Volume 39, Issue 1 · · · January 2010
I have almost always had a star a top my Christmas tree. As a child growing up it was a metallic gold star. Once I tried topping the tree with an angel, but it just wasn’t right. I went out to the RiteAid that very night and bought a ten dollar electric star. The light of the little clear bulbs in the center reflects off plastic mirrors as the rays of light and it is perfect. In celebration of Jesus’ birth, God sent out a cosmic birth announcement. God hung up an especially bright star just over the place where Jesus was born. The star was so bright that it caught the attention of people far away. The magi who followed the star didn’t know the God of Israel. They were of nations, languages, religious traditions foreign to the land of Jesus’ birth. But still they knew that God had done something wonderful. The star announced the birth of a new king, a new ruler and they had come to welcome him and honor his kingship. An epiphany is that ―aha‖ moment when the lights go on in our brains and we suddenly gain some new insight or new idea. Our church celebrates
Epiphany as the ―aha‖ moment when the magi bow before the Christ child king. All the days between Epiphany and Ash Wednesday are filled with ―aha‖ moments. Jesus is baptized by John and in an ―aha‖ moment the sky opens and heaven pours forth thunder and lightening and blessing. As Jesus walks by the Sea some fishermen have an ―aha‖ moment and drop their nets to follow him. On top a mountain, light takes over Jesus’ body and it is an ―aha‖ moment for us as we recognize the human one as Holy God. Each Sunday reveals more and more ―aha‖ moments as God’s glory shines in Jesus’ teaching, healing and transformation of people’s lives. As we enter January and barely notice the days growing longer, our faith tradition calls us to allow the light of Christ to grow in our hearts. The stories seek to spark our imaginations and ignite within our hearts the light that has come into the world and the world has not over come it. God’s Blessings, Pastor Molly
WORSHIP & MUSIC IN JANUARY Ja One Se nuary 3 rvice a Chance t 10 a.m. l Cho Commu nion ob ir served
January 10 Justice Sunday One Service at 10 a.m. Chancel Choir
Jan 9:30 – Fir uary 24 st Se 11:00 –C rvice Singers hancel Ch oir
Chevy Chase Presbyterian Church
17 January . at 10 a.m e ic v r e S One hoir Gospel C
January 31 Choir and Chevy 9:30 – Chancel l Ringers Chase Handbel se and Chevy Cha 11:00 – Soloists rs Handbell Ringe
One Chevy Chase Circle, NW Washington, DC 20015 202.363.2202 www.chevychasepc.org
2 CHEVY CHASE CONCERTS presents
THE MAGGIE SANSONE CELTIC TRIO SUNDAY, JANUARY 17, 2010 4 PM AT CHEVY CHASE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Acclaimed hammered dulcimer artist Maggie Sansone with Andrea Hoag, fiddle and Sharon Knowles, harp present an afternoon of Celtic music that is both lively and serene. Join us and bring a friend! A reception in Chadsey Hall follows the concert.
THE CCPC GOSPEL CHOIR
will sing Sunday, January 17, 2010, at the 10 a.m. service. Rehearsals are in room 300 on Tuesday, January 5, Saturday, January 9 and Tuesday, January 12. Please let Julie know (Julie@chevychasepc.org) if you are able to make at least 2 rehearsals prior to January 17. See you there!
ON JANUARY 24, 2010 AT 4 P.M., Julie Evans will be featured in an organ concert as part of the concert series of Evangelical Lutheran Church, Frederick, MD. Admission is free, donations accepted. www.twinspires.org. 31 East Church Street, Frederick MD, 301.663.6361.
