Patuxent Presbyterian Church May/June 2023 eMagazine

Whatareyouprayingforthesedays?

Inonesense,thetopicofprayerisalwaysonmyheartandmind, sinceprayerissomethingGodasksofusdaily,everydayofthe year!Butprayerisespeciallyonmymindthesedaysbecause fromApril23rdtoJune18th,wewillbeinthemidstofasermon seriescalled“PrayingBackwards,”inspiredbyabookofthesame titlebyDr.BryanChapell.Hispremiseisthatweoftenendour prayers“InJesus’name,Amen”sayingthatphrasesoquicklythat it’smorelikeaformality,aperiodontheendofasentence, insteadofthekeytoallourpraying!Howwouldmyprayerand yourprayerchangeanddeepenifwe,inasense,beganour prayers“InJesus’name…”?

Tohelpusconsiderthat,our“PrayingBackwards”sermonseries willexploreeachlineoftheLord’sPrayer…backwards!From “Amen”to“OurFather”(convenientlyonFather’sDay!).Andbe suretoseepage5forhowourDeaconsarecoordinatingthe NationalDayofPrayereventforourchurchonThursday,May4th. IamthefirsttoconfessthatsurelysomeofthethingsIprayabout orprayforarenotentirelyinlinewithGod’sdesiresandhopesfor myoutlookonlife.Whatwouldchangeanddeepeninthewaywe eachprayifwemodeledourselvesmoreonthewayJesusHimself taughtus,saying,“OurFather…”?Let’sconsiderthattogetherin thenextcouplemonths!Andaswedo,let’scontinueprayingfor howGodisleadingyoutotrustHim,beobedienttoHim,and serveHimhereinthePaxPrescommunityandinourwider SouthernMarylandcommunity.

OUTREACH

Ourcommitteesupportsmanylocalministries,aswellasmanymissionariesthroughoutthe world-toadvancethebodyofChrist.

Localministriesinclude:CareNetPregnancyCenterofSouthernMaryland,CreativeChristian Cooks,St.Mary’sCaring,S.M.I.L.E.,OperationChristmasChild,WestVirginiaWorkCamp, GriefShare,W.A.R.M.,HabitatforHumanity,SouthernMarylandResources,Inc.DragonBoat Races,BoundlessExpectations,TheMission,andH.O.P.E.

MissionariesincludelocationssuchasWales,Turkey,Iran,Singapore,India,Peru,USA,South Korea,Urugua,andJapan.

ThePaxPresChristmasinAprilcommittee,headedupby ChrisLawrenceandJohnDixon,completedworkononeof thebuildingsattheSt.Mary’sCountyfairground.Thescope ofworkincludedtakingdownpictures,repairingsmall damageareas,paintingtheinteriorofthebuilding,and re-hangingpicturesandinformationposters.Approximately 20membersfromourchurchvolunteeredtheirtimeon Saturday,April29th.Coffeeandwaterwasavailableinthe morning,lunchwasprovidedatnoon,anddinnerwas offeredatthefairgroundsforallChristmasinAprilworkers from5:00-6:00p.m.

Thisisveryworthwhileworkbeingdoneeachyearforthecommunityandthoseparticipating feelblessedtobeabletoassist.PraisetheLordforgivingustheopportunitytogivethis assistancetothecommunity!Pleaseconsiderjoiningusnextyear.

IntroducingOurNewChurchTreasurer:MarieHankinson!

MarieHankinsonisthenewTreasurerofPatuxentPresbyterianChurch. MarieandherfamilytransferredfromVABeachtoSt.Mary’sCountyin 2006duetothemilitaryandtransferredmembershiptoPatuxent PresbyterianChurchin2008.BothMarieandherhusbandScottare ordainedElders.Mariefeelsblessedtocontinuetoservethechurchin thisnewcapacity.Beforejoiningthechurchstaff,Mariespent33yearsin education,workinginVirginia,Louisiana,andMaryland.Shecontinuesto helpclientsasalicensedRealtor.MarieresidesinresidesinHollywood

withherhusband,Scottandson,Michael.AllthreealsovolunteerwiththeHollywoodVolunteer FireDepartmentwhereMarieservesastheChaplain.Marie’soldestdaughterNatalie,son-in-law Kyle,andtheirtwochildrenarecurrentlystationedinFloridawiththeNavy.Marie’smiddle daughterRachelisatravelnurseinConnecticut.Marieenjoyspracticingyoga,baking,reading, traveling,andspendingtimewithherfamily,friends,andpets.Shelooksforwardtoherroleas ChurchTreasurer.

Springisstartingtofeelalittlelikesummer,isn’tit?

Thankfully,thetrimmingofthecrepemyrtlesandtheMulchDayinMarchwerenottoo hotandnottoocold,andthechurchlandscapinglookedfabuloustocelebrate ResurrectionDay!

ManythankstoTrusteesBobPortillo,AlHastings,andBillPosnettwhobroughttheir pick-uptrucksandstrongbacks.ThanksalsotoPeterandPatsySchumacher,Janiceand JaclynnDixon,Edward,Sarah,AliceandSophieLorek,andourtreetrimmer’sson,Ryan Lowefortheirdragging,cutting,andtransportingofbranches.ALONGday,butthecrepe myrtlesaregoodforanothertwoyears!

