THE MESSENGER VIENNA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH | SEPTEMBER 2025
FROM HOPE'S HEART ThissummerIhadtheprivilegetobeapartofourMiddle SchoolYouthtriptoTheGreatEscape.Monthsago,Vicki ourDirectorofYouthMinistry,toldme,theother chaperones,thestudentsandtheirparentsthat immediatelyfollowingtheconferencewewouldspenda dayatDollywoodbeforereturninghome.Weknewtheplan wellinadvance.Wewerepreparedandhadsome reasonableexpectationsaboutwhatwasgoingtohappen.
Wewentthroughallofthesteps:drivingtoTennessee,
enthusiasticallyparticipatingintheconference,drivingovertoDollywood,evengettingonthetramfrom theparkinglottotheentranceofthepark.Everythingwentreallysmoothly.Ofcoursetherewerelittle thingsthatcameup,butthoseweretobeexpectedandeveryoneworkedtogethertogetustowherewe neededtobe.
Canyouimagineifwegotallthewaytotheentranceoftheparkandsimplyjustturnedaround?Justtold theyouth,“Well,wemadeit.Thisisit.Let’sgohome!”
Inmanyways,ourcongregationhasbeenonanexcitingtrajectoryoverthecourseofthelastfewyears.By anyquantifiablemetric,weareagrowingchurch!Evenmoresignificantthananynumbercouldindicateare thedeepeninglivesoffaithinChristthataretakingrootacrossallgenerationsofthecongregation.
We’vebeenonapaththathasopenedustosomewonderfuladventuresandhaveworkedhardto consistentlycommunicatetheplansandcourseofactionallalongtheway.Quitefrankly,everythinghas beenhummingalongjustfine,sotheremightbeatemptationtojustleavewell-enoughalone.Wegottothe frontofDollywood.Wesawit.Dowereallyneedtogoin?
YourSession(thechurch’sspiritualleaders)andyourpastorsbelievethat,OFCOURSE,weabsolutelyshould continuetobeachurchthatmovesfaithfullyforward.IfGodhasusedustohelphundredsofindividuals andfamiliescometoknowandcometogrowintheirrelationshipwithJesusChrist,whywouldn’twewant tobeapartofhelpingthousandsmore?Wehaven’tcomethisfarasacongregationthatisover150yearsold,tosimplysay,“That’snice!”andthenpackitupandgohome.
Withthatinmind,Iwanttoshareseveralexcitingthingsthatarecomingourwaythisfall.First,wearegoing tobeofferinganewandveryintentionalclasscalled,“TheWayofJesus.”Thisisa9-weekcoursedesigned toexplorecorebeliefsandbigquestionsoftheChristianfaithinawelcoming,judgment-freesetting.
ThiscomesatthedirectionofourSession,whoisnoticingthatourcongregationisconsistently reachingmoreandmorepeoplewholikeourchurchandouractivities,butreallydon’tknow(and haven’thadthemechanism)tolearnmoreaboutJesusbeyondaSundaysermon.Meetingpeople wheretheyarehasbeenaheartbeatofourspiritualleadershipandintentionalmissionfocusthe lastfewyears.
Takingcareofourpropertydoesn’talwayssoundasexcitingasintroducingpeopletoJesus,butit isessentialtoprovideawelcomingspaceforsuchopportunitiestotakeplace.Oneofthoseplaces iswhathashistoricallybeencalled“ThePastors’Parlor.”ItistheroomnexttotheChapelwhere manyofourcongregationalcareandsmallgroupministriesmeetthroughouttheweek.Ifyou havebeeninthatspaceinrecentyears,youwillnoticethatitisingreatneedofattention.Tothat end,theSessionhasvotedtofundtheselong-deferredupgradestotheparlorthroughour Serve the Lord, Serve the People Endowment.Theendowmentisagiftfromthosewhocamebeforeus, andouruseofitforthisprojectfollowsacarefulspendingplanthatallowsustodrawonits blessingstodaywhileensuringitscontinuedgrowthtosupportfuturegenerationsofministry. Workonthisprojectwillbegininearlyfall,withahopefulcompletionbyearly2026.Therealjoyin thisprojectisknowingthatyearsago,livesweresochangedbytheministryofthiscongregation thatgiftsweremade,andanendowmentestablished,sothatwhenwegottotheplacewe’ve beenpreparingforinourvariousministries,wecouldmovefaithfullyforwardwithconfidence!
