How can we be mature Christians while embracing some of the very positive aspects of a Child-like faith?

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1 Church s Website: Pastor s Blog: Last Sunday someone spoke highly of my eight year old son, Colin. This person said, there is something spiritual about Colin. I, of course, took this as a complement and was glad to hear that folks have a positive perception on my child. On the other hand, I quickly asked the person if they would like to come to the house at homework time. Colin is not unlike every other child who at times seems to have horns, not a halo. Later that day Colin and I were reading a book about tornados and other extreme weather, and we got to a section that talked about wind. This book talked about how ancient Greeks believed that Aeolus, the god of wind, controlled the winds. This led to a discussion of how the Greeks had an elaborate system of gods that were in charge of the various aspects of life. Colin, in a very serious and almost indignant manner quickly proclaimed, There is only ONE GOD! Earlier that day, his Sunday School class was studying the Ten Commandments and his response was rooted in that teaching. Last night Colin then did something that I believe falls into the category spiritual. With the weather turning warmer, we can once again start walking after dinner and last night we did so with a purpose. Colin wanted to make sure that we delivered invitations to our church Easter egg hunt to a few of his friends that live around us. So with great zeal we walked and made our deliveries. By the end of our walk, Colin had singlehandedly invited 28 people to our church. This of course included moms, dads, sisters, brothers and even a few grandparents. One of his friends who is going to be at Disney on April 7th even offered to pass the invitation on to someone else. I share these stories not to show off my pride in Colin, although I am very proud of his growing spiritual ability and awakening. The real reason I share the story of these incidents is because I have found that his witness is convincing and convicting. In Scripture we have multiple instances where children are held up as being spiritual role models. Jesus is seen as having a heart for children and more than once reminds us that we should embrace the spiritual perspective of children. Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." (Matthew 19:14) He also spoke of how we should receive the kingdom, I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." (Mark 10:15) This is not a call to childish faith, but a child-like faith. By this, I mean that we need to make sure we are developing a mature faith that acts with wisdom but not at the expense of embracing wonder. When I look at Colin and other children, I see many aspects of faith and life I wish I had more of. Some of these are: An ability to embrace the impossible. A perspective on the world that doesn't separate the physical and the spiritual. A willingness to take risk. (The idea of inviting a friend is natural to them.) Clear concepts of right and wrong inform how they make decisions. Love is real and unconditional. Of course as adults, we learn that the world is far more nuanced. I m not sure that this is always an asset to us though. We often give up these child-like components of our life in the name of maturity. We have heard the Apostle Paul say that he put away childish ways. I believe this is a reflection on Paul s desire for us to not act childish, not as a call to stop embracing the world with some of the aspects listed above. How can we be mature Christians while embracing some of the very positive aspects of a Child-like faith? Visit Pastor Geoff s Blog at

2 This Week at Christ Presbyterian Tuesday 11:30 AM OWLS (Seniors) Lunch - Longhorn - Chantilly 7:00PM Girl Scout Leaders # Fellowship Hall 7:30 PM Bell Choir - Sanctuary 7:30 PM S.A. Support Group - Upper Room Wednesday 7:30 PM Choir Rehearsal - Choir Room 7:30 PM Turning Point Support Group - Fellowship Hall Thursday 7:30 PM Deacons meeting - Upper Room Saturday 9:00 AM Church Clean-up Morning - see announcement! 10:00 AM Church Mice Youth Group - Fellowship Hall 10:00 AM Quilters & Knitters Groups - Narthex Sunday 8:30 AM Worship 9:35 AM Children's Sunday School with Music Assembly (PreK-6th) 9:45 AM Youth and Adult Sunday School 11:00 AM Worship 5:00 PM Senior High Youth Group - Lounge When you re green with envy, you re ripe for trouble. COMING THIS SUND@Y! Starting March 18, we will begin a 10-week Confirmation Class primarily for the Middle School age youth who want to become full members of the church. However, Senior Highs may also participate. Confirmation is the time when young people claim for themselves the promises their parents made on their behalf at baptism. The participants will learn what it means to be a Christian, as well as our special Presbyterian beliefs and heritage. It will help teens articulate their Christian beliefs. The class will meet at the Sunday School time (9:45-10:45 am), and will not be held again until If interested, please contact the leaders of the class - Bernie Akin (bernie137@aol.com or ) or Pastor Geoff (cpcpastor@cox.net or ) by March 11. 2