WearealsothankfultothosewhobravedthepossibilityofrainonMulchDay:Kevin Smith,RitaReeves,CindyMcCreary,AnnBarnes,CindyRobinson,Edward,Sarah,Alice andSophieLorek,KathyMazur,PastorMatt,andKristinLawrence!Thankyousomuch foryourdedicationandhardwork!

Theweatherhasbeenwonderful,butthoseweedsarebackinfullforce!GardenClub membersareoutonTuesdaymornings,weedingandtrimming.Pleasejoinusany Tuesdayafter8:30a.m.

LOOKINGAHEAD:TheGardenClubwillhaveaPLANTSALE–outdoorandindoorplants–togetherwiththechurchYardSaleonSaturday,May20th.Ifyouhaveanyhouseplants orclippingstoshareorhavethinnedplantsfromyouryardandwanttopassthemalong, pleaseletusknow!We’llbehappytotryandsellthematthePlantSale;allproceedsgo totheGardenClubfundtopayforreplacementplantsorprojectsnotcoveredbyour budget.Ifyouneedplantsforyourhome,stopbyandbuy!ContactPatsySchumacher at:helopatsy@yahoo.comifyouplantodonate,sowecanmakearrangements.

ThankyouforyoursupportandprayersfortheGardenClubmemberswhoworkhardto keepourgroundslookingsobeautiful.WebelieveinhonoringGodthroughstewardship ofHisabundantflora(notsomuchthefauna!),andweappreciatehelpinanyform!

QuestionsabouttheGardenClubmaybedirectedtoPatsySchumacherattheabove emailaddress.Haveagloriousspring/summer!

“Thedesertandtheparchedlandwillbeglad;thewildernesswillrejoiceandblossom. Likethecrocus,itwillburstintobloom;itwillrejoicegreatlyandshoutforjoy. ThegloryofLebanonwillbegiventoit,thesplendorofCarmelandSharon; theywillseethegloryoftheLord,thesplendorofourGod.”

-Isaiah35:1-2

“Prayferventlyinrighteousnessand availmuch.”-James5:16b.Joinusin prayeronThursday,May4thinthe Sanctuaryanytimebetween8:00a.m.6:00p.m.orathome/workatatimeof yourchoosing.Don’tforgettopickupa prayerpamphletintheNarthex!

AspecialMother’sDayCoffeeHour (togetherwithSundaySchool)willbe sponsoredbytheDeaconsonSunday, May14thintheFellowshipHall immediatelyfollowingworship.

Ladies,you’reinvitedtojoinuson Thursday,May11that11:00a.m.in Room108.Youwilllearnaboutthe MaryMarthaCircleandBiblestudies, oursharedfaithjourneystories,and ourworkinthechurchandcommunity toproclaimChrist.Perhapsyouwill evenjointhegroup!Tohelpwith planning,pleasecontactTinaWattsat: 301481-2622.

ThePaxPresYardSale&PlantSaleis cominguponSaturday,May20th,from 8:00a.m.tonoon.Nowisthetimeto startcollectingyourgentlyuseditems todonateforthesale.Wewillreceive donationsfromSunday,May14th throughThursday,May18th.Volunteer SignupintheNarthex.Formore information,contactLauraRhodesat: sthrnfamily@yahoo.com.

FromSundaySchoolCoordinator,JaniceDixon: Ilovethesaying"Foreverylessonyou'veprepared,theloveofGodhasbeenshared."

Manythankstoallourdedicated, knowledgeable,andlovingSunday Schoolteachersandvolunteers: AngelaSmalley,BillQuinn,Michelle Grant,BonnieFarmer,DebBarton,Jamie Cooley,CindyRomano,DianaPooley, ChrystalGodfrey,JulieWilkening,Kaiti Wicker,RobertWicker,RobbieRomano, DianaHarritt,AmandaMcKinley,

TomSchumacher,MelanieLedig,Susan McKinley,JeannetteWolter,Don Blottenberger,TinaWatts,andCindy Johnson.

Andfortheamazingyouthvolunteers: EstherCooley,BeaCooley,AshleySmalley, LaurenSmalley,JessicaSmalley,Jaclynn Dixon,EmmaSmith,MattieFarmer,and LeahCuthbertson.

Ifyouhaveanyquestionsaboutour SS4K,pleaseemailJaniceDixonat: sundayschool@paxpres.org

STELLARVacationBibleSchool(VBS)rocketskidsonanout-of-this-world adventurethat’slightyearsoffaith-buildingfun!Eachchildwilllearnone importantBiblepointeachdaythathelpsthemknowmoreabout followingJesus:

Whenlifefeelsdark…shineJesus’light!

Whenpeopledon’tgetalong…shineJesus’light!

Whengoodthingshappen…shineJesus’light!

Whenpeoplearesad…shineJesus’light!

Foralltheinfo,toorderthemusicCD,andtoregister,visit: www.paxpres.com/vbs.

