The Messenger - Third Quarter Issue

FROM HOPE'S HEART

Asakid,ourfamilyvacationswerealwaystooneoftwoplaces: OceanCity,MDorGreenville,SC(wheremostofmydad’sfamily lives).Sincewedidthesethingseveryyear,Ialwaysknewthat we’dgototheJollyRogerAmusementParkandhaveThrasher’s Frenchfries.Or,ifwewereinGreenville,we’dheadtoLake HartwellandbreakoutthefireworksandsparklersfortheFourth ofJuly.Everysummer.Yearafteryear. Iloveditandstillhave suchfondmemoriesofthosedays

WhenSungandIhadafamilyofourown,wechoseadifferent path Veryfewvacationseverlookedthesame Therewasalways someplacenewtogo,somewheredifferenttotry.

Ourkidshavealreadybeentotwiceasmanystatesaswe’dbeeninwhenweweretheirages.We’veloveditandmadeso manyfondmemories

So,whichwaywasright? Both Therewassuchvaluetobefoundingoingtothefamiliarplaceswithallthefamiliarfaces Thereisalsogreatvaluetobefoundinnewlocationsandfreshexperiences Whatbothoptionsshareislove: loveof family,loveofrelationship,andloveofjoy!

TheApostlePaulspeaksaboutthoseexperiencesthathaveformedusandshapedus,butthatshouldnotdefineus,aswe seektopursueChrist.InPhilippians3,hewrites,“Beloved, I do not consider that I have made it my own; but this one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus. ”

Weallhavewonderfulmemoriesofdaysgoneby,butPaulcontendsthatthereissomethingevengreaterforusupahead aswedrawclosertoJesus.ThatisthewaythatwearemovingforwardhereatVPC,withadeepappreciationforthepast, butwitheyesandheartssettowardthefuture.

Inthelastcoupleofmonths,we’vebroughtonfivenewstaffmembers–StephanieSeckinger(NextGen),StaciLynne Smith(Welcome,Volunteer,Fellowship),VickiSumner(Youth),KateJones(Generosity),and ClaireMcCracken (Preschool) InAugust,we’llwelcomeabrandnewAssociatePastor,TheRev Dr RobertAustell,Jr Acrossthewholelife ofthechurch,weshouldanticipateandwelcomethefreshexpressionsoftheSpiritthateachofthesestaffmemberswill bring It’spossiblethatsomeofthethings“we’vealwaysdone”won’thappengoingforward,ormaybetheywillhappen, butdifferently It’salmostcertainthattherewillbenewopportunitiesforustolearn,grow,andengageintheWordand thecommunitytogether.Eitherway,thegoalremainsthesame-topushforwardinpursuitofJesusandHisKingdom. Thoughnotlikelythissummer,myhopeistotakemychildrentoOceanCitysometimesoon.Iknowitwillnotbewhatit waswhenIwastherethelasttime,27yearsago.Idon’texpectittobeandthat’sokaybecauseI’mnotthesamepersonI was27yearsago.But,I’mcountingonafewbelovedthingstoremain-likeThrasher’sFrenchfries-thatremindmeof goodthings,goodpeople,andgoodtimes-evenasIpushforwardinthisnextgenerationthatisalsofilledwithgood things,goodpeople,andgoodtimes.MayitalsobesoforyouandforallofushereatVPCthissummerandbeyond!

IntheGripofGrace, PastorHope

BE OUR GUEST

Whatanightitwas!Manyprayersandmanymonthswent intoplanningourfirstPromexperience,BeOurGuest,for thosewithdevelopmentaldifferences.Asourguests arrived,theyweregreetedbyVienna’sSingingPrincesses, theU.S.AirForceHonorGuard,andanenthusiastic cheeringteamwithmembersofVPC,localschoolsandThe ChurchofLatterDaySaintsyouthgroup.

We were so impressed by the organization of this and all the wonderful volunteers, who made not only the kids feel important, but spoiled the parents as well. The evening was magical, to say the least.

Beautifulcorsagesandboutonniereswereaffixedandourguestshaddinnerdownstairs,whilethe parentswereservedawonderfuldinnerbyVPC’sDeaconsonourelegantlydesignedThirdFloor!After dinner,eachguestwalkedtheredcarpetasPastorHopecrownedandplacedtiarasoneachofour KingsandQueens!Ourfun-lovingguestsutilizedthegameroom,Karaokeexperience,GLOWroom, photobooth,theangelwingbackdrop,andtheSensoryRoom.Manyneverleftthedancefloor, includingPastorsHopeandConnie Theeveningwasfullofloveandexcitementasparentsandguests expressedtheirgratitudeforthelovingcaretheyreceived.Whatagiftfromourchurchtoourbrothers andsisterswhoareoftenoverlooked.TheyknewonthateveningthattheywerelovedbyVPCandby Jesus!

