Happy Valentine s Day. Look What s Inside!

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1 February 2017 Happy Valentine s Day Look What s Inside! Sunday... Adult Sunday School... p3 Tuesday... MOPS... p3 Wed... Bible Study Fellowship... p2 Friday... Beginner Bible Study... p7 Feb Knitters and Crocheters... p3 Feb Secret Sister Brunch... p2 April Family Retreat... p NPC Officers... p6 FSIL Nursing... p4 Holy Week Calendar... p8 Neelsville Kids... p7 Session News... p6 Trustee News... p4 Why Singing Matters... p5 The next issue of Neelsville News will be the March edition. Article submissions should be sent to neelsvillenewsletter@gmail.com by Wednesday, February 15 th. PASTOR S CORNER HUMILITY Cheryl and I threw a Christmas Fiesta for our church staff and, as part of the festivities, we had a book gift exchange. Everyone was asked Pastor Pete to bring a wrapped book and the only instructions were that it had to be a book that you had read and that you loved. Everybody enjoyed the food, and fellowship, but the book exchange was the highlight each person went home with the perfect book(s). Mine is called Humility: the Beauty of Holiness and was written by the nineteenth century South African pastor and evangelist Andrew Murray. Andy and Tam brought the book to the party and said it was a book he loved so much Andy had read it multiple times. Now that I have read it for the first time, I am planning to read for a second time very soon. When Jesus made himself nothing... taking the nature of a servant, he modeled for all believers true humility. Andrew Murray calls this our true nobility and the distinguishing feature of discipleship. With insightful, penetrating clarity, Murray calls all Christians to turn from pride, empty themselves, and study the character of Christ to be filled with his grace. Despite being written a century ago, this little book is a treasure of great practical import for Christians today. Jesus said, Blessed are the poor in spirit (humble), for theirs is the king- dom of heaven. (Matthew 5:2). If you want to know how to be a humble Christian less pride and more Jesus in your life you will be blessed to find this gem from Andrew Murray. I would like to share a small bit from the opening chapter of his little meditation on humility: And so pride, or the loss of this humility, is the root of every sin and evil! It was when the now-fallen angels began to look upon themselves with self-complacency that they were led to disobedience, and were cast down from the light of heaven into outer darkness. Even so, it was when the Serpent breathed the poison of his pride the desire to be as God into the hearts of our first parents, they too fell from their high estate into all the wretchedness into which man is sunk. In heaven and earth, pride self-exaltation is the gate and the birth, and the curse, of hell. Hence it follows that nothing can be our redemption but the restoration of the lost humility, the original and only true relation of the creature to its God. And so Jesus came to bring humility back to earth, to make us partakers of it, and by it to save us. In heaven He humbled Himself to become man. The humility we see in Him possessed Him in heaven; it brought Him, He brought it, from there. Here on earth He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death; His humility gave His death its CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

2 FELLOWSHIP SECRET SISTER REVEAL BRUNCH The Secret Sister program is an outreach ministry open to all ladies of the church. We draw names and become a silent prayer partner and a secret up-lifter. She doesn t know who you are. Likewise, someone will be caring for you in the same way. Secret Sisters are about encouraging, praying for, and supporting each other in small ways. For ladies currently involved in the Secret Sister fellowship, Secret Sister Reveal Brunch is February 11 th starting at 11am in the Parlor. It is a potluck so bring your favorite brunch item! Contact Karen Styer at klstyer@ verizon.net for more information. PASTOR S CORNER CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 value, and so became our redemption. And now the salvation He imparts is nothing less and nothing else than a communication of His own life and death, His own disposition and spirit His own humility as the ground and root of His relation to God and His redeeming work. Jesus Christ took the place and fulfilled the destiny of man, as a creature, by His life of perfect humility. His humility is our salvation. His salvation is our humility. And so the life of the saved ones, of the saints, must needs bear this stamp of deliverance from sin and full restoration to their original state their whole relation to God and man