PROVIDENCE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH MARCH Lenten Soup & Rolls. Wednesdays, 6:00pm. March 12, 19 & 26. April 2 & 9

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1 PROVIDENCE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH MARCH 2014!e Invitation Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper Tuesday, March 4 4:30-7:30 pm Fellowship Hall Please join us for this annual event hosted by the Providence Presbyterian Women. A delicious pancake supper for only $6 per person, or $15 per household... invite a friend or two! Susan Ayers Susan is serving on the PSALM Worship 106:1 Committee. HIS LOVE ENDURES FOREVER. Ash Wednesday Service Wednesday, March 5 7:30 pm Sanctuary Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of a season of selfexamination... Ash Wednesday is a time to open ourselves to God's presence... With gratitude and wonder, join us on Ash Wednesday and receive the Divine Love our minds, hearts and souls so desperately seek. New Elders at Providence Glynn Rogers Glynn is serving on the Administration Committee. Lenten Soup & Rolls Wednesdays, 6:00pm March 12, 19 & 26 April 2 & 9 Rev. Tom Chadwick will lead each evening session with a meditation on The Cross Way, Jesus Journey Toward the Cross. Sign up to bring your favorite soup and/or rolls. Lent Don Singletary Don is serving on the Congregational Care Committee. See the last page of this issue of The Invitation for a full list of our committees and elders. Upcoming Events Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper Tuesday, March 4 4:30-7:30pm Ash Wednesday Service Wednesday, March 5 7:30pm Presbyterian Men s Dinner Thursday, March 6 6:30pm First Sunday in Lent Daylight Savings Time Begins Sunday, March 9 Work Camp Volunteer Meeting Sunday, March 9 12:15pm Lenten Soup & Rolls Wednesdays, March 12, 19 & 26 6:00pm Courtyard Graces Saturday, March 15 9:00am Presbyterian Women Mission Work Day Thursday, March 20 12:30pm ODU Ministry Meal Sunday, March 23 Care Team Installation Sunday, March 23 during morning worship Meet Your Care Team Leader Tea and Fellowship Sunday, March 23 12:15pm A CARING CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP REACHING OUT IN RESPONSE TO GOD S LOVE PAGE 1

2 From My Open Door Maybe lusting isn t such a bad thing... I have to admit it. I ve been lusting a lot lately. I ve gone down a path that others have walked, I ve gone to websites that I didn t even know existed, I ve read things and seen things and done things that other guys before me have done. Guys like David, who in Psalms panted and thirsted for God and was frustrated with himself when his soul had, become disturbed. David lusted for God, and you can read his confession: My soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for you when I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches my soul clings to You. (Psalm 63:1-8) Guys like Habakkuk who said he would, Rejoice in the God of my salvation even if he had lost everything (Habakkuk 3:18). Guys like Paul who, in Philippians, claimed, All things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings (Philippians 3:8-14) Even creation in Romans 8 Paul says, Groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body. (Romans 8:22-24) Jeffrey S. Bell, Pastor Scripture makes it clear that since the beginning of time people have yearned, groaned, fasted, thirsted, meditated, and given up everything for sometimes a single opportunity to know God deeper. And I wonder, why don t we? Why do we find it easy to pour ourselves into a book on leadership, and yet struggle to find time to read about Jesus Christ, the greatest leader this world has ever known? Why are we sometimes content to give God an hour a week at church, and then clock out until the next Sunday? Why do we act like it s a sacrifice to set a small amount of time aside each day to pray and read God s Word, and yet somehow always find time to catch the game or an episode of our favorite TV show? I ve always associated lust with a negative connotation. Most of us do. However, my prayer from today on is that we will lust after God as did David, Habukkuk, and