"For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works and that my soul knows well " Psalm 139:13-14

"My son enjoyed himself immensely. He said it was one of the best parties he has attended."

$75,000

RaisedbyTeamVienna

1,500 Peoplewillreceivewaterforalife-time

150 Walkers

ThankyoutoBrandynHeathandMatthew NicholswhobothcompletedtheirEagle ScoutprojectsatVPC!Wenowhaveagreat placetogatherforoutdoorlunchesor meetingsthankstoBrandyn’sprojectanda beautifulnewpollinatorgardenplantedby Matthewthatwillprovidefoodforbirds andotherwildlife Greatjobguys!

World Vision Global 6K for Water

VPCwasawardedtheTownofViennaSustainabilityAward.Weinstalled EPAWaterSense(selfflushing)toilets;plantednativeplantsonour campus;setprogrammablethermosetEnergyStarsettings;and installedmotionsensorsforourlighting.Weareexcitedtocontinue workingwiththetownonfindingwaystoincorporatesustainable strategiesandpracticesatthechurch.

7,200 Pounds of Paper Collected

61 Trees Saved

25,200 Gallons of Water Saved

18 Cubic Yards of Landfill Saved

Thankyoutoallofthewonderfulvolunteerswho helpedatourfirstEarthDayShreddingeventon April22.

VPC Wins Town Award

AT VPC LIFE

Clean Up Day. Helping the environment by planting plants native to Northern Virginia

The Holy Spirit was at work at VPC Youth Sunday Shine God's Light - Matthew 5:14 - 16

TheNextGenMinistryisa proudsponsorofTheTownof Vienna'sKidsontheGreen Summerprogram.Leaninginto VPC'smissionofACaring FellowshipBringingChrist intoOurDiverseCommunity throughDiscipleshipand Service,thisisagreatwayfor VPCtoengagewithour community.

VPC's60sPlusFellowship groupmeetsmonthlyto shareameal,havetimefor fellowshipandengageina meaningfulprogram.This groupcontinuestogrow andflourishandwe'dlove foryoutoshareintheirjoy ofbeingtogether.

TheNextGenstafftooksometimetosay“ThankYou!”to allofourincrediblevolunteerswhosharetheloveof Christwithourchildrenandteenseachweek!

VPC's interactive Good Friday experience

SevenwomenservedonamissiontriptoBeth-El FarmworkersMinistryinFloridainMay.Theysorted, packedanddistributedfoodandcleaningsuppliesto morethan600families!

The Youth Choir

Performs at Ashby Ponds

HAPPENINGS AROUND VPC

WelcometoVPC.Thelifeofourchurchisveryactive. Wehavemanypaths tohelpyougetconnected,learnmore aboutGod,andserveothersregardlessofyourage.AtVPC,youwillmakefriends,findencouragement,and receivecareandsupport.Weencourageeveryonetofindasmallgroup,aclass,aBiblestudy,achoir,amom's grouporotherlifegroups.

60sPlusFellowship

July11|11:30am-1:00pm

Atimeforour60sPlusgrouptogatherfor fellowship,potlucklunch,devotionalandamonthly program.

VPCChurch-WideFamilyMovieNight

July14|5:30-8:00pm

Anightoffellowship,movie,foodandfunforthe entirechurchfamilyhostedbyNextGenandMOPS. ServingpopcornandpizzaintheFellowshipHall.FREE

BibleMuseumDayTrip

July22|9:30am-1:30pm

ExploretheMuseumoftheBibleinDCwithus!This grouptripincludesagrouprateforthemuseumthatis halfthepriceofregularadmission.We’llmeetatthe museumat9:30forearlygroupentry,pairupto exploreexhibits,andmeetupforlunchand conversationatnoonatthemuseumrestaurant.Kim Pattianakotta,DirectorofLifeGroupsandEducation, isleadingthistrip ContactKimatx130or kim.pattianakotta@viennapres.org

OperationGoldenShield

July22| 12:00pm

VPCMissionsandtheVeteransOutreachalongwith StudentsatU.S.MilitaryAcademieswillcollectcritical itemsforourveteranswhoareexperiencing homelessness. Theteamwillalsobefundraisingfora medicalmissiontriptoHondurastohelptheindigent populationsandtheirhealthcaresystemsoverseas. FormoreinformationonOperationGoldenShield, visitoperationgoldenshield.com.Collectioninthe VPCParkingLot.

PlaygroundPlaydates

July28|9:30-11:00am

Atimeforparentsandtheirchildren,infantstoage5 andexpectingparentstoenjoytimetogetheronthe VPCplayground.Formoreinformation,contact HeatherBoehmatheather.boehm@viennapres.org

BlessingoftheBackpacks

August20|9:00&11:15am

Allschool-agechildrenareinvitedtobringtheir schoolbackpackstochurchforaspecialblessing.

