Patuxent Presbyterian Church March/April 2023 eMagazine

“TheNewisHere!”-LentandEaster

In2Corinthians,Paulsays,“Therefore,ifanyoneisinChrist,the newcreationhascome:Theoldhasgone,thenewishere!”

We’regettingintothetimeofyear(Lent)whenweapproach Easter.Paul’swordsin2Corinthiansarejustoneofthemany benefitsofJesus’resurrection:weareanewcreation.What’sold isgone,thenewhascome.Howspecificallywillyouhumbleyour heartandopenyourmindtoreceivethenewsofJesus’ resurrectionagainthisLentandEasterseason?

Therearenumerousopportunitiescomingforyoutodojustthat incommunityhereatPax.Somemaybefamiliartoyou,butsome areNEWopportunitiesthisyear!Thenewhascome!

Wednesday,February22nd,7:00p.m.

AshWednesdayWorshipService

Thursday,April6th,7:00p.m.

MaundyThursdayWorshipService

Friday,April7th,7:00p.m.

GoodFridayPrayerService

Sunday,April9th-EasterServices(timeswillbepublishedsoon)

NEWthingstolookfor:

February22nd–Saturday,April8th:“APlaylistforLent”

EachdayofLent,amemberofourchurchwillofferafavorite pieceofmusic,arelatedScriptureverse,andapersonalnote aboutwhythesongmeanssomuchtothem.Lookforthisinour variouscommunications.Eachday,youcanfindthesongthey recommendonline.LetsomedailymusicleadyoutoEaster!

HolyWeek24-HourPrayerVigil

LaterinLent,Iwillpublishasign-upof15-minuteperiodsof personalprayerbetweentheeveningofMaundyThursdayand theeveningofGoodFriday.Thegoalwillbeforasmanypeople aspossibleto“cover”the23-hourperiodbetweenMaundy Thursdayat8:00p.m.(afterworship)throughtoGoodFriday, 7:00p.m.withprayer.Anyonecanparticipatethroughouttheday -athome,atwork,atschool,etc.Thenanyonewhoisable,is invitedtocometoacommunityprayerservicetoculminatethe 24hoursonFridayat7:00p.m.Moredetailswillcomesoon!

ThelightofJesus’loveshines!Kidswill launchonacosmicquestwherethey’ll haveablastshiningJesus’lighttothe world.STELLARVacationBibleSchool (VBS)rocketskidsonanout-of-thisworldadventurethat’slightyearsof faith-buildingfun.

STELLARVBSwillrunfromMonday, June26thtoThursday,