marked by an all-pervading humility. Without this there can be no true abiding in God s presence, or experience of His favor and the power of His Spirit; without this, no abiding faith, or love or joy or strength. Humility is the only soil in which the graces root; the lack of humility is the sufficient explanation of every defect and failure. Humility is not so much a grace or virtue along with others as it is the root of all, because it alone takes the right attitude before God and allows Him as God to do all. Humility: The Beauty of Holiness by Andrew Murray (Alachua, FL: Bridge-Logos, reprinted 2000) NPC BIBLE STUDY FELLOWSHIP Greetings from the NPC BSF Women s class. We welcome all ladies from NPC to come and study with us the Gospel of John. We meet on Wednesday evening at 7pm. We have learned so far this year that Jesus is The Bread of Life, The Living Water, The Light of the Word, The Good Shepard, and The Resurrection and the Life. Come and see Jesus!! If you have questions, please contact Maria McPhail at Frederick Road Germantown, MD You can reach the Office at office@neelsville.org TEL: (301) FAX: (301) Senior Pastor Rev. Dr. Peter Della Santina pete@neelsville.org Parish Associate ECO Ordination Candidate Rev. Derek Longbrake Paul Kim dereklongbrake@gmail.com paulkimjr@gmail.com Children & Family Ministry Jamie Swope neelsvillekids@gmail.com Youth Ministries Director Andy Herman amichaelherman@gmail.com Treasurer Choir Director Wendy Coulliard Steve Kim treasurernpc@gmail.com kieunstevekim@gmail.com FINANCIAL SNAPSHOT Neelsville News is published by Neelsville Presbyterian Church. Submit Word files and photos by the 15 th of each month to neelsvillenewsletter@gmail.com. Sherrie Cardea, Melissa Blount FINANCIAL UPDATE The 2016 financial snapshot is not available this issue. A financial update was published in the Annual Report sent out at the annual meeting on Saturday, January 28 th. Page 2 NEELSVILLE NEWS FEBRUARY 2017

3 ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASSES There have been three ongoing adult Sunday school classes since late last year as follows: Aroon Datta has been leading a class discussion on Mere Christianity, which started in early September Mere Christianity, by Clive Staples Lewis, is a fundamental work in Christian apologetics. Many Christians point to this book as a turning point in their coming to faith. The class meets 9:30am-10:30am in the Conference Room. Paul Kim leads a sermon-based Bible study which meets from 9:30am-10:30am in the Library. Adam Condrick leads an Adult Small Group that meets 8:30am-9:30am in the Library. They recently finished studying Twelve Ordinary Men by John MacArthur and will begin discussing The Shack: Where Tragedy Confronts Eternity by William P. Young. THANKS! A special thank you to Gerry Davis for organizing the MOPS annual gingerbread house decorating. Kids and moms all had a great time and thanks, Gerry, for your loving support of this ministry. FELLOWSHIP KNITTERS AND CROCHETERS Those of us who like to knit and crochet for others meet monthly and we welcome anyone who would like to learn or update their skills. We will be in the Conference Room next to the Library Saturday, February 11 th, from 10am- 12pm with yarn, needles and hooks, patterns and friendly help. Come join us! We make hats for preemies, hats and scarves for all ages, lap blankets, prayer shawls and other items which are distributed all across our area. We are always interested in broadening our reach and finding new ideas to warm the lives of those in need around us. If you have acrylic yarn to donate, bring it along or leave it anytime in our box in the Welcome Center closet. Contact Marilyn Splete at amsplete@yahoo.com for information. DECEMBER S YANKEE SWAP The annual Yankee Swap was enjoyed by all in attendance on December 3 rd, 2016! What s this another fruitcake? Mary Esther reads scripture MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) is an international Christian program that supports mothers from pregnancy through their youngest child heading off to kindergarten. In the fall of 2016, 45 moms benefited from MOPS at Neelsville Presbyterian Church. Our moms enjoyed child care provided by a team of wonderful volunteers during Tuesday meetings and heard speakers discuss children s literacy, budgeting, and home organization. Many participated in a Bible study called Missional Motherhood. In December, the moms visited Asbury Methodist Village to sing Christmas carols and visit with the residents. We joined together for many play dates, Bible study and moms nights out. Our Spring semester is off to a great start. This Spring our meetings will include speakers discussing nutrition, safety, exercise, tips to improve one s appearance and how to create family traditions. We will offer a beginners Bible study to help our moms study and grow in their faith. We need you! Are you a mom in this phase of life LOCAL MISSIONS NEELSVILLE NEWS FEBRUARY 2017 Yankee Swappers need nourishment and in need of support? We are here to support you. Are you a mom who has walked through this stage of life and might be willing to come to our meetings and serve as a loving and supportive mentor? Are you willing to hold a baby or play with a toddler? Then you are perfect for helping with our childcare. Please consider helping the MOPS ministry grow in Contact Kimberly Nugent King at kimberlynugent@hotmail.com. Page 3