Thereisoneothermajorpropertyprojectthatwewantthecongregationtobeawareof.Starting thisfall,wewillbepaintingtheentireoutsideofthechurch.Nocolorchange,justamuch-needed repairandrefresh.Thefundingforthiswillcomefromcarefullyplannedandallocatedresources ofourcapitalbuildingfund.Ourleaderstakeseriouslytheneedtoplanformajorrepairsand upgradesandhavedonesoatameasuredandresponsiblepaceoverthelasttwoyears.Itisour intentiontocontinueonthistrajectoryintheyearstocomesothatmaintenanceonourbuilding willneverforceustosuddenlydiminishresourcesthatareusedforhands-on,Christ-centered ministry.
ThespiritandenergythatsurroundsVPCisoneofjoy,anticipation,andgrowth.Somuchgood happensonthislittlecornerofParkandChurchStreets.Thisfallitisourintentiontocontinueto movefaithfullyforward.Comeon!Let’sgoseewhathappenswhenwetakethenextsteps!
IntheGripofGrace,
PastorHope
“Beloved,IdonotconsiderthatIhavemadeitmyown;butthisonethingIdo:forgettingwhatlies behindandstrainingforwardtowhatliesahead,Ipressontothegoalfortheprizeoftheheavenly callofGodinChristJesus.”
~Philippians3:13-14
LOOKING FORWARD WORLDCOMMUNIONSUNDAY Aspartoftheglobalcommunityofbelievers, wewillbejoiningbrothersandsistersinChrist fromallovertheworldtocelebrateWorld CommunionSundayonOctober5withone serviceat9:00am.Wearelookingfor membersofourchurchfamilywhowereborn and/orraisedoutsideoftheUnitedStatesto helpusdesignandleadworshiponthat Sunday.Ifyouwouldliketoparticipate,please reachouttoPastorHopeat hope.lee@viennapres.orgorPastorRobertat Robert.austell@viennapres.org.
LET’SGETAWAY—TOGETHER!
This October, take a break from the everyday and join your VPC family for a weekend filled with connection, fun, and renewal at North Bay Adventure Camp! It’s our annual church-wide retreat—and you’re invited. Our theme this year is “TOGETHER”—because something powerful happens when all generations come together to worship, laugh, rest, and play side by side.
Whether you're up for zip lines and climbing walls, soaking in waterfront views, roasting s’mores by the fire, or simply enjoying coffee and conversation, there’s something for everyone.
Seeking adventure or craving a peaceful escape, this is your chance to recharge and reconnect — with God and with one another. Register at www.viennapres.org
#SPIRITFILLED SUMMER Wekickedoffthesummerwithourchurch-wideBBQandour #SpiritFilledSummerchallenge—acalltocarrytheHolySpiritwith uswhereverwegoandtosharethegoodnewsofJesusinour everydaylives.Summeroftenbringsachangeofpace,butitalso offersuniqueopportunitiestoliveoutourfaithwithintention.
Wewanttoextendaheartfeltthankyoutoeveryonewhoparticipatedinour#SpiritFilledSummerandespecially tothosewhosentinphotosandstories.YourcontributionshelpedusseethemanywaysGodisatworkinand throughourchurchfamily.Theseimagesandtestimonieswillcontinuetoencourageandupliftothersaswemove intothefallseason.
HAWAII EUROPE OUTER BANKS LOCAL PARKS MISSION TRIPS LIFE AT VPC 3,4,5Camp:BeMagnified Ouryoungestcampersjoinedus aswelearnedtoPraiseGod together!Throughmusic,games, andcraftswesawhoweventhe littlethingsproclaimthe greatnessofGod.
YouthSummerFunDay MADCamp:NotsoTerribleParable Throughthisimaginativeretellingofthe GoodSamaritan,welearnedthatwecan shareJesusandbeaneighbortoeveryone.
VBSTrue
North Camperslearnedto“trustJesus” inourwildworldthroughBible stories,science,games,and more!
