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Christ Our Center Children Our Blessing Justice Our Passion July/August 2016
The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the LORD, over mighty waters. The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty.
This next week, my family will once again, make the trek to North Long Lake in Merrifield, Minnesota. I have spent summer vacations at this lake for forty years. Over this time, I have seen northern lights arch and dance across the sky, its mirror image dancing on the water. I have seen the fiddlehead fern unfurl its fronds and stretch out its leaves. Riding on the bike trail, I have outraced dragon flies, glimpsed the scarlet tanager and kept pace with a deer on her morning run. I have listened at dusk for the mournful call of the loon and the chorus of bullfrogs that sing by the boat house. I have laid on my back on the grass by the tennis court, in the dark of night watching for shooting stars. Last summer an epic storm changed the landscape. Winds blew over one hundred miles per hour. The rain came down so hard it was difficult to see anything out the window. When my husband Paul did look out, he saw a huge oak fall to the ground not even one hundred feet away. That day we lost more than forty trees. The boat docks where twisted, the pontoon boat was run ashore. A tree fell on Cabin 2, fortunately no one was in it.
The voice of the LORD causes the oaks to whirl, and strips the forest bare; and in his temple all say, Glory!” from Psalm 29
The power displayed in nature is humbling. Life is intricately beautiful, vibrant, and grand. Voice of the Lord is over the waters, as the psalmist sings. The God of glory thunders. The voice of the Lord strips the forest bare and all in God’s temple say, Glory! This summer is an election year. Election years always make our visits to Minnesota more interesting. We are a family of strong and differing opinions. Although we all try to keep our opinions mostly to ourselves, at one time or another, we make our views known. And, then the fireworks aren’t only for the fourth of July. Still, every evening, when the bullfrogs are preparing to sing, and the loon is gathering her young, someone will holler, Come on. The sun is about to set. Come and watch! And for that moment we stand united in our humility. Before the power and the beauty of the setting sun and the ever changing sky, all we can do is cry, “Glory!” God’s Blessings,
Inside the Gateway Worship Schedule for July/August…………………………………2 Summer Church School Plans at CCPC……………………………..4 Join the Summer Reading Challenge………………………………5
Introducing Sonya Sutton…………………………………………10 Confession of a Clueless Church Member…………………..…….12 The deadline for the September Gateway is August 17th at 9:00 a.m.
The Chevy Chase Presbyterian Church One Chevy Chase Circle Washington, DC 20015
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July 31, 2016 One Service at 10:00 a.m. The Rev. Molly Blythe Teichert will be preaching. MUSIC: CCPC Summer Choir; Jack Nelson, soloist August 2016
Worship Schedule July 2016 July 3, 2016 One Service at 10:00 a.m. Communion Celebrated The Rev. Lynn Jostes will be preaching. July 10, 2016 One Service at 10:00 a.m. The Rev. Lynn Jostes will be preaching. MUSIC: CCPC Summer Choir July 17, 2016 One Service at 10:00 a.m. Hunger Offering Received The Rev. Lynn Jostes will be preaching. MUSIC: CCPC Summer Choir
July 24, 2016 One Service at 10:00 a.m. The Rev. Eric R. Peltz will be preaching. MUSIC: CCPC Summer Choir
August 7, 2016 One Service at 10:00 a.m. Communion Celebrated The Rev. Molly Blythe Teichert will be preaching. MUSIC: CCPC Summer Choir August 14, 2016 One Service at 10:00 a.m. The Rev. Eric R. Peltz will be preaching. MUSIC: CCPC Summer Choir August 21, 2016 One Service at 10:00 a.m. Hunger Offering Received The Rev. Molly Blythe Teichert will be preaching. August 28, 2016 One Service at 10:00 a.m. The Rev. Molly Blythe Teichert will be preaching.
