Building Bridges
ANotefromourSeniorPastorMattandAssociate BREAD
AfterthemonthofDecember,filledwithholidaysnacking,the lastthingyouprobablywantismoreBREAD.We(Matt/Robbie) atemorecarbsandbreadedtreatsinDecemberthanourbodies needsinayear;maybeyoudidtoo.WewanttogiveyouBREAD, butwehavegoodnews:thisis100%calorie-freeBREAD!
B.R.E.A.D.isaspecificwayofreadingtheBiblefamiliartoPastor Robbie: BeStill. Read. Encounter. Apply. Devote.
BeginningonJanuary12,weareinvitingasmanypeopleaspossible– that means you! –toparticipateinthesameBiblereadingplanfor2025.Leadinguptothereadingplanstartdateof January12,wewillsharethevisionanddetailedinstructionsfor unitingaroundthesameBiblereadingrhythmin2025.
Theyear-longreadingschedulewillinclude5dailyreadingsper week,allowingroomforgraceineach7-dayperiod.Allyou’ll needisacopyoftheBible**,ajournal/notepad,andanopen heart,mind,soul,andthedesire.[**-WerecommendNIVor ESV;ifyouwantmoreguidanceonBibleversions,contactus!] PastorRobbiewillexplainthedailyfive-stepprocessof “B.R.E.A.D.”moreinhisJanuary5sermon.
Thisisnotan“entireBibleintheyear”plan.Maybewe’lldothat anotheryear.Thisyear,thescheduleofreadingswilltakeus acrossallgenresandpartsoftheBible,sothatweseethemany differentwaysthat"thebreadoflife"(John6:35)tastesacross theBible.
AssociatePastorRobbie
Lastfall,weintroduced12“rhythmsofadisciple,”oneofthem beingScripture.OnSundaymornings,oursermonseries January12-March9willwalkstraightthrougheachpartofthe letterofJames.SoonSundaymornings,we’llgetintoa communalweeklyrhythmofScripturewithJames.Ifyouwant tobepartofasmallgroupBiblestudyinJamesthatparallels theseries,contactourSmallGroupsDirector,LauraRhodes, ASAP!
Inadditiontothat,thetwoofusareinvitingyoutojoinusin a personal, daily rhythmofScripturethroughtheB.R.E.A.D. readingplan.Moredetailsandreminderstocome!Fornow, consideryourselfinvited!
Oneofthebestthingsyoucandotoincreaseyourchancesof keepingupwiththisreadingplanistoasksomeone,whethera closefriendoranacquaintance,tojoinyouintheplan.Agreeto checkoneachotherregularly,withquestionslike,"Howare youdoingonyourreadingsthisweek?”Bythepowerofthe HolySpirit,wegrowdeeperintheLordwhenwegrowdeeper together-whenGodbuildsabridgefortheGospelbetween Himandus and betweenoneanotherinacommunity-wide planlikeB.R.E.A.D.
Grace&PeacetoAllofYou.
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION MINISTRY
What are the benefits of online Sunday School classes?
Aseveryoneknows,thepandemicofrecentmemorybrought muchchangetoourlives.Inmanycases,thosechangesare permanent.Wesawteleworkingbecomenormalized,virtual meetingsbecomestandard,andawholenewsetofproductivity toolsadopted.Oneofthosetoolshasfacilitatedthestudyofthe WordandhasbeenusedtobuildtheChurch:virtualclasses.
A virtual Sunday School Class
PaxPresoffersanexcellentlineupofBiblestudycoursesbothinpersonandonline. Thepandemicbroughtonlineskillsetsinto themainstreamandhavebeenadoptedbyteachersasavery effectivemethod.
HearfromoneoftheparticipantsofavirtualSundaySchoolclass: “One of the reasons I love doing a virtual class is that I get to see a wide selection of old friends and new friends. In our Sunday night Sunday school class we have some who come every Sunday to church (be it the early or later service) and some who have moved out of the area and love to see their church friends. We also have some of our family members who live out of the area attend. In one case, the parents live here, their son lives in Pennsylvania, and their son, who recently joined the army, is still able to join us. We have a couple that live here half of the year and live in Florida the other half and never miss a Sunday. In another case, one of our group now has her husband sitting in on the class. We have some that don't like drive at night so can still participate. And one of the best things is we don't have to leave the house! Zooming is not complicated and we have all ages so we get a lot of input from each other. It is a wonderful experience for all who attend.” ~Carolyn
Virtualclassesknownoborders,areintergenerationalandbuild relationshipswithotherbelievers.Oneparticularclasshas attendeesinsevenstates,spansthreetimezones,hasparticipationfromthreegenerationsofafamily,andrepresentationfrom morethanfiveChurches.