CCPC MINISTER OF MUSIC EMERITUS KENNETH LOWENBERG HAS SEEN 3 OF HIS COMPOSITIONS RECENTLY COME INTO PRINT! 1. ‖O Praise Ye the Lord‖ –Variations on Laudate Dominum, hymn tune by C. Hubert H. Parry, for organ solo. Hope, Code 8458. This piece consists of 8 movements, utilizing a wide range of organ colors and styles. It could be played straight through for recital use, or individual movements could be played for Prelude, Offertory, and Postlude for liturgical use. 2. ―Prayer of Patrick of Ireland‖, for unison choir, with instructions for adapting it for 2-part treble or mixed, or SATB choirs, with keyboard accompaniment. GIA, G-7451. A charming text by St. Patrick, with the opening and closing sections in 4/4 time, and the middle section in ¾ time. 3. ―Adoro Te Devote‖, for SATB choir and organ. GIA, G-7370. This anthem is based on the ancient text by Thomas Aquinas and the plainsong tune associated with it. Verse 1 is presented in Latin, followed by English versions of v. 1 and another verse, each in a different harmonization and voicing. The organ accompaniment uses motivs from the plainsong associated with Aquinas’ other famous poem, ―Pange lingua.‖ For further information on any of these new publications, or to see / hear samples, contact Kenneth Lowenberg at kenlowenberg@verizon.net.
3 JUSTICE SUNDAY - January 10, 2010 Special Guest Speaker: Lester Strong, CEO, Experience Corps We are very pleased to announce that Lester Strong, CEO of Experience Corps, will address the congregation in worship on Justice Sunday, January 10 at our single worship service at 10:00 AM. He will offer us his special perspectives on God’s love as it translates into what we are doing to give the highest and best of ourselves in service. Mr. Strong has been a leader in educational entrepreneurship and development for more than 10 years. He was most recently the Chief Development Officer for the BELL (Building Educated Leaders for Life) Foundation, which provides tutoring and mentoring services to 12,000 underserved children. In addition, he spent 25-years in the television industry as an executive, producer, reporter and anchor. His work earned him a host of national and regional awards, including five regional Emmy Awards and a White House commendation. Lester served as a member of the board of directors of Civic Ventures and on the Board of Visitors at Davidson College. Lester holds a bachelor's
degree from Davidson College and is a graduate of the Columbia Business School's Institute for Non-Profit Management. As CEO of Experience Corp, Lester leads an organization that engages adults 55 and older as literacy tutors for struggling students in public schools. Experience Corps has 2,000 members working in schools in 22 cities around the country. Experience Corps members work primarily as reading tutors for elementary school students who need basic literacy skills. Also, members mentor students who count on them for guidance, and they partner with classroom teachers to make schools better places to learn. As a result, they help create healthier communities. Following worship, a panel discussion will be held in Geneva Hall. The discussion will expand the subject of service and be led by CCPC members with plenty of audience participation. Bring a cup of coffee and some of your questions and comments.
When ―the weather outside is frightful‖ with snow or ice, how do you know whether church activities are on or off? Small groups, committees, and choir rehearsals being held at the church are ―called‖ by the group’s leadership who will cancel if necessary and alert the church office. Check with your group leader first about plans or call the church for confirmation in the phone message. On Sundays, worship closings or schedule changes are made early in the morning by the pastor, Clerk of Session, and chair of the Worship Committee. If the church will be closed or the schedule changed, the answering machine message and church website will be changed accordingly and an announcement made on WTOP Radio (1500AM / 103.5FM). An extensive telephone tree is also employed to contact as many people as possible (staff, church school teachers, choir members, nursery workers, etc.), but if you aren’t called, please check out the plan yourself. As always, personal safety is of utmost importance, so make your travel decisions accordingly.
4
NEW ORLEANS MISSION TRIP February 6-13, 2010 A mission team of ADULTS will go to New Orleans to assist the low-income, uninsured, disabled and elderly to rebuild and move back into their homes, nearly five years after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Mission Team participants will work under the supervision of local construction managers, so no experience is necessary. However, experienced construction help on our Mission Team will be welcome. The Team will work through Project Homecoming of the Presbytery of South Louisiana and with the St. Bernard Project. We will stay at Parkway Presbyterian Church, with showers and kitchen facilities. (Participants may request lodging at a nearby motel at an additional cost.) We will also have time for sightseeing, the French Quarter, and more. This Mission Trip cost is $600 per person, including air fare. Some sightseeing costs will be additional. Reservations are being taken NOW. A $100 deposit per person is requested to confirm your reservation. To learn more about the mission trip or make a reservation, contact Steve Robertson (steve@chevychasepc.org). Thank You From NOLA—Our recent fundraiser event for rebuilding work in New Orleans, LA raised a little over $10,000 which will be divided equally between Project Homecoming and the St. Bernard Project. We thank all who contributed their time, talent, and treasure, and especially to our partners at Blessed Sacrament who helped to make this event a success.
