THE MESSENGER
VIENNA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH | SEPTEMBER 2024
New Fall Worship Schedule Beginning September 15 9:00 am Contemporary 10:30 am Traditional A half hour dedicated exclusively to fellowship between the services.
HOPE'S HEART
1300minutesayear,atbest.25minutesaweekfor52weeksayear.Inour congregationthat’sapproximatelyhowmuchtimeisspecificallydedicated towardswhatiscalled“theproclamationoftheWord”andwhatwe colloquiallycallthesermon. Asapastor,Ithinkaboutthoseminutesquitea bit.Myheartisalwaystospendthemaswiselyaspossiblebecausetheyare preciousandgoquickly.
Wedon’tarriveatthoseminutescasually.Pastorsspendasignificantamount oftimeprayingandseekingguidancefromtheHolySpirit.Wethinkdeeply abouttheneedsofourcongregation.Andwerecognizethatformany,those25 minutesmightbetheonlyengagementthattheyhavewiththeWordinthe contextofthelargerchurchcommunity,eveniftheyhaveavibrantlifeof personaldevotion.Sohowwehandlethattimematters.
Isharethiswithyou,belovedVPC,becauseIwantyoutoknowthatyourpastorexistsinthesameworldthatyoudo---onethatis increasinglydivided,evermoreanxious,andmorethanwillingtojumpalloverissuesbeforetheyarewillingtoembracepeople.Iseethe news.Ipassbythelawnsigns.AndIreceivecountlessemailsfromthosewithinandoutsideofthechurchwantingtomakesurethatIam awareofthelatestnewsinpolitics,conspiracies,andrumors.Andeverynowandagain,someonewillaskmeifIplanonaddressingthem fromthepulpit.
Igobacktothose1300minutes.That’sallIhaveinthatparticularformat.Thatisnothingcomparedtothe24-hournewscyclethathasan almostpermanentplatforminourlives.Evenifyouonlywatchthenewsfor30minutesadayforayear,the1300minuteswehaveinthe pulpit,toproclaimChrist,ayearpalesincomparison.Sincewecanbeconfidentthattheworldwillabsolutelycoverthestuffofthe world,IrepeatedlywillchoosetocoverthestuffoftheWord.BystayingintheScripture,westayclosertotheheartofGodthananywhere else.
Pastorsalsorealizethatsermonsaremonologueinnatureanddonotallowfordialogueinthemoment.Whenwethinkaboutthatin termsofourspecificcongregation,itwouldbecomeextremelydifficulttoaddressrawissuesinthoroughlycompletewaysthatallowfor thoughtfulconversationinthespanof25minutes.Debatingissuesisadifferentconversationthanengagingintheologicalquestionsthat mightariseinresponsetoasermon,butbothrequiretime,relationship,andintentionalitywherebothpartiescanseeandhearone another.
Soasweheadintothiselectionseason,inatimeofdeepunrestthroughouttheworld,Iwantyoutoknowthatwhatwillbecomingfrom thepulpitofViennaPresbyterianChurchonSundaymorningswillbecenteredontheWordofGodandnotthepoliticalissueorthe person(s)oftheday.Thatisnottosaythatourfaithshouldnotengagethesethings,butitshouldbedoneinthoughtfulwaysthatallow grace-filledspaceforthesharingofideasandopinions.Tothatend,Iwanttoencouragethoseofyouwhoareinneedoflanguageand spacetoengagearoundsuchissuestoparticipateinourupcomingclassescalled“TheAfterParty”(seedetailsonpage4),totakethe timetodiscussthesetendertopicsinsmallgroups,oreventomakeanappointmentwithoneofthepastorssothatthoseconversations canbeheldinrelationship,notinamomentwhenthereisnoroomfordialogue.
I’msolookingforwardtothisseasonofministrywitheachofyou.We’removingbackintotheSanctuary.We’restartinganewworship schedulethathundredsofyouhelpedtocreate.We’veonlygotafewspacesleftforourChurchwideRetreatthisfall.Someofoursmall groupshavealreadystartedandclassesarejustaroundthecorner.Children’sandYouthMinistriesarekickingintohighgear.Preschool openeditsdoors.We’reabouttosendamissionteamtoSerbia.Andmanyofoursupportgroupsarereadytogoforthefall.Iabsolutely getthetension,fear,andanxietythatsomanyarefeelingrightnow,butpleasedon’tletthosethingsstealyourjoyfromwhatGodis doinginandthroughourlifetogetherhereatVPC.We’vegot1300minutesinthepulpitthatwehavetousewisely,andwe’vealsogota wholeyearaheadofuswherewecancelebrate,encourageoneanother,andlivefullyinChristtogether!
“ Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies; but test everything; hold fast to what is good; abstain from every form of evil.” ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:16-22 IntheGripofGrace,
SESSION UPDATE
Changeisintheair!Aftermonthsofplanningfollowedbyabusysummerofrenovation,themomentwecan finallyremovethepartitionsandrevealourbrightfreshSanctuaryisnearlyhere–andjustintimetokickoffour newworshipscheduleandfallprogramming!
TherearewonderfulchangesincludingnewLEDlightswithamoderncontrolsystemandfreshlypaintedwalls, ceiling,andpews.Youwillalsonoticenewcarpet,cleanedandpolishedtileunderthepews,andrefinished woodfloorsonthechancel–allofwhichareadditionstotheoriginalplanbuttheproductoftimely opportunity.Ourroofwasdamagedinahailstorm,andthereplacementwascoveredbyourinsurance.This releasedpreviouslyset-asidefundsfortherooffortheseotherprojects.Thishelpsensurethat,oncereopened, ourSanctuarywillbeavailableforworshipformanyuninterruptedyearstocome.
Inadditiontotheneededupgradestoourphysicalworshipspace,inJanuary,theWorshipTransformation Teambegantostudywhatweasachurchcommunityvalueinourworshipexperience,whatourschedule preferencesare,andwhetheritistimetomakeadjustmentstotheSundaymorningexperiencehereatVPC.We arepleasedtoreportthatthisspringwhenthequestionswereasked,youturnedoutbythehundredsto answer.Asaresult,someclearsharedvaluesandpreferencesemerged.
TwopointsthatwereheardloudandclearincludeastrongdesirefortheopportunityformoreSundaymorning fellowshipandapreferencefornewworshiptimes,indicatingthatthetimehadcometoadjustourSunday morningschedule.TheteamsharedtheirfindingsandrecommendationswithboththeSessionandstaff, allowingtimeforevaluationoftheimpactpotentialchangeswouldhaveonthedifferentVPCministries.Finally, aftermonthsofstudyandreflection,thecommitteepresentedtheirfinalrecommendation–tomovetoanew SundaymorningschedulebeginningSeptember15includinga9:00amcontemporaryservice,a10:30am traditionalservice,andadedicatedhalfhourtimeforfellowshipbetweenthem-whichwasapprovedby SessionandsharedwiththecongregationinJuly.
Withexcitement,weinviteyoutojoinusforSundayworship.Whileyouarehere,weencourageyoutotakea momenttoexperiencethejoyoffellowshipbetweenservicesandtoexplorethemanydifferentfaith-filled opportunitiesavailableforallagesthroughoutthemorning.Withgratitude,werecognizethetimeandtalents oftheAssetOversightTeam(AOT)andtheWorshipTransformationTeamfortheirleadership;thechurchstaff, Deacons,musicians,andahostofvolunteersforsuccessfullytransitioningoursummerservicesandbreakfasts tonewspaces;andthewholecongregationforshowingupandrecognizingthatGodiswithusnomatterwhere orwhenwegather.
GENEROSITY UPDATE
UPDATE THROUGH AUGUST 31, 2024
UnifiedGiving$2,411,574
UnifiedExpenses$2,653,694
GROUP LIFE AT VPC
AdultDiscipleship
Summerhighlightsinvolvemeetinginnatureandmeetingonline.Acontradiction?Notsomuchwhenthere’s commonalityinChrist!DiscipleshipOutdoorshikingandkayakingeventswerebeautifulandfilledwithjoyinthe timespenttogether.SummerdevotionsontheYouVersionBibleappalsobroughtVPCadultstogether encouragingoneanotherinfaith.
