Transparent Relationships 13 Years DISCIPLESHIP …...S S AP 26 Page 3 HEY, THAT’S MY SHIRT!...

April 2016

Look What’s Inside!Adult Sunday School ........................... p3Church Information .............................. p5Discipleship and Discernment ............. p5Financial Snapshot .............................. p2Gluten Free Wafers ............................. p2In the Spotlight..................................... p7Library News........................................ p6Thank Yous .......................................... p4The Lord’s Table .................................. p6All April.... Sunday School Series ...... p3Thursdays . NPC Campus Life ............ p4 April 2 ..... Rebuilding Together ......... p2 April 9 ..... Youth for Christ ................. p4 April 10 ... Youth Flag Football ........... p6April 16 ... Rebuilding Together ......... p2 April 30 ... Rebuilding Together ......... p2 April 23 ... Tea in Athens ..................... p8May 10 .... Young at Hearts Luncheon ... p7June 4 ..... G’town Walk/Fun Run ....... p4

PASTOR’SCORNER

Pastor Pete

DISCIPLESHIP THAT FITS: THE FIVE KINDS OF RELATIONSHIPS GOD USES TO HELP US GROW

There is not a one-size-fits-all ap-proach to making and being a disci-ple of Jesus. Our April sermon series, classes and small groups’ study, Discipleship that Fits, will be a fresh and relevant look at five key ways Jesus grew people into disciples and how disciples were formed in the early church. From one-on-one relationships to large group gatherings, from small groups and missional communities to personal time spent reading the Bi-ble, God uses many different people and contexts to shape us into the im-age of Jesus Christ. When it comes to discipleship, one size does not fit all.

• Public Relationships: The entire church gathering for celebration and refueling. (April 3)

• Social Relationships: Extended households and networks living on mission, where friends and family are naturally enfolded into a Jesus-cen-tered community. (April 10)

• Personal Relationships: People gathered in small groups, where we support and challenge one another. (April 17)

• Transparent Relationships: Our deepest relationships, where we share candid and intimate details of our lives. (April 24) Special guest preacher Pastor Ed Choy, pastor of leadership and formation at Resto-ration Church in Gaithersburg, MD.

• The Divine Relationship: Where God our Creator and Redeemer di-rectly disciples us. (May 1)

You’re encouraged to pick up a copy of the book the series is based on either in the Adult Sunday Class or through your small group leader. If you are not currently in a small group sign up today online at neelsville.org or at church Sunday morning. This series will help any follower of Christ better understand the variety of ways God transforms us.

Celebrating

13 Yearsof Rebuilding Together

at Neelsville

Join us in April! See page 2

N E E L S V I L L E N E W S • A P R I L 2 0 1 6

20701 Frederick Road • Germantown, MD 20876www.neelsville.org

You can reach the Office at [email protected]: (301) 972-3916 • FAX: (301) 972-3255

Senior Pastor Parish Associate Rev. Dr. Peter Della Santina Rev. Derek Longbrake [email protected] [email protected]

Organist Choir Director Michele Kelly Greg [email protected] [email protected] Director of Youth Ministries Treasurer Vince Inatomi Wendy Coulliard [email protected] [email protected]

Neelsville News is published by Neelsville Presbyterian Church.

Submit Word files and photos by the 15th of each month to [email protected] Cardea, Melissa Blount, Jenn Park

FINANCIAL SNAPSHOTFINANCIAL UPDATEFebruary Operating / Building Fund Budget: Total income received in February was $56,122, which brings YTD income to $109,546. Total expense spent in February was $61,195, bringing YTD expense for both funds to $101,912. An update will be provided next month, separating Op-erating and Building Fund totals. As always, we thank you for your gener-ous and faithful giving.