Wekickedoffsummerwithasplash!Ouryouthcelebratedthefirstdayofbreakwith“waterwars”and plentyoflaughter.Thehighlightofthedaywasalivelygameofhumanbattleshipthathadeveryonesmiling (andsoaked!).
SummerBreakfasts MissionPossible Rising4th&5thgradersspentaweekexploringour“mission”from God.Teamingupwithlocalmissionpartners,theysharedthelove ofJesuswithothersbygardening,buyingschoolsupplies, cooking,andsortingfood.
Eachweekthissummer,ourchurchfamilygatheredinFellowship Halltosharebreakfasttogether.Thesemorningswereaspecial chancetoenjoyfellowshipafterworship,catchupwithfriends,and playgames.Aheartfeltthankyoutoeveryonewhohelpedcreate suchawelcomingspace-andtothosewhopreparedandservedthe mealsthatbroughtustogether.
LIFE AT VPC FunintheSon AgroupofVPChighschoolerstraveledtoSt. Simon’sIsland,GAforFunintheSon,aweek filledwithconnection,worship,andgrowth. Betweenbeachgames,buildingnew friendshipsfromacrossthecountry,inspiring talksfromachalkartist,andpowerful worship,ourstudentscamehomerefreshedin bothfaithandfriendship.
SonServants YouthTriptoHersheyPark Ouryouthsoakedupthesunshine,bravedtherollercoasters, cooledoffinthewaterpark,andfueledupwithallthe chocolateygoodnessatHersheyPark.Whenthestormrolledin andridesshutdown,wedidn’tletalittleraindampenourfun. WeendedthedaylaughingtogetherontheChocolateFactory ride-onebiggroup,oneunforgettablememory!
AteamofVPChighschoolersspentaweekinDanville,VAwith SonServants,pouringtheirheartsintoservingthecommunity. FromhelpingatafoodpantryandleadingVacationBibleSchool forlocalkids,tosortingdonationsatathriftstoreandpreparing suppliesforfamiliesinneed,ourstudentsmadearealimpact. Inbetweenprojects,thegroupsharedmeals,playedgames,
TheGreatEscape Ourmiddleschoolershadthetimeoftheir livesatTheGreatEscape!Theweekwasfilled withsharedmeals,powerfulworship, inspiringspeakers,andplentyofrecreationpaintball,high-ropes,wavepool,lazyriver, andmore.Mostimportantly,studentsgrewin theirfaithastheylearnedwhatitmeansto haveChristastheirStronghold.Totopitoff, thetripwrappedupwithadayatDollywood andafunhotelstay.Itwasanunforgettable weekallaround!
NEW OPPORTUNITIES THIS YEAR AdultDiscipleshipMinistriesislaunchingafallseasonofclassesandsmallgroupsdesignedtohelpyou deepenyourfaithandbuildcommunity.Explorethefulllineupatviennapres.org/adultsorintheprinted GroupFinderavailableatthewelcometable.KimPattianakotta,DirectorofGroupsandEducation,isalso happytospeakwithyouaboutgroupsatx130orkim.pattianakotta@viennapres.org
This Fall, We’re Excited to Offer Two New Core Classes Designed for Spiritual Growth
THE WAY OF JESUS ExplorethecorequestionsofChristianfaithina welcoming,judgment-freespace—WhoisJesus? Whatdoesredemptionmean?Howdoesthe HolySpiritworkinourlives?Whydoyoumatter toGod?Whetheryou'renewtofaithorseeking clarityaboutwhatitmeanstobeaChristian,this nine-weekgroupwillhelpyoudiscoverhowfaith inJesusleadstohopeandpurpose.
When:Sundays,10:30–11:30am,starting9/14
Signup:viennapres.org/wayofjesus
PRACTICING THE WAY Ifyou’rereadytomovefromexploringfaithto practicingit—orlookingforfreshwaystodoso— thisgroupoffersauniqueopportunitytojourney withothersasyoulearntobewithJesus,become likeHim,anddoasHedid.Overnineweeks,you’ll discoverpractical,life-givingwaystoweave spiritualpractices—likeprayer,Biblestudy,and serving—intotherealitiesofyourdailylife.