CCPC Summer Choir The CCPC Summer Choir will lead worship on Sunday morning beginning July 10th and continuing each Sunday through August 14th. The Summer Choir is open to anyone grade 3 and above who would like to sing in worship. Just come to the organ at 9:15 a.m. and we will rehearse a simple anthem for that day! Your presence makes a difference.
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Dear friends, I can't tell you how excited and grateful I am to be able to take a sabbatical this fall. After much planning and preparation for the music ministry this coming season, I will be on leave from August 29th through November 21st. During that time, I am looking forward to a time of rest, reflection, and renewal and I certainly have plans to ride my bike! I am honored to have been accepted as Theologian-In-Residence for First United Methodist Church of Boulder, Colorado, where I will participate in worship and lead singing in their community. Other plans include observing the robust program at Fourth Presbyterian Church in Chicago, visiting a composer in Michigan who has been very important to me, observing great choral conductors, and worshiping in churches of different denominations and traditions. In November, I will fulfill a dream to go to England and hear music in many wonderful cathedrals and play a concert at Derby Cathedral. I leave you in the capable hands of Sonya Sutton, whose introduction appears in this issue. Sonya and I have known each other for many years and she will serve our community with distinction. I wish the kind and generous community of Chevy Chase Presbyterian Church an energizing and productive fall that is open to God's Spirit. —Julie
Unique Sounds of Love Sunday, July 10, 2016, 4:00 p.m. Unique Sounds of Love (USOL) is a musical group of 16 singers that are on a mission to spread Love through the Gift of Music. The style of music that they sing is a cross between gospel and R&B which creates their unique sound of Love. USOL is extremely excited to be able to perform at CCPC on July 10th and hopes that all who come to experience are able to receive Love through Music. To follow up on USOL's schedule and other endeavors, anyone can visit their website at usolove.org, as well as like our Facebook Fan page, follow us on Twitter, and subscribe to our YouTube channel. All are welcome to this free concert so come one; come all!
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Summer Church School Plans at CCPC Summer schedules bring opportunities for new patterns of life together, and this is part of our Sunday morning life together as well! As we worship as one church family at 10:00 a.m. throughout the summer, we will welcome children (completed Grade 3 and up) to remain in the sanctuary following the Time with Children to experience the rhythm and wonder of worship. In July and August, younger children (Age 3 through completed Grade 2) are invited (but not required) to go to special church school classes for the rest of the hour. Ages 3-5 will meet in Room 180, Kindergarteners through Grade 2 (completed) will meet in Room 170 on the first floor in the Education Building. Childcare for infants is available in Rooms 106/108. SPECIAL NOTE: We still need teachers in order to offer all of our classes this summer. Please look for the chart during coffee time and sign up to teach one of our children’s classes. It’s a wonderful way to get to know some of the youngest members of our church family! FOR ADULTS: Faith Trek is a small group of CCPC adults who are curious about their faith and the world and who want to explore in the company of a circle of friends. The circle expands easily, and we would be delighted to have you join us. This summer the group is reading Simply Jesus: A New Vision of Who He Was, What He Did, and Why He Matters by NT Wright. All adults are invited to join the discussions in the Conference Room (on the second floor of the center building, alley side at the end of the hall) from 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 Noon each Sunday (after worship.) Check with Margaret Chan (301-656-5034) if you have any questions.
Still Searching for Summer Sunday School Teachers!! Summer Sunday School began on June 5th and continues through Homecoming Sunday, September 11th during the 10:00 a.m. worship service. Two classes for young children through second grade (completed) will be available in July and August, but only with your help. Teams of teachers are needed for each age group and a simple curriculum is provided to facilitate your teaching. Please check your calendar and see which Sunday you might be able to help! The Signup chart is posted in Chadsey Hall during refreshments or you can sign up online at chevychasepc.org/summer for your convenience. You may also contact Kristen Riley (202-237-8336 or kriley8@msn.com) or Lynn Jostes at the church (202-363-2202 x 22 or lynn@chevychasepc.org) for more information or to sign up for this special opportunity to teach our youngest children. Thanks for your help!!
