Building Bridges
ANotefromourAssociatePastorRobbie
This Past Year and the Next Generation
PaxPresFamily,
AsweneartheNewYearandentertheHolidaySeason,Iamremindedthatitwasjustaboutayearagoduringthisseasonwhere mycalltobecometheAssociatePastorofFamilies,Children,and Youthwasconfirmedbyyou,thecongregation.Whatayearithas been.Ayearfilledwithtonsoflearning,newrelationships,and momentsIwillcherishfortherestofmylife.FromtheChristmas Stroll(AnnaCatherineandI’sfirstPaxEvent),theamazing TenebraeService,RiverValleyRanch&RYMCampwiththeYouth Group,WARM,Easter,VBSwithDr.Daveandcrew,theChurch SoftballLeague,YouthGroup,watchingourDragonBoatTeamget asilvermedal,theJOYPromandsomuchmore–thesearejusta fewofthehighlightsofthispastyear.
AnotherhighlightwasstartingourFamilyMinistryTeamthispast Summerandhavingourfirstevent,ourFallFamilyLunchthis pastSeptemberinwhichwehadover60individualsattend.From thewings&pizza,seeingfamiliesconnectwithoneanother, watchingkidsandadultsenjoyagameofcharades,communicatingourvisionforfamiliestoparents,andofcourseseeingPastorMattgetapietotheface,itwasatrulyspecialevent.
Itwasalsoareminderthatwhilewearecalledtomanythingsas thechurchofJesusChrist,ourcallisalsotoinvestinthenextgeneration,tobuildthemupinChrist,toequipfamiliesintheraising upoftheirchildren,andtosendthenextgenerationouttobeambassadorsforChrist,andthiseventfeltlikeastepinthatdirection.
Reflection from Scripture:
IntheweeksthatfollowedtheeventIbeganreflectingonthisinteractionbetweenGodandAbrahamwhereGoddeclares,
“The Lord said, ‘Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do, seeing that Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? For I have chosen him, that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing righteousness and justice, so that the Lord may bring to Abraham what he has promised him.’ “
Inthispassage,Godisrevealingadeeptruth:Abrahamhasbeen chosennotonlyforhisownsake,butforthechildrenand generationswhofollowhimtokeepthewayoftheLord.God commandsAbrahamtoshowhischildrenthewayofjusticeso thattheywillreceivethefullpromiseofGod. This requires careful, attentive, lifelong investment in the coming generation. Abraham’s call is the same call we have today- to invest in the coming generation. Investing in the next generation also means investing in families. And at Pax, we are making that a priority as we enter 2025.
Challenge for the Season:
Mychallengetoyouduringthisseasonistoprayoveroneteenagerbyname,thattheymaybefilledwiththepeaceandpresenceofChristinallthattheysayanddo.Maythisprayerbea guideforyouasweliftupthecominggenerationfortheyearto come.
I pray for an anxious generation, for young people up in a time of extreme anxiety and challenged mental health. I pray for every teenager battling with anxious thoughts. I name a teenager today and pray the peace and presence of Christ will meet them in their fears.
Ultimately,thankyouforembracingmyfamilyduringthisfirst year.IamsoexcitedfortheworkGodhasdone,isdoing,andwill dohereatPaxPres.
Grace&PeacetoAllofYou.
ANotefromourSeniorPastorMatt
DearPaxPresSaints,
Thisfall,Sundaymorningshavebeenallaboutthe“rhythms”ofa discipleofJesus.Duringpartofthisseries,yourStewardship CommitteewillleadaFallGivingCampaignrelatedtoprayerful planningforministryin2025.Eachspiritualrhythmisadifferent wayofcommittingourselvesmoredeeplytotheLord.Duringthe weeksthathavecoincidedwithourFallGivingCampaign,Pastor RobbieandIhavebeenconnectingthefollowingspiritual rhythmstofinancialgiving:
10/20 – Generosity
10/27 – Fasting & Simplicity
11/3 – Witness
11/10 – Service
11/17 – Community
On November 3,ourStewardshipCommitteewillbehandingout personallyaddressedenvelopestoyouthatare Pledge Packetsacollectionofbothspiritual/theologicalandpracticalcontentto guideeachofusinourfinancialcommitmentstotheLordin 2025.Ifyou’renotinchurchthatday,wewillgetthemouttoyou inthemailimmediatelyafterthatSunday.
