YOU RE INVITED! Holy Week Events

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1 April 2014 Holy Week Events April 13th Palm Sunday 8:30 and 11am worship services April 17th Maundy Thursday 7:30pm worship with communion April 18th Good Friday 7:30pm tenebrae service led by chancel choir April 19th Saturday Vigil no service; bible study material will be supplied for devotions at home April 20th Easter Sunday 8:30 and 11am worship services 9:40-11am easter brunch YOU RE INVITED! April Knitters & Crocheters... p3 April Palm Sunday Carnival... p8 April Maundy Thursday Services. p5 April Good Friday Services... p5 April Easter Sunday Services... p5 April 20.. Annual Easter Brunch... p5 April Rebuilding Together Day1.p5 April Rebuilding Together Day2.p5 April Talent Show and Dinner... p4 May 3... Ladies Tea... p3 May Honoring All Women... p3 PASTORS CORNER Appreciative Inquiry Interviews Coming Ap-pre ci-ate, v., 1. valuing; the act of recognizing the best in people or the world around us; affirming past and present Pastor Pete strengths, successes, and potentials; to perceive those things that give life (health, vitality, excellence) to living systems. 2. to increase in value, e.g. the economy has appreciated in value. Synonyms: valuing, prizing, esteeming, and honoring. In-quire, v., 1. the act of exploration and discovery. 2. to ask questions; to be open to seeing new potentials and possibilities. Synonyms: discovery, search, systematic exploration, and study. Appreciative Inquiry (A.I.) is a +15 minute interview of all Neelsville members and friends (people who regularly attend but have not joined), scheduled for April 27th to May 9th. I introduced A.I. to you in last month s newsletter and have spoken about it from the pulpit. The purpose of these interviews (and some of us may opt to write our responses and mail them in) is to gather as many stories of peak experiences at Neelsville and valued insights to help in our spiritual discernment of God s will. The Holy Spirit speaks through God s people and empowers every member and friend of Neelsville with gifts, abilities, talents, and life experiences which enrich our ministry, mission, and life together. We are looking to tap into what we do best together at Neelsville by discovering the common themes, values and governing principles that bind us together as we discern new potentials and possibilities for ministry and mission. A.I. is different from a survey. A survey is a sampling, or partial collection, of facts or opinions collected and used to approximate what a complete collection and analysis might reveal. So a survey might show that X% of NPC members like traditional, Y% like worship and Z% like blended worship. And then this information, compared with other data in a survey, could be used to either forecast or strategize for a desired outcome. Surveys are generally anonymous, it s the data that matters. Instead, with A.I. it is YOU and YOUR STORY that matters. A.I. is about building trust and better communication by sharing the story God is weaving into our personal lives and shared life as a family of faith. By affirming one another s stories, views and hopes for our future, in Spirit-empowered unity and Christian love, we can listen to God better together. See the difference? The interviews will take place at the end of this month. Multiple times, locations and means of interview will be provided, and some interviews may happen by phone or in your home if that is most convenient. The person conducting the interview, which ought to take about 15 minutes, may be an elder, deacon or your small group leader. And if you would prefer to write your answers and mail/ them in that works too. Once all the interviews of the congregation are conducted, the elders and deacons will meet on June 6th and interview one another and discuss the congregational interviews and stories. And then the elders will continue to meet the next day for further discussion and prayer. Session will report their findings to the congregation. Here are the four questions: Question #1: Reflecting on your entire time at Neelsville, share a story about your best experience at the church. Recall a time you felt most alive, joyful, encouraged or fulfilled in your participation here. What made it your best experience? Who CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