3 Spring Clean-Up Day This Saturday! The first impressions of our homes are made at the front door; the same can be said for our home at CPC! On Saturday, March 17 from 9-12 we ll be trimming, raking, trenching and weeding to make our church look like the welcoming place it is. Any amount of time you can offer to help give the church grounds a spring cleaning would be greatly appreciated! Folks of all levels of gardening expertise--or lack there of--are welcome and needed. Many hands make light work (and besides, there ll be doughnuts). What to bring? We ll have tools there and helpers on hand to give you direction. If you can bring some tools of your own, please consider bringing: Hand clippers/pruners Garden rake Spades straight edge for trenching & pointed/round edge for digging Weeding tools (old steak knives work great) Pitch fork Garden gloves Chain saw Hedge trimmers gas-powered are especially helpful but hand trimmers are also good Gas weed whacker Leaf blower Please call or Carolynn Baer to let her know you re coming ( or ctbaer@verizon.net). We have a task list set to go if you can t make it Saturday but still want to help, please check with Carolynn for an assignment you can do another time. Mulching is scheduled for Saturday, March 31 from

4 Music Notes By Barbara Stefan Spotlight on the Choir Bill Gilchrist Many thanks to Bill for his solo offering last Sunday! NAME: William (Bill) Gilchrist PLACE OF BIRTH: Lawton, OK EARLIEST MEMORY OF MUSIC: Singing hymns at First Baptist, Lawton, OK WHEN I WAS LITTLE, I WANTED TO GROW UP AND BE: the usual things little boys want to be: Superman, pro-baseball player, astronaut, GI-Joe, race car driver, train engineer, policeman, fireman, doctor, and/or President MY DAY JOB NOW IS: Project management and PM support for IT projects I M A SUCKER FOR: Kittens, well-written books (e.g. Any Human Heart), all babies - I am grandpa to 1.5-year old Christian Patrick Gilchrist (see photo) I JOINED THE CHOIR BECAUSE: From a very early age I have always attended church; since 8 th grade I have sung in an adult choir MOST VALUED MATERIAL POSSESSIONS: I hate to admit it, but it s a Nissan 350Z, 2005 anniversary edition LAST BOOK READ: Any Human Heart, by William Boyd (very well written!) ONE GOAL I WOULD LIKE TO ACHIEVE: Retire for good in two years! THIS YEAR I PLAN TO: Stay employed, participate more in Church activities, and try to be a better Elder than I was at a previous church FAVORITE SINGER/GROUP: Beatles, John Denver, Crosby Stills Nash & Young, Joni Mitchell, Toby Keith, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Michael Buble, Sara Bereilles, et.al. FAVORITE LEISURE ACTIVITIES: Reading, singing in the choir, and singing in concerts I once got to sing on stage at the Kennedy Center with the Paul Hill Chorale at a Messiah sing-along. My most memorable concert was singing Mozart s Requiem at Annandale Presbyterian church it was superb and the highlight of my choral singing experience! Children s Choir Sundays March 18, 25 9:35-9:55am Chancel Ringers Handbell Choir Tuesdays March 13, 20, 27 7:30-8:30pm We welcome our newest permanent ringer, Velma Armijo. If you would like to try handbells, talk to Barbara or bstefan47@gmail.com. Sanctuary Choir Wednesdays March 14, 21, 28 7:30-8:45pm The choir has begun practicing for the Easter Cantata (April 8 at 11am worship). Even if you don t sing regularly with the choir, you can join them for the cantata at 8:15 8:45 on Wednesdays, and with the instrumental ensemble March 28 at 7:30. 4