On November 17 – “Commitment Sunday” –we’lleachhavean opportunitytoanswerthesequestionsforourselves. Usingthe enclosedPledgeCard,you’llbeinvitedtoprayerfullymakeyour ownpersonalpledgetothe2025workofChristatPatuxentPresbyterian.OfcoursethePledgeCardsarewelcomeatanyother timeaswell,eitherplacedintheofferingplateormailedtothe ChurchOffice.Youcanevenuseourwebsite,paxpres.com/ stewardship,tomakeyourpledgeclosertothatdate.Pleasejoin usinthesehabitsandrhythmsasdisciplesofJesus.
WedeeplyappreciateyourpartnershipinChrist’sministryand wethankyouforsharingwithusinthisactoffaithfulness.Asone ofyourpastors,IpraythisisonesmallbutsignificantpartofGod shapingyourandmyrhythmsandprioritiestobeincreasinglyin linewiththeheartofourSavior,JesusChrist.
*Baked Goods are Appreciated!* Ifbakingisyour thing,pleasedropoffyourtastytreatsintheKitchen beforeWorshipServices.
Five Loaves
“Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to Heaven, He gave thanks and broke the loaves…They all ate and were satisfied.” Matthew 14: 19-20
DidyouknowthePatuxentPresbyterianFiveLoavesVolunteers providemealstothoseinneed?Ifyouoryourlovedoneissickor havingsurgeryoraprocedureorhaveanyotherneed,wehavea groupofvolunteersreadytohelp!Doyoulovetocook?Youcan alsobeavolunteer pleaseemailusatdeacons@paxpres.org.
Transportation
TheDeaconsalsooverseeTheTransportationMinistryforPatuxentPresbyterianChurch.Areyouinneedofaridetoanappointment,tochurch,tothestore,ortosomewherelocal?Wecan help!Areyouavailabletohelpprovidetransportationtothosein need?Again,pleaseemailusatdeacons@paxpres.org.We welcomeanyandallvolunteers!
A NOTE FROM THE DEACAONS
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION MINISTRY
What is the difference between a Small Group and a Sunday School class?
PatuxentPresbyterianChurchfeaturesmultipleopportunitiesto connecttootherdisciplesofChristandtodosoinavarietyof ways. TwoofthemorepopularofferingsareSmallGroupsand SundaySchoolclasses.
Small Groups cantracetheiroriginallthewaybacktothetime ofChrist.Somescholarsholdthatthe12apostleswerethefirst NewTestamentSmallGroup¹.Someevenpointtothenumber12 asasignificantsizeforasmallgroup,butstopshortofpromoting thatasaruletofollow. Smallgroupsgenerallymetinhomes, sharedameal,worshipedtogether,studiedGod’sWordandbuilt meaningfulrelationshipswithotherbelievers.Theyalsofeatured anevangelisticcomponentandinmostcasesconnectedtoalargerbody.
46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. Acts 2: 46-47 (NIV)
Definition of a Small Group: Amicro-communityoftypically, butnotstrictlylimitedto,3to12Jesusfollowerssharingthe Christianlifedeeplytogether.
Defining Qualities of a Small Group: Sharinglifedeeplytogethergenerallyincludesthefollowingqualitiesagreeduponand livedouttogetherbyagroupofdisciples:
1. StudyGod’s Word asagroup.
2. Consistency inmeetinginpersonnolessfrequentlythan onceamonth.(e.g.weekly,bi-weekly,daily,etc.)
3. Commitment to grow and serve togetherasindividual disciples.
4. Honesty bothinthelevelofpersonalsharingwithoneanotherandinawillingnesstoactivelyencourageandspeaktruthto oneanotherinlove.
5. Prayer foreachotheroutsidegatheredmeetingtimesand prayertogetherduringmeetingtimes.
¹Comiskey,J.(1996,August).HistoryoftheCellMovement.FullerTheologicalSeminary. https://celycecomiskey.tripod.com/new_page_2.htm
“Small Groups allow me to meet and study God's word in an intimate setting- usually in someone's home with a meal. It is how I met and became friends with so many women at Pax Pres. On the other hand, Sunday School gave Bob and I an opportunity to do class together and we usually chose more lifestyle classes (marriage or parenting) rather than studying a book of the Bible. So for us, the combo of doing both (small groups and SS) feels like a well rounded way for me to grow in my faith.”
