ANotefromOurSeniorPastor
DearSaintsofPaxPres,
Sessionhasformedateam,whichisrepresentativeofourchurch asawhole,toconsidergrowthandchangetoourweekend worshipserviceschedule.Thisteam’sunderlyingquestionis: What“churchrhythm”doesGodwantforPaxPrestohelpas manypeopleaspossibleencounterGodandgrowasdisciples?
Themostnaturaltimestochangeachurchschedulearethestart ofthecalendaryearandthestartoftheschoolyear.Fall2024is thesoonestSessionwouldmakeanymajorSundaychange.
Acongregationalsurveyisbeingdistributed.Pleaselookforitas abulletininsertonApril21st,April28th,orMay5th.Youcan alsocompleteitthroughthelinkinourWeeklyeNews.The deadlineforresponsesisMay5th.Ifyouhaveadditionalinputs orideasbeyondthescopeofthesurvey,youmayshareyour thoughtsbypassingthemthroughanyteammember(below).
Pleaseprayforandwiththisteam.Achurch’sscheduleis somethingaboutwhichweallhavemanyperspectivesand opinions.PrayforGodtoprotecttheprocess;toleadusingood communicationwithoneanotherandwithyou;andforGod’s wisdomtoguidetheteam.Weareexcitedandhopeyouare, too!
Untilthen,weareconsideringwaystomaximizeourSunday parkingintheexistingschedule.
Wewillsharemoreastimegoeson.
InChrist, PastorMatt
WORSHIPSCHEDULETEAM:
SarahAaron,JasonCross,LeoEschenbrenner,JarodGrant, ChrisHarritt,KatieKarlow,ChrisMcLellan, DebbiePatterson,MaureenWysham, Rev.RobbieD’Orazio,andRev.MattPooley
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Therewillbeabrief Congregational Meeting fortheelectionof ChurchOfficers onSunday,May19th immediately followingworship. Formoredetails, pleaseseeour WeeklyeNews.
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TheGreatEnemyofFollowingJesus
PaxPresFamily,
WhatisthegreatenemyoffollowingJesus?Inotherwords, whatisthebiggesthurdleyoufaceonaday-to-daybasiswhen itcomestofollowingJesus?IsittheAccuser?Maybeyour doubts,thepeopleyousurroundyourselfwith,theneedfor comfortability,orthepursuitofworldlypleasures?Whatever youransweristothatquestion,theologianDallasWillard suggeststhis:
“HURRYisthegreatenemyofspirituallifeinour day.Youmustruthlesslyeliminatehurryfromyour life.”
AccordingtoWillard,peoplearejusttoobusytolive emotionallyhealthyandspirituallyvibrantlives.Doyouagree? Inthebook,TheRuthlessEliminationofHurry,byJohnMark Comer,hearguesthathurryistherootproblemunderneathso manysymptomsoftoxicityinourworld.Afterreadingthebook, reflectingonoursocietytoday,anddoingsomepersonal introspectionintomyowninnerworld,I’dhavetoagreewith him.
AuthorMichaelZigarelliwritesthisprofoundtruth:
“Itmaybethecasethat1)Christiansare assimilatingacultureofbusyness,hurry,and overload,whichleadsto2)Godbecomingmore marginalizedinChristian’slives,whichleadsto3)a deterioratingrelationshipwithGod,whichleadsto 4)Christiansbecomingevenmorevulnerableto adoptingsecularassumptionsabouthowtolive, whichleadsto5)moreconformitytoacultureof busyness,hurry,andoverload.Andthenthecycle begins.”
Doyoufeelhurried?Overloaded?Runningonempty?Burntout onlife?SomethingIhaven’tbeenabletoshakeinallthis reflectiononhurry,istherealitythatJesuswasneverina
continued…
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ANotefromOurAssociatePastor
hurry;Hewaseasilyinterruptible.Allthroughoutthe Gospels,storyafterstory–thehealingofthebleeding womanwhotouchedHiscloak;thehealingoftheparalyzed man,whowasloweredthrougharoofbyfourfriendsin frontofJesus;andmanyothercircumstances–Jesus welcomedtheinterruptions.