5 Candy Donations Needed As in years past, we would appreciate all donations of candies (we have plenty of plastic eggs!) to put in the plastic eggs for the Egg Hunt that is planned for Saturday, April 7th at 11:00 AM. Please leave all donations in the church office. Saturday, April 7 th Children s Easter Egg Hunt at 11:00 a.m. Join us for a fun time of crafts and an Easter egg hunt for children up to 3rd grade. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Registration required so that we will have enough treats for all! Invite your friends; as with all events at Christ Presbyterian Church, the public is encouraged to attend. Please RSVP to Sheila McLean at: or Sheila.L.McLean@lmco.com Or return this form to the Church Name: Age/Grade: Parents Name: Phone #: 5

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8 ANNUAL EASTER BREAKFAST COME ONE, COME ALL The Presbyterian Men will again gift our congregation with an Easter Breakfast that has become a tradition at CPC. We hope you will join us Easter Sunday, April 8th between services - 9:45-10:45 a.m. in Fellowship Hall. All are invited. The sign up form is below. If you would like to help with setup Saturday morning (or Saturday afternoon if it rains & the Easter egg hunt has to be held in the Fellowship Hall) or cleanup, please let Len Feder know. Any help will be appreciated. If you attend the 8:30 service and can help cleanup so that the cooks can go to church at the 11:00 service, that would be a big help. Contact Len at , or at amfeder@live.com EASTER BREAKFAST BETWEEN 8:30 & 11:00 SERVICES Presented to the Congregation by the Presbyterian Men Eggs, bacon, fruit, biscuits who could ask for more!! Please let us know if you plan to attend so that we can plan to have enough for all. Adults Children Name Donations to help defray the cost will be appreciated. PLEASE PLACE THIS FORM IN THE OFFERING PLATE OR LEN FEDER amfeder@live.com BY APRIL 1st. 8

9 Assisting this Sunday, March 18 Liturgist: 8:30 - we need a volunteer! 11:00 - Atai Nyambi Deacons: Mary Ellen Absetz & Chris Hagan Children s Message: Counters: Jim Baer & Charles Thies Ushers: 11:00 - Jim Baer (lead), Lois Wenzell, David Motter & Bill Alexander Greeters: 8:30 - the Nelson Family; 11 - Sheila & Colin McLean Our Birthdays Stephanie Proctor March 05 Dylan Smith March 05 Jean Abt March 08 Jim Baer March 08 Sandrine Forlemu March 11 Nicholas Ferguson March 14 Samantha Proctor March 16 Sandy Williams March 16 Doris Hinsey March 17 Marilyn Dorn March 18 Mathes Hamby March 20 Ian Plecity March 21 Becky Thies March 22 Carolyn Barlett March 24 Gisele Onga Nana March 24 Don Williams March 25 Waldemar Cuevas March 27 Harry Abt March 28 Richard Eberhart March 28 Eric Ransom March 28 Dede Den Hartog March 29 Maritza Lugo March 29 Emma Loper March 30 The church is a hospital for sinners, not a rest home for saints. We need you to share your talents by helping during the worship service on Sundays as a Lay Reader. More help is needed assisting in the Audio Board, as well. The sign-up sheets are on the bulletin board opposite the church office. If you agree to help with the audio, someone will train you. You can give Karen Cheslock a call at to sign up for a date or her at admin@cpcfairfax.org. 9

10 Easter Lilies Now is the time to purchase beautiful lilies that will decorate the Sanctuary during our Easter services. Each plant has 5 to 7 blooms on a single stem. These lilies are elegant and easy to care for. Each plant may be purchased for $10.50 and will be available for you to take home after the 11:00 service on Easter Sunday. DEADLINE TO ORDER IS Sunday, APRIL 1st Your Name: Number of $10.50 each = $ In Memory of: In Honor of: You may place your order form and check in the collection plate. 10