual breathing is a process of exhaling the impure and inhaling the pure. If you knowingly sin, breathe spiritually to restore the fullness of God's Holy Spirit in your life. You exhale by confessing your sins when you become aware of them, and you inhale by inviting the Holy Spirit to re-take control of your life. As an act of faith, trust Him to empower you. During the fast, spiritual breathing-constant reliance on the Holy Spirit-will enable you to resist temptation, not only to sin but to abandon your fast.
PHYSICAL PREPARATION
Although fasting is primarily a spiritual discipline, it begins in the physical realm. You should not fast without specific physical preparation.
If you plan on fasting for several days, you will find it helpful to begin by eating smaller meals before you abstain altogether. Resist the urge to have that “last big feast” before the fast. Cutting down on your meals a few days before you begin the fast will signal your mind, stomach and appetite that less food is acceptable.
Some health professionals suggest eating only raw foods for two days before starting a fast. I also recommend weaning yourself off caffeine and sugar products to ease your initial hunger or discomfort at the early stages of your fast.
Phone Donations
We are collecting used (working and broken) phones and tablets for our friend Alie Sesay. Alie was a Muslim beggar at the Freetown airport for over ten years. He received Jesus as his Lord and Savior about two years ago, led his family to the Lord and started a cell phone repair business. He is no longer begging at the airport, but he really needs old phones to sell and to use for parts.
[Campus Closed] Happy Thanksgiving
The church campus will be closed 11/20 to 11/24 for the Thanksgiving holiday. All on-campus activities are canceled including:
NOVAHOP Tuesday Night Prayer Meeting
Wednesday Bible Study w/ Pastor Pitts Evans
NOVAHOP Friday Noon Set
See you Sunday!
Blessing Generations Seminar
In the Blessing Generations Seminar, Craig Hill teaches about the seven critical times in life that God intended us to receive blessing in order to establish identity and destiny for our lives. The teaching and small group ministry times in this weekend experience will give you great revelation about your own life, impact your relationships with your own children and provide a time where God can restore what you never received.
This seminar is not just for married couples!.It is for any adult seeking inner healing, wanting to release the past and desiring to walk in trust and peace with our Lord.
Regular Registration ends Nov 5: $69.00
Late Registration: $89.00
We expect the seminar to reach maximum capacity so please register quickly if you are interested in attending.
*In order to protect the ministry time from interruptions and minimize distractions, childcare is not provided. We appreciate your understanding.
Want to know more? Watch a 2 minute video here.
Host the Holy Ghost
We invite all Whole Word Kids to our annual Host the Holy Ghost event! Join us on Sunday October 29 for a time of fun, fellowship, games, and of course, candy.
Community Yard Sale
Available items:
- clothes
- toys
- baby supplies
- kids clothes
- small appliances
- kitchen goods
- household items
- homemade goods
- furniture
- outdoor machinery
- books
- sporting goods
- and more
Food, free moon bounce, and prayer also available.
Preview of items available: https://www.facebook.com/events/851240859955546
Worship Team Auditions
Calling all singers and musicians. Use your musical talents to serve the Lord and the church! Worship Team auditions will be held after service on Sunday, October 15 in the Main Sanctuary. For more information, contact Jee Kim.
Church Picnic
Bring a lawn chair, blanket, or pull up to one of the picnic tables on campus for a church-wide picnic. Catered lunch will be provided and served after service.
Feel free to bring group and lawn games for a time of fun, food, and fellowship.
Prophetic Ministry
Personal Prophetic Ministry is available in-person the first Sunday of every month after service. Limited spots available, first come first served.
DISCOVER
Whether you are looking to just learn more about our church or you want to become a member, attending our Discover classes is the first step to joining our church. Discover is a 3 week course designed to help you discover:
Who We Are
What We Do
How to Get Involved
Community Groups
Church Community Groups are restarting for the new year. Join a Group today.
MIGHTY WIND CONFERENCE w/ Mel Tari
ALL ABOUT JESUS
ALL ABOUT JESUS
ALL ABOUT JESUS
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Schedule
Friday hosted by The Roar DMV 7pm
Saturday hosted by The Gate DC 7pm
Sunday hosted by Whole Word Fellowship and Generation Center 10:30am
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About Mel Tari
In the mid-1960s thru the 1970s, the islands of Indonesia experienced what some feel was one of the greatest revivals in the 20th century, which has led to millions coming to Christ. A young man of just 18 when this period of revival began, Mel Tari witnessed amazing miracles like those written in the Bible within the remote communities of Indonesia. Tari became a well-known evangelist and missionary to the world from Timor, authoring the bestselling book, Like a Mighty Wind, which documents the amazing events of this spiritual revival in Asia. Translated into dozens of language, the book has become a classic with its message of a childlike faith in the reality of the Holy Spirit and the power of the Word of God.
BAPTISM SERVICE
Water baptism is the outward expression of an internal conversion. It is the ceremonial act of joining with Jesus in His death and resurrection.
The sacrament of baptism is said to have two parts: The one an outward and sensible sign, used according to Christ’s appointment; the other an inward and spiritual grace thereby signified.
[Campus Closed]
The church campus will be closed 8/15 to 8/18 for re-sealing of the parking lot. All on-campus activities are canceled including:
NOVAHOP Tuesday Night Prayer Meeting
Wednesday Bible Study w/ Pastor Pitts Evans
NOVAHOP Friday Noon Set
[REVIVE] Weekend of Hope Conference
REVIVE: Weekend of Hope
w/ Evangelist Chris Mikkelson
We invite you to come and experience the God of Hope to fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13). This is not about church. This is not about religion. This is about encountering God and being transformed in His Presence. God didn’t send Jesus into the world to condemn the world, but to save (heal, restore, and renew) the world through Him. If you need to experience a touch of the living God, you do not want to miss this!
COST
Free
Schedule
Friday 7pm hosted by The ROAR DMV
Saturday 7pm hosted by The GATE DC
Sunday 10:30am hosted by Whole Word Fellowship
Sunday 3:30pm hosted by Generation Center
Chris Mikkelson is an International Evangelist who preaches the Gospel in some of the most unreached and dangerous nations on the planet, primarily near the Middle East, where Christianity is 2% or less. His passion is to see the lost come to Christ through the preaching of the full Gospel followed by a demonstration of the Spirit and power. Mass multitudes of people attend his large Gospel campaigns where hundreds of thousands have received Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior and where many are baptized in the Holy Spirit. His campaigns are marked with healings and deliverance confirming the preaching of the Gospel, according to Mark 16. In the past 2 years, he has led over one million people to Jesus Christ and has preached the Gospel to several millions of people.
Chris and his wife Amanda, who also has a passion for souls and is highly involved in the ministry, are graduates of Christ For The Nations Institute (CFNI) in Dallas, TX and currently reside in Orlando, FL where their ministry is headquartered.
CEF 5 Day Club
These 5-Day Clubs are led by teens who are trained as summer missionaries to teach children about Jesus.
This is a ministry of Child Evangelism Fellowship. The focus is on bringing children to know Jesus as Lord and Savior but the content is also geared towards helping saved children grow in their relationship with God
The 5-Day Clubs will be held July 17-21 starting at 10:30 and ending at 12:00.
There is no cost to attend, but please RSVP to: Mary Beth Romani
Please invite your friends and neighbors so they can learn about the saving love of Jesus!