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Enhanced AV Section Available in Our Church Library Check It Out!! Our Church Library has expanded its audio-visual collection of DVDs and VHS tapes. There are movies, Biblical tales, children’s stories and much more. Come see and check out for a month something entertaining and/or informative this summer! We have VHS series for preschoolers and elementary children including the Beginners Bible Series and Veggie Tales for some Bible story action. Adults and Teens: Look for these DVDs and all AV in the special section on the west wall:
Paper Clips is an award-winning film about a paper clip project at a Tennessee Middle School studying the Holocaust which brings surprising and rewarding results. Stevie’s Trek to the Holy Land: Abraham’s Promise is one in a series for tweens and teens where Stevie follows the story of Abraham. Doubt is an Academy Award nominated film which pits Meryl Streep against Philip Seymour Hoffman in a struggle to learn the truth, and the doubts, about what happens behind the closed doors of the Catholic Church. Dirt! The Movie. An uplifting film about the history and current state of the living organic material that we come from and ultimately will return to. Trigger: The Ripple Effect of Gun Violence takes an in-depth view of how one shooting impacts individuals, families, and entire communities. Living for 32 is the inspirational true story of Colin Goddard, a survivor of the tragic Virginia Tech massacre that took place on April 16th, 2007. The film is a powerful portrait of Goddard, his account of the terror he and his classmates endured on that horrific day which left 32 dead and 17 injured, and the courageous journey of renewal and hope he has chosen to pursue.
And check out the biographies of many of the pivotal figures of the Bible.
Join the Summer Reading Challenge! It’s summer, school’s out, and it’s time for new things! Our Church Library is sponsoring a Summer Reading Challenge for the children of CCPC – Age 2 through Grade 5, and we hope your children will participate! The Library is located on the first floor of the building, just down the hallway from Chadsey Hall on the alley side. Stop by with your children and pick up a Challenge Booklet from the desk and check out some books for them to read alone or with you sometime this summer. The booklet will explain what to do and books can be checked out for one month at a time. (The check-out cards are on the desk as well.) We have quite a few new books for children of all ages, and you’ll even find some titles for you to read as well! Here are the instructions: Check out at least 8 books to read with your parents or by yourself. You can check your books out for one month at a time. Log the titles of your books on your page in this booklet with your thoughts in words or pictures. Return your booklet by September 4th and receive a prize!
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What’s Happening at CCPC? On Sunday, May 22, 2016, Open Forum welcomed guest speaker Colin Goddard, one of the survivor’s of the April 2007 Virginia Tech shootings. Colin shared his story and discussed the award-winning documentary Living for 32.
On Wednesday, May 25, 2016, the Wednesday Bible Study celebrated the conclusion of another challenging and inspirational year of the study of scripture.
On Sunday, June 5, 2016, CCPC youth celebrated Confirmation Sunday. On this day, these students publicly professed their faith in the Savoir and earned membership in the Presbyterian Church (USA).
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On Sunday, June 5, 2016, church members and friends celebrated the end of the program year by gathering for traditional picnic fare and fellowship at the All-Church Picnic.
On Tuesday, June 7, 2016, CCPC hosted a concert by DCFlutes, a symphonic ensemble comprised of the entire flute family and directed by Aaron Goldman.
On Sunday, June 12, 2016, Joann Moorer’s piano and voice students performed in a recital.