Operating/Building Income Received $56,122

Operating/Building Funds Expenses $61,195

Year

To

Dat

e

WORSHIP LOCAL MISSIONSREBUILDING TOGETHERTeam Neelsville and friends, it is time for another great project with Re-building Together, and I’d like to invite all of you to participate and invite others! We will be serving the Walker family just outside of Damascus on Rt 108. There is much to do with a kitchen renovation, wheelchair ramp, siding and soffit work, painting, and several other jobs. We will be working on three Saturdays in April to complete this work, and you can participate on any or all of these workdays (April 2nd, 16th and 30th). Debbie Noren will be helping with the volunteer list and communications this year, so please email her with your availability at [email protected]. Even if you only have a couple of hours available, please plan to participate. Feel free to ask others who may be interested in helping this year as well. This will be our 13th Rebuilding project as a team, and I am grateful for all of the skills and commitment that the church has provided over the years to this important mission. I don’t necessarily like to think about these projects as “extreme make-overs,” but last year’s residents were clearly excited about how we executed their project. All praise be to God!

—Craig Arold

INDIVIDUALLY WRAPPED GLUTEN-FREE COMMUNION WAFERS NOW AVAILABLEGluten-free communion wafers, indi-vidually wrapped, are now available for people for whom it is medically necessary. Communion is served on the first Sunday of each month. Please contact the church office by the Wednesday before communion Sunday to notify us. Members who need these wafers should sit in the first two rows of the sanctuary on the right side. Questions? Contact Michele Kelly at [email protected] or 301-972-0326.


HEY, THAT’S MY SHIRT! That’s the shirt I wear Thursday afternoons at the Neels-ville Campus Life - Youth for Christ Club! This is the second year YFC has been at our local middle school and it is making an impact slowly, step-by-step, one-by-one, week after week! Relationship building is so import-ant in any kind of “OIKOS” - family, tribe, group, or club. That’s what the seven adults try to do with an average of 25 youth who show up on Thursdays from 3:00pm - 4:15pm. The adults are there to meet, connect, and love on the youth, some of which are craving the attention and love. I show up with the snack and provide prayer during the club time. Heather Hagberg, is the wonderful, Spir-it-filled leader of this club and is always looking for more young adults as leaders and any adults to be part of the “community support” team, like me. So, please pray for the club and its Godly impact on the youth at Neelsville Middle School. Can’t help physically, but would like to make a donation? Join us for the The Campus Life an-nual dinner/fundraiser on Saturday, April 9th at 6:00pm at Cedarbrook Church. –Peace, Gail Haag

YOUTH FOR CHRIST FUNDRAISING DINNER … DON’T MISS IT!

Saturday, April 9th

6:00pmCedarbrook Community Church

What’s coming? The annual Montgomery County Youth for Christ fundraising dinner! How does this sound? –Dinner catered by Carrabba’s –Entertainment by comedian David P. Dean –Teen testimonies –An opportunity for you to partner with us in the mis-sion of reaching youth with the message of Jesus! If you would like to sign up, please contact Gail Haag at [email protected] or Lynn Kroah at [email protected] or Heather Hagberg at [email protected]. There is no cost for the dinner, but they will be accepting dona-tions for YFC at the end of the evening … any amount, large or small is greatly appreciated! You make a difference in the life of a Montgomery County teen when you say yes!

LOCAL MISSIONS

ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL

Sundays 9:30am - 10:30amTopic: Discipleship that Fits

in the White Church large classroom

Come learn with us about the five kinds of relationships God uses to help us grow. We will follow the April ser-mon series beginning the week following Easter.

ALL ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND

AND PARTICIPATE!


GERMANTOWN HELP 5K:Bring your running shoes and a bag of non-perishable food to the Germantown HELP 5K Walk and Fun Run, Saturday June 4th at the South Germantown Recreational Park, 14501 Schaeffer Road. Bring your family, friends, and pets to this low key, fun filled event that helps feed Germantown families and children in need! We will be joining Trinity United Methodist Church. Con-tact Karen Clark at [email protected] or 240-994-4011. —Karen Clark