2 PASTORS CORNER... CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 else was involved? Please describe your experience. Question #2: When you think about what we do as a church our worship, Christian education, teaching/preaching, outreach and evangelism to the community, growth groups within the church, service activities, fellowship events, service opportunities, care of members in need, support of missions locally and globally what do you find to be especially meaningful and essential? What do we do best? Question #3: What is the single characteristic or quality of our church that is most valuable to you? What is our most significant, core identity or distinguishing mark? How can this characteristic spread at Neelsville? Question #4: Imagine one day you came to church and God had answered your prayers for Neelsville, and our mission to be and to make disciples of Jesus Christ was happening like never before. What would the church look like? If you hope for three areas of excellence at Neelsville, what would they be? Start thinking about the very best you have experienced at NPC, what we do best, who we are at our best, and your hopes for our future together, and stay tuned to the weekly bulletin, sign-up cards and website for ways to schedule your interview. Our future is very bright; through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the Word of God, and our Christian fellowship, may we discover it together Frederick Road Germantown, MD TEL: (301) FAX: (301) Senior Pastor Rev. Dr. Peter Della Santina pete@neelsville.org Associate Pastor Rev. Andy Nagel awnagel@gmail.com Office Administrator Tricia Bradford office@neelsville.org Treasurer Wendy Coulliard treasurermpc@gmail.com Contemporary Worship Director & Director of Student Ministries Ryan Mowen romowen@gmail.com Organist Michele Kelly mmkelly440@hotmail.com Interm Choir Director Greg Graf gggraf@gmail.com Neelsville News is published by Neelsville Presbyterian Church. Submit Word files and photos by the 15th of each month to Sherrie Cardea; neelsvillenewsletter@gmail.com Page 2 NEELSVILLE NEWS April 2014 featuring the traveling Salt and Light High School Choir from the First Presbyterian Church in Boulder, Colorado Salt and Light High School Choir started over 35 years ago at the home church of Andy and Bethany Nagel and primarily sing at the 11:00 Contemporary Service on Sundays in Colarado. The choir tours yearly during their high school spring break. This trip they performed at the National Presbyterian Church in DC and at churches in Ellicott City and Takoma Park in MD, McClain and Nokesville in VA, and Rutledge, PA. The purpose of the choir is to share God s message through Jesus Christ and to serve their local church by leading Worship in song. The 29 students and accompanying adults stayed in homes of Neelsville members for the first leg of their trip. ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL Suprised by Hope The Adult Sunday School class will continue in April with the Lenten video series Surprised by Hope with author and biblical scholar, N.T. Wright. This video is a thought-provoking look at heaven, the resurrection and the mission of the church. Join us in the Fellowship Hall for the video and lively class discussion. Take this opportunity to enrich your observance of Lent. FaithWeavers Also continuing in April is the FaithWeavers class meeting in the Parlor. The class studies the same Bible passages as children in their Sunday School classes. In this way, parents are informed and encouraged with engage with their children growing in faith. FINANCIAL SNAPSHOT YTD YTD ANNUAL YTD OPERATING FUND Actual Budget Budget Variance Tithes & Offerings $76,890 $95,669 $574,000 -$18,779 Expenses $110,368 $101,573 $689,825 $8,795 Inc/Exp -$33,478 -$5,904 $0 BUILDING FUND Tithes & Offerings $4,596 $6,000 $36,000 -$1,404 Other Funds * $54,210 $0 $0 $54,210 Expenses $3,307 $13,000 $78,000 -$9,693 Inc/Exp $1,289 -$7,000 NOTE:*$54,210 are monies brought forward from the 2013 building fund and will be used in part to offset mortgage payments.

3 CHURCH LIBRARY NEWS We are always expanding our collection with donations of wonderful books and videos. In 2013 we added 55 new titles to our library! See what is new this month: Andrew s Gift: and the Untold Miracles in Bethlehem, historical fiction by D. Marietta Williams Best Small Group Ideas compiled by Deena Davis Christian Beliefs: Twenty Basics Every Christian Should Know by Wayne A. Grudem Down Gilead Lane, kids fiction audio CD series by CBH Ministries (10 seasons) Drama Ministry: Practical Help for Making Drama a Vital Part of Your Church by Steve Pederson Pocket Handbook of Christian Apologetics by Peter Kreeft and Ronald K. Tacelli The Measure of a Man: Twenty Attributes of a Godly Man by Gene A. Getz TENEBRAE: A SERVICE OF SHADOWS The service of Tenebrae, meaning darkness or shadows, has been practiced by the church since medieval times. Once a service for the monastic community, Tenebrae later became an important part of the worship of the common folk during Holy Week. We join Christians of many generations throughout the world in using the liturgy of Tenebrae. Tenebrae is a prolonged meditation on Christ s suffering. Readings trace the story of Christ s passion, music portrays his pathos, and the power of silence and darkness suggests the drama of this momentous day. As lights are extinguished, we ponder the depth of Christ s suffering and death; we remember the cataclysmic nature of his sacrifice; and through