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Introducing Sonya Subbayya Sutton Sonya Subbayya Sutton is an organist, pianist, conductor and blogger. She has served as Music Director at several Episcopal Churches, including most recently at St. Alban’s in Washington, D.C., where she led professional and volunteer musicians in 5 ensembles, wrote a weekly blog on music and faith, and founded a performing arts series, Arts@Midday, which attracted audiences with its innovative programming. Her work with the 70 voice World Bank/IMF Chorus has included performances with orchestra and soloists at both institutions. She has been called upon by the Embassy of India to organize music for their special events on several occasions. In the past she has served on the music faculty of the College of Southern Maryland where she taught piano and music history and directed the Prince George's Community Chorus for 7 years. Sonya served as Keyboard Associate of the Washington Choral Ensemble for five years and has conducted choirs on numerous occasions at Washington National Cathedral, the Chautauqua Institution, and has taken choirs on tour to England, Italy, the Czech Republic and Austria. As an organ recitalist she has played at St. Thomas, Fifth Avenue, St. Albans Abbey, and Washington National Cathedral among many venues. During the summer of 2014 she was musician in residence at the Cathedral of St. George in Cape Town, South Africa. This past summer she led a choir to France to sing in the cathedrals of Chartres, Paris, Bayeux, Rouen and on Mont-St-Michel. She will be traveling with the choir from Christ Church, Glendale (Ohio) as accompanist for their residency at Canterbury Cathedral in August, 2016. Sonya recently began writing a new blog, Notes for a New Day (www.NotesforaNewDay.wordpress.com) about the intersection of the arts, spirituality and daily life. She has served on the boards of the Association of Anglican Musicians and the Royal School of Church Music. She has two recordings to her credit, Russian Exile, Piano Music of Vadim Netchvolodoff and Spiritual Corners of the Piano Repertoire: Music of Liszt, Brahms, Respighi and Messiaen. Sonya received her education at the College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati, earning Bachelor and Master Degrees in Piano Performance, and a second Masters in Arts Administration. She is married to the Episcopal Bishop of Maryland, the Rt. Rev. Eugene Sutton and they have four children in their blended family.
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Many Hands Make Light Work!! Come Help Clean the Chadsey Kitchen! Saturday, July 23, 2016 9:30-11:30 am The Connections Committee requests your help in our annual deep-clean of the Chadsey Hall Kitchen. Bring your rubber gloves and favorite cleaning product and help us make it shine. (Need community service hours?) All ages are welcome! Hope to see you there!!
Save the Date for a CCPC Outing to the Nationals Baseball Game at Nats Park Baseball Under the Stars Saturday, July 23, 2016 at 7:05 p.m. The Connections Committee and Ron, Nolan, and Graham Wick invite CCPC baseball fans to join them at the ballpark! The Wicks have made arrangements for a discounted block of seats for CCPC at $19.00 each (if we get 25 people; $22.00, if we get fewer) and we’ll coordinate transportation. Please let Ron Wick know (jandrron@aol.com) ASAP if you are interested so he can get a ticket for you.
Bring-A-Dish AND Bring-A-Friend to Church Potluck Sunday, August 28, 2016 in Chadsey Hall following 10:00a.m. worship
As schools start-up and fall programming launches we invite you to bring your favorite dish (plus some) to share at a traditional Potluck. We’ll eat what we bring and enjoy food and fellowship! For more information, contact Carter Blakey at reidblak@aol.com or (301)-229-7696. Summer Salad and Sweets Potluck Sunday, July 24, 2016 in Chadsey Hall following 10:00a.m. worship Come hungry and ready to share your favorite salad or dessert with your fellow CCPC-ers and friends. This twist on a traditional potluck gives you a chance to be creative with your salads and wow us with your baking talents. Salads and desserts of all kinds are encouraged!
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Confession of a Clueless Church Member I love CCPC. All the important celebrations in my life (baptism and marriage) have been connected with this church. Lessons learned as a child from Sunday school and reinforced by our pastors helped me in time of crises (sickness and death). CCPC also nurtures me in my spiritual growth and I am leading a life of gratitude and happiness knowing that God graces me in all things and at all time. YET I had not significantly supported the church financially. I can only say that I was clueless of CCPC’s need, good works and activities. I now give to the church because I am called to do so. What changed? My eyes have been opened to the Spiritual ABUNDANCE of this church. I have seen first hand, the work of all the angels who are involved in this church. Angels who run TAP, teach Sunday school, run our mission activities and organize the children’s choir and plays. There are major donors to this church who keep our community afloat and allow us to do important outreach. Their generosity takes my breath away. Through our Youth Group, I worked with many of the young families who want their children to have a foundation in Christ. These wonderful young parents made me remember that without the spiritual community of CCPC when I was a child and teenager, I would have been a different person. My life path would have been harder and I would not have been as happy or as grateful.