Paul. I want to yearn for more of God, and earnestly put time with Him on the top of my daily to do list. See you in church, Jeff SESSION NOTES The Session met on Monday, February 10, 2014, and conducted the following business: - received into membership John and Jean Dutzer, and Marty Michalisko, - voted to close the application period for the Director of Family Life Ministries position, so that interviews could commence, - Ashley Schroeder was commended for her 6 years of service as chair of the Administration Committee. MUSIC NOTES FROM VALETTA As we enter into the season of Lent, the music we offer in worship takes on a more introspective, contemplative nature. The Choir is working on some very beautiful music that will inspire during these weeks of preparation before Easter. We are also preparing special music for Ash Wednesday (March 5) and Maundy Thursday (April 17), and I would encourage you to make these special services part of your preparation for this holy season in the church year. A CARING CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP REACHING OUT IN RESPONSE TO GOD S LOVE PAGE 2

3 THIS MONTH AT PROVIDENCE SATURDAY, MARCH 1 Nancy Lindgren s Birthday Wendi Thomas Birthday Ben Schroeder s Birthday SUNDAY, MARCH 2 Susan Bell s Birthday Transfiguration of the Lord & Communion MONDAY, MARCH 3 7:00pm Committee Chairs 7:30pm Committee Night TUESDAY, MARCH 4 Jim Lytle s Birthday Abbi Boose s Birthday 4:30-7:30pm Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5 Beryl Fisher s Birthday Ted Salter s Birthday Ash Wednesday 6:30pm Chancel Choir 7:30pm Ash Wednesday Service THURSDAY, MARCH 6 Max Stockmeier s Birthday 6:30pm Presbyterian Men s Dinner FRIDAY, MARCH 7 Cheul Kang s Birthday Mike Polychroni s Birthday Barbara Bishop s Birthday SATURDAY, MARCH 8 Ellie Hawn s Birthday SUNDAY, MARCH 9 Dianne Stockmeier s Birthday Jonathan Hyslop s Birthday First Sunday in Lent Daylight Savings Time Begins 12:15pm Work Camp Volunteer Meeting MONDAY, MARCH 10 Mary Ann Cook s Birthday Alice Sherman s Birthday 7:00pm Session Meeting New Members Received TUESDAY, MARCH 11 10:00am Dorcas Circle WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12 9:45am Mary and Martha Circle 6:00pm Lenten Soup & Rolls 7:30pm Chancel Choir THURSDAY, MARCH 13 Mac O Neal s Birthday 7:00pm Presbyterian Women Bible Study FRIDAY, MARCH 14 Norma Barnes Birthday Lisa Snell s Birthday SATURDAY, MARCH 15 Newsletter Submission Deadline 9:00am Courtyard Graces SUNDAY, MARCH 16 MONDAY, MARCH 17 Frances Edwards Birthday Marty Stephenson s Birthday Bob Sivigny s Birthday TUESDAY, MARCH 18 Erin Sullivan s Birthday 6:30pm Work Camp Leadership Committee Meeting WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19 6:00pm Lenten Soup & Rolls 7:30pm Chancel Choir THURSDAY, MARCH 20 Abigayle Thomas Birthday 12:30pm PW Mission Work Day 7:00pm Care Team Leaders SATURDAY, MARCH 22 Charlie Scott s Birthday Caydn Cullipher s Birthday SUNDAY, MARCH 23 Calleigh Correia s Birthday ODU Ministry Meal 12:15pm PW Coordinating Team MONDAY, MARCH 24 Bill Parker s Birthday Sue Gonzalez s Birthday TUESDAY, MARCH 25 Christine Ussery s Birthday 7:00pm Ruth Circle WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26 Cale Molleen s Birthday 6:00pm Lenten Soup & Rolls 7:30pm Chancel Choir THURSDAY, MARCH 27 Davis Wood s Birthday Blake Birdwell s Birthday SUNDAY, MARCH 30 Gary Reese s Birthday Megan Burke s Birthday 12:15pm Meet Your Care Team Leader Tea MONDAY, MARCH 31 Betty Harl s Birthday Jeff Bell s Birthday Nadine Olenych s Birthday Caitlin Dorsch s Birthday Jessica Dorsch s Birthday Micah Rohde s Birthday A CARING CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP REACHING OUT IN RESPONSE TO GOD S LOVE PAGE 3