LOOKING AHEAD
AdultDiscipleshipMinistrieswilllaunchafallseasonofclassesandsmallgroupsforyoutodeepenyourfaithand senseofcommunity.Checkoutwhat’shappeningonSundaysandmidweekatviennapres.org/adultsorinthe printedGroupFinderbookletavailableintheinformationareaintheFellowshipHall.KimPattianakotta,Director ofGroupsandEducation,isalsohappytospeakwithyouaboutgroupsat703.937.1884x130or kim.pattianakotta@viennapres.org
Fortheexhausted,thehurting,andthefaithful,TheAfterPartyisasixsessionclassthathelpsreframeourpoliticalidentityawayfromthe “what”ofpoliticalpositionsandtowardthe“how”ofbeingcenteredon Jesus.WhatChristiansadvocateforinpoliticsisdiverse.Wedisagree.Yet, wecanfindunityinhowwediscusstheissueswecareaboutthemost.In today’spoliticalenvironment,faithfulnesstoabiblicalhowofpolitical engagementshinesasaradicalchallengetoboththeRightandtheLeft.
Ifyouworryaboutwhatpoliticalpolarizationisdoingtoyourcommunity,yourfamily,andyourownwell-being, TheAfterPartywilltransformyourpoliticalimagination.It’stimeforustogobeyondpartypoliticsand,as Christians,getreadyforthetrue“party”yettocome—theWeddingFeastoftheLamb.
JoinatOneofFourTimes Sundaymorningsat9:00or10:30hostedbythePerspectivesClass,TuesdayeveningsatVPCorWednesday eveningsonline.TheSundaygroupsbeginon9/15.ThemidweekgroupsbeginthefirstweekofOctober.Getmore informationandsignupatviennapres.org/after-party.
GROUP LIFE AT VPC
YouthMissionTrip
VPCYouthsentateamtojoinYouthWorksinLogan County,WestVirginiaforaweekofservingthelocal communityandgrowingtheirfaith.
TheGreatEscape
Ourmiddleschoolershadasuperfuntimeatthe waterpark,lake,andropescourseduringTheGreat Escape,butmostespeciallyinworshipastheywere remindedthatwhereyourtreasureis,thereyourheart willbealso.
BlessingoftheBackpacks
Morethan200kidsshoweduponSunday,August18 fortheannualBlessingoftheBackpacksbeforethe startofthenewschoolyear.
MusicandDramaCamp
Childreninfourththrougheighthgradesdovedeeper intoGod’sWordthroughmusic,artanddramaduring VPC’sweeklongMADCamp.
BehindtheScenes
EverySunday,early-risingDeaconscareforusthrough makingcoffeeandpreparingourfoodandfellowship.
RevampAlert!
Thissummer,theSanctuarygotadazzlingmakeover. Sayhellotonewlightingandcarpet,refinished Chancelfloors,andafreshcoatofpaint.
Connie’s Corner
EarlierthissummerIsharedthisstoryduring aBenediction.Someofyoucommentedthat itspoketruthtoyou,soI’msharingithere.
Apastorwenttovisitamemberofthe churchattheirhome.Thisvaluedmember hadnotbeentoworshipinalongtime.The pastorpulledupachairbythefireplaceand satquietlynexttothememberastheyboth lookedattheflames.Thepastorusedtongs topulloneburningemberawayfromthe fire.Together,theywatchedtheember quicklyloseitsheatandbrillianceasit turnedgrayandashy.
Lookingwithloveatthemember,thepastor quietlyleft.
Beloved,seeyouatworship!
LoveinChrist,
Connie
Fifty Years
AnnWilliamson
CONGRATULATIONS! THESE MEMEBERS ARE CELEBRATING MILESTONE ANNIVERSARIES
Forty-Five Years
DonaldandLucyAnneBlack
ChrisJames
GretchenMajor
JudithandPhilipStratmann
Forty Years
BethKraemer
DonMassey
GinnyPaul
Thirty-Five Years
DaveandJoanGifford
Thirty Years
DennisandJanFandrei
Twenty-Five Years
BartandCathyBarre
AllisonandPaulBrake
DorothyCampbell
ArayannaDarst
SteveandRandiDeWeese
TomandTeriDungan
BradandGretchenSchofield
World Communion Sunday
Aspartoftheglobalcommunityofbelievers,wewillbejoiningbrothersandsistersinChrist fromallovertheworldtocelebrateWorldCommunionSundayonOctober6duringboth services.Wearelookingformembersofourchurchfamilywhowerebornandraisedoutside oftheUnitedStatestohelpusdesignandleadworshiponthatSunday.Ifyouwouldliketo participate,pleasereachouttoPastorHope(hope.lee@viennapres.org)orPastorRobert (Robert.austell@viennapres.org)assoonaspossible.