A NOTE OF THANKS TO CCPC FROM FRED LYON. Thank you for the kind, generous, and just plain fun send off you gave me on my last Sunday at CCPC. I will always appreciate the opportunity to have served CCPC, and I am very excited about the new chapter you are entering now that Molly has arrived. Have a wonderful New Year, many blessings for the future, and, again, thanks!
INQUIRERS’ SEMINAR—FEBRUARY 21, 2010 The next Inquirers’ Seminar will be on Sunday, February 21, 2010 from 12:15 to 4:00 p.m. in Room 250 (Geneva Hall) at CCPC. This session is open not only to those persons who may have decided to become members, but also to persons who exploring their call to Christian discipleship as members of this congregation. The format for the afternoon following lunch includes a brief overview of the basic history, beliefs, and traditions of the Presbyterian Church (USA) as well as an outline
of specific opportunities for using your gifts with others in ministry at CCPC. Those choosing to join will do so on February 28. If you are interested (or know someone who may be interested), please contact Associate Pastor Lynn Jostes at 202/363-2202 or lynn@chevychasepc.org for more information or to sign up. Come join with the disciples of The Chevy Chase Presbyterian Church as we discover our gifts and answer our calling, and together serve our Lord.
5
ANNOUCEMENTS
Are you actively involved with an organization serving the vulnerable in our society? Do you have an idea for a project you would like to launch or support? If so, the Mission Committee would like to hear from you. We will be accepting proposals for organizations and projects that will receive grants from the Mission Committee of CCPC during 2010. Funded projects most often involve or have the capacity to involve a few members of the congregation. The 2009 Mission Budget of $122,400 has been allocated to more than twenty programs and projects, both local and international in scope. The Committee would like to learn about activities that are of interest to members of the congregation. One-page proposals will be due on Monday, February 15 th, for review by the Committee at their February meeting. If you have any questions or would like the proposal format details, please contact Phil English (202-686-0076, Penglish@worldbank.org) or Carolyn Johnson (301-656-4459, Carolyn_johnson@msn.com).
JOB OPENINGS - Join the Board!! You can represent CCPC on the board of one of the community ministries which we support financially. Your participation helps to keep our Mission Committee and our congregation connected with the work of these important organizations. And you are serving the community in your work of leadership and coordination. Positions are currently open to represent CCPC on the following Boards or Advisory Boards: Anacostia Community Outreach Center (ACOC) – This long-standing community outreach ministry has recently relocated and is expanding its services to serve the Langston Dwelling community in the Northeast Anacostia neighborhood of Ward 5. Previous Board Members have included Ginny Spevak, Andy Mott, and Larry Clark. (www.anacostiaoutreach.org) For more about ACOC, contact Larry Clark at 301-654-8591 or hlclark@attglobal.net. Iona Senior Services – Iona’s mission is to support people through the challenges and opportunities of aging. Iona educates, advocates and offers community-based programs and services to help people age well and live well. Direct care services include care management, consultation and an award winning adult day health center. Meg Artley is currently on the staff as the Development Director. Long-time active volunteer and Advisory Board Member Wes Carson has recently relocated out of the area. (www.iona.org) For more information about IONA, contact Meg Artley at 202-895-9401 or martley@iona.org. CCFHP - Community Council for the Homeless at Friendship Place provides housing and supportive services in the DC community. Meg Artley and Carol Lukaczer were previous board members. (www.ccfhp.org) For more information about CCFHP, contact Meg Artley at 202-8959401 or martley@iona.org. To participate on any of the board opportunities, or to discuss other ways you can get involved in the mission programs of the church, please contact the Mission Committee Co-Chairs Phil English (penglish@worldbank.org) or Carolyn Johnson (carolyn_johnson@msn.com.)
6
ANNOUCEMENTS Hearthstones & Firesides January Events
Wednesday Evening Circle Wednesday, January 6 at 6:30 PM Dinner and meeting at the home of Lib Brannon (9621 Dewmar Lane Kensington, MD 20895). Call Marie Leffingwell at 301-946-3995 for RSVP or information.
