THE MESSENGER
VIENNA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH | JULY 2024
HOPE'S HEART
Bythetimethisgoestoprint,Iwillhavereturnedfroma tripthatwasyearsinthemaking.Afewyearsago,Iwas supposedtotakeatriptotheCzechRepublicandItalyto explore“thefaithoncedelivered”andlearnmoreabout howourfaithisshapedandformed.Mostofthejourney wouldhavebeencenteredaroundtracingmyfamilyroots andlearninghowfaithformedme.Thattripdidnothappen –instead,IcametoservewithyouatVPC.Thissummer,I amattemptingpartofthattripbytakingmyfamilytoItaly.
Beforeyouask,Iwon’thavemanytouristystoriestotell. TheepicenterofthetripistoTerranovadiPollino,alittle townofabout3,000peopleintheBasilicataregionof southernItaly.
We’regoingtoseetheplacewheremyGreat-Grandparents,PeterandMaria(dothosenamessoundfamiliar?), met,married,andbeganlifetogether.ItwillprobablynotcomeasasurprisetoyouthatmyItaliansidewasall RomanCatholic.TheProtestantswillhavetowaituntiltheCzechRepubliccomesalong.
WehavejustcompletedaseriesonDanielthatwasfocusedonfindingfreedominouridentityasoneswho belongtoGod.Thatidentityisshaped,andcontinuestobeformed,bythecommunitiesandrelationshipsthat surroundus.GoingtoTerranovadiPollinowillfeellikehomebecausesomuchofwhoIamisrootedinthat place.ComingbacktoVPCfeelslikehomebecausesomuchofwhoIamisrootedinthisplace---wherewe regularlyremindourselvesthatwearebelovedofGodandseektobeaplaceofgraceinanever-anxiousand frightenedworld.
Throughoutthesummerwe’llhavetwomoreseriesthataredesignedtomeetusattheheartofourinteractions withoneanotherasthosewhoareclaimedbyChrist.Sometimeswegetthoseinteractionsrightandsometimes wedon’t.Andyet,wearecalledtomoveclosertoJesus,together.
Whereveritisthatthissummertakesyou-whetherit’shalfwayaroundtheworldorjustdowntheblock-my prayerforallofusisthatwewouldgooutintothisworldfirmlyconfidentinouridentityasoneswhobelongto God.
Pleasesendmeyoursummerphotos!Iwouldabsolutelylovetoseewhatisshapingandformingyouinthis season!
IntheGripofGrace,
What’s Happening in the Sanctuary?
Forover26years,ourbelovedSanctuaryhasservedasaplace forustogathertogethereachSundaytoworshipourLord, butthespacewasinneedofsomeessentialmaintenance.In ordertoensurethelongevityandfunctionalityofour Sanctuary,weareupgradingourlightingsystemwhichwas datedandfailing,andfullyrepaintingthespace,whichwas longoverdue.TheworkbeganinearlyJuneandiswell underway!FollowVPConFacebookandInstagramforregular updates.
Take VPC with You this Summer
Duetothelargescopeoftheseprojects,itwasnecessary forustotemporarilyclosetheSanctuaryandrelocateour worshipservicestotheFellowshipHall.Wearesograteful toourworship,AVandwelcometeamsformakingthe transitiontothreeservicesintheFellowshipHallfeel seamless.AndsinceEVERYBODYisina“newseat”this summer,anaddedbonushasbeenthejoyofconnecting andworshippingwithpeoplewemightnotnormallysee onaSundaymorning.
Goingonvacationthissummer?Enjoyyourself!Takingabreakfrom workandschooltohavesomefunisgoodforthesoul.Whileyou’re away,VPCremainsopenandministrywon’tslowdown.Joinusonlineat 8:30,9:45or11:00amatviennapres.org/online
HelpuscontinuetofundtheministriesandmissionsofVPCthroughout thesummerwithyourtithesandofferings.Theeasiestandbestwayto giveisbysettinguparecurringgiftonlineatwww.viennapres.org/giving. Bydoingso,you’rechoosingtoconsistentlyinvestinthelife-change happeningatVPCandsupportingChrist’sworkintheworld.
ThankyouforsharingthegiftsGodhasgivenyoutosupporttheministryandmissionofVienna PresbyterianChurch.Formoreinformationorifyouhavequestions,pleasecontactKateJonesat kate.jones@viennapres.orgor703.938.9050x120.