Jesusalsoconsistentlyretreatedtopray,torest,andto recharge.Thetruthis,hurryandloveareincompatible. Manyofourworstmomentsareoftenwhenweareina hurry–whetherwe’relateforanappointment,behindon ourto-dolist,ortryingtocrameverythinginallatonce.
Ichallengeandencourageyoutoreflectonyourinner worldasweentertheSpringandSummermonths.Doyou feelhurried?Andifso,maybetheinvitationistoretreat,to rest,andtorechargeevenifonlyforashortperiodoftime. Orperhapsit’stimetocutoutsomethingthatisreally unnecessaryandhasn’tbeenlifegiving.Respondtothe invitationofJesusinMatthew11:28-30:
“Cometome,allyouwhoarewearyand burdened,andIwillgiveyourest.TakeMy yokeuponyouandlearnfromMe,forIam gentleandhumbleinheart,andyouwillfind restforyoursouls.ForMyyokeiseasyandMy burdenislight.”
Grace&Peacetoallofyou.
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AHUGEThankYoutoRachelPortillo,LuAnnSmouse,Cindy Johnson,ChristySchumacher,BillQuinn,DianaPooley, CindyRomano,RobbieRomano,andRobertandKaiti WickerforleadingtheirclassesinourEasterEggHunt!We hadover50participantsincluding15guests;550Easter Eggswerefound(plusanadditional35prizesfortheMiddle andHighSchoolers).Godisgood!
ImportantDate:
Sunday,June9th:
•LastdayofSS4Kfortheyear!
•At12:15p.m.intheFellowshipHall,wewillhavea SundaySchoolTeacherAppreciationLuncheon!Ifyou taughtSS4Kduringthe'23-'24schoolyear,thisisfor you!Checkyourinboxinthecomingweeksforan invitationandmoredetails.
ParentingResources:
DoyouhaveaRightNowMediaaccount?Checkoutthe awesomeparentingresourcesthatareFREEwhenyousign upwithaRightNowaccountthroughPaxPresat: www.paxpres.com/rightnowmedia.
1.Parenting&TechnologybyKathyKoch.Technologyis everywhere;itcanconnectpeoplearoundtheworld,butit alsohasthepowertodisconnectusfromthosearoundus. Formanyparents,decidinghowtousetechnologyintheir homecanbechallenging.Watchthismini-seriesformore tipsfromDr.KathyKoch,FounderandPresidentof CelebrateKids,Inc.
2.TheArtofParentingbyFamilyLife.Helpparentsmake faiththecoreoftheirparentingwithintentional,Biblical teachingandChrist-centeredplans.
KimHagan
sundayschool@paxpres.org
6 CHRISTIAN EDUCATION MINISTRY
KimHagan, SundaySchoolforKids (SS4K)Coordinator
Participantregistration! Volunteerregistration! ItemDonations!
SCUBAVBSwillrunfromJune24th–28thfrom9:00a.m.tonoonandisopento childrenages4(asofSeptember1,2024)through5thgrade.Kidswilldivedeepinto anamazingunderseaadventurewherethey’llexperiencetheever-flowing,neverendingloveofGod.TheywillbeimmersedintheWordanddiscoverwhat‘living water’isreallyallabout!
VolunteerRegistration!ThisisouropportunityasthebodyofChristtoshareGod’s Wordbyservingchildrenandfamiliesinthecommunity.Pleaseconsidersharingyour giftsandtalentswiththechildrenwhoenterourdoors.Therearemanywaystobe involved,sopleasesignupintheNarthexoronline:www.paxpres.com/vbs.
Questions?
ContactDavidPorter,VBSDirector at:443-562-2870
orPaxPresVBS@gmail.com.
DONATIONSaccepted&appreciated! Clickheretovisitour"OnlineGiving“ pageandselect"VBS2024"inthe drop-downmenu(ordropyourcheck inthecollectionplateonSundaywith "VBS2024"onthememoline).
Thankyouforyourgenerosity!
MAY:WorkingAdultsGroup(WAG)GameNight
onFriday,May3rdat7:00p.m.attheJoshua House.PleasebringasweetorsavoryMexican treattoshare.Questions/child-careneeds, contactKamiBankoat:kami.banko@gmail.com.
