THE MESSENGER
VIENNA
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH | DECEMBER 2024
HOPE'S HEART
SungandIbothcomefromverylarge,smallfamilies.Ourextended families(think2ndand3rdcousins,aunts,etc.)areenormous.But,our twoimmediatefamiliesoforiginwerequitesmallandhavegrown smallerovertheyears.WhentheChristmasseasoncomesaround,it’s thetwoofus,ourthreekids,andmymother.Thiswasadeepheartache formeintheearlyyearsofthelivesofmychildren.Iwantedthemto havelotsofauntsandunclesandcousinsthatwouldplayasignificant roleintheirlives.Itwasnotmeanttobe. Godhadotherplansandgave usafamilythroughfaith.
Whilethereisnobloodconnection,mykidshavebeenblessedtogrowupwithacadreofsignificantadults,many ofwhomtheycall“Aunt”and“Uncle.”Everyoneofthesespecialindividualscametousthroughasharedfaithin JesusChrist.TheywereeitherinthechurchesthatSungandIservedorwerefellowpastorsthatwehadthegreat fortunetomeetovertheyears.Whenmykidsgetmarriedtheywillhavecountlessofficiantstochoosefrom!
Ithoughtaboutthisblessingquiteabitatourrecentchurch-wideretreat.For48hoursallofthechildrenand youthweresurroundedbyadultswhowereengagingwiththem,caringforthem,keepingthemsafe,andmaking suretheywereeatingandsleepingwell. Theyprayedandplayedtogether.That’sfamily.
AstheAdventandChristmasseasonapproach,Iencourageyoutothinkaboutexpandingyourdefinitionof family.ConsiderMary,Joseph,andJesus.OnoneHolyNight,thistinyfamilyconnectedhumanityinawaythat runsdeeperthanblood.ThroughasharedfaithinChrist,ourfamilygrows-ourfamiliesoforigin,ourchurch family,andourKingdomfamily.MyprayeristhatyouwilljoinusformanyoftheupcomingAdventandChristmas opportunitiesthatyoufindinthisnewsletter.Whenyoudo,takealookaroundyou,atallthebrothersandsisters inChrist,anddiscoverthatyourfamilyismuchbiggerthanyoueverimagined.
Onapersonalnote,therehavebeentwobigchangeswiththeLeeFamily.First,PastorSunghastakenacalltobe thepastorofChristPresbyterianChurchinFairfax.ChristChurchisaverysmallcongregationthathasnotbeen abletohaveanordainedpastorforthelast5years.Thisisapart-timecall,whichallowsSungtocontinuehis workwiththeNewWilmingtonMissionConferenceandremainasavolunteerParishAssociatehereatVPC, althoughhewillnotbepresentwithusmostSundaymornings.TheotherbignewsforourfamilyisNiko,our13 week-oldcavapoo,whojoinedourfamilylastmonth.Ifyouremember,SungandthekidsadoptedGracie(alsoa cavapoo)whenIfirstcametoVPC.Wearenowatwodogfamily-runningonlotsofjoyandverylittlesleep!
Frommyfamily,ourchurchfamily,andthefamilyoffaithconnectedthroughouttheworld,Iwishyouaseasonof hope,peace,joy,andlove!
IntheGripofGrace,
GENEROSITY UPDATE
GettoknowtheVPCGenerosityTeam
Ourmission:
RecognizingthateverythingwehaveisagiftfromGod,ourmissionistocultivateaspiritofgenerosityand encouragespiritualgrowthwithinourcongregationandcommunity.Weseektoinspirethecongregationto sharetheirtime,talents,andresources,makingameaningfulimpactinthelivesofothers.
Whatwedo:
InconjunctionwithGenerosityManager,KateJones,andothersonstaff,weresearch,designandimplement generosityinitiativesandsupportengagementacrossallministriesthroughouttheyear.Weencouragethe congregation’sunderstandingofgivingasanactoffaithandspiritualdiscipline,reflectingourgratefulnessfor theabundantloveofGod.
Whatwedon’tdo:
Whilewereviewgivingatthecongregationallevel,wedonothaveaccesstoanyindividualgivingrecordsat anytime.Wedonotseequarterlyorannualgivingstatementsorevenknowwhogivestothechurch.