4 WORK CAMP 2014 Greetings from the Work Camp 2014 Committee. We are only 4 months away from our exciting week of Work Camp, July This is the last month to identify homes in need of repair. Our completed Work Camp paperwork must be submitted in April so that needed materials can be ordered. We have received approximately 62 applications for repairs. Unfortunately, we are unable to perform some of the work requested by homeowners. We are required to identify homes needing repairs such as interior/ exterior painting, weatherization, step repair, wheel chair ramp construction/repair, porch repair/construction, and mobile home repairs. Campers are not permitted to do plumbing, electrical, or HVAC repairs. Applications for home repairs are available from the church office and on the youth bulletin board. Share this information and applications with those in need of free home repairs. There will be a Work Camp Volunteer meeting following worship on March 9. Volunteer sign-up sheets are on the Work Camp 2014 bulletin board located outside the old kitchen. Also on this board is a sign-up sheet to lend ladders for campers to use during Work Camp. Please specify the size/length/type of ladder on the sheet. We will pick up ladders the week prior to Work Camp and return them to lenders immediately following. We have received our final shipment from our initial order of Shields and continue to sell them to offset some of the costs. Each shield is $7 and includes a chain. Shields are available for purchase after church in the foyer or from Kevin Daley. The Shields of Strength program has donated a shield for each of the campers. Thanks again to everyone for your continued prayers for this great mission event. For more information contact Kevin Daley at mcpox2@cox.net, or (757) PARTNER IN EDUCATION Fairfield Elementary is planning to have an SOL Carnival in April. Activities will help the students review what they have learned in preparation for the spring standardized tests. Volunteers are needed to help make it a success. Adults will read a question and correct answers will earn students the ability to play a quick game. Exact date and times have not been finalized. More details will follow in the April newsletter. Let s help Fairfield combine fun and learning! If you have questions, please contact Deborah Hensly at , or Rayejean VanNostrand, Reading Resource Teacher at the school, at , Extension You may also Rayejean at rjvannos@vbschools.com. We can all help support Fairfield by continuing to save Farm Fresh receipts and Box Tops for Education. Please be sure to submit the bottom portion of the Farm Fresh receipts Your Total For is. The list of items purchased is not redeemable. Box Tops are on a wide variety of grocery items. Thank you! NORFOLK JUVENILE DETENTION CENTER Our group of 32 youths displayed a great deal of enthusiasm as we fashioned Valentines in February. Even one of the security counselors made a pretty card. Howard Boose told a story of how you must control the two parts of your soul. It is up to you to decide if the good or the bad will influence you. He compared his tale to some of the writings of Mitch Album. We need to concentrate on setting a good example, introducing them to new things, encourage reading and giving them hope of a better life. It would be easy to lose our enthusiasm and be discouraged when we don't see immediate results but one never knows which of the seeds we plant will bloom in their lives. Our group is the same one that started almost four and one half years ago and we are still enthusiastic and confident that we can plant many more seeds. One girl and two boys accepted Jesus as their Saviour. This is certainly a blessing. Thanks for continuing to support our efforts and please keep praying for these youths. In Him, Louann A CARING CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP REACHING OUT IN RESPONSE TO GOD S LOVE PAGE 4

5 PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN Hello, ladies! We kicked off 2014 with our Mission Project Day on January 25. As promised, here are some details of our accomplishments: 28 women joined in this ministry; finished 10 lap blankets, made 14 pillowcase dresses and designed 54 cards for college students and shut-ins. We had something for everyone. Without you, Providence Women would not be the thriving ministry we are today. Thank you to the leaders who assisted women who wanted to learn how to sew, knit, crochet and/or make cards: Linda Dean, Abbitt Harvey, Christine Ussery, and Donna Rae Barrow. Special thanks to Donna Zamorski, who