Hearfromahusbandandwifecouplethataremembersofa virtualclassandattendfromlongdistance.
“Karla and I very much enjoy the opportunity to participate in the Virtual Classes. It affords us the ability to participate without having to physically be there. We have used the capability to participate even when we have been on the road for vacation or trips. I also see that the class has provided an opportunity for Pax Pres to expand it's ministry to not only those who physically attend at the Church, but other beyond, through relationships. I'm thinking of Peter and Cole Posnett, the Rinkers, and Jody (Julie Tracy's sister) and Jim T as examples. Between viewing the Sunday Morning services and the class Karla and I are able to maintain our relationship with Pax Pres. One thing I miss though, is being able to chat after the class to either discuss a point or just to catch up with people individually. There are some trivial advantages such as being able to sit in more comfortable chairs rather than the folding metal chairs in the classrooms.” ~JimandKarla
Oneofthesurprisingbenefitsofavirtualclassiscommunity. As amemberofavirtualSundaySchoolClass,Ihavemetpeople, furtheredrelationships,anddeepenedconnectionswitha numberoffellowstudents. Thereistrulyafellowshipintheclass andmemberssupportandprayforoneanother.
Ifyouareateacherorareconsideringbecomingateacher,leadingavirtualclasscanofferbenefitssuchasmoretimefor teaching,flexibilityonhours/daysoftheweekandnorestrictions onroomassignments. ToolsavailableareTeams,Zoomand potentiallyothermeetingsoftware.CurrentlyTeamsistheonly toolthatofferstechnicalsupportbyPaxPres.
IencourageyoutoconsideravirtualSundaySchoolClassfora futurestudy.Ifyouareconsideringteaching,trainingisavailable andtoolsareprovidedatnocosttoyou. ContactaCEElderor CEMinistrymemberformoreinformation.
ArticlebyMatt
Happy2025!
KimHagan, SundaySchoolforKids (SS4K)Coordinator
SundaySchool4KidsiscomingoffofChristmasbreakandwill resumeclassesonJanuary12th. DidyoucheckoutourChristmas ClassroomDoorDecoratingcontestinDecember? Itcertainly madeourSundaySchoolwingfeelfestive!
Startinginthenewyear,eachclasswillbeworkingonagrade specificmilestone. Thatcouldbeanythingfrommemorizinga passageofscripture,theDoxology,ortheApostle’sCreed. We hopetofeaturetheseinourworshipservicesforourcongregationtoseeallthehardworkourkiddos(andteachers)areputtingin.
OurPreK-5th Gradestudents arecontinuingworkingthrough TheGospelProjectcurriculum whichisaChrist-centered, chronologicalstudyoftheBible. Thiswinterwewillpickupwith Volume5whichstartswith1 Kingsandgoesthrough2 Chronicles. Eachweekthekids learnhowtheseOld Testament storiespointto Jesusbeingthe Messiah. Themaintheme throughoutthiswinterseriesis thatwhenweasktheLordfor forgivenessofoursin,weare filledwiththetruththatweare madeinGod’simage.
Grades6th-8th arealsoworkingthroughTheGospelProject DigitalCurriculum. Thisfalltheystudiedvariouspeoplesuchas Elijah,Jonah,NahumandIsaiah. Asoneofourteachersrecently said“whoknewtheminorprophetswouldbesointerestingand applicabletomiddleschoolers!”
Grades9th-12th (meetintheJoshuaHouseSundaysat10:4511:45am)arestudyingThePersonofJesus. Thisisaveryinteractive,discussion-basedstudy. Weareverygratefulforournew teamofHighSchoolteachers:SteveBrown,JamieRhodes,Rich Tygrett,Robert&KaitiWicker.
Middle Schoolers won the SS4K Door Decoration contest!
CONGREGATIONAL LIFE MINISTRY
Christmas Stroll 2024 wasanincredible nightoflovingonourneighborsandbeinga light!Thankyoutothosewhoservedour community!
2024 OCC RECAP FROM NATIONAL COLLECTION WEEK!
Thankyoutothe manyvolunteers whopackedshoe boxesinthe packingparties andthosewho helpedatthe OCCwarehouse inBaltimoretoo!