the remaining of the small flame of the Christ candle at the conclusion of the service, we anticipate the joy of ultimate victory. Information from The Calvin Institute of Worship, Calvin College, Grand Rapids, MI GIRL SCOUT CELEBRATION! Neelsville celebrated Girl Scout Sunday March 9th. We recognized our many Girl Scouts, past and present, with flowers and a beautiful cake. Who knew we had so many women dedicated to Scouts! Thanks for your service! FELLOWSHIP GOT CRAYONS? If you like to color, please take a look at the coloring page on page eight of Neelsville News. We d like to decorate one of the bulletin boards in the Sunday school wing hallway with YOUR great artwork! Just color the He is Risen portion of the page, write in your first name, cut out your picture, bring it to church and post it on the bulletin board. See what God puts in your heart to create and share! ATTENTION KNITTERS and CROCHETERS! The Knitters and Crocheters will meet on Saturday, April 12th from 10am-12pm in the church library. If you want to learn or update your skills, we are happy to help you. A note to anyone doing spring cleaning, we use donated yarn! If you come across a long forgotten, intended project, bring the unused yarn to us. Leave it in the closet in the new narthex. We ll be happy to make something useful from it. Questions? Contact Marilyn Splete at or amsplete@yahoo.com. UPCOMING MAY EVENTS YOUNG AT HEARTS Will NOT meet in April. The next luncheon will be during the first FULL week in May (the week beginning May 4th). Information will appear in the May Neelsville News and the Sunday bulletins. Watch for Young At Hearts news soon! RECEPTION HONORING ALL WOMEN Fellowship Committee, in conjunction with Children s Ministry, will be holding a reception to not only honor mothers, but ALL women on Sunday, May 11th (Mother s Day) from 10:40-11:00am in Fellowship Hall. Please join us for refreshments and other special surprises from the children of the church. Mikayla Martin, Joanne Cardea, Annie and Katie Elliott net. NEELSVILLE NEWS April 2014 LADIES TEA Please join us for a French tea party and devotion on Saturday, May 3rd from 9:30-11:30am. We will be enjoying our tea and French cuisine in the Fellowship Hall. We are looking for six people to help by sponsoring a table. For more details, please contact Gerry Davis at or Gerry.davis@comcast. Page 3

4 CHURCH YOUTH MINISTRY Hello NPC! NPCYM (Neelsville Presbyterian Church Youth Ministry) would like to share with you some of the great things that God is doing in our ministry. We also want to give some details about upcoming events! On March 16th we had a St. Patrick s Day themed pancake breakfast fundraiser. It was a blast! We raised some funds for our mission trip, and connected with the members of the Church. Thank you for supporting our youth! If you would still like to make a donation, you can write a check to NPC and mark it for Youth in the memo. On March 16th, we also introduced the new Youth Membership program. This program gets parents, mentors, youth leaders, and elders involved in discipleship and encouragement of the student. Students will be doing the things members do: growing in the Lord and serving Him and the Church. ryan@ neelsville.org for more information. If youth are interested in the summer missions trip, the dates are June 29th-July 4th. You can follow the address below to learn more about the details of this year s trip. Please contact Ryan and submit a $50 deposit by April 6th if you are planning to attend. The total cost is $90. Finally, our ANNUAL YOUTH MISSION FUNDRAISER Dinner/Talent show/auction is April 26th. CALLING FOR THE ENTIRE CONGREGATION. Please mark your calendar for APRIL 26th!!! It is an evening you won t want to miss. An evening we want you to not only see, but really be an integral part of. It is the date of our annual dinner/talent show and auction. If you have a talent, if you can see or hear, if you like to eat, then this evening is for you! It really is that simple! Dinner (5:15 to 6:30) The youth of the church will prepare and serve a spaghetti dinner for all attendees. We can t promise gourmet food but we can promise loving hearts and food prepared by loving hands and smiling service. Cost of the dinner is $10 per adult and $5 per child. Variety Show we want anyone with talent to share and participate. We want to see the entire church in action using their gifts to Worship God. Some of the most touching times were shared experiences of parent and child, or a song that really held meaning for someone. Another was an act that went across the ages. It is amazing the Love that is shared this night. Auction the auction is smaller and no longer silent. Our emcees will entice you to bid on items and last year it was as much a part of the show as anything else. We will have personal training, car detailing, golf lessons, Longenberger baskets and. if you want something and cannot be there, let us