JUNE:WorkingAdultsGroup(WAG)lunchwith theJOYGrouponSunday,June9that12:15p.m. atOliveGarden.RSVPtoKatieKarlowat: katiek85@gmail.combyJune7th.
NewGroupforWomen:TableTalk!
OnMonday,April29that7:00p.m.,cometo theinauguralmeetingofourversionofIf:Tables called:TableTalk.Joinus-andbringafriend ortwo-fordessertandlearnhowamonthly meetingwillhelpusbuildcommunity.Thisis aninformational,fungatheringanddoesnot obligateyoutoparticipateinfutureTableTalk events,unlessyou'reinterested.Therewillalso beanopportunitytosign-upforour7-session summersmallgroupstudy,FindYourPeople, BuildingDeepCommunityinaLonelyWorldby JennieAllen.RSVPtoLauraRhodes,Small GroupsDirectorat:paxpressg@paxpres.org.
YoungAdultsPracticingTheWay(YAPTW)for highschoolgradstoage31meetseveryother WednesdayintheJoshuaHouseat7:00p.m. Upcomingdates:May8th&22nd;June5th& 19th.ContactRev.RobbieD'Orazioat: rdorazio@paxpres.org.
BELONGBackyardPicnics!Youarewarmly invitedtoparticipateinthisintergenerational eventtakingplaceonSaturday,June1st beginningat4:00p.m.Youandyourswillbe placedwithagroupofabout20peoplefrom PaxPresatoneofourcongregant’shomesfor fabulousfood,fun,andfellowship.Allyou needtodoisbringasidedishasrequestedby thepicnichostandgetreadytomeetsome newfolksfromourchurchorgettoknowyour brothersandsistersinChristinamore meaningfulway.Ifyou’rewillingtohost, pleaseletusknowontheregistrationform. Questions?ContactKarinStewartorCherie Crescini.YouBELONGatthisevent–don’tmiss it!Registerthroughthelinkprovidedinthe WeeklyeNewsorsignupintheNarthex!
8 CONGREGATIONALLIFEMINISTRY
CONGREGATIONALLIFEMINISTRY
“Soneithertheonewhoplantsnotthe onewhowatersisanything,butonlyGod, whomakesthingsgrow.”-1Cor3:7
MulchDay2024
Thanks,inlargepart,toKevinSmith’srelentlessupkeepofthelandscapingthroughoutthe winter,andespeciallytheweekpriortoMulchDayonSaturday,March2nd(sometimesin pouringrain),allthebedsaroundthechurchweremulched!Aidedbylotsofprep-work(staging thebagsaroundthepropertyandspreadingsomeofthemulchearly)onFridaybyRobertMiller, KevinSmith,PatsySchumacher,andLauraGuido,ourvaliantvolunteersgotwetandmuddy,but weresuccessful!Thankstothosealreadymentioned,plusKathyHill,SeanBryan,AllisonMoss, andKristinLawrence,whoweretherebrightandearly(well,early),andtothegentlemenwho joinedusaftertheMen’sPrayerBreakfast,includingTomSchumacher,ChrisHarritt,andDave andLeoEschenbrenner.Manythankstoall!
TheGardenClubmembersfrequentlygetaccoladesforhowbeautifulthegroundslook;butwe wanttobeclear-it’sallforGod’sglory;afterall,Heistheonewhomakesallthingsgrow!Heis theonewhomakesallthingsbeautiful!
SoMuchtobeThankfulfor!
Easterbloomingflowersandtrees–pansies,peartrees,tulipmagnolias,cherryblossoms, daffodils,forsythia,tulips,andcrabappletrees!Suchgloriousness!GodshowsHiscreativityand artistictalentthroughoutSpring,andwhatablessingtohavemanythingsbloomingforEaster! We’vehadplentyofrainthusfar,butthesprinklersystemwasturnedonmid-Aprilincasethe rainletsup.Ifyoulikethepansiesandfloweringplantsthatlooknew,thankLauraGuido,who likestostayundertheradarbutisconstantlylookingforwaystobringcolortothelandscaping! AndpleasethankKevinSmithforremovingseveralbarberrybushes(thereddishpricklyones) whichwereovergrownandbecomingunsightly(nottomentionsometimespainfultowork around!).Also,thankGrantGraesslewhocleanedoutandloweredthebluebirdhousesnearthe JoshuaHouse,sohopefullywe’llgetsomeoccupants!Andfinally,thankstoallthosewho donatedEasterliliesandazaleas!