LookingAhead:
BeonthelookoutforournewcoffeefromPCP duringcoffeehour!
CONGREGATIONAL LIFE MINISTRY
YAPTW willstartmeeting weekly in2025startingonJanuary8th.
WIPS willhavea nighttime devotion and quilting class starting onJanuary27th.
Findoutaboutmoreeventsinthe Winter Get Connected Booklet!Thebookletwillbeavailableatthe Winter Expo on January 5th.Thisyear’sthemeis B.R.E.A.D. (BeStill.Read.Encounter. Apply.Devote.)HearmoreaboutB.R.E.AD.,our2025Biblereading plan,duringPastorRobbie’ssermononJanuary5th.
Allarewelcome,no experiencerequired tovolunteer!Let's buildbridges betweenthe generationstohelpguide ouryoungestchurch memberstogrowin theirfaith,service, andlove. Click here to volunteer!
WORSHIP
TheWorshipMinistrywouldliketoofferoursincerethankstoall ofourAdventvolunteerswhohelpedaddseasonalbeautyand spirittothechurch,sanctuary,andchancel.
TheChristmaswreaths,garlandandwindowgreenswerehung by Barbara and Darwin Engle, Bill and Trudy Lawyer, and Frank and Kathy Mazur. Thepoinsettiatreewasassembledby Carolyn Huff, Glenda Lytle, and Sue Menthe. ThechancelChristmastree wassetupby Pastor Robbie D’Orazio and our Youth Group,and decoratedby Laura Rhodes and Kathy Mazur. ThechancelAdvent wreath,candles,andbannerweresetupby Kristin Lawrence and Lori Hays.
Thisyear,fiveamazingAdventbulletincoverswerecreatedand submittedbyourveryownresidentartists– Genie Posnett, Eileen Miller, Victoria Godfrey, the Lorek family, Frank Yelinek, and Anabel Eschenbrenner inmixedmedia.
Membersofthecongregationandourmusicalministriesgenerouslyprovidedmusicalentertainmentduringthisyear’svery successfulandwell-attendedChristmasStroll. Thosegroupsand individualsinclude: Pax Pres Contemporary Worship Band
Carolyn Graessle
Annaleise Jones
Diane Kleinschmidt
Sarah Lorek (and daughters)
Matt Pooley
Tina Watts
TheChildren’sChristmasPageantofferedafreshlookatthe Christmasstory,andwascoordinatedby Anabel Eschenbrenner, Erin Tennyson, Tina Watts, and Maureen Wysham. Bonnie Farmer and Kathy Mazur providedcharacterandcostumepreparation. OuryouthwhohelpedbringtheNativitytolifeareasfollows:
Leo Eschenbrenner
Bennett Amstutz
Xander Amstutz
Jessica Smalley D.B. Farmer
Reena Mattingly
Lauren Smalley
Colin Wicker
Rachel Fisher
Thesanctuarywasfilledwiththewonderfulmusicalgiftsofour adultchoirandpraiseteam,ledbyMaureenWysham,handbell choir,ledbyGeoffWysham,andcontemporaryworshipteam, ledbyErinTennyson. ThemanyindividualswhohelpedpresenttheCantataandotherseasonalmusicalofferingsareasfollows:
CHOIR (including Cantata guests*)
Barbara Abell
Leon Anderson
Geoff Wysham
Andrea Csicseri
Sue Desmond
Betsy Kebaugh
Elaine McQueeny
Becky Goodrich*
Carolyn Huff*
Carolyn Graessle
Marilyn Sheldahl
Carolyn Morrison
Nathaniel Morrison
Jim Osterhouse
Jaden Osterhouse
Norma Osterhouse
Rachel Portillo*
Wayne Reeves
Deborah Rounds
Peg Corl
Tina Watts
Patty Smith
Sara Fraley
Susan Martin
Russ Beard
Eileen Miller
Kelly Tygrett
Patsy Schumacher Mark Strayer
Peter Schumacher* John Giusti*
Diane Kleinschmidt
ACCOMPANISTS (Cantata*) Diane Kleinschmidt* Tina Watts
Carolyn Graessle
Norma Osterhouse Betsy Kebaugh*
HANDBELLS (Advent Litany*)
Christa Benner
Cindy Romano
Diana Harritt
PRAISE TEAM
Carolyn Graessle
Carolyn Martin
Julie Correll
Carolyn Graessle* Mark Strayer
Nicole Thompson
Meg Leahy
Patsy Schumacher Geoff Wysham
Maureen Wysham
Tina Watts
CONTEMPORARY WORSHIP TEAM Paul Wolter
Drew Banko
Jason Hayes
Matt Pooley
Patsy Schumacher
Jessica Smalley
Barry Thurston
Sarah Lorek
Robyn Strayer
Rachel Portillo
1Peter4:10remindsus, "eachofyoushoulduse whatevergiftyouhave receivedtoserveothers, asfaithfulstewardsof God’sgraceinitsvarious forms."Itisonlythrough theselflesscontribution oftime,talent,andtreasurebymanyvolunteers thatthejoyfulmessage oftheAdventseasonis reflectedinandamplifiedbythebeautifulmusicandflowers,greens, anddecorationsaround thechurch.