made an awesome lunch for us (the Tomato Tortellini Soup recipe is posted on the Providence website under Presbyterian Women Recipes). On March 4, the Presbyterian Women invite everyone to the annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper, from 4:30 to 7:30pm in the Fellowship Hall. If you can help, sign up on the Presbyterian Women bulletin board to set-up/clean-up, cook or serve. We will have a great time in the kitchen! For those who want to come and enjoy a stack of heavenly pancakes and all the fixings, the cost will be $6 per person or $15 per household. Blueberry pancakes are always a big hit. Providence women will host the Presbytery of Eastern Virginia (PEVA) Presbyterian Women for the Spring Gathering on Saturday, April 5, at 9:00am. Rev. Kelly Reese Kaufman will lead the worship service. We need volunteers to assist with the Spring Gathering and there are various ways to serve. Please see Stephanie Boose or Cathy Reese to volunteer. This gathering will be a great time to meet women from churches in our Presbytery. I m looking forward to seeing many of you at this event. We need individual juice boxes and fruit cups for the Beach Bag ministry. Your Beach Bag contributions provide weekend meals for our Fairfield Elementary students in need and are always appreciated. Looking forward to another mission-filled season! Cecilia PROVIDENCE SOFTBALL SEASON Once again the new year brings a refreshing outlook for challenges and opportunities!!! And this is true for the Providence Presbyterian Church softball team. As it is time for pitchers and catchers to report for Spring Training, our softball team enters our 30th (at least) season with high hopes for a successful campaign. The softball team plays in the Virginia Beach City Men's Church league. The team will start practicing the first week of April with games starting Monday, either April 28 or May 5. We play double headers each Monday evening through the first week of July (depending on rain-outs). The team is open to all members/prospective members who are 18 years or older (or 17 years and a graduating senior). We're always looking for new players. So come on out and join in the fun and fellowship. A sign-up list has been posted on the Men's board in the hallway leading to the Fellowship Hall. For further information please contact Gary Reese. COURTYARD GRACES On the third Saturday of each month at 9:00am, we gather for one hour of devotions, prayer, garden wisdom, and the care and maintenance of our quiet, refreshing courtyard space and entryways at Providence. We d love to have you join us on March 15. No experience necessary, willing hearts and hands of all ages are welcome. Questions? Contact Donna Rae Barrow to learn more. A CARING CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP REACHING OUT IN RESPONSE TO GOD S LOVE PAGE 5

6 FELLOWSHIP HOUR SCHEDULE March 2 - MOE Committee March 9 - Property Committee March 16 - Presbyterian Women March 23 - Worship Committee March 30 - Meet Your Care Team Leader Tea NEWSLETTER INFORMATION Newsletter items should be submitted no later than the 15 th of each month for the following month s edition. Please newsletter items to: newsletter@provpres.org. Providence Presbyterian Church 5497 Providence Road, Virginia Beach, VA office@provpres.org Pastor Parish Associate Director of Music Organist Administrative Assistant Sexton Kitchen Coordinator Nursery Supervisor Treasurer Financial Secretary Church Staff Rev. Jeffrey S. Bell Rev. Tom Chadwick Valetta Fellenbaum John Dixon Karen Cagni Melvin Jones Terrie Wichrowski Michelle Wofford Carolyn Knowles Terrie Wichrowski The Session Moderator: Rev. Jeffrey S. Bell Clerk of Session: Jonathan Hyslop Administration *Glynn Rogers, Gary Parson Christian Education *Robin Birdwell, Bill Bishop Congregational Care *Anita Matteson, Don Singletary Fellowship *Rich Lindgren, Carol Hickman Mission/Outreach/Evangelism *Sandra Rushton, Rose Farr Property *George Fitzgerald, Don Reid Worship *Tom Barrow, Susan Ayers *committee chair PROVIDENCE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 5497 Providence Road Virginia Beach, VA office@provpres.org