know your high bid and you can still be part of the action. We understand that Rebuilding Together is also happening on the 26th. Well, who wants to cook after a long hard day of work? Come dirty, smelly and hungry. We would love to feed you and help you to relax. We will even save you food if we know you will be coming late. If you have a talent you would like to share, please get in touch with Ryan. If you have an item to donate, please contact Adam Condrick. If you would like to be a part of the dinner, please contact either of us. If you want to have the bestest of times, SHOW UP and Rejoice in the Lord! We are really excited, and hope you will be too. Sincerely, Youth Committee Neelsville s Got Talent! Annual Youth Mission Fundraiser Dinner, Talent Show AND Auction Saturday, April 26th Dinner begins at 5:15pm Dinner $10/adults $5/children DON T MISS THE FUN! Page 4 NEELSVILLE NEWS April 2014

5 HOLY WEEK LOCAL MISSIONS Amazing Grace: I Once Was Lost, But Now Am Found I am not what I ought to be, I am not what I want to be, I am not what I hope to be in another world; but still I am not what I once used to be, and by the grace of God I am what I am. -John Newton Amazing Grace is the most recognizable hymn of the church in the English-speaing world. You probably know the words by heart. Written by John Newton, a depraved captain of a slavetrade ship who was saved by Jesus and became an abolitionist and an evangelical Anglican cleric. He was a personal friend to William Wilberforce, Charles Simeon, Henry Martyn, William Carey, John Wesley, George Whitefield; and the author of the most famous hymn in the English language. Join us and invite a guest to come this Holy Week as we delight in knowing God and we experience God s Riches At Christ s Expense. The theme for the messages will be drawn from each verse of the hymn Amazing Grace as it relates to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. April 13th Palm Sunday 8:30 and 11am worship services Amazing grace! How sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now am found; was blind, but now I see. April 17th Maundy Thursday 7:30pm worship with communion Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved; how precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed. Project Day One: April 12th, am to 5pm Final Project Day: April 26th, am to 5pm Dickerson, MD Mrs. Idella Craven is a 95 year old lifelong resident of Montgomery County. In fact, she grew up on the property adjacent to her current residence. Her husband built the house in the early 1950 s and together they raised two children in this home. There are many interior projects to be done such as repair bathroom wall and subfloor, install new vanity, sink and toilet, and kitchen painting and possible appliance replacements. Exterior projects will include repair/replace damaged and deteriorated areas of freeze board, fascia and soffit, clean and replace gutters and repair portico roof at the side entry. It is a big project this year, so please sign-up for either or both days as you can. We need adults with carpentry skills, but we will also have plenty of work for anyone that can volunteer. Anyone 14 years or older is welcome to participate. If you are under 18, please bring a hard copy of the registration waiver signed by your parent to project day. Registration is online at rebuildingtogethermc.org. We ask that you register as soon as possible so we may start planning our project days. If you have any questions or work preferences please contact Craig or Cindy Arold at or craigarold@verizon.net or cbarold@verizon.net April 18th Good Friday 7:30pm Tenebrae service led by Chancel Choir Through many dangers, toils, and snares, I have already come; tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home. April 19th Saturday Vigil no service; Bible study material will be supplied for devotions at home The Lord has promised good to me, His word my hope secures; He will my shield and portion be As long as life endures. RebuildingTogether 2013 April 20th Easter Sunday 8:30 and 11am worship services 9:40-11am Easter brunch When we ve been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun, we ve no less days to sing God s praise than when we first begun. NEELSVILLE NEWS April 2014 Page 5

6 Help decorate the Sunday School wing bulletin board! Color in this top portion, cut it out and post it for all to admire! My First Name: Age: $ Page 6 NEELSVILLE NEWS April 2014