4 GLOBAL MISSIONS FSIL NURSING SCHOLARSHIPS AT WORK NPC contributions support the FSIL (Faculté des Sciences Infirmières de l Université Episcopale d Haïti) Nursing Scholarship Fund through our Global Missions outreach. Below is an update on their program... The Need for Nurses According to the WHO, as of 2013, the world is short 9 million nurses and midwives. Virtually every country in the world is facing this shortage, but in developing countries the shortage is acute. Nurses are the frontline of any health care system. They provide direct patient care to people in all settings and throughout their lifespan are often the only access that people in the poorest and most rural communities have to any health services. Nurses are critical, not only in delivering health care, but also in building and strengthening the entire health care system. However, simply increasing the number of nurses is not enough. They must have the knowledge and skills to meet the unique health needs of the populations they serve. Haiti is the poorest country in the Western hemisphere. It also has one of the lowest nurse-to-population ratios in the world. Haiti has only 2.5 nurses per 10,000 population compared to 24 per 10,000 in the U.S. The FSIL Nursing School was conceived as a way to increase medical outreach in the Léogâne region of Haiti. MBF secured USAID/ASHA grants and support from partner congregations to build the campus. Dedicated in January of 2005, FSIL established the first baccalaureate nursing (BSN) program in the country and was recently named the #1 nursing program in Haiti by the Ministry of Public Health. Through the support of U.S. partners, like Neelsville Presbyterian Church, MBF is working with FSIL to not only increase the number of nurses in Haiti, but also to improve the quality of their education and training. In the baccalaureate nursing program, students develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills and are positioned to serve in leadership roles. Of the graduates from FSIL, 95% stay in Haiti serving some of the poorest communities on the planet. Support of MBF s Nursing Schools and Scholarships focus will help ensure quality health care to the people of Haiti for generations to come. You didn t give us a fish; you taught us how to fish. Our education can never be stolen from us. Chelene Noel, 2013 FSIL graduate MBF (Medical Benevolence Foundation) 9555 W. Sam Houston Parkway South, Suite 170 Houston, TX Graduation Ceremony at FSIL TRUSTEE NEWS Dear NPC Community, Neelsville Presbyterian Church is committed to the safety and security of its staff members, congregation and visitors. As such, a decision to cancel events and/or close the church is based on the overall concern for the safety and security of the community. Neelsville Presbyterian Church will follow the Montgomery County Public School s decisions about weather-related closures and delays. Closures When schools are closed, all church and community activities are canceled, including afternoon events. Delayed Opening When schools have a delayed opening, the Church will open 2 hours late. Any programs that begin at 10:30am TRUSTEES or earlier are canceled and any program that begins after 10:30am will follow their regular schedule. Closure and Delay information The County will update their web page for inclement weather decisions ( You may also sign up for text and alerts through the County at montgomeryschoolsmd.org/emergency/ alertmcps.aspx While efforts will be made to clear snow and treat ice on the walkways and parking lots, caution should be taken during inclement weather. Page 4 NEELSVILLE NEWS FEBRUARY 2017