-Kim
Sunday School classes,ontheotherhand,tracetheiroriginsto the1780’s.Theybeganasaresponsetotheconditionsthatfaced workingclassfamiliesinBritainduringtheindustrialrevolution. Mostchildrenwerelaboringsixdaysaweekandfacedlongworkinghoursanddidnotattendschool(Itwasn’tuntil1802thatlegislationpassedlimitingchildlabortonomorethan12hoursa day).SundaySchoolclassesbeganasliteraryschoolsandused theBibletoteachchildrenhowtoreadontheironlydayoff.²
SundaySchoolclassesoftensharealotofthesamequalitiesofa SmallGroup. Forinstance,bothstudytheBibleorChristianLife, bothareabletofacilitaterelationshipswithotherbelievers,both canbeco-ed,andbothmeetregularlywithacommonpurpose.
Thereareexceptionstotherule,butgenerallythedistinctionbetweenSmallGroupsandSundaySchoolisasfollows:
1. Purpose:Bothinvolvesomemixtureofvalueon "content"(study;material--topical,biblical,theological,etc.)and “community”(relationshipbuilding).
SundaySchoolingeneral,tendstoemphasizecontent,whereas communityisasecondarybenefitbutnottheprimaryemphasis. SmallGroupsingeneral,tendtoemphasizecommunity,andcontentisthesecondarybenefit,butnottheprimaryemphasis.
²Larsen, T. (2008, August 28). When did Sunday Schools Start? Christianity Today. https://www.christianitytoday.com/2008/08/when-did-sunday-schools-start/#:~:text=The%20Sunday% 20school%20movement%20began%20in%20Britain%20in%20the%201780s
ArticlebyMattBrennan ChristianEducationElder
2. Appeal:Ingeneral,thebest"nextstep"forapersonwhosays: "Iwanttomakenewfriends"or"Iwanttogrowinrelationships withotherdisciples"isaSmallGroup.
Ingeneral,thebest"nextstep"forapersonwhosays:"Iwantto learnmoreabout__(topic/doctrine/Biblebook/etc)"isaSunday Schoolclass.
Forsomeonewhosays:"Iwantboth--relationshipsandcontent" theycouldfitwellineither.
3. Lifecycle:SundaySchoolClassestendtofollowaschedulesuch asa“semester”model. Aclasscomestogetherforaspecificstudy anduponconclusionisfreetochooseanotherclassoranotheractivity. SmallGroupstendtoremaintogetherformuchlongerperiodsoftimeandbuildstrongrelationshipsasthetopicschange.
“What I like about Sunday school: Attending is convenient because I’m already at church on Sundays for worship :)
Sunday School is an opportunity to learn practical, yet Christian-based practices that can be applied to both my faith journey and to everyday life. One favorite example of this is the class Rachel led on Andy Stanley’s study “Take it to the Limit: How to get the most out of life”.
The classes typically have a light homework load - enough that I can manage to do before the next class, but still manage the rest of life’s demands. I can still learn new things and if it’s a class around reading a book, I can read it in manageable chunks. My desire to follow along with the class discussions ensures I am held accountable to actually doing the reading”
-Brian
Forbothgroups,thereisalotofflexibilityonwhenandwhereto meet.There'snoreasonasmallgroupcouldn'tmeetduringwhat istraditionallydescribedas"SundaySchool"hours.Likewise, SundaySchoolclassesarenotrequiredtomeetonSundaymorningoreveninthechurchfacility.
PatuxentPresbyterianencourageseveryonetoconsiderjoining eitheraSmallGrouporaSundaySchoolclass. Itisawonderful waytomeetothers,shareexperiences;andgrowintheWord.
