Good News FALL Providence Presbyterian Church

Transcription

1 FALL 2018 Providence Presbyterian Church Inside this issue: Ministries 2 This Summer 5 Mission 6 Prayers for 9 What s Next? 10 Kids Page 11 The Apostle Paul wrote to the church in Corinth saying, I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus (1 Corinthians 1:4 - NRSV) I am writing from vacation on Detroit Lakes, MN. Joni and I are having a great time with our grandchildren. We are swimming, boating, and kayaking. We are reading books, enjoying the beach, playing miniature golf and appreciating each other. The weather has been fabulous with sunny days and low humidity. We are eating walleye, watching sunsets and listening to the call of the loons across the lake. It is nice to get away; at the same time, I too like Paul can say, I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus In the pages of this newsletter, you will see: What we ve done this summer; what we have planned for the fall; and how you can Be the Church. Make a Difference. Also, be sure to mark your calendars for our Rally Day celebration. (It all begins on page 2.) I look forward to returning, well-rested, ready for the fall schedule. Enjoy the rest of your summer and all the good gifts of God. Faithfully, The Rev. Dr. Michael P. Burns revburns@providencechurch.org

2 Page 2 Rally Day is Back! Sunday, September 9, 11:00 until noon If you have been wondering how to get involved in a committee or a social group, this Fellowship event is for you! Stay after worship on Sunday, September 9, and check out all we have to offer Providence committees and groups will be highlighting the work they do, as well as the fun they have socializing and working together. Also on Rally Day, we will be holding a SILENT AUCTION of themed baskets donated by some of the committees/groups. These are shaping up to be AWESOME baskets you don t want to miss out! Proceeds will go to the overall Mission budget. Children s Ministry What is 456ers?!? It s a group for Tweens, those who are in 4 th, 5 th, and 6 th grades. 456ers 456ers meets one Sunday a month from 4:00-5:30 pm. Be ready for Games, Fun, Music, a brief talk, and SNACKS!! We will also participate in several service events during the year and discover how fun giving can be. We can't wait to welcome you at our kick-off on September 16 at 4:00 pm. Bring friends and be ready to meet new friends! Blessings, Children s Ministry

3 Page 3 Each year, Youth Ministry, in the process of program evaluation and creative problem solving, changes the youth programing a bit to respond to the ministry needs we see. Over the past several years those tweaks, whether bold or subtle, have been intentionally leading us toward intergenerational ministry. There are several reasons for this: One of the findings of the Study of Youth, Religion and Culture (the largest, most comprehensive and detailed study of American teenage religion and spirituality conducted to date) was that the presence of healthy, faithful adults helps youth grow up into healthy, faithful adults. The more adults, the better. It is undisputed that parents (and adults who stand in for parents) are the primary influence in faith formation for children and youth. And specifically, parents actions (such as prioritizing worship, participating in mission, praying, etc.) are more important than their words. Strong relationships with adults are a key factor in developing resilience among children and youth. Age-segregated faith formation has its limits, as we are seeing now through broad cultural trends. The church is one of just a few places in society that remains largely intergenerational by nature. Consider how much time the adults in your life spend at work among other adults, how many hours a day the children and youth in your life spend at school, sports or other activities with their peers. Think about the adults who helped you grow up, however long ago your childhood was. The church is uniquely placed to be an intergenerational haven in an age-segregated world. So the Youth Ministry Committee has been hard at work trying to create and encourage ministries that strengthen families and promote intergenerational relationships. Youth Ministry The Breakfast and Bible Study schedule leaves at least one, sometimes two, Sundays a month open so that youth can worship with their families. The mission trip to Webster Springs, WV is intentionally intergenerational every other year to allow youth to build relationships with other adults in the congregation as they do mission together. TED Talks for Parents aims to strengthen parents faith but also facilitate friendships between parents. All Church Events like the Lent Kickoff Party last spring are opportunities for children, youth and adults to deepen their faith age appropriately together. Other great ministries that foster intergenerational friendships include the Rummage Sale, Upward Basketball, Trunk or Treat, and other church-wide events where all age groups interact. With this in mind, I hope you ll join us this year for a new thing we re trying. A couple times each semester Youth Ministry will be facilitating Movie Nights for all ages where we ll watch and debrief a movie together. Some movies will be geared toward older youth and adults, others will be family friendly. Each family may decide whether the movie is appropriate for them. The important thing is that everyone is welcome, no matter your age! Thank you for being a great church family for kids to grow up with! The fruits of your friendships with children and youth don t always show up right away, but trust that God is at work in those relationships! Building future faithful adults, Mary Ellen