When:Sundays,10:30–11:30am,starting9/14OR ThursdaysOnline,7:30–9:00pm(bi-weekly), starting9/25
Signup:viennapres.org/practicingtheway
MidweekConnection:OneTable,AllGenerations
SomethingNewisComing…
OnceamonthonWednesdayevenings,ourchurchfamilywillgatheraroundthetableforaspecialtimeof food,faith,andfriendship.Theseintergenerationaleveningsaredesignedtobringeveryagetogetherchildren,youth,andadults-sowecanlearnfromoneanother,sharelife,andgrowinChristasonebody. Webelievethatwhengenerationsconnect,faithdeepensandcommunityflourishes.Pullupachair-you won’twanttomissbeingpartofthisnewrhythminourlifetogether!
Curioustolearnmoreorgetinvolved?ContactVickiSumneratvicki.sumner@viennapres.org
HAPPENINGS AROUND VPC WelcometoVPC!Thelifeofourchurchisveryactive. Wehavemanypaths tohelpyougetconnected,learnmore aboutGod,andserveothersregardlessofyourage.AtVPC,youwillmakefriends,findencouragement,and receivecareandsupport.Weencourageeveryonetofindasmallgroup,aclass,aBiblestudy,achoir,amom’s grouporotherlifegroup.Detailsofgroups,eventsandclassescanbefoundatwww.viennapres.org
FellowshipOpportunities
60’sPlus-60+gathermonthlyforfellowshipoverlunchandaprogram
PlaygroundPlaydate-parents,caregiversandchildrenmeetontheVPCplaygroundforatimeoffunwith theirchildren
YouthGroup-6th-12thgradersshareameal,play,worship,pray,andstudyGod'sWordtogetherevery Sundayevening
Women’sBibleStudies-growinknowledgeofGod’sWordwhileconnectingwithotherwomenevery MondayeveningorTuesdaymorning
Men’sBibleStudy-everyMondayevening,mengathertostudytheBible
CLUB-CLUBprovidesafuntimeoffellowshipforchildrenin4th&5thgrade
MomCo-bringstogethermomsofyoungchildrenasweembracethejourneyofearlymotherhood
PiecemakersSewing/QuiltingGroup-womenbringwarmthandChrist’slovetoothersbyusingtheir sewingskillsandsharingtheirtalentworkingonprojectssuchasquilts,anddressesforchildreninHaiti
MomsMorningMeetUp-leavethekidsathomeandtakeabreaktoconnectwithothermomswhoarealso inthethickofparenting
MidweekConnection:OneTable,AllGenerations-theseintergenerationaldinnersbringourchurchfamily togetheracrossallagestoshareameal,growinfaith,andstrengthenrelationships
CareOpportunities
DivorceCare-a13-weeksupportgroupforthoseseparatedordivorced
DivorceCare4Kids-a13-weekprogramforchildrenages5–12whoseparentsareseparatedordivorced, filledwithactivitiesthathelpkidsprocesstheirfeelingsandcommunicatewiththeirparents
GriefShare-aweeklysupportgroupforthosegrievingalovedone
MentalHealthMinistry-ifyourlovedone(s)suffersfrommentalhealthchallenges,weinviteyoutocometo awarm,supportive,weeklygatheringinaChristiancommunity
ParkStreetFellowship-thismonthlysupportgroupprovidesawarmandwelcomingspaceformembersof ourcommunitylivingwithdementiaalongwithsupportandencouragementforfamilycaregivers
SupportGroupforWomenwithlovedoneslivingwithDementia-thismonthlygroupisforwomenwhose spouseorparentislivingwithdementia
Events&ServiceOpportunities
BagsofLove-monthlycollectionofhygieneproductsforourmissionpartner,CommitteeforHelpingOthers (CHO)foodpantry
TheLambCenter-providemonthlymealstoourunhousedbrothersandsistersinChrist
FreeEstatePlanningSeminar,September28-learnmoreaboutWillsandLivingTrustsandhowtoprotect yourassetsforthepeopleandministriesyoucareabout
RiseAgainstHunger,October20-aserviceopportunityforallagestopackagethousandsofmeals
TrunkorTreat,October26-bringthekidstotheVPCparkinglotforHalloweenfun,music,gamesandof course,candy
Veterans&MilitaryPersonnelAppreciationLunch,November8-VeteransandMilitarypersonnelandtheir familiesareinvitedtothisappreciationlunchandprogram
A Legacy for the FutureServe the Lord, Serve the People Endowment The Serve the Lord, Serve the People Endowment providesameansforViennaPresbyterianChurchtoextend ministrybeyondtheresourcesthatarepossiblethroughannualandcapitalgiving.Byhavinganendowmentto beusedforministryactivitiesnotfundedbythecurrentbudget,wecanexpandtheimpactofourchurchand engageinactivitiesnototherwisepossible.