THANK YOUSADOPTION FAIR THANKSOn February 27th, Children’s Home Society hosted its third Adoption Fair at Neelsville Presbyterian Church. It was our desire for families to come learn more about the children and process of international, domestic, and foster adoption. A huge “shout out” to the Haag family who fi-nancially supported our work by paying half the rental fee! Thanks also to Judy Allison who pounded the pavement with posters and helped us to spread the word to other churches and the community. It is the desire of all of us to LIVE the scripture in James 1:27 which states: “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their dis-tress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” We want to see every child in a loving and stable fam-ily. We had people come from West Virginia, Maryland (quite a few right in Germantown) and Virginia to learn more. Due to the help from all of you, three families have already started their adoption journey. Please pray for these families that God would grant them a child whose needs they are able to meet. Please also pray for the chil-dren that they will stay safe and have their needs met for food, clothing, and touch. And, lastly, pray for our agency that we may be able to continue our work to bring families together. THANK you Neelsville, the Haag family, and Judy for your part in making the Adoption Fair a grand success and helping children find their forever home!

Susan D. OrbanOutreach and Adoption SpecialistThe Adoption Programs of Children’s Home and Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota

Thank You...Our family was overwhelmed by the generosity of the many people who made saying goodbye to Dave a little easier. Heartfelt and special thanks to the members of the Funeral Committee who worked so hard to prepare a lovely reception. They had little time to prepare but what a fantastic job they did. The many cards, food, and loving conversations were so appreciated. Also, a special thanks to Pastor Pete for all his support in making everything go smoothly. Thank you to Al Henins for making it possible to play “River” and to Michele Kelly for providing the lovely music. –Shirley Henry and family

VALENTINES BOXES … SUCCESSFUL THROUGH BLIZZARD!THANK YOU to all who helped make the Valentine Box/Bag Project a huge success! Many hands and hearts were needed to coordinate this mission project and the weather challenges of the 2016 Blizzard didn’t stop us!!! Generous donations of cookies, candy, snacks, and valentine cards to fill them came in from our NPC family and MOPS moms. This year, we mailed 21 boxes to college students across the USA and 38 bags were delivered by members and deacons to those we wanted to remember during Valen-tine month. –In His Service, Suanne Eschholz

A Valentine Box

Thank You...

Dear Mrs. Escholtz,

Thank you so much for the Valen-

tine’s Day package. It was a won-

derful surprise and meant so much

more knowing that you and others

at NPC thought of me.

I am grateful for your kindness

and for sharing God’s love with me.

I wish you and everyone at NPC a

blessed day.

Best regards,

David Thornberry

Student, McDaniel College


UPDATE FROM THE DISCIPLESHIP AND DISCERNMENT TEAMBackground: For a number of years the Neelsville Session has had lengthy discussions regarding denominational issues. Last December the Session concluded that now is the right time to revisit the concept of discernment — a season in which the church membership considers carefully whether to remain in the PCUSA or to start the process of aligning with another Presbyterian denomination. A formal presentation on this issue was given to Neelsville’s College of Elders on February 20th. After lengthy discussion, over 90% of the elders present voted to support the plan the Session was proposing, that is, to enter a formal Discernment Process with our Presbytery. On March 7th a letter was mailed to all members of Neelsville which discussed the Session’s action and provided much background information.

Update: Session did subsequently vote to begin Discernment and sent a letter to the Presbytery making this request. In response, Presbytery will be sending a delegation to meet with the Session on April 21st. It is expected that the Presbytery Council will then establish a Discernment Team from the Presbytery to meet regularly with our Session and our congregation throughout 2016. As stated in the March 7th packet, this year-long (or longer) process will be led by our elders, the Presbytery Team, and our own Discernment team and will culminate in a vote of the congregation about whether to stay in the PCUSA or to realign with another Presbyterian denomination. Therefore, all are asked to stay informed, participate, and pray for guidance during this process.

Questions? Want more information? See any member of the Discipleship and Discernment Team: Craig Arold—Chair, Connie Barnes, Sue Farrell, Michele Kelly, Lynn Kroah, Chad Porter, Bob Velthuis, Merilee Worsey, or Pastor Pete.

DISCIPLESHIP AND DISCERNMENT

The next issue of Neelsville News will be published in May. Article submissions should be sent to us by April 15th. Thanks!