Lookingahead…
We’llbefightingourannualbattlewiththeweedsandwiregrasseveryTuesday(feelfreetojoin us8:30-11:00a.m.!);wemayremovesomeofthemorematureholliesthatarepasttheirprime, tobereplacedwithavarietyofflora,especiallynativeplants.Keepaneyeoutforchanging landscapes!AnoldtreewasremovedinthefrontoftheJoshuaHouse(thankyou,SMECO)so nowtherewillbemoresunlightonthatlawnarea.Whoknows?Wemayevengetsomegrassto growthere!
Asalways,questionsabouttheGardenClubcanbedirectedtoPatsySchumacherat: helopatsy@yahoo.com.
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CONGREGATIONALLIFE&OUTREACH
IF:PATUXENT:GatheringofWomen
Over70volunteersandcontributorsplayed aroleinthisdeeplymeaningfuleventfor the79ladieswhoattendedIF:PATUXENT inFebruary-whatablessing!Thankyou, thankyou,thankyou!
WARM(WrappingArms'RoundMany)isa faith-based,ecumenicaleffortprovidingsafe andwarmshelterforthoseinneedduringthe wintermonthsinSt.Mary’sCounty.Duringthe weekofMarch3rd–10th,PatuxentPresbyterian Churchhostedanaverageof12guestspernight. Our111volunteersralliedtogethertomakeour churchaWARM,welcomingplaceforourguests byhelpinginoneormoreofthefollowingways: set-up;clean-up;hospitalitycheck-in;guest relations;dailycleaningofrestrooms;overnight monitoring;breakfastanddinnerfoodprep, cooking,andserving;preppingandpackingto-go lunches;playingmusic;emergencylaundry. ManythankstoallforsharingtheloveofJesus Christandbuildingbridgeswithpeopleinour localcommunity–andwitheachother.
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OUTREACH
ANotefromSusanMcKinley, OCCChurchRelationsTeamMember
November2023markedthefifthyearIhaveruntheDropOffLocationatPaxPresforOperationChristmasChild(OCC) asaSamaritan’sPursevolunteer.Afewweeksbefore NationalCollectionWeekwassettobegin,mymotherdied. Afterhavingbeenhercaregiverforfouryearsandcoping withfreshgrief,mybrainwasinafog,makingthe administrativedetailsoftheDrop-Offministryastruggle. KnowingIwould“fail”inthatregard,Ishiftedmyfocusfrom theminutiaeofaccountingandadministrationtobuilding relationshipsandconnectinginatransformationalwaywith everydonorwhowalkedthroughourdoors.Iwasblessedin innumerablewaysandsawGodatworkineveryinteraction.
AfterNationalCollectionWeek,IwasapproachedbyanothermemberoftheSouthernMaryland AreaOCCTeamandaskedifIwouldconsiderexpandingmyroleontheAreaTeambyworking undertheumbrellaofChurchRelations.Shewaslookingforsomeonewhocouldworkwithherto establishandbuildrelationshipswithotherchurchesinourarea.Aftermyexperiencesduring CollectionWeek,itwasaneasyyes.
WorkingontheChurchRelationsTeamforOCCmeansIwillbeworkingthroughouttheyearto deepentherelationshipswithchurchesthatalreadypartnerwithOperationChristmasChild, equippingandsupportingthemasneeded.Iwillalsobeseekingtoestablishnewrelationshipswith churchesinourareathatarenotcurrentlyinpartnershipwiththeministry,encouragingthemto usethisprojectasawayofsharingtheGospellocallyastheypromoteshoeboxpacking.
We’reBuildingOurDragonBoatCrew!