Church-Wide Retreat
Weinviteeveryoneofallagestodisconnectfromyourroutinesandconnectwithfellow believersforafun-filledweekend, November9-11.Stepawaytojumpintoworship, freetimeforconversations,games,s’more,ziplines,gentlewalks,climbingwalls,and more,rightatthewaterfrontoftheChesapeakeBayatNorthBayAdventureCamp. Whetheryou’relookingforadventureorasimpleweekendawaytorenew,restore,and reinvestinyourfaith,thiswillbeaweekendtoremember!Formoredetailsandto register,visit:viennapres.org
HAPPENINGS AROUND VPC in September
WelcometoVPC!Thelifeofourchurchisveryactive. Wehavemanypaths tohelpyougetconnected,learnmore aboutGod,andserveothersregardlessofyourage.AtVPC,youwillmakefriends,findencouragement,and receivecareandsupport.Weencourageeveryonetofindasmallgroup,aclass,aBiblestudy,achoir,amom’s grouporothercaregroups.
GriefShareSupportGroup
September8|5:00-7:00pm(online) 6:00-8:00(in-person)
TheGriefSharecommunitywillwalkwithyouonthe paththroughgrieftowardhealingandhopeforthe future.You’llfindittobeawarmandcaring environment.Participantscanjointheclassesatany timeduringthe13-weekseries.Register: viennapres.org/griefshare
ParkStreetFellowship(DementiaCareMinistry)
September9|11:00am-1:00pm Thisministryisdesignedforboththosecaringand thosesuffering.Ourtimeisdividedbetweenthoughtful wholegrouptimeandabreak-outsession.Lunch included. Meetsmonthly.Pleasepre-register: lara.ferreira@viennapres.org
60sPlusFellowship&Lunch
September10|11:30am-1:00pm
Atimeoffellowshipforourmembersandfriendsover 60togatheratthismonth’spotlucklunch,devotional andamonthlyprogram.
MomCo
September12&26|9:30-11:30am Momscometogetherasweembracethejourneyof motherhood.
Playground Playdates
September 13 | 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
Family Mental Health
September 16 | 6:00 pm
Men’s BBQ
September 16 | 7:00 - 8:30 pm
Guys - this is an open invite for anyone who wants to join in on savoring some of the best BBQ around, make new friends and acquaintances, and learn how a relationship with God can impact your life. Paul Farrell will speak about his faith journey and how it has impacted both his career decisions and personal life. Register: viennapres.org
CLUB(4th&5thGraders)
September22| 5:00-7:00pm
CLUBfor4th&5thgradersmeetsonceamonthon Sundayeveningtoprovideaspaceforourpreteensto learnaboutGodandfaithwhilebuildingcommunity. KidsareinvitedtojoinusintheUpperDeckforpizza, games,andamessage.
DivorceCare
September24|6:30-8:30pm
Thisisawarmandcaringsupportgroupforbothmen andwomenwhoaresufferingthroughthedevastation andlosscausedbyseparationanddivorce.Eachweek isafree-standingtopic.Childcareisprovided. Register:viennapres.org/divorcecare
Mom’sMorningMeetup
September28|8:30am Leavethekidsathomeandtakeabreaktoconnect withothermomswhoarealsointhethickofparenting. MeetatCabooseTaverninVienna.Formore information,contactHeatherBoehmat heather.boehm@viennapres.org
FreeEstatePlanningSeminar
September29|10:30-11:30am
Everyoneneedsawilloralivingtrust,regardlessofage orphaseoflife,butmanyofuspostponecreating(or updating)ourestateplan.Thisserviceisafreegiftfrom VPCtoyourfamilytohelpyoubethebeststewardof allGodhasentrustedtoyou. Childcarewillbe available. Register:viennapres.org/estate-planning
If your loved one(s) suffers from mental health challenges, we invite you to come to a warm, supportive, weekly gathering in Christian community. www.viennapres.org/calendar