7 GLOBAL MISSIONS GLOBAL MISSIONS UPDATE Missionary of the Month Neelsville supports missionaries who are actively working to expand our Lord s kingdom all over this earth. To better acquaint you with the people and the work they are doing, the Global Missions Committee members plan to introduce you to one or more of these folks each month. So watch the newsletter, the bulletin, and bulletin board for information on these amazing servants of God. ANOTHER SAFE LANDING Gary & Pat Sheppard Missionaries of the Month Gary was flying five passengers to Jos from Lagos, Nigeria one fateful day in 1976 when the plane s engines started to fail and a quick check of the gauges showed the oil pressure reading ZERO! Already an hour into the flight, he turned the plane back toward the airport, started praying to God for wisdom and protection, and sent out a Mayday call on the radio - which went unanswered. Engine failure, no earthly assistance and unable to see the ground due to the dust that was in the air Gary was in trouble. However, he thought he was in the vicinity of a main road. He started descending. At 500 feet, he broke through the dust to see the road, but it had mounds of gravel running down the center in preparation for roadwork. After another desperate prayer, an open field came into view, and with the plane violently shuddering and engines shaking to pieces, he safely skidded to a stop in a field of elephant grass with no injuries to any on board. God gave Gary and his passengers a safe landing.* Neelsville recently received a letter from the president of SIM USA, Bruce Johnson, thanking us for our prayer and financial support of Gary and Pat Sheppard. After 50 years of faithful missionary service (40 of those with SIM) the Sheppards retired on February 1 of this year. You may recall meeting Gary & Pat, as they have visited Neelsville routinely to tell us of their work when they were traveling the country for SIM. The Past Gary and Pat were already serving in West Africa before joining SIM in For the next 11 years they worked among the people of West Africa where Gary primarily served as a missionary pilot and Pat served as a nurse. After a brief leave of absence for family matters, they returned to Niger in 1985, and then Gary became the Northeast Regional Director of SIM. In 1992, the two began to work with the High School Evangelism Fellowship. They also took teens on summer mission trips. SIM USA headquarters became their main place of ministry in 2001 until the present. Gary has primarily worked in the Services Department and Pat in the Medical, Candidate, and Recruiting Departments. They also worked with the MissionNext/Finishers Project Conferences to connect people with mission organizations. They served in the winter months for many years at the SIM Retirement Village in Sebring, FL. The Present After retiring on February 1, they are continuing to work at SIMUSA headquarters in Charlotte, NC and to represent SIM at Mission Next Conferences. They are preparing for their big move to SIM s Retirement Village in Sebring, FL. The Future What? This doesn t sound like retirement! Yes, the pair is still hard at work, and plan to continue to work with SIM, even with retirement status. They will be moving to their Florida home sometime this year, and serving our Lord with SIM as they are able. Missionaries still have support needs in retirement, and that is when many of their longtime supporters have retired themselves or graduated to heaven! Neelsville continues to support the Sheppards through SIM in In a recent Pat wrote, We do have God s promise that He will supply all our needs! So we are challenged to not be afraid but to trust Him as we ve done for the past 50+ years of missionary service and 53.5 years of marriage. God also promises that His children will not have to beg for bread. So we know we ll not starve to death as we keep our minds focused on Him. He is the Bread of Life, our Provider and our Sustainer. So why do we fear? Because we set our minds on the circumstances instead of on the Holy One who controls the circumstances. Amen, Pat! You both are great witnesses to us as we see the Lord guiding you to another safe landing. -Sue Farrell *The rest of this story can be read here - Just One Simair Story by Rich Schaffer published by iuniverse, October 24, 2012, available on Amazon.com SABBATICAL UPDATE Welcome Baby Liam! Pastor Andy & Bethany s new son has arrived! William (Liam) James Nagel was born at 6:34am on March 12th, weighing 7lbs 1oz and measuring 19 long. Liam came home from the hospital March 14th to excited brothers Zach and Caleb. We welcome Liam to his Neelsville family! Remember you can keep up with Andy and his studies at his website: NEELSVILLE NEWS April 2014 Page 7

8 20701 Frederick Road Germantown, MD Non-Profit Organization US Postage PAID Suburban, MD Permit No ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED Grow and Serve with our Family! Holy Week at a Glance DAY DATE TIME EVENT INFORMATION Sunday April 13 8:30am & 11:00am Palm Sunday Service April 13 9:40am - 10:30am Palm Sunday Carnival for the kids Fellowship Hall Thursday April 17 7:30pm Friday April 18 7:30pm Maundy Thursday Worship with Communion Good Friday Tenebrae Service led by Chancel Choir Babysitting provided Babysitting provided Sunday April 20 8:30am & 11:00am Easter Services April 20 9:40am - 10:30am Easter Brunch Bring a brunch item to share