AND here is the Truth—to do great things we need great resources of Time, Talent and Treasure. In this Church of spiritual abundance, we are blessed with volunteers with talent and time, yet they face a brick wall when it comes to the resource of money. Abundance is a three-legged stool—unless we have all three in equal parts we remain unsteady or fall. Our challenge is to focus on the resource of TREASURE so that time and talent are supported. As an Elder, I have been asked by the Session to Chair the Stewardship Committee this year. I gladly accepted because I know that the members of this church are very generous, and the ones who don't give or who could give more don't know the importance of their contribution. Stewardship campaigns can be awkward. Many are resentful of “the ask” and see these campaigns as a form of harassment. These views are wrong and miss the proverbial spiritual point!! Stewardship is an opportunity to grow spiritually—that is what the Bible tells us over and over and over again--be joyous and generous in your giving. Stewardship is about YOU not the facilitator. We will not let you miss this opportunity to participate in the spiritual abundance of this church just because we are embarrassed to ask. Here is the plan we are working on to engage the entire congregation:
Celebration of the Joys of CCPC and its members. During Services and in publications all members will be provided an opportunity to express gratitude for what the church means to us and to celebrate people’s donations of time, talent and treasure as well as ongoing CCPC activities.
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Member Survey. We will send out a church-wide survey so we can consider how CCPC serves your needs and interests.
Financial Education for Adults and Children. The scripture mentions money more than anything else. Fear of “not having enough” money prevents people from living a life of joy, and limits their spiritualty. We plan to offer Forum classes on financial planning lead by outside financial planners, and which are targeted to various age groups. For example, senior members have different financial issues than a Millennial. We will also teach children about giving in Sunday school so it becomes part of their character as young adults to be outwardly focused.
Make it easy to give. We will offer many ways to help you give--weekly direct debit, loose change collection boxes, fundraisers and most importantly pledges. Pledges help the church plan but they also help you make a commitment before God. In pledging, we will ask you think of the three “P’s”- ponder, pray, and pledge.
Make the gift an act of worship. Our Pastors will give sermons and teach us about the spirituality of giving. In gratitude for all that God gives us, Mary Frances Pearson
Be a Summer Intern at TAP! The Transition Assistance Program (TAP), an outreach mission of the Chevy Chase Presbyterian Church, provides direct services to working and unemployed, often homeless, individuals who come to the church for assistance. The program is looking for summer interns entering grade 10 and up who would like to volunteer whenever they can over the summer. Duties involve greeting clients, registering clients, serving sandwiches and juice, answering the phone, writing checks and other office duties as directed by TAP’s experienced volunteers and paid staff. This also qualifies as the community service commitment hours required by some schools. TAP is open Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday From 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 am. For more information, please call or contact Sue De La Torre at (301)-589-0397 or sdelator2@msn.com.
Save the Date! for CCPC’s 16th Annual Men’s Steak Cookout Saturday, September 17th from 4:00 p.m. till dusk at Bucks Pavilion in Seneca Creek Park. We look forward to this traditional fall fellowship event for the men of the church. Bring a friend and join us!
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CCPC Summer Hours The CCPC office will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. beginning Friday, July 1st, and continuing through Wednesday, August 31st. On Sundays during the summer, the CCPC building will close at 4:00 p.m. During the week, the CCPC building will be open from:
8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. on Mondays and Fridays 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. on Saturdays
Chevy Chase Presbyterian Church
Christ our Center. Children our Blessing. Justice our Passion.
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