PROVIDENCE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. Discipleship Class Updates for 2017

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1 PROVIDENCE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH the JANUARY 2017 Invitation Discipleship Class Updates for 2017 After a break in our usual Sunday morning discipleship classes to focus on an Advent study, classes will return to our normal schedule on January 8. Younger children will continue to use Growing in Grace & Gratitude. Middle and high school students will return to essential questions of faith through the use of Simply Youth Group. Two New Studies will launch! A group of disciples who are 55 and Better, meet in the Parlor and led by Dianne Stockmeier, will explore ways to use this time in our lives to grow closer to God. Through a study of Scripture and sharing, the group will be reminded that keeping eternity in view helps accept transitions that come with growing older. This is not a time to merely exist, but a time to grow, explore new possibilities and bloom - Aging in the Grace of God. Family Matters, led by Connie Salter, room 110, will launch a new discipleship study called Experiencing God at Home. Together, this group will learn to use the principles form Experiencing God to help grow spiritually grounded God oriented children and build a Godly home. Additional discipleship studies are available as shown on the table below. Providence really does have something for everyone at 9:45 on Sunday mornings. Stop in to check us out! Confessions & Creeds Sunday Morning Small Group Jubilate Genesis Family Matters Middle/High School Growing in Grace and Gratitude Growing in Grace and Gratitude Nursery Parents & Grandparents Middle & High School Students Grades K-5 Children Ages 3-5 Children Ages 0-2 A study of the PC(USA) Book of Confessions Based on the Book Aging in the Grace of God This study will mirror the sermon focus for the day. This study will mirror the sermon focus for the day. This study will focus on parenting and preparing our kids. A discussionbased study of questions like Is God Real? A class designed to inspire children to learn and practice Christian principles. A class designed to inspire children to learn and practice Christian principles. Nurturing childcare. James Richardson Diane Stockmeier Valetta Fellenbaum Self-led Connie Salter Judy Cole & Billy Ricketts George Fitzgerald, the Neilsons & others Volunteers Michelle Wofford & volunteers Room 104 The Parlor The Choir Room Room 111 Room 110 Room 200 The Garden Room Little Lambs Room The Nursery A CARING CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP REACHING OUT IN RESPONSE TO GOD S LOVE 1

2 From My Open Door You may have figured this out, but we re obsessed with our phones! A new study has found that the heaviest smartphone users click, tap, type on or swipe their phone 5,427 times a day. That s the top 10% of phone users, so one would expect it to be excessive. However, the rest of us still touch the addictive things 2,617 times a day on average. That s not a small number. The heaviest users are touching their devices a couple of million times in one year. The most interesting thing in all this is that the people in the survey completely underestimated their phone usage. While they were initially shocked by the numbers, 41 percent said it probably won t change the way I use my phone. How many taps, types, swipes and clicks take place between you and God in a day? If the number of times you were in contact with God on a daily basis could be tracked, would you be shocked by the result? And would you be shocked because of how often, or how infrequently, you reached out to Him? Something to think about as we start this New Year. "Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded" (James 4:8). You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lamp stand from its place (Revelation 2:3-5). See you in church, Jeff Jeffrey S. Bell, Pastor SESSION The Session met on Monday, December 12 th and concluded the following business. 1. Regretfully accepted a request from Coleen Crawford that her membership be transferred to Market Street United Methodist Church, Onancock, VA. 2. Approved the election of Carolyn Knowles as the church treasurer and Jerry Barnes as the assistant church treasurer for Agreed to call the annual Congregational Meeting to be held on January 22 nd following worship. 4. Approved the 2017 housing allowances for the Pastor and the Director of Family Life Ministries. 5. Approved recommendations of the Endowment Sub-committee to disburse a portion of funds designated for the music program and funds to replace the windows in the sanctuary. 6. Approved a building use application from the Virginia Coast Chorus for their annual Christmas Party. 7. Approved Experiencing God at Home for use by the Family Matters Sunday school class. 8. Approved the schedule celebrating Communion in Approved a recommendation from the Worship Committee to begin worship at 10:00 AM in the months of July and August 2017 and to hold the worship service in the fellowship hall on Sunday following Easter and the 2nd Sunday in July and August. A CARING CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP REACHING OUT IN RESPONSE TO GOD S LOVE 2