YOUTHMINISTRY
Sign up to serve Youth Group Dinner here!
On Saturday, October 20th , wehadover22leadersandstudents takeatriptoKingsDominion.Itwasanawesomeopportunityfor funandfellowship.FollowingourtriptoKingsDominion,wehad a Halloween Costume/Games eventon October 27th , continued withourSundayYouthGroupMeetingson November 3rd/10th andhadourannualFriendsgivingon Sunday, November 17th . It wasawesometoseehowmuchfoodthestudents/parentspreparedforFriendsgivingandwewereblessedtohavearound40 totalstudents/leadersforFriendsgiving.Throughthemonthof November,wecontinuedourjourneythroughthesevenpractices ofJesus,asRobbieRomano,AmandaMckinley,andPastorRobbie leddiscussionsonsolitude,service,witness,andgratitude.
Here is a funny picture, a group did under the category “mistletoes” to get a few points!
Atthetimeofwritingthis,wejustheldourannualWhiteElephantGiftExchangeon Sunday, December 8th andourgearingup forourfinalYouthGroupof2024on Sunday, December 15th wherewewillhaveourChristmasScavengerHunt.Hereisa quotefromoneofourhighschoolgirlsaboutthesetwoevents:
“The gift exchange was so fun! We shared so many great laughs over silly gifts, and even some friendly competition between who wanted what gift. A week later we did the scavenger hunt; I was with some of my best friends and was able to have so much fun. We went to different locations and bent the rules of the game to get as many fun and silly pictures as we could. Each picture we got contributed to a certain number of points. We all had so much fun at both events and I am looking forward to all the fun the rest of the year has.”
Ithasbeenajoytowalkthrough7corepracticesofJesusthat helpshapeandmoldustobecomemorelikeJesus.
ThepracticeswecoveredthroughtheFallandintothewinter include:
Scripture. Service. Witness.
Prayer. Gratitude. Solitude. Community.
WehavealsobeenencouragedbyourHighSchoolSmallGroups thatbeganinSeptember.TheHighSchoolBoysarecontinuing tomeeteveryTuesdaynightandareclosetofinishing The Good and Beautiful God byJamesBryanSmithandwillbeginthesecondbookintheseries, The Good and Beautiful Life inJanuary. TheHighSchoolGirlsarecontinuingtomeeteveryWednesday nightandhaveconcludedaRightNowMediaStudyon“What theWomanSaw”.TheyhavebegunanewstudyonRightNow Mediatitled,“UntangleYourEmotions”andwillcontinueto meetin2025!ThankyoutoSusanMckinleyandJeanette Wolterforfacilitatingthisgroup!
Asforwhat’snext…thereisalottolookforwardtoo.Wewill startbackupourregularSundayRhythmon Sunday, January 12th. Our Fall focus was on discipleship…answering the question –how do we orient our lives in such a way that enables us to follow Jesus more faithfully? Asweenter2025wearelookingtotakea stepbackandtalkthroughFOUNDATIONS–divinginto particulartheologicaltopicsthatstudentsmaybewrestling with…answeringthequestion-Howdoweclosethegapbetweenwhoweareandwhoseektobe?...Throughunderstandingthestoryweliveinisthestoryweliveout.Thiswillbeour focusintheNewYear.Furthermore,weareexcitedforour weekend retreatat River Valley Ranch (RVR) on January 31st – February 2nd, 2025, forthelivesthatwillbechanged andthememoriesthatwillbemade.