We’rehopingtocompeteandWINatthis year'sSolomonsDragonBoatFestivalon Saturday,August17th!
Needed22volunteers(backupsincluded) plusonedrummertojointhe PaxPresPaddlersteam.
Jointheteam,jointhefun,tosupportthe SouthernMarylandCommunityResources,Inc.
GrantGraessle:stewfoot.grant@gmail.com
MattBrennan:brennans9@md.metrocast.net
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WORSHIP
Haveyouevercommentedonhowbeautifulthe SanctuarylooksatChristmastime,orwondered whopreparestheCommunionbreadandjuice? PerhapsasyouwatchtheSundayservicevia livestream,youarethankfulthattheserviceis availableforviewingfromhome.Whowatersall theplantsonthealtarorcoordinatesthelay readerseachweek?Allofthesetasksassociated withourworshipservices,andmanymore,are accomplishedthroughthemanyvolunteersthat givetheirtimeandtalentstoservethePatuxent PresbyterianChurchcongregationandthe WorshipMinistry.Wearesothankfultohavesuch adedicatedgroupofvolunteersfillingvarious positions,thathelptobringweeklyworship servicestothemembersofPaxPres.
Somevolunteerstakeonpositionsthatarehighly visibleeachweek.WehavetwowonderfulUsher Coordinators,BarbaraEngleandGeniePosnett, whomakesurethateveryservicehasenough UsherstohandouttheSundaybulletinsand collecttheoffering.OnthefirstSundayofeach month,theyalsocoordinateextravolunteersto serveCommunion.Therearemanymemberswho volunteertoserveasUshersandCommunion Servers.
Oursoundandvideogroupmakessurethatthe soundqualityandvolumeisrightforthePastors, theWorshipLeaders,thePraiseTeamandChoir, andforthevariousmusicalinstruments.Tom SchumacherandGeoffreyEngledirectthesound panelandcoordinatevolunteersforeachservice. Videopresentations,includinglivestream,arerun byourAV/ITgroup.Theseamazingvolunteers makesuretheslidepresentationsarecoordinated withthechurchserviceandthatthelivestream videocapturesallaspectsoftheserviceforthose watchingfromhome.
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WORSHIP
Somanypeoplesharetheirincredibletalents throughouttheyeartopresentbeautiful,moving musictotheGloryofGod.OurMusicDirector, MaureenWyshamcoordinatesallthemusical presentations-ourall-volunteerChoir,Praise Team,andguestinstrumentalists.TheHandbell ChoirisunderthedirectionofGeoffreyWysham.
Manyofourworshipministryvolunteerstake careofimportantbehindthescenestasks,as well:BarbaraandDarwinEnglepreparethebread andjuiceforCommunion;CindyRomanoand KristinLawrencepreparetheSanctuary decorationsbasedonthechurchcalendar;a groupofplant-lovingvolunteersmakesurethe plantsintheChancelarewateredandgetenough sunlight;JimOsterhousecoordinatesourWorship Leaders;SlideShowVolunteerscreatetheslide presentationweekly;‘Neateners’cleanand neatentheSanctuaryaftereachservice.
WethankGodfortheincrediblesupportofour volunteers!Tojointhisamazinggroup,please contactCarolynGraessleorPaulWolter.
VOLUNTEERSNEEDED forTimeforYoungDisciples!
Allarewelcome,noexperienceisrequired! Let'sbuildbridgesbetweenthegenerations tohelpguideouryoungestchurchmembers togrowintheirfaith,service,andlove.
SignupforApril,May&June viaourWeeklyeNews!
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RecentPaxPresHappenings!
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RecentPaxPresHappenings!
YOUTHMINISTRY
VisionforYouthGroup: YouthGroupisaplaceforteenstogrow thefoundationoftheirrelationshipwith Christandtodevelopacommunity ofChristianFellowship. Ifyouaren’treceivingtheYouthGroup emailsorhavequestions/concerns, pleasefeelfreetocontactus. WelookforwardtoseeingyouatYouth eventsandgettingtoknowyouryouth! youthdirector@paxpres.org
InFebruary,theYouthGroupmetregularly.Inbetween thegamesandget-togethers,wetalkedaboutavariety ofimportanttopics,includingdealingwithgrief;10 stepsyoucandonowifyouwanttochangetheworld; beingagoodfriend.