3 THIS MONTH AT PROVIDENCE Happy New Year! SUNDAY, January 1 New Year s Day &Communion MONDAY, January 2 -Office Closed- 7 :00pm Boys Scouts TUESDAY, January 3 -Office Closed- 12:00pm Gad-A-Bouts Luncheon WEDNESDAY, January 4 THURSDAY, January 5 6:30pm Men s Dinner Out SUNDAY, January 8 12:00pm Youth Mission Matters Ice Skating MONDAY, January 9 7:00pm Boys Scouts 7:00pm Committee Chairs Meet 7:30pm Committee Meetings TUESDAY, January 10 Special Election Day 10:00am Dorcas Circle WEDNESDAY, January 11 9:45am Mary & Martha Circle THURSDAY, January 12 Newsletter Deadline 7:00pm Women s Bible Study SUNDAY, January 15 12:15pm PPWCT MONDAY, January 16 M.L. King, Jr. Day -Office Closed- 7:00pm Session Meeting TUESDAY, January 17 WEDNESDAY, January 18 6:00pm Kirk Night 6:30pm Kirkmusik THURSDAY, January 19 7:00pm Care Team SUNDAY, January 22 12:00pm Congregational Meeting 12:15pm Chili Cook-off Chili Cook-off MONDAY, January 23 7:00pm Boys Scouts WEDNESDAY, January 25 6:00pm Kirk Night 6:30pm Kirkmusik SUNDAY, January 29 MONDAY, January 30 7:00pm Boys Scouts Court of Honor TUESDAY, January 31 BIRTHDAYS Jimmy Hawn III 01/01 Chris Molleen 01/01 Corie Olenych 01/03 Wayne Baker 01/04 Bruce Lytle 01/04 Debbie Riggan 01/04 Melodee Hanson 01/05 Rachel McMahan 01/05 Robie Armbruster 01/06 Kelly Deans 01/06 Barbara Sturtevant 01/06 Bob Birdwell 01/07 Micah McMahan 01/07 Katie Manning 01/09 Christina Richardson 01/09 Cindy Kennett 01/11 Terry Finch 01/14 Sarah Grady 01/14 Sherry Jansen 01/14 Lee Anne Spivey 01/14 Joy Sullivan 01/16 Deborah Lane 01/17 Jane Pritchett 01/17 Pat Griffin 01/18 Laurie Parker 01/19 Peggy Deans 01/20 Anita Matteson 01/20 Joshua Rohde 01/20 Ashley Schroeder 01/20 Christopher Molleen 01/22 Sue Crosland 01/23 Karen Dixon 01/23 Abbitt Harvey 01/24 Leonne Smith 01/24 Loretta Ricketts 01/25 Marion Samuels 01/26 Emma Bogdan 01/27 Margaret Harker 01/27 Becky Rogers 01/30 Barbara Lumpkin 01/31 A CARING CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP REACHING OUT IN RESPONSE TO GOD S LOVE 3

4 SAVE THE DATE: COUPLE S RETREAT [MARCH 10-12] We live in an extraordinarily busy time. Making time for things that are really important is incredibly difficult to do. It s clear that there s always more to do than we have time for. At some stage, something or someone is going to get overlooked. Unfortunately, that someone is often the one that we care about more than anyone else in the world our spouse! The church has been working on ways to help the congregation find the time to pay attention to those things that are important to us (like family and faith). In an effort to offer a practical solution, we are offering a Couples Retreat in This is NOT a marriage retreat! While it s our prayer that our marriages would be strengthened by a weekend where we have the time to focus on our relationships with our spouses and God, we will NOT have soul-baring testimonies of marital difficulty. Couples WILL have time to (both formally and informally) talk about how and why they originally got together and the role that God plays in their individual marriages. For many of us, this retreat may be the first time (in a long time) that we ve been able to focus on our marriage and our faith. On the weekend of March 10, 2017, PPC couples will have the opportunity to officially spend some time together. The retreat will take place at the Hampton Inn & Suites in Corolla, NC (about 90 minutes from the church). We will gather on Friday evening after dinner for a time of fellowship. On Saturday morning, we ll have a discussion about how and why we initially got together. On Saturday afternoon, we ll talk a bit about the role that God should be playing in our relationships. On Sunday morning, we ll have a time of worship. During the rest of the weekend, couples are on their own to enjoy meals, have some undisturbed conversations, take a long walk, rest, relax or casually read a book. Pastor Billy and Loretta will lead the retreat. The cost of the retreat will be around $200 per couple for the weekend. We can be very flexible with payment terms. Let Pastor Billy know if the church can help in that area. Should you have any questions, please contact Pastor Billy Ricketts at or familylife@provpres.org. Bring on the HEAT at our Annual Chili Cook Off Sunday, January 22 following worship and the congregational meeting Volunteers are needed to make chili and bring cornbread and rolls. Let us know what you can bring on the Sign-up Sheet on the bulletin board. A CARING CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP REACHING OUT IN RESPONSE TO GOD S LOVE 4

5 Kirk Night and Kirkmusik Resume Not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles? Then I will tell them plainly, I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers! Matthew 7:21-23 When Jesus said these words, He wasn t talking about irreligious atheists, agnostics, pagans, and heretics. He was talking about good, religious people who assumed their eternity was safe and would one day be shocked to find that it wasn t. Though they professed belief in Jesus and even did all kinds of work in His name, they never truly knew Him. Our Spring Kirk Night will explore the essence of what it means to actually follow Jesus, guided in our study by the book Follow Me by David Platt. Our first night together will be on January 18 and pause on February 22. We ll see how far we get and how detailed our study becomes, and after Easter resume and finish up. Kirk Night dinner is served at 6:00pm, Kirk Night study and Kirkmusik begin at 6:30pm. Sign up on bulletin board. Meal is $7.00. MEN S FELLOWSHIP MISSION MATTERS YOUTH GROUP For years, the Providence Presbyterian Church Men s Group had always gathered once a month for dinner at the church. Recently, it became clear that the gentlemen would appreciate a little variety! On Thursday, January 5th, we ll venture outside the walls of the church to Frankie s Place for Ribs (located at 5200 Fairfield Shopping Center in Virginia Beach) for dinner at 6:30PM. While Frankie s is a favorite among local residents, you can find additional info at The Mission Matters Youth Group almost exclusively focuses on serving others. After a busy Advent season, where they raised over $1,000 to support mission partner, Blankets for the Homeless, this group of middle and high school students will meet on Sunday, January 8 following worship to take a muchdeserved trip to MacArthur Mall for some ice skating, lunch and hot chocolate. On Saturday, February 11th, the men s group will host the Annual Valentine Dinner in the Fellowship Hall. All PPC men are invited to join in food, fun and fellowship! Thanks to everyone who supported the Advent market and to the Daleys for organizing the ice skating trip. Parents, please remember to send the appropriate forms with your students on January 8th. A CARING CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP REACHING OUT IN RESPONSE TO GOD S LOVE 5

6 Attention: High School Seniors Providence Presbyterian College Scholarship Application Forms are available in the office or online at resources/forms. Scholarship Application deadline is April 15, 2017 NEWSLETTER INFORMATION Please newsletter items no later than the 15th of each month for the following month s edition to: office@provpres.org Providence Presbyterian Church 5497 Providence Road, Virginia Beach, VA office@provpres.org Church Staff Pastor Rev. Jeffrey S. Bell Pastor of Family Life Ministries Pastor Billy Ricketts Director of Music Valetta Fellenbaum Organist John Dixon Administrative Assistant Lisa Nixon Nursery Supervisor Michelle Wofford Treasurer Carolyn Knowles Financial Secretary Ted Salter Sextons Gus and Mary Ann Villies The Session Moderator: Rev. Jeffrey S. Bell Clerk of Session: Gary Reese Administration *Glynn Rogers, Mike Schroeder, Dianne Stockmeier Christian Education *Karen Moore, Carol HIckman Congregational Care *Don Singletary, Ray Maxwell Fellowship *Susan Ayers, Ray Hall *committee chair Mission/Outreach/Evangelism *Cecilia Daley Property *George Fitzgerald, Riley Hensly Worship *Rich Lindgren, Cathy Polychroni PROVIDENCE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 5497 Providence Road Virginia Beach, VA office@provpres.org