5 SEVEN BIBLICAL REASONS WHY SINGING MATTERS (Condensed from unlockingthebible.org/why-singing-matters 6/10/13) Have you ever wondered why God desires for his people to sing? What is it about worshiping through song that is so important to God? 1. When you sing, you obey. Singing isn t an option in Scripture. It s a command. Ephesians 5:18-19: be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart 2. When you sing, you dig deep roots in the Word. Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs Colossians 3:16 Our singing is more than a warm-up for the sermon or a filler in the service. Singing stands alongside of preaching as one of the two great ways that God has ordained for His Word to dwell RICHLY in each one of us! One pastor calls church singing Take Home Theology, because the best songs we sing together end up serving you as a 3 minute, easily memorizable, deeply biblical summary of important truths from Scripture. 3. When you sing, you build up others. First, you build up fellow believers when you sing: Ephesians 5:19: addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs When we do what the Bible says and sing together as a church family, we are hearing confessions of faith all around! Also know that as you sing, you re helping unbelievers. Think of the impact on someone who doesn t know Christ to hear those hundreds of confessions of faith as we sing together! This is why Pastor Tim Keller says, Good corporate worship will naturally be evangelistic. 4. When you sing, you make war. Chances are you didn t connect singing and warfare together, but it s a theme visible in Scripture... What posture must be more hated by the evil one than the posture of a believer who is singing? I can t think of many stances you can take that identify you with Christ and against Satan more than eyes, heart, mind and voice lifted to heaven in song! A singing heart is a heart at war with the work of the evil one and the power of sin. 5. When you sing, you are spiritually strengthened for trial. Singing brings strength for trials comes out in Acts 16. Paul and Silas are unjustly imprisoned for the sake of the Gospel, and what do they do while they re in prison? Sing! (Acts 16:25) And this truth is confirmed in the lives of persecuted believers throughout history. Even in suffering, SING! 6. When you sing, you walk a God-designed path- WORSHIP NEELSVILLE NEWS FEBRUARY 2017 way to joy. Here is a sample of what the Psalms say about singing: Psalm 5:11: Let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you. Psalm 59:16: I will sing of your strength; I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning. For you have been to me a fortress and a refuge in the day of my distress. Psalm 63:7: For you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy. And from James 5:13: Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. Persistently in Scripture, joy and singing are bound together. (The first six reasons get summed up in number seven): 7. When you sing, you glorify God. True obedience, deep roots in the Word, building up others, making war against Satan and sin, persevering, finding joy in God all of these things bring glory to God each person s chief goal and chief purpose in life. It is to HIM and about HIM that we sing! Singing has such a unique way of bringing your heart, soul, mind, and strength together to focus entirely and completely on God. In an age of distraction singing grabs the attention of all our senses and focuses us on God. In Revelation 7:9-10, the Apostle John describes a glimpse of eternity with a great multitude of people from every tribe, people, and language singing before the Lamb: Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb! Eternity awaits. Will you on that day be one of the great multitudes that no one could number, singing the song of the Lamb? I hope you will be there, singing the song of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Sing now. Sing forever. Singing matters. And it matters that we do it together. SAVE THE DATE! Young at Hearts Potluck Luncheon Thursday, February 16 th at 11:30am In the Fellowship Hall Young At Hearts Luncheon Page 5

6 2017 NEELSVILLE OFFICERS SESSION Class of 2017 Craig Arold; Aroon Datta; Chad Porter Class of 2018 Sam Amoako-Atta; Joan Ginetis, Clerk; Theo R. Class or 2019 Wendy Couillard; Jason Evans; Kevin Hutto; Michele Kelly; Margaret Kemngang DEACONS Class of 2017 Janne Cummings; Sue Green; Peggy Hurkett; Laura Martinez Class of 2018 Pam Armstrong; Jane Benjamin; Sherrie Cardea; Melissa Evans; Betty Hemby; Debbie Noren, Co-Moderator; Doris Teye, Co-Moderator Class of 2019 Nengi Jamabo; Kathy Surber TRUSTEES Class of 2017 George Oku; Mike Savage; Sandy Hutto Class of 2018 Gogo Cookey; Rob Smith, Co-Moderator; Cathy Turner Class of 2019 Gregg Couillard, Co-Moderator; Theo Teye; Don Yazurlo JANUARY 2017 SESSION NOTES Session met on January 19 th with 6 of 11 Elders present. Pastor Pete opened the meeting with prayer. Two members of the Worship Committee were present to give an overview of its ministry work and share goals and plans for An update was given on the upcoming installation of the screen