4 Page 4 Adult Classes for Fall 2018 Sunday Morning Bible Study Begins September 16, 11:00 am, Room 207 Invitation to the New Testament, Disciple Bible Study Dan Garber will lead this 8-week study. Explore the writings of the New Testament using the story of Jesus in Matthew as the starting point. This survey of the testament looks at how the early church took ownership of and was shaped by the story of Jesus and how the church learned how to develop as disciples and create communities of faith. Participants find a deeper conversation with the writers of the New Testament and a renewal of our commitment to be shaped personally and communally by the story of Jesus. The study is accessible for adults with little prior Bible experience. Participants may also gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of the New Testament as an integral part of the Christian Bible and a renewed discovery of our identity in God and God's vision for all things. Sessions are: Jesus Calls Us Into God's Redemption Story; Jesus Calls Us to a Transformed Life; Jesus Calls Us to Minister to a Hostile World; Jesus Calls Us to Complex Communities of Faith; Jesus Calls Us to Serve One Another; Jesus Calls Us to a New Relationship With Tradition; Jesus Calls Us to Live in Light of His Coming Again; Jesus Calls Us to Experience the Gifts of His Dying and Rising. The NSRV version of the Bible is suggested (there are some available at the church.) The textbook is $ Please contact Judy Woodburn at judywoodburn7@gmail.com if you would like a copy ordered. Monday Evening Bible Study Begins September 17, 7:15-9:00 pm, Parlor Paul s Letter to the Romans, Adult Bible Study David Kepley will lead this 14-week class examining Paul s letter to the church in Rome. Paul is at the peak of his theological powers. He moves deftly through topics such as justification and grace; sin and salvation; a vision of unity; and the faithfulness of God. Christians have been contemplating these issues throughout the history of the church. Most scholars believe that studying this letter moved Luther to break with the papacy, triggering the Protestant Reformation about 500 years ago. So what s it all about anyway? We will wrestle with the issues together this fall. Great stuff!! No previous study is required. The Kerygma student s book is $25. If you would like a copy please contact David Kepley at kepley.david@gmail.com or Judy Woodburn at judywoodburn7@gmail.com.

5 Page 5 What did we do this Summer? Connect Group Montreat Youth Conference Vacation Bible Camp Youth 3 Days of Mission BINGO! Four bingo squares checked off here: worship in another state (PA), in a non- Presbyterian church (Methodist), with relatives, and chairs instead of pews! Great job!

6 Page 6 Are You MAD?!!! Spotlight on Mission Be the Church. Make a Difference. There are always opportunities at Providence where you, your time and talents, will have a direct impact on lives near and far. Make a note of these ways you can be MAD (Making a Difference). The Providence Mission Committee invites you to join in planning for the remainder of this year and the beginning of next year. Meetings are held at 7:30 pm (usually in the Parlor) on the fourth Wednesday of the month. No reservations necessary! Just come and be part of this effort to make Mission come alive at Providence. Looking ahead there will be opportunities to minister to homeless persons by preparing food, donating outerwear and being involved with the End Homelessness in Ten Years initiative. Holiday time will bring the Adopt-a -Family program at Thanksgiving and Christmas. (Detailed information to come later.) Also for the holidays, Salvation Army Stockings will return this year. Fill the stocking with age appropriate items. The age and gender of the child will be provided along with the stockings. Detailed information coming. Don t forget to continue to bring food for those seeking assistance from the Providence Food Pantry on Communion Care Sundays throughout the year. Many are experiencing hunger in Fairfax County with some finding our Food Pantry a welcoming place to get help. Food is now the most requested assistance being noted by the Fairfax County Coordinated Service Planning social workers. The Providence Food Pantry continues to need your help. Providence is fortunate to have the services of Tommie Curtis to serve as our board member for the Fairfax FISH organization. This is one of the community faith-based organizations responding to emergency needs in the Burke and Fairfax Area of the County. Tommie needs a team of volunteers to support this work. The

7 Page 7 task would be working the phone at your home receiving requests for service from the County s Coordinated Service Planning workers. With a team of TEN your half day waiting for a phone call would come only about two or three times a year. Call Tommie at Training will be provided prior to your taking the request calls. (See page 8 for more information.) Saturday mornings on a rotating basis, a Providence crew works with the ACCA Furniture Ministry. Gently used furniture is picked up and delivered to families in the ACCA service area. Many are coming from a period of homelessness or perhaps a refugee family has just arrived and has no furniture in their living space. Want to witness transformation in progress? Join the furniture team on a Saturday morning. David Lawhead heads the Providence Furniture Team. He welcomes your call to learn more. The Providence team works with a group from John Calvin Presbyterian about every six to seven weeks. Dave can be reached at High School students needing community service hours are very welcome to join the team and Middle School students are also welcome but must be accompanied by a parent. Notices will appear in the Sunday worship bulletin the week prior to a work date. Providencia Building Program Donations have been coming in and the Mission Committee is hopeful that the goal will be met. It would be an even greater blessing if we could exceed the goal as Juan Pablo budgeted for bare bones building and many additional things are needed such as chairs, bibles, a communion table, etc. We plan to end the appeals by August 31, but will phase the project based on receiving pledges made for later in the year. Rally Day September 9 th Plan to stop by the Mission Table on Rally Day. Members of the Mission Committee will be able to give you more information and answer your questions about how you can help PROVIDENCE Make A Difference!!! Take time to get more information and then begin to discern your own ministry to our neighbors both far and near. The ministries noted are just a sample of what is happening at Providence. We strive to be in ministry to our hurting neighbors, locally and around the world. Be part of the Gospel message