GenerosityTeamMembers:
TristenYancey–Chair,TomDungan,MikeEllison,JimFeather,ToddHall,andMelindaMayes
As followers of Christ, we are called to share the overflowing blessings God has given us. With hearts full of generosity, we invite you to prayerfully consider how you can contribute to the ministry and mission of VPC in 2025. Your financial commitment helpssupportGod’stransformingwork,bothhereinViennaandaroundtheworld.
Thankyouforyourpartnershipinthisministry. Together,
FINANCIALUPDATETHROUGHOCTOBER31,2024
THE SEASON OF ADVENT
Seehowfaithcanmakeadifferenceinyourlife-inDecember,andallyearlong.
AdventDevotionalsWrittenbytheCongregation
AvailableSunday,December1, “Emmanuel—God with Us” isacollectionof storiesaboutGod’spresencewrittenbythepastorsandvariouspeopleinour congregation.PickupyourcopyatVPConthefirstdayofAdvent.Thisdaily devotionalwillencourageyouinitswitnessofChrist’shope,peace,joy,and loveinrealpeople’slives.
WaystoServe
ToyDrive-VPCyoutharehostingatoydrivethroughtheViennaPoliceDepartment's"Santa'sRide.” Weinvite youtodonatenew(andunwrapped)toys,books,orgames.CollectionbinswillbeatVPCthroughDecember7. JoinusinhelpingchildrenandfamiliesinourcommunitythisChristmas.DuringSanta'sRide,policeofficerson motorcyclesdelivertoystoInovaFairfaxHospital,GeorgetownLombardiCancerCenterandlocalchildreninneed.
CommitteeforHelpingOthers(CHO)-VPC'smissionpartner,CHO,ishostingtheirannualChristmasStorefor localfamiliesonSaturday,December7.Thisyear,VPCishelpingprovidegiftcardsforbothparentsandtheolder children.Wearerequesting$25.00WalmartgiftcertificatestodistributeattheirChristmasparty.Donationscanbe mailedordroppedoffatVPCby December1.ThankyouforhelpingmakeChristmasspecialforthesefamilies!
Celebrations
WeeWorship:ChristmasEdition-Parentsandtheirlittleones(infantsthroughPre-K)learnaboutGodthrough joyfulChristmasmusic.ComeandsingbelovedChristmascarolsandcelebratethetruemeaningofChristmasina funandinteractivewayonSunday,December1at10:30aminroom207.
ChurchStreetStroll-JoinusatVPCaswekick-offtheChristmasseasonwiththeTownofVienna’sChurchStreet StrollonMonday,December2,from6:00to8:00pm!OurhistoricchapelwillcomealivewithChristmasmusic fromchoirs,instrumentalistsandsing-alongs.StepintoourWinterWonderlandtoenjoyhotchocolate,warm cookies,andacookiedecoratingstation.We’llhavecraftsintheFellowshipHall,facepainting,andamoon bounceforthekids.Foraspecialtreat,headtotheSanctuarytohearChristmasmusicbyVPC’sChoirand CathedralBrass.
YouthChristmasParty-OnSunday,December8from5:00to8:00pmwewillholdourYouthChristmasParty offsite.Thiswillbeatimeforfellowship,reindeergames,Christmascookies,andawhiteelephantgiftexchange.
60sPlusChristmasLunch-Jointhe60sPlusgroupforafestiveChristmascelebrationonDecember10,from 11:30amto1:00pm!Enjoyapotluckfeastwithturkeyandhamprovided—justbringasidedishtoshare. EntertainmentwillfeaturetheMadrigalSingersfromJamesMadisonHighSchool.
ChristmasBingo&Fellowship-StepawayfromtheholidayhustleandbustleandjoinusonDecember12from 6:30to8:00pmforapeaceful,stress-freeeveningwithyourchurchfamily.Enjoyanightofcommunity,delicious food,andfestivefun!Bringafavoritedishtoshare,comedressedinyourcomfyholidayattire,andplayafew roundsofbingoforsomecheerfulprizes. Andforthelittleones,Santahimselfwillbemakingaspecial appearance!
THE SEASON OF ADVENT
PlaygroundPlaydates-JoinusonVPC’splaygroundFriday,December13at10:00am.Come,makeaChristmas ornamentcraftwithyourchildandenjoycookiesandfellowshipwithotherfamilies.Forexpectingparentsand parentswithchildrenupto6yearsold.ContactHeather.Boehm@viennapres.orgtoRSVP.