Asclassesandsmallgroupsconcludedtheir season,werejoicedinthe450adultswhose commitmenttostudyingtheBibleincommunity helpedthemgrowasfollowersofChrist.Welook forwardtostartinggroupsagaininthefall!
Abunchofcuriouspeople+twoBiblescholars+twenty intriguingquestions=onefantasticeveningandadeepened hungerforGod.AttheBibleQ&A,participantsengagedin livelyconversationwiththewritersofCASKETEMPTY-a wonderfulsignthatthiscommunityofbelieverswantsto knowGodmore.
$100,000 RaisedbyTeamVienna
World Vision 6K Water Walk 2,000
Peoplereceivewaterforalifetime 150 WalkersonTeamVienna
Morethan400peoplecametoourSummerKick-OffonJune2!Greatfood,funandfabulouscommunity. ThankstoourFellowshipteamforalloftheirhardworktomakeeverythinghappen!
GROUP LIFE AT VPC
3,4,5SummerCampwelcomedpreschoolersfrom VPC,VPCPreschool,MomCo,andthecommunityto joinusforaweekofCampFirelight.Thecampers learnedtheycantrustGodto:gowiththem,leadthe way,givethempeace,andsparkjoy!Thecampers enjoyedhearingCounselorColeandLumentheFirefly eachdayastheypreparedtolearnmoreaboutGod andwatchedtheBiblestorycometolifeinBible drama.ThelessonspointedthecamperstoPsalm 56:3,“WheneverI’mafraid,IputmytrustinGod.”
SCUBAVBSwelcomed40kidsand28youthandadult volunteerstodiveintofriendshipwithGod.InBible Adventure,welearnedaboutElijah,Jonah,Jesus,and Lydia.Weevengotswallowedbyabigfish!In ImaginationStation,wesawGod'sfaithfulness throughscienceandnature.InStickyScripture,we exploredpassagesfromtheGospelofJohnand learnedverseswewanttostickinourheartsand minds.InRecandTidalTreats,weplayedgamesand ateyummysnacksthatremindedusofourBible points.
The Next Generation Shines at Youth Sunday
Ouryouthplanned,prepared,and ledVPCinworshiponYouthSunday inApril.Thisyeartheyendedwith thisclosingbenediction:Remember thatalltreesgrowdifferently. Sometimestreesmustbeprunedso theymightgrow.Evenastreesbear fruittheyarecontinuingtogrow.And thestrongestoftreesarefoundin forests.Mayyoualwaysrootyourself inChrist.
Prayers for Summer Trips
PleasekeepouryouthandleadersinyourprayersastheytraveltoLoganCounty,WVforaYouthWorksmission tripinearlyJulyandtoTheGreatEscapeintheSmokiesmid-July.
“Rejoicewiththosewhorejoice.Weepwiththosewhoweep.”(Romans12:15)
Iamincreasinglyconvincedthisisoneofthemostimportant,butalsooneofthehardestversesinScripture.Infact, Ithinkit’sfranklyimpossibletolivethiswayapartfromthepoweroftheHolySpiritinus.(Ephesians3:16)
Tobewillingtotryandfullyenterintoanother’spain,grief,heartache,longingorlossisaverytallorder.Fewofus wakeupeachmorningaskingGodtomakespaceforustoweepwithanother.It’scostly!
Torejoicewithothersintheirblessings,theirgoodfortunes,theirsuccesses,theiraccomplishments~especially whenyourownlifehasgoneofftherails~isanequallytallorder.
Bothinvitations/commandsrequireustominimallydo,severalthings:
RelyontheHolySpirit’scontinuousfilling.(Ephesians5:18b)
OverflowwithJesus’love,notourownoften-shallowreservoir.
Relinquishourfrequent“self”focussothatwecanendeavortowalkinanother’sshoes.
Digdeeptofightagainstcomparisons,envy,apathy,ordisinterest.
SeekthematurationinChristthatcomesfromsuchrejoicingandweeping.
Entrustourownlives~intherollercoasteroflife~toourloving,good,andSovereignGodwhoweavesevery threadintoatapestryofultimatebeauty.
Willyoujoinmeintrying?Let’sbothweepandrejoicewithoneanother!
CONGRATULATIONS!