WORSHIP

PaxPresStained-GlassWindows

EverySundaymorning,attendeesof PatuxentPresbyterianChurchare presentedwithabeautiful,artistic representationofJesusChrist’slifein theformofstained-glasswindows. Thisseriesofwindowshasadorned ourchurchsincetheinstallationin November1995.

Thereareninestained-glass depictions,groupedinthrees.

Thebottomthreewindowsare titledas“GettingStarted,” depictingthebeginningofJesus’s timeonearthandthestartofHis ministry.Fromlefttoright:

1.TheNativity

2.TheBaptism

3.TheCallingofthe Fishermen



Themiddlethreewindowsaretitledas“TheMinistryofChrist.”Fromlefttoright:

1.TheRaisingofJairus’Daughter

2.TheBlessingoftheChildren

3.TheSermonontheMount

Thetopthreewindowsaretitledas“HisDeathandResurrection.”Thesethreewindows depictJesus’sobediencetoHisFather,Hisdeathfortheatonementofoursins,andHis resurrectionasthepromiseofeverlastinglifeforallwhobelieve.Fromlefttoright:

1.Gethsemane

2.TheCrucifixion

3.TheResurrection

Atenthstained-glasswindowresidesintheNarthexandrepresentsTheLastSupperwith JesusandHisapostles.

WORSHIP

Theoriginalsixstained-glasswindows(TheBaptism,TheRaisingofJairus’Daughter, TheSermonontheMount,TheLastSupper,TheGethsemane,theCrucifixion)were commissionedbyTheFirstPresbyterianChurchofSt.Mary’sCounty(TownCreek, California,MD),installedintheirSanctuaryfrom1979-1982anddedicatedinSeptember 1982.ThewindowsweredesignedandcreatedattheAnnWilletStained-GlassAtelierin Springhouse,PAbyAnneWilletKellogg.Eachwindowwaspaidforbydonationsfrom membersofthechurch;theirnamescanbeseeninthelower,right-handcornerofeach window.Theadditionalfourwindows(TheNativity,TheCallingoftheFishermen,The BlessingoftheChildrenandTheResurrection)werealsodesignedbyAnneWilletKellogg andfabricatedinTheWillettStained-GlassStudiosIncinPhiladelphia,PA.

InupcomingeMagazineeditionswewillexploreeachwindowindetail,learnaboutthe depictedBiblepassages,andremembereachofthedonors.

TimeforYoungDisciples(TFYD)isabrief

messagetotheyoungestmembersofour churchfamilyduringtheSunday9:30a.m. worshipservices.Let'sbuildbridgesbetween thegenerationstohelpguideourchildren togrowintheirfaith,service,andlove!

Noexperienceisneeded.Pleasesignup below.(Aninformationalmeetingfornew/ interestedTFYDpresenterswillbeheld onJune4thimmediatelyfollowingworship intheSanctuary).

April,MayJuneTFYDSignups

July,August,SeptemberTFYDSignups

YOUTHMINISTRY

Throughoutthewinterseasonandnowinto spring,ourYouthGrouphasmetregularly.While theweatherisstillcool,weallenjoybonfiresout inthebigfield,andeveryoneisreallyexcitedto playgamesoutsideagain!

YouthGroupwillbewrappingupfortheseason onSaturday,June3rdandsayingfarewelltothe Seniors(andanyoneelsemovingoverthe summer).TheHighSchoolYouthRetreatwilltake placeatCrossingsatSkycroftinJuneandthe MiddleSchoolYouthRetreatwillbeatTheGreat EscapeinearlyAugust.

TheYouthrequestyourprayers,astheyplana specialgatheringoverthesummer.Staytuned… moreinformationtofollow!

YouthGroupmeetsSaturdaysfrom6:30-8:30 p.m.Westartoffbyplayingagamefollowedby aBiblemessageanddiscussion.Onceamonth, wehaveaspecialhappeningsuchasabonfire,a shoeboxpackingparty(forOperationChristmas Child),oradinner.Youthareaskedtodressfor physicalactivityandbringaBible(orApp).

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-givingoryoucanemailGraceDebbink/MarieHankinsonat: Treasurer@paxpres.orgtoincreaseyourACHallotmenttoincludePerCapita.

Reminder:Ifyouincreasedyourpledgefor2023andaresignedupforACH,pleasefilloutandturn inanewACHformreflectingyournewpledgeamount.Thankyouforyourcontinuedsupportto PaxPresaswecontinuetomeettheneedsfortheChurchandcommunity.

IfyouwouldliketousemonthlyautomatedgivingthroughACHorCreditCardwithdrawal,youmay fillouttheautomatedgivingformtoinitiatethesetypesofcontributions.Theformsareavailablein theNarthexorat:www.paxpres.com/online-giving.Ifyouhaveanyquestionspleasecontactthe ChurchTreasurer,GraceDebbink/MarieHankinsonat:301-863-2033orTreasurer@paxpres.org.

LetuswalkandworktogetherasweseektospreadtheGospelofJesusChrist athome,abroad,andtotheendsoftheearth!