MomsMeetUpChristmasGathering-Hitpauseontheholidaycrazinessandtreatyourselftoafabulousmoms’ nightoutonFriday,December13at7:00pm!GatherwithfellowsupermomswhoalsodeservealittleR&R.Don't forgettobringalongadeliciouscharcuterieboard-whetherit'ssavoryorsweet,let'smakethisgatheringafeast forthesenses!Formoreinformation(includingthelocation)andtoRSVP,emailHeatherBoehmbyDecember8.
CLUB-4thand5thgraderswillgatheronSundayeveningforChristmasCLUBtocelebratetheseasonandlearn aboutJesuswhilebuildingcommunity.Kidsareinvitedtojoinusonthethirdfloorforpizza,games,anda messageonSunday,December15from5:00to7:00pm.
KidsPJs&Pancakes-DuringSundayschool,allkidsareinvitedtocelebrateAdventonSunday,December22at 9:00amand10:30ambywearingtheirChristmasPJsandjoiningusforpancakes.
YouthChristmasCaroling-OnSunday,December22from11:30am–2:00pmcomeenjoylunchbeforeheading outintoViennaspreadingChristmascheertoourhome-boundVPCmembers.PastorCharlesandPastorConnie willjoinusaswevisitwith6-10membersinthearea,sharingsmilesandtheloveofChrist.
Concerts
Holiday Favorites -TheCathedralBrassandTheCathedralBrassYouthEnsemblewillperformafreeconcertwith avarietyofholidayclassicsthatcapturethespiritoftheChristmasseasononSunday,December8,4:00pmin theSanctuary.
GloriousSoundsofChristmasConcert-Letyourheartbestirredandyoursouluplifted!Joinusforabeautiful celebrationofChristmasasalloftheVPCchoirsandCathedralBrasspresentadelightfulconcert.Stepawayfrom theholidayrushandenjoythisfreeperformance,offeringthewarmthandwonderofaKennedyCenter–caliber experience.JoinusSunday,December15,at4:00pmintheSanctuary.
WorshipOpportunities
TheLongestNightWorshipService-Christmascanbeapainfultimeforsome.ItmaybethefirstChristmas withoutalovedfamilymemberwhohasrecentlydied.Itmaybeatimethathasalwaysbeendifficult.Itmaybea timeinwhichyouaregrievinglossesandhopefeelsslim.Comejoinwithusinsharingandhearingprayers, Scripture,andmusicthatacknowledgeGod’spresenceisforthosewhomourn,forthosewhostruggle-andthat God’sWordcomestoshinelightintoourdarkness.Thursday,December19,7:00pmintheSanctuary.Please RSVPtoLaraFerreiraat703.938.9050.
ChristmasEveCandlelightServices-Joinusforacandlelightserviceforallages.Sunday,December24inthe Sanctuary.
5:00pmChildren/Families
7:00pmTraditional(Childcareprovided)
9:00pmContemporary
DifferentPolitics.UnityinChrist.
AdultDiscipleshipFallKickoff
ClassesandsmallgroupskickedoffinSeptemberwith joyousbeginningsasgroupsreconvenedornewly formed.Thirty-sevenpeoplewerenewtoaVPC discipleshipgroupthisseason.Whataboutyou?If you’reconsideringgrowinginfaithwithagroup,know thattheSundayclassesandmidweekmen’sand women’sBiblestudieswillwelcomeyouanytime.You canalsolookforwardtosigningupforoneofthenew groupslaunchinginFebruary2025.Viewcurrentgroup offeringsatviennapres.org/adults.NewYeargroup informationwillbepostedbyJanuary.
PraiseGodforagroupofninevolunteerswhowantedtoaddresshowwecouldcenteron Jesusduringthiselectionseason.Theyledfour“AfterParty”classes,offeringthe opportunitytoengageinmeaningfuldiscussionaboutwhytheAmericanpolitical landscapeispolarized,andhowwecouldunifyinChristbeyonddifferingpolitical beliefs.Theresulthasbeenrichgroupexperiencesofunderstandingoneanotherand growinginChrist-likehopeandhumility.
MissionTriptoSerbia-HugeSuccess!