Thingstoknow:
The Serve the Lord, Serve the People Endowment doesnotsupporttheUnifiedMissions-Ministryannual operatingbudget.ThissetsViennaPresbyterianapartfrommanychurcheswhereaportionofthe endowmentfundsannualoperatingexpenses.
The Serve the Lord, Serve the People Endowment hasseveralcategories,eachwithaspecificpurposethat supportsthemissionofVPC.
GeneralEndowmentFund
EarningssupportspecialprojectsasapprovedbytheEldersofthechurch
Program,MissionandBenevolenceFund
Earningssupportspecialprograms,missionsandbenevolence,aboveannuallybudgetedamounts
FacilitiesEndowmentFund
Earningssupportthemaintenance/improvementofVPC’sphysicalfacilities,aboveannuallybudgetedexpenses
ChildrenandYouthMinistryFund
Earningssupportspecial,outsidethebudgetneedsforourYouthandChildren’sMinistryprograms
WorshipandMusicMinistryFund
Earningssupportexpensesrelatedtoworshipand/ormusicaboveannuallybudgetedexpenses
The Serve the Lord, Serve the People Endowment sizeis$2millionwhich,whilesubstantial,isfarbelowthat ofmanyofourpeerchurches.
Weinviteyoutosupportthe Serve the Lord, Serve the People Endowment. Considermakingalegacygiftby contributingnowormakingaprovisionthroughyourestate.Formoreinformationvisit viennapres.org/legacyorcontactKateJonesatkate.jones@viennapres.org.
ThankyouforsharingthegiftsGodhasgiven youtosupporttheministryandmissionof ViennaPresbyterianChurch.
$2,670,671
Receivedasof8/31/25
2025UnifiedGivingGoal
$4,600,000
CONGRATULATIONS! THESE MEMEBERS ARE CELEBRATING MILESTONE ANNIVERSARIES 60Years
DavidCaughey
35Years
BarbaraCarlson
GradyCarlson
50Years
WinnieCowden
30Years
KenNeal
DaveRoutenberg
IrisRoutenberg
45Years
PamGissendanner
25Years
LaurelBassett
DarylBeck
GailBrook
JohnCapps
KatieCapps
ChrisFalls
DavidFrohlich
JuliaFrohlich
BobHarriman
KarenHarriman
RealmistheonlinedatabaseweuseatVPC.InRealm,checkinginforworshipandVPCprograms, registeringforevents,andonlinegivingiseasy.Youcanalsokeepyouraddressandcontactinformation current,checkinforworshipandVPCprograms,findgroups,andregisterforevents.
Newfallprogramsarestarting–stayconnectedbycheckingin!
Therearetwowaystocheckinforworship,programs,orevents:atoneofthekiosksinthenarthexor throughtheConnectapp.
Whenyoucheckinatakiosk,anametagwillautomaticallyprint.Wearinganametagfosters relationshipandconnectionamongstchurchmembers.Ifyouareunsurehowtocheckin,stopbythe WelcomeCenterwhereourWelcomeTeamwillbehappytoassist. Checkinginthroughtheappisquickandconvenientandisagreatoptionforouronlineworshippers. Theapp,“Connect–ourchurchcommunity”,isavailableforAppleorAndroiddevices.
Nomatterwhereyouareandhowyoucheck-in,welovetoknowyouarewithus!
ForhelpgettingstartedwithRealmorformoreinformation,contactKathyJoynerat kathy.joyner@viennapres.org.
ACaringFellowship BringingChristIntoOurDiverseCommunity ThroughDiscipleshipAndService