1/10: 6-8pm: Youth Group worship service, games and dinner. 1/22-23: 7pm-9am: Firesides sleepover! Bring movies, games and a snack to share. Dinner will not be served. 1/24: 6-8pm: Hearthstones only youth group with dinner and games. 1/31: 6-8pm: Regular youth group with dinner.
Circle 11 Monday, January 11 at 7 PM Dinner and meeting at the home of Betsey Haddad (3906 Rosemary Street Chevy Chase, MD 20815). Call Betsey at 301-652-8134 for information. Circle 4 Thursday, January 21 at 11 A.M. Dedicated to Bible Study, new members welcomed. Meeting at CCPC in Geneva Hall. Call Linda Glew at 301-656-4690 for information
THE CONFIRMATION JOURNEY BEGINS On January 24, 2010 interested 9th grade youth (and older) and their parents are invited to attend an orientation pot luck supper from 6:00 – 8:30 p.m. in Chadsey Hall to hear plans and expectations for this year’s Confirmation Class experience. Confirmation is more that just ―joining the church,‖ but is about exploring a life of faith and discipleship in Christ. Participants will learn about what we believe and how we live faithfully as members of the church. Letters of invitation have been sent to these youth and their families. If you have not received a letter, and are interested in participating or need more information, please contact Lynn Jostes (202/363-2202). We ask your prayers as our young people begin this significant part of their faith journey. We look forward to celebrating with them as they make their public profession of faith on Pentecost Sunday, May 23, 2010.
Announcements: SKI TRIP: Feb 19-21, 2010. Check your e-mail for additional information. MONTREAT: It is that time of year again. Rising 9th exiting 12th are eligible to sign up for Montreat. The current registration cost is $241, the cost goes up $10 every month. The cost for housing, travel and food (around $258) will be collected March-May, 2010. Sign up now, there are only a few spaces left. The youth group needs 2 adults to travel with us to Montreat. If you are interested contact Jennifer. TRIENNIUM: The Presbytery is currently excepting applications for Triennium. If you are interested in going to Triennium, July 20-24, 2009, fill out an application and send in a deposit of $100. Youth that are raising 9th-exiting 12th graders can apply. There are 100 spaces for the entire Presbytery and they will fill up quickly. To get an application contact Jennifer. E-mail Jennifer—Jennifer_griffin@chevychasepc.org
7 FOCUS during Lent March 4, 11, 18, 25 in 2010 FOCUS (our Adult Education series at CCPC highlighting various aspects of the adult journey: Faith… Outreach… Community… Understanding… Spirituality…) will continue on Thursday evenings in Lent. FOCUS courses (from 7:30 – 9:00 p.m.) are open to the members and friends of Chevy Chase Presbyterian Church and the larger community. Dinner and fellowship for everyone are available from 6:30 – 7:15 in Chadsey Hall. The next series of classes, to be held on the four Thursdays of March (March 4, 11, 18, & 25), will feature these options: 1. Bible Study with our new pastor, the Rev. Molly Blythe Teichert 2. Creating Sacred Space for a Lenten Journey – A hands-on experience with Meg Artley 3. The Story of Christ’s Passion as told in Handel’s Messiah – with Ken Lowenberg 4. Fundamentals of Biblical Greek Part IV continues with Angela Rasmussen 5. The Final Week by Marcus Borg – a book study with Louise White 6. Training for Life – CPR, First Aid, and other emergency techniques Watch for a brochure with all of the details and registration information coming in the new year!
CHURCH SCHOOL CLASSES FOR EVERYONE! We’ve Saved a Place for You!! Church School classes for all ages resume in January and will continue through May each Sunday. January’s schedule is a little different in that on January 3, 2 nd graders and up will worship and celebrate communion with our church family at 10:00 a.m. Church School classes will be held for 1st graders and younger on that day. Church school classes for children/youth will meet during the 10:00 service on the 10th and 17th. On the 24th when we return to 2 services church school is held from 9:45 – 10:45. Children and youth are encouraged to attend worship with their family or with friends and then go to their classes (usually after the Time with Children each week).