WeheldaLock-inforthehighschoolersafewweeks ago.Thegamesweplayedincludedanewcardgame called,“SoundsFishey”whichinvolvedcomingupwith similarphrasestotheoriginalphrase,allwhilethe leadertriedtofigureoutthecorrectoriginalphrase. Fun!
PastorRobbiebringsarenewedenergyandexcitement toeverythingrelatedtoYouthGroup(justimaginehow heisonSundaysampedupabout10times…lol)!Hehas alsobeenmeetingwiththeYouthleaders.Hisfocusfor thisareaofministryistodevelopleaderswhowill interactandequiptheyouthasfollowersofChrist.
UnrelatedtoRDO’s(RobbieD’Orazio’s)arrival,Mr.Tom willbesteppingdownfromhispositionastheSenior YouthLeaderinJune.Hewillstillbearound,showing upforYouthevents,butnolongercoordinatingthe planningandactivities.Thetransitionplanisinthe works–staytuned!
ThesummerretreatstoNorthBayAdventureCampfor middleschoolers(earlyJuly)andhighschoolers(late July)arecomingupandwe’realllookingforwardto thesegreatget-aways!Don’tworry–lotsofphotoswill beposted!
ANightwiththePPCYouth!Allareinvitedtojoinus foranightoffun,laughter,worship,andtestimonyon Saturday,May4thfrom6:30-8:00p.m.intheFellowship Hall!Drinksanddessertprovided.(Tomakeadonation, pleasevisit:www.paxpres.com/onlinegivingandfrom the"choosefund"pull-downmenu,select:PPCYouth Night!AllproceedswilldirectlysupportthePPCYouth Group.Weappreciateyoursupport!)PleaseRSVPvia ourWeeklyeNewsorsignupinNarthex!
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FINANCE
PerCapitaisanamountofmoneythateachchurchpaystothePresbytery,SynodandGeneral Assemblyforeachactivememberofitschurch.The2023PerCapitadonationforPresbyterian(USA) is$47.13permemberapportionedasfollows:GeneralAssembly$9.85+Synod$1.15+National CapitalPresbytery$36.13.GivingEnvelopesincludeaspecialenvelopeforPerCapitadonation.For thosegivingbyACHorCreditCard,youcansendacheckmarked“PerCapita”totheChurchOfficeor placeitintheofferingplate.YoucanalsomakeyourPerCapitadonationonlinethroughourwebsite at:www.paxpres.com/online-givingoryoucanemailMarieHankinsonat:Treasurer@paxpres.org toincreaseyourACHallotmenttoincludePerCapita.
Reminder:Ifyouincreasedyourpledgefor2023andaresignedupforACH,pleasefilloutandturn inanewACHformreflectingyournewpledgeamount.Thankyouforyourcontinuedsupportto PaxPresaswecontinuetomeettheneedsfortheChurchandcommunity.
IfyouwouldliketousemonthlyautomatedgivingthroughACHorCreditCardwithdrawal,youmay fillouttheautomatedgivingformtoinitiatethesetypesofcontributions.Theformsareavailablein theNarthexorat:www.paxpres.com/online-giving.Ifyouhaveanyquestionspleasecontactthe ChurchTreasurer,MarieHankinsonat:301-863-2033orTreasurer@paxpres.org.
LetuswalkandworktogetherasweseektospreadtheGospelofJesusChrist athome,abroad,andtotheendsoftheearth!
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BUILDINGBRIDGESfortheGOSPEL
PaxPresiscalledbyGodtomakeandgrowdisciples ofJesusChrist bybuildingbridgesfortheGospel inSouthernMarylandandtheworld.
WeseektobuildbridgesfortheGospelofJesus betweenGodandpeople, betweenoneanotherincommunity, andbetweenourchurchandtheworld.
23421KingstonCreekRoad|California,MD20619
paxpres.com|301-863-2033|churchoffice@paxpres.org
Rev.MattPooley,Pastor AssociatePastor,RobbieD’Orazio