ATTENTION LADIES: HELP NEEDED! The Fellowship Committee can use any help in prepar-ing prior to, during, and after the Tea in Athens (or at any Felowship event). There are many small tasks that you can do to help … registering, advertising, cooking, deco-rating, set up, clean up, etc. Please contact Gerry Davis for details. Remember, “Many hands, make light work!” Also, being part of something that is a good time for you and others, makes it so worthwhile. Please lend a hand.

FELLOWSHIP COMMITTEE

LEARN ALL YOU CAN ANDHELP PROMOTE NEELSVILLE1. Check out our new website! It’s been updated with testimonials from members from all walks of life. Our ministries, missions, resources and calendar can all be found on our Neelsville.org web address.2. Tell a friend, send an email to friends and neighbors encouraging them to check it out for themselves. Al-most anything they would want to know about Neelsville can be found on our website. It’s a great tool to intro-duce new members to our wonderful church family.3. Promote on social media. Have you joined Neelsville’s private and public Facebook page? Do it today and add your 5-star rating!

CHURCH INFORMATION


LOCAL MISSIONS YOUTH NEWS

NEW AUDIO CDS HAVE BEEN ADDED TO THE CHURCH LIBRARY! Need family entertainment on your next trip? Try a few of our collection of audio CDs for kids. Plenty to choose from! Here are the latest additions …Adventures in Odyssey from Focus on the Family • A Christmas Odyssey • A Most Amazing Event • A Most Surprising Return • Cause and Effect • Darkness before Dawn • Passages: Darien’s Rise • The Best Small Town • The Truth Chronicles

LIBRARY

CURRENT STUDENT MINISTRY SERIESThis series is about how we can make a difference by showing the love of Christ to people in different ways.

FIRST FLAG FOOTBALL GAME WITH GOCHURCH STUDENT MINISTRIESNeelsville and GoChurch are combining forces for a first ever football game after church on April 10th. Mid-dle school and high school student are invited to come to this event that we would like to make a tradition. Girls and boys can participate in this match for the grand super bowl trophy and bragging rights for the year. Talk or email Vince for more details at [email protected].

When: Sunday, April 10, 2016Where: Backyard of Neelsville Presbyterian Church

Time: After the 11:00 service

THE LORD’S TABLEThe Lord’s Table, an interfaith soup kitchen in Olde Towne Gaithersburg, has been serving the community since 1984 when it was started by Mary Canapary, a volunteer and director of the non-profit. It runs out of St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church. Mary began the program as a way to serve the 20 permanent residents who lived under the bridge across Route 355. At the time it was started, there were no shelters, food pantries, or soup kitchens in the area as there are today. Even so, today, the Lord’s Table still serves over 150 meals daily to Montgomery County residents. In addition to serving a hot meal to hungry people six days a week, September through June, it distributes bags of food to people in need every Monday. During the sum-mer it collects food and distributes it to other food pantries throughout Montgomery County. There are two types of volunteer groups, those who prepare and serve the food, and those who pick up food from various restaurants and deliver it to the Lord’s Table at St. Martin’s. Neelsville participates in the latter through a Small Group led by Merilee Worsey, as well as a group led by the Blount Family. These groups are two of ten groups from various churches that pick up food every Saturday from the Lancaster County Dutch Market. The commitment is small (approximately two hours every two or three months) but extremely rewarding. We are currently looking for two more groups to pick up food from the Lancaster County Dutch Market. You need a group leader, three of four volunteers to pick up and deliver the food when its your group’s turn to do it, and a minivan or a pickup truck (or two medium size cars or two small minivans) to carry the donated food. If another Neelsville Small Group (or a group of Neelsville mem-bers) would like to participate in this effort, they should contact Michele or George Kelly at 301-972-0326 as they coordinate the volunteers who pick up the food at the Lancaster County Dutch Market.

Gathering food at the Dutch Market

A truck load of food ready to take to St. Martins


In the Spotlight begins a new series that sheds light on individuals or groups who work to help make Neelsville tick. Last month we learned about what Deacons at Neelsville do. Here is a little information about your Elders...