GriefShare

August20|6:00pm

Thissupportgroupisasafe,welcomingplace wherepeopleunderstandthedifficultemotionsof grief.You’lldiscoverwhattoexpectinthedays aheadandwhat’s“normal”ingrief.

TasteandSeeOpenHouse

August27|10:00am

Comejoinusforfood,fun,fabulousdoorprizesand checkoutallthatweofferandwhoweare!

Visitallfourfloorsofourbuilding,eachwithunique andinteractiveactivities,information,andevena touchofhistory!MeetPastorHopeLeeandother churchleaders.Formoreinfo:viennapres.org

FallProgramsandClassesBegin

September10

NewSundaySchoolclasses,BibleStudies,Weekly groupsandSmallgroupsforallagesbegin.

60sPlusFellowship

September12|11:30am-1:00pm

Atimeforour60sPlusgrouptogatherfor fellowship,potlucklunch,devotionalanda monthlyprogram.

Women'sBrunch

September16|9:30-11:30am

Joinwomenofallagesforablendofgreat company,comfortfood,inspiringmessages,and encouragingdiscussion.

Men'sDinner

September18|7:00-8:30pm

Thisisanopeninviteforanymalewhowantsto savoragreatmeal,makenewfriendsand acquaintances,andlearnhowarelationshipwith Godcanimpactyourlife.

DivorceCare

September19|7:00-9:00pm

Thisprogramoffersawarmandcaringsupport groupforbothmenandwomenwhoaresuffering throughthedevastationandlosscausedby separationanddivorce.

SESSION UPDATE

GreetingsVPC!Summerisinfullswing–butittookalong,cool,andbusyspringtogethere.Thisquarterhasbeena veryexcitingtimeforusonSession,andinthelifeofViennaPresbyterianChurch!

Eachmonthwemeetasagroup,whereourcommitteechairsandVPCseniorstaffreporttheirsuccesses, challenges,visions,andinvitefeedback.SinceMay,we’vecalledthreeadditionalmeetings:aCongregational MeetingtointroducetheRev.Dr.RobertAustell,Jr.,andfortheCongregationtovotetoapprovehiscallas AssociatePastorforWorshipandAdultDiscipleship;aSpecialSessionmeetingwhereweapprovedfundingfromthe LettieW.LukensMemorialScholarshipFundtosupportoneofouryoungadults,AlexVieira,enablinghimto participateinmissionworkinThailandthissummer;andmostrecently,aSpecialSessionmeetingtoreceive11new VPCmembers.WovenintoourmeetingsistheVPCmissiontobe“AcaringfellowshipbringingChristintoourdiverse communitythroughdiscipleshipandservice.”

Thisquarter,we’dliketoshineaspotlightonactionswe’vetakentolivethatmissionandprovidecareforthosein ourcommunitythroughtwoofourmissionpartners,theCommitteeforHelpingOthers(CHO)andBelong!.Both non-profitshavebeenoperatingoutofaVPC-ownedcondominium,oneof12intheViennaCourtsbuildingsacross ParkStreetfromVPC.Facingredevelopmentandbeingaminorityowner,we,alongwiththeotherowners,entered intoanagreementinAugust2021tosellthecondo.InAugust2023,thesalewillbefinal.Giventhisnews,inJanuary, CHOapproachedustoinquirewhetherVPCcouldprovidespacewithinthechurchbuildingtohousetheirfood pantry Historically,VPChelpedestablishCHObackin1969andhasprovidedspaceforthefoodpantryinthecondo forthepastdecade In2022alone,CHOprovided540localfamiliesnon-perishablefood,householditems,and grocerygiftcards.InFebruary,SessionapprovedprovidingspaceonourthirdfloorfortheCHOfoodpantry.

InApril,Belong!madeasimilarrequestforofficespaceinourchurch.Belong!,anoutgrowthofVPC’sIgnite Campaign,supportsourlocalcommunity,providingyouthacademicandenrichmentprograms,funding scholarshipsforlocalstudents,andequippingfamilieswithparentingclassesandconnectionstocommunity resources.WeconsideredandwerepleasedtoapproveanofficespaceforBelong!onthethirdflooraswell.

IntakingtheseactionstosupportCHOandBelong!,Eldersnotedtheconnectionalvalueofhavingthesemission partnerspresentinthebuilding.Wearedelightedtobeabletoanswerthecalltosupportthesepartnersandtheir goodworksandlookforwardtowelcomingthemintoourbuildinglaterthissummer.

Ifyouarelookingforwaystomakeapositiveimpactonourcommunity,orwanttolearnmoreaboutCHO,Belong!, oranyofourmissionpartners,visitviennapres.org/missions.Wewelcomeyourfeedback,questions,and comments.Emailusatsession@viennapres.orgorreachouttoanyofourEldersdirectly.

FINANCIAL UPDATE

$1,744,407 $1,825,549 $-81,142

To learn more about Vienna Presbyterian Church and what to expect on a Sunday morning, scan the QR Code.