THE BIBLE IN CONTEXT January 3: False Teaching—Ignatius to Magnesia, January 10: Combat With Lions—Ignatius to Tralles, January 17: Chained to Leopards—Ignatius to Rome, January 24: Poisonous Weeds—Ignatius to Philadelphia, January 31: Abjure All Factions—Ignatius to Smyrna. Classes on January 3, 10 and 17 are in the Conference Room at 11 a.m. Following classes are in Room 350-B at 9:30 a.m. All are welcome. More info at: http: //www.blog.petercombes.com
On his journey to Rome, to be executed, Ignatius of Antioch stopped twice to write to local churches. His letters give us the first written evidence of some Christian doctrines, such as the observance of ―the Lord’s Day‖, and the first use of terms such as ―Christianity‖ and ―Catholic‖. It has been traditionally believed that he was appointed bishop by St. Peter and that he was a disciple of the apostle John.
Trivia Questions January 2010 1. Ignatius opposed the Docetists, who: a. held that Jesus was not divine b. taught that Christ's death was an illusion c. denied the resurrection d. rejected three of the four gospels 2. Ignatius described his military escort as: a. Panthers, b. tigers c. Leopards, d. jackals 3. Where is Ignatius buried? a. Antioch, b. Rome c. Jerusalem, d. Ephesus
Adult Education and Nurture at CCPC SUNDAY MORNINGS The Bible in Context Class (Meets from 9:30 – 10:45 a.m. in Room 350-B, third floor, Ed. Building – NOTE: January 3, 10, 17 the class will meet following 10:00 a.m. worship in the 2nd floor Conference Room, across from the water fountain.) Early Christian Letters. Join us as we examine some of the letters outside of the canon which circulated in the first century church in this year-long course led by Peter Combes. For more info, see the related article in this issue or http://ccpc.petercombes.com. Faith Trek (Meets from 9:45 – 10:45 a.m. in the Library, first floor, center building, alley side – NOTE: Faith Trek will meet on January 3, 10, & 17 following 10:00 a.m. worship in the Library.) Faith Trek is a small group of CCPC adults who want to explore their faith in the company of friends. New participants are welcome! The class will continue its summer format, i.e. a discussion of the main article in the Washington Post's Saturday faith/religion section (usually on page 2 of the Metro section the day before our meeting.) Check with Margaret Chan (301/656-5034) if you have questions or to request a copy. Open Forum (Meets from 9:45 – 10:45 a.m. in Geneva Hall, second floor, Ed. Building, street side) The Open Forum offers a forum for the discussion of a variety of topics on the intersection of faith and life. Join us in October for a new series: January 3, 10 and 17 – Open Forum takes a break in early January as worship moves to 10:00 a.m. on these days. Watch for details of a special discussion following worship on Justice Sunday, January 10, with the guest preacher for the morning.
January 24 and 31 – Bread for the World: 35 Years Helping to End Hunger Bread for the World, a collective Christian voice urging our nations' decision makers to end hunger at home and abroad, is supported by our church's mission giving. On January 24 and 31, Open Forum will highlight Bread's history of developing and promoting through grassroots advocacy legislative initiatives benefitting poor and hungry people. Barbara Howell, former Director of Government Relations, and Jim McDonald current Managing Director of Bread for the World, will discuss their personal experiences working on domestic and international issues. Barbara will outline Bread's history, and discuss her involvement in domestic hunger legislation. Jim will talk about his engagement in the Jubilee 2000 campaign and Bread's current international agenda, which is focused on foreign aid reform and the Global Hunger and Food Security Initiative. He will also introduce the 2010 "Offering of Letters" aimed at changing tax policy that will benefit lowincome people and discuss other parts of Bread for the World's issues agenda and ways you can be involved.
Bible Study in the New Year? The Wednesday Morning Bible Study Group will complete its study of the Gospel of John on Wednesday, January 13 by viewing The Gospel of John, a 2-hour depiction of the Gospel text set in the holy land. The group will begin a new study of the Gospel of Luke on February 10 and invites you to join them usually meets on the second and fourth Wednesday morning of the month from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon in Geneva Hall. For more info or to sign up, contact Grace Hyslop (202/966-2997), Dale Kasab (301/229-4868), or teacher Lynn Jostes.
Chevy Chase Presbyterian Church ...“Where Faith and Life Intersect”
GATEWAY (USPS 961 - 740) Published monthly except August ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Gateway, Chevy Chase Presbyterian Church One Chevy Chase Circle, Washington, D.C. 20015 202-363-2202
Periodicals Postage Paid Washington, DC 20015