WE ARE YOUR ELDERSAccording to the New Testament, Elders are respon-sible for the primary leadership and oversight of a church. In Paul’s farewell to the Ephesian Elders he said: “Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shep-herds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood” (Acts 20:28). The ultimate role of our Elders is to guide the congre-gation in the ways of Jesus so that we may honor our church’s mission to “Glorify God by Being and Making Disciples of Jesus Christ”.

An Elder serves on the session. The session is the council for the congregation and is comprised of ruling Elders who are elected by the congregation to active service, together with installed pastors. Once a person is elected to be an Elder, they are then ordained and installed as an Elder for a 3-year term, usually. The session has the responsibility for governing the congregation and guiding its witness to the sovereign activity of God in the world so that the congregation is and becomes a community of faith, hope, love and wit-ness. Ruling Elders as members of the session have the responsibility to: • Provide that the Word of God may be truly preached and heard • Provide that the Sacraments may be rightly adminis-tered and received • Nurture the covenant community of disciples of Christ • Exercise leadership • Serve faithfully as a member of the session • Be a person of faith, dedication, and good judgment

Elders are called to exercise leadership, govern-ment and discipline (Book of Order, G-60302). In the Presbyterian Church, congregations share a common polity that ensures due process when disputes arise, and promotes equality for all persons. It helps assure members that finances are managed responsibly and mission is carried out faithfully. It also provides a way of living together in which the concerns and suggestions of all members are taken seriously. –Joan Ginetis

KNITTERS AND CROCHETERSWe will meet Saturday, April 2nd and Saturday, May 7th from 10:00am – 12:00 noon in the Conference Room and then not again until the fall. Many items have been delivered! Baby hats were tak-en to Shady Grove Hospital and baby blankets and hats were taken to Rockville Pregnancy Center and to several MOPS moms. Items still in need are: prayer shawls, more baby blankets, and hats for the babies are always in need! It’s also time to think about next winter when hats and scarves for kids through adult sizes are well received. Come join us to get started, or go to work on your own! Donated yarn (acrylic) can be left in the box in the Narthex closet. Contact Marilyn Splete at [email protected] about where to take finished items if you can’t make the meetings. Many thanks for all you do; it is so appreciated!

YOUNG AT HEARTS A Spring Luncheon will be served to the Young at Hearts on Tuesday, May 10th at 11:30am. We’ll be back in the Fellowship Hall but the rest of the de-

tails are not yet finalized. Look for more information in the May newsletter, and Sunday bulletins.

Enjoy the sunshine and warmer weather! Questions? Contact Marilyn Splete

at [email protected].

20701 Frederick RoadGermantown, MD 20876

ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED

Grow andServewith our

Family!

NoN-ProfitorgaNizatioN

US PoStage

PAIDSUbUrbaN, MD

20898PerMit No. 1012

TEA IN ATHENSLadies, grab your passport and a friend and join us in the Fellowship Hall on Saturday, April 23rd, 10:00am to 12:00 noon. We will be heading to Greece. Tease your taste buds by sampling scrumptious Greek foods, pastries, tea and, yes, coffee! We will be experiencing all things Greek including music. There will be a devotion, door prizes, and much more. This will be a fun event and a chance for you to get to know your fellow attendees. Ask those who attended some of the other events like Tea in Paris, or Coffee in Italy what fun we had. Did I tell you there was free childcare for those attend-ing? It’s a win-win! Please register by going to Neels-ville’s website, emailing [email protected] or calling 301-990-4240. It is advised that you register, and it is required for those needing childcare. Please call Gerry Davis if you have questions and/or can volunteer to help. Volunteers are needed.

The Pantheon

Transparent Relationships 13 Years DISCIPLESHIP …...S S AP 26 Page 3 HEY, THAT’S MY SHIRT!...

Documents

Transcript of Transparent Relationships 13 Years DISCIPLESHIP …...S S AP 26 Page 3 HEY, THAT’S MY SHIRT!...