WORSHIP
PaxPresArtists,
WeareseekingartistswhowouldbeinterestedincreatingartworktobeincludedonthecoverofoneoftheAdventorChristmasEvebulletins. Theartshouldexpressedifyingideaswhich reflecttheGospelandincorporatethefollowingthemeforeach day:
FirstSundayinAdvent TheGiftofHope (December1st)*taken
SecondSundayinAdvent TheGiftofPeace(December8th)
ThirdSundayinAdvent TheGiftofJoy(December15th)
FourthSundayinAdvent TheGiftofLove(December22nd)
ChristmasEve TheGiftofaSavior(December24th)
Theartworkcanbeofanymedium,butshouldbeprovided electronically(forexample,aphotoorscanoftheartwork)ina high-resolutionfiletoplaceonthebulletin.Artworkshouldbe completedandsubmittedatleasttwoweeksbeforetheSundayit willappearonthebulletin,toallowtimetosize,formatand incorporateintothebulletinlayout.
FeelfreetocontactChrisHarrittorSarahLorek,Worship Ministryelders,ifyouhavequestionsorifyouareinterestedin providingartworkforanyofthesebulletins. Areyouawareof anothermemberofPaxPreswhomaybeinterested? Letus know!
TherewillbeotheropportunitiesduringLentandEasterto participateaswell.PaxPresisblessedandgratefultohavesuch giftedsaintsinourmidst.
CONGREGATIONAL LIFE MINISTRY
So many ways to serve others during this Holiday season, and many ways to be present and enjoy this special season. Check them out (oftentimes clicking on a pic will take you to more info)!
Operation Christmas Child:Formoreinformationonservingat theDropOffduringNationalCollectionWeek(November18-25), contactSusanMcKinleyatthemckinleys1993@gmail.com.Volunteerspotsarefillingupfast!Checkoutinfoaboutournextpacking
Allarewelcome,noexperiencerequiredtovolunteer! Let'sbuildbridgesbetween the generationstohelp guideouryoungestchurch memberstogrowintheir faith,service,andlove.
During both December 15th Worship Services
GARDENCLUB
Aswefrequentlydointhisspace, we are honored to thank the followingpeopleforalltheirhardworkonSep7th ,aeratingand overseedingthewholechurchproperty:KevinSmith, Rita Reeves,ScottMcLellan,PatrickCole,PatsySchumacher,JillGaskin,andspecialemphasison thankingScottMcLellanfortransportingtheaeratorstoandfromthechurch!
AndforMulchDayThank-You’s(thefollowingweekend): Tony andMelodyVanMeter,fordonatingextrabagsofmulch,anddrivingthemaroundandplacingthemaroundthepropertywithPatsySchumacherandLauraGuido.AndonMulchDay,KevinSmith, BrianKeating,PattiPlaza,AllisonMoss,KeithSchukraft,Diane Kleinschmidt,RogerAdams,CindyRobinsonandDougHaysand PatsySchumacher.Thankyouforyour“laboringinthefields!”
BIG NEWS!! OnOctober1st,threenewtreeswereinstalledonthe churchgrounds! OneonthehillbytheJoshuaHouse,andtheothertwoareonthepartofpropertythatparallelsKingstonCreek Rd. TheOctoberGloryMapletreeneartheJoshuaHouseisdedicatedinmemoryofKenReamy,fromtheGardenClub.Theother twotrees(aLeylandCypressandaRedBud)weregenerouslydonatedbyananonymousdonor;whoevenpersonallyplantedone ofthem! Thankyousomuch!!
Looking ahead: Putting Up the Christmas Lights:alwaysafun timefor“children”ofallages(that’severyone!)!HeldonSaturday, November16th beginningat9:00.TheGardenClubwillbehosting thisevent,whichinvolveswrappinganddrapingthetreesinour whitelights,thensharingsoup&sandwiches. Ifinterestedin helpingwiththelightingand/orprovidinganyofthesustenance, pleasecontactPatsySchumacher(helopatsy@yahoo.com).
Followingthat–ChristmasStroll! Saturday,Dec7th beginning at5:00pm,theGardenClubwillagainhosttheirpopular “Blooms of Hope” paperwhitebulbgiveawaybooth,alongwith selling(fordonation!)variousplants. Helpwillbeneededto manthebooth,andwe’vestartedcollectingtall,sturdy,clear glassesforthebulbstobegrownin,andChristmas-syribbonto wraparoundit. Ifyouhaveanyofthoseitems,orcanhelpman thebooth,pleaseletPatsyknow!Aswellasifyouhaveany plantsyouwanttodonate!