MEMEBERS ARE
Thirty-Five Years
JaneandDonHotsenpiller
PaulaPuckett Thirty Years
Discipleship Outdoors Events this Summer
BringChristandcommunitytoyoursummeractivitiesatlocalmeet-upstohike,bike,orkayakwithVPC.Each activitywillincludeatimeofprayerandadevotionaltoencourageourunderstandingofGod’spresenceaswe enjoyHisbeautifulcreationtogether.Registerandviewfulldescriptionsforeachoftheseeventsat viennapres.org/adults. Questions?ContactKimPattianakotta,DirectorofGroupsandEducation,at kim.pattianakotta@viennapres.orgor703.937.1884.
LiturgicalHike&PicnicafterWorship,GreatFallsNationalParkVA,10:30AMonSunday,July21
BikeRide&LunchafterWorship,theW&ODTrail&CabooseTavern,10:00AMonSunday,July28
GuidedPrayer&KayakingTour,MasonNeckStatePark,8:00AMonSaturday,August3
www.viennapres.org/
HAPPENINGSAROUND VPC in July and August
WelcometoVPC!Thelifeofourchurchisveryactive. Wehavemanypaths tohelpyougetconnected,learnmore aboutGod,andserveothersregardlessofyourage.AtVPC,youwillmakefriends,findencouragement,and receivecareandsupport.Weencourageeveryonetofindasmallgroup,aclass,aBiblestudy,achoir,amom’s grouporotherlifegroups.
ParkStreetFellowship(DementiaCareMinistry)
July8 &August11|11:00am-1:00pm
Thisministryisdesignedforboththosecaringand thosesuffering.Ourtimeisdividedbetweenthoughtful wholegrouptimeandabreak-outsession.Lunch included. Meetsmonthly.Pleasepre-register: lara.ferreira@viennapres.org
60sPlusFellowship&Lunch
July9|11:30am-1:00pm
Atimeoffellowshipforourmembersandfriendsover 60togatheratthismonth‘spotlucklunch,devotional andamonthlyprogram.
YouthTriptoHersheyPark
July16|7:00am-7:30pm
Allrisingsixth-gradersthroughrecently-graduatedhigh schoolersareinvitedtojoinusforadayatHershey Park.Allyouth mustregistertosecuretheirspot–spacesarelimited.Thecostis$115perperson (includestransportation,parking,parkpass, meal/drinkvoucherfortheday).Registerat viennapres.org/youth
Playground Playdates
July 20 | 10:00 - 11:00 am
A time for parents and their children, infants to age 5 and expecting parents to enjoy time together on the VPC playground for popsicles and fellowship. For more information, contact Heather Boehm at heather.boehm@viennapres.org
Youth Pool Party
July 30 | 2:00 - 4:00 pm
All rising sixth-graders through recently - graduated high schoolers are invited to join us for outdoor games and pool time. Register: viennapres.org/youth
Youth Trip to Fun Land
August 6 | 4:00 - 7:00 pm
Open to all rising sixth -graders through recentlygraduated high schoolers. Join us for an afternoon of rides, attractions, video games, $10 game play card, pizza and drinks. Cost: $35. Register: viennapres.org/youth
PhilWickhamConcert
August11| 5:00-11:00pm
Allyouthareinvitedtojoinusforanightofworshipat CapitalOneArenainDCwithPhilWickhamand BrandonLake.EveryonemustregisterthroughVPCfor thiseventtosecuretheirticket–spacesarelimited! Thecostofthiseventis$40person (includes transportation and concert ticket).Register: viennapres.org/youth
BlessingoftheBackpacks
August18|AllSundayServices
Allagesareinvitedtobringtheirbackpackstoworship foraBlessingoftheBackpacksbeforethestartofthe newschoolyear.
LossofaSpouseSeminar
August25|5:00-7:00pm
Theseminarismeetingonlineandfeaturesvideo interviewswithcounselors,griefexperts,andwidowed menandwomen.Register:viennapres.org/griefshare
91.9WGTSIceCreamTour
August30|3:00-7:00pm
ViennaPresbyterianChurchinpartnershipwithradio station91.9WGTSwillhostanIceCreamtouronthe ViennaTownGreen.Therewillbemusic,games,prizes andofcourse,FREEicecream.
VPCWeekdayPreschool
TheVPCWeekdayPreschoolhasonlyafewopenings leftforweekdaypreschoolforthe2024/25schoolyear. ContactClaireMcCrackenat703.255.1419or claire.mccracken@viennapres.org