InSeptember,an11-personteamvisitedmissionpartnerSamuil Petrovski!ServingalongsideSamuilinBelgrade,wevisitedmigrant camps,Romacommunities,churches,andChristianstudent organizations. WealsohadthehonorofmeetingtheCrownPrince andPrincessofSerbia.Ourteamwasdeeplymovedbythebreadth ofSamuil’sministry—fromsupportingrefugeesandcombating humantraffickingtoreachingouttoRomafamiliesandmentoring universitystudents.AmemorablehighlightwasdistributingDays forGirlskits—reusablemenstrual-carekits—toseveral communities.Samuil’sministryismakingaprofoundimpactin Belgradeandbeyond.
ItStartswithaMeal... RiseAgainstHungerpackingeventonOctober19
733MillionPeopleAroundtheWorldFaceHunger 111Volunteers
20,822MealsPacked
GROUP LIFE AT VPC
60sPlusFieldTrip
InOctober,weheadedtotheMuseumofthe Bible.Itwasagreatopportunitytoexplore ourfaithininteractiveandinformativeways!
HotDogsandHalloween
TheMondayNightMen’screwwasona mission,dishingoutfreehotdogsand popcorntoHalloweenparadefans,all whilespreadingsmiles.
WelcomeBack!
ViennaPresbyterianChurchcelebratedanexcitingFall Kickoffwithnewworshiptimesandafresh,upgraded Sanctuary!Thismarkedawonderfulopportunityforthe congregationandvisitorstocometogetherinabeautifullyenhancedspacedesignedtodeepentheexperienceof gatheringandworshipping.TheFallKickoffalsointroduced adedicatedtimeforconnection,coffee,andcommunity. Thisfellowshiptimeencouragesmembersandgueststo enjoyrefreshments,engageinmeaningfulconversations, andformlastingconnections.It’sachancetomeetnew friends,reconnectwithfamiliarfaces,andembracethe spiritofcommunitythatViennaPresbyterianChurchis knownfor.
WorldCommunionSunday
OnOctober6,WorldCommunion Sunday,wejoinedwithbrothers andsistersaroundtheglobeto celebratethejoyofsalvationwe shareinJesusChrist.Thatmorning, ninecongregantsfromourchurch participatedintheservice, representingcountriesincluding Indonesia,Latvia,Australia, Lebanon,Ghana,Scotland,Korea, ElSalvador,andHonduras.
TrunkorTreatatVPC
Wespottedawholebunchoffreshfacesandrolledouttheredcarpetfor newpalsatourannualTrunkorTreatthisyear!Hugeshoutouttoallthe awesomefolkswhopitchedinwithsetup,decoratedtheircars,supplied thecandy,ranthegames,paintedfaces,whippedupcrafts,served deliciousfood,andtackledthecleanup!Youallmadeitspooktacular!
Connie’s Corner
Theholidaysarenearlyhere.OurCAREministriesareverymindfulthatallisnot“merryandbright”forsomein ourchurchfamily.Forthesebeloveds,theseasonismarkedmorebysorrowandloneliness.Whatexactlydo wedowiththestockingofalovedonenolongerhere,orwhenthedivorcepapersaresigned?
Godseesandknowsoureverygrief. ThepsalmistsaysthatGodactuallytracks,countsandrecordsourtears(56:8).
IsaiahforetoldthatJesuswouldbea“manofsorrows,acquaintedwithgrief”(53:3).HeweptatLazarus’tomb, mournedoverJerusalem,wasinanguishintheGardenofGethsemane,andcriedouttoHisFatherfromthe cross.
OurGodsees,knows,andcaresdeeply.
C.S.Lewis’accountofAslan(theLionrepresentingJesus)andDigoryin“TheMagician’sNephew”giveusa glimpseintotheheartofGod.
“Up till then, Digory had been looking at the Lion’s great feet and the huge claws on them; now in his despair, he looked up at its face. What he saw surprised him as much as anything in his whole life.
For the tawny face was bent near his own and (wonder of wonders) great shining tears stood in the Lion’s eyes. They were such big, bright tears compared with Digory’s own that for a moment he felt as if the Lion must really be sorrier about his Mother than he was himself.”
OurGodsees,knows,caresdeeply,andweepswithus.
Lord,wenameyouastheonewhomeetsusinourmourning,andpromisesdancing.Webelieveyouwillturn ashesintogladness.Onlyyou.
Fifty-Five Years
Fifty Years
RachelWills Forty-Five Years
CherylConnor
CarolOsterlund
Marnie&TomHarter