Finally: YourGardenClubhasn’tstoppedworkingonthelandscaping,eventhoughthetemperatureshavedroppedsignificantly(asofthiswriting)! There’stilltrimming,andcleaning upleaves,andyes,weedsarestilltryingtogetaholdinareasso we’restillweeding! PleasethankLauraGuidoforherdedicationtokeepingthegroundsinterestingwithvariousplants,especiallycolorfulones,andpleasethankKevinSmithforhistirelesseffortstokeepthingsbeautiful,aswellasneatandtidy!
LookingforwardtotheChristmasSeason,aslowingofall growth,andalessstrenuousworkscheduleforthelandscaping! MayGodrichlyblessourPaxPresChurchfamily!
“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him. They will be planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and it never fails to bear “fruit.” -Jeremiah 17: 7-8
YOUTHMINISTRY
Sign up to serve Youth Group Dinner here!
OnFriday,September6thwehadourYGKickoffwhichincluded ColorWars,Food,andaCampfire.Wealsointroducedourfall seriesthatcentersaroundthepracticesofbeingadiscipleofJesus.WelaunchedourSundaynightYouthGroupscheduleonSeptember15thandwelearnedaboutwhatpracticingthewaysof ourculturepointstoandwhatpracticingthewaysofJesuspoints too.Furthermore,thiswasourfirstSundayofYouthGroupDinners.ShoutouttoalltheFamilies/SmallGroups/Individualswho steppedupthisFalltoserveouryouth!
WealsobeganourHighSchoolBoysSmallGrouponTuesday, September17thandourHighSchoolGirlsSmallGroupwhichbeganonWednesday,September11th.TheHSGirlsSmallGroup,led bySusanMcKinleyandJeannetteWolter,iscurrentlydoinga RightNowMediaStudyon“WhattheWomanSaw”whiletheHS BoysSmallGroupisdivinginto“AGoodandBeautifulGod”by JamesBryanSmith.Throughthefirstmonthwehaveheardgreat feedbackfromstudentsregardingthesmallgroupsasaplaceto cultivatedeeperrelationshipswitheachotherandwithJesus.
WecontinuedourSundayYouthGroupMeetingsonSeptember 22nd,October6th,andOctober13thwhereweintroducedthe sevenpracticesofJesus,andtwoofourleadersNickStudeand RobbieRomanoleddiscussionsonthepracticesofScriptureand Prayer.
SAVE THE DATE: Friendsgiving:Nov.17
ScavengerHunt:Dec15
Also,beonthelookout formoreinformation about High School Sunday School starting inNovember!
Atthetimeofwritingthis,wearegearingupforourKingsDominionTriponSaturday,October20thwherewehaveover22 peoplegoing.Thiswillbeagreatopportunityforfunandfellowship.Lookingahead,wearelookingforwardtoFriendsgivingand ourChristmasScavengerHuntastwoeventsthatroundout2024. WewillcontinueourFallseriesonthePracticesofJesusuntilthe endoftheyearanddelveintopracticeslikeSolitude,Service, Gratitude,WitnessandCommunity.
Wecontinuetobeincrediblyexcitedforwhat’snextforourStudentsatPaxandtoseehowGodmovesinandthroughthemin theirschools,amongtheirpeers,andwiththeirfamilies.
FINANCE
Asweenterthelastquarterofthefiscalyear,thanksto everyone’sgenerosity,our2024contributionshavematched our2024expenses.If4th quartercontributionsfollowour historicalpattern,thenour2024end-of-yearfinancialsituation shouldbehealthy.
Generosityisacrucialaspectofchurchbudgeting.Ourbudget communicatesourchurch’sprioritiesandhelpsushonorGod anduseHisresourceswisely.Thefinancecommitteefocuseson theday-to-dayfinancialoperationsandstrategicplanning.It overseesbudgetpreparation,monitorscashflow,reviews financialpolicies,andadvisestheSession(Elders)onfinancial matters.TheFinanceMinistryiscurrentlyengagedwithallthe ministriesandTrusteestodevelopthebudgetfor2025that SessionwillapproveinNovember. We pray for the holy spirit to guide our Elders as they model generosity and facilitate discipleship in our annual budget.