8 Page 8

9 Page 9 Prayers for (as of August 12, 2018) Continuing Care Chan Medwedeff Dr. Len Sperling, friend of Ray Monroe & Terry Lamb Sheila Holsinger, mother of Anna Jullien Rolland & Alice Fletcher, parents of Diana Stoneberg Ruth Curtis, mother-in-law of Tommie Curtis Sherry Brown, daughter of Tuck Wilson Bob Hamilton Bill Garber Mary Carter, mother of Annette Young Karen Renner, sister of Doris Gearing Jane McClellan Nancy Evans, sister of Sara Bennett Garnet McCall, mother of Bruce McCall Shirley Strang In Memoriam Barbara Hansen On behalf of my family I would like to give our appreciation for the support we have received over the last couple of months from both the congregation and staff. The kind words and prayers were felt more than you know. The memorial service and reception for Barbara were wonderful and we would like to thank the Praise Band for playing at the service. I know they are not called that now but for this service they truly were a Praise Band. The reception gave us the opportunity to share our memories with friends and of course enjoy the food. We now fully understand the meaning of being a church family. Dave Hansen UPWARD BASKETBALL Providence enters its ELEVENTH(!) year of Upward basketball with registration beginning September 1. We again expect more than 300 children will register by the end of September. Once teams are full, we will run a wait list. If you have a child interested in playing Upward, please register early as the program fills up quickly. If you are interested in helping, there are many opportunities, to include: 1) coaching, 2) refereeing, 3) greeting (i.e., directing families around the church), 4) presenting mid-game devotions, 5) announcing players at the beginning of each game, 6) keeping time, 7) evaluating players skill levels, and 8) setting up on game mornings and cleaning up on game evenings. Would you like to know more about Upward basketball? Please visit our website at

10 Page 10 What s Next? SUNDAYS Summer Schedule continues through Sept. 9 Both services at 10, followed by fellowship Rally Day, Sept. 9 Beginning Sept. 16 Traditional at 10:00 Contemporary at 11:15 am Communion / First Sunday (children stay with their families during worship) Sept. 2, Oct. 7, Nov. 4 Classes for all ages resume Sept ers: Sept. 16, Oct. 7, Nov. 4 (subject to change) PYF: resumes Sept. 16 ADULT MINISTRY New classes begin mid-september. See page 3 for details CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED Labor Day, Sept. 3 Thanksgiving, Nov. 22 & 23 MONTHLY Men s Breakfast, 1st Saturdays at 8:00 am Sept. 1, Oct. 6, Nov. 3 Shelter Meal Prep & Delivery, 2nd Wednesdays pm and the Tuesday before at 5:00 pm both days Sept. 11 & 12; Oct. 9 & 10; Nov. 13 & 14 Providence Readers, 3rd Sundays Sept. 16, Oct. 21, Nov. 18 Lydia Circle, 3rd Wednesdays (usually) Sept. 19, Oct. 17, Nov. 14 OTHER DATES TO REMEMBER ACCA Furniture Delivery, TBA Upward Basketball Registration opens, Sept. 1 Estate Planning seminars, Sept. 9 & 23 Providence Singers events: Dates TBA Trunk or Treat, Oct. 28 Daylight Saving Time ends, Nov. 4 Advent begins, Dec. 2 (for up-to-date information see

11 Free from Children s Ministry Deals website Page 11 Kids Page

12 Providence Presbyterian Church 9019 Little River Turnpike Fairfax, VA Fall 2018 S u n d a y s C o m m u n i o n / F i r s t S u n d a y : C h i l d r e n s t a y w i t h f a m i l i e s i n w o r s h i p T h r o u g h S e p t e m b e r 9 B o t h s e r v i c e s a t 1 0 : 0 0 a m f o l l o w e d b y S u m m e r F e l l o w s h i p B e g i n n i n g S e p t e m b e r 1 6 T r a d i t i o n a l, 1 0 : 0 0 a m, S a n c t u a r y C o n t e m p o r a r y, 1 1 : 1 5 a m, T a y l o r H a l l C l a s s e s b e g i n S e e W h a t s N e x t? o n P a g e 1 0 f o r m o r e ( for up-to-date information see P r o v i d e n c e P r e s b y t e r i a n C h u r c h L i t t l e R i v e r T u r n p i k e F a i r f a x, V A O f f i c e w w w. p r o v i d e n c e c h u r c h. o r g The Rev. Dr. Michael P. Burns, Pastor The Rev. Mary E. Rodgers, Associate Pastor Mary Ellen Moss, Director of Youth Ministry Daryl Wright, Director of Children s Ministry Lee Faber, Facilities Manager Joe Moss, Financial Manager Kathy Knorr, Communications Coordinator Terry Stoneberg, Director of Music Jane Kaye, Organist Rick Thiele, Music Leader & Tech. Coordinator Gene Kaye, Director of Providence Singers Carlos Guzman, Sexton Derek Knorr, Assistant Custodian Editor: Kathy Knorr