and projector in the Sanctuary, and the need for a skilled team to operate the projector. We praise God for the excellence of our new music staff, Steve Kim and Hyeeun Stocker, whose skill and devotion lift up the hearts of the entire congregation in worship. It is the intent of the committee to continue to educate all of us about the meaning and purpose of worship through devotions at our meetings, with the Chancel Choir and Praise Team, and in newsletter articles. Commendation was given to the Nominating Committee for its hard work in 2016 to staff our Boards. SESSION NEWS Page 6 NEELSVILLE NEWS FEBRUARY 2017 Ordination of Officers, January 15, 2017 Concern was expressed that not enough people were willing to serve as Deacons, and that the Deacon Board is stretched thin seeking to do their work of shepherding care for all our members. We considered that perhaps members do not fully understand the work of Elders, Deacons, and Trustees, and brainstormed ways to communicate this better. Pastor Pete reported how good it is to be fully staffed with excellent people in every ministry area and how much energy to serve is shared in staff meetings. We talked about the visit on January 8 th of ECO Pastor Jennifer Holz from First Presbyterian Church of Colorado Springs. All were very pleased with her helpful presentation describing the Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians (ECO) and her clear and concise answers to questions. You may find more information about it at IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM SESSION Following several years of discussion and a full year of prayerful discernment regarding denominational issues, the Session is recommending to the Neelsville membership that we disaffiliate with PCUSA and seek affiliation with the Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians (ECO). The NPC Session affirms that we remain affiliated with PCUSA in good standing at this time, and a congregational vote to disaffiliate will adhere to the disaffiliation process defined by the National Capital Presbytery (NCP) and led by the NCP Discernment Team.

7 NEELSVILLE KIDS AND FAMILY NEWS! As we head into February, a month we generally think of as love month, there is a lot to love about what our children are learning about in Sunday School. This month they are focusing on how God is victorious, sovereign, trustworthy, and blesses us as they learn about David and Solomon through the books of 1 and 2 Samuel and 1 Kings. Each week, parents are ed content of the lessons to help preview Bible stories before Sunday and have opportunities to grow spiritually together with fun activity suggestions and facts. The Bible verse our preschoolers and kindergartners are working on is Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good spirit lead me on level ground. Psalm 143:10 Our 1st-6th graders are learning How abundant are the good things that you have stored up for those who fear you, that you bestow in the sight of all, on those who take refuge in you. Psalm 31:19 It is my prayer that families partner with our Sunday School teaching team to disciple these precious young ones by reviewing these Bible stories and learning together and growing closer to God together. What an impact we can make together as a church family coming alongside our parents praying for them and teaming with them in service to our children. I d like to thank our team of teachers and Sunday school leaders who already do this each week. We would love to invite you... yes YOU... to join this exciting team that God works through to minister to children and families. God is doing incredible things, and we d love to have you be part of that! In Christ, Jamie Swope Dir. of Children s Ministry NPC S FAMILY RETREAT IN PLANNING STAGES More information to come! If you d like to be involved in the leadership and planning of this event, please neelsvillekids@gmail.com. in the Nursery. Your kids are welcome to come along. We are using the text Growing in Christ, a study from Navigators including 13 lessons on Christian living. SUNDAY SCHOOL CHRISTMAS PARTY FAMILY CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE BEGINNER S BIBLE STUDY Moms of young ones, join Neelsville s beginner s Bible study happening now on Fridays from 10am-11:30am NEELSVILLE NEWS FEBRUARY 2017 Page 7

8 Non-Profit Organization Frederick Road Germantown, MD US Postage PAID Suburban, MD Permit No ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED Worship,Grow,Go! Celebrate Changed Lives! Calendar Wednesday, March 1...Ash Wednesday Supper and Service begins at 6:30pm Sunday, March 5...First Sunday in Lent Sunday, April 9...Palm Sunday Friday, April 14...Good Friday Service at 7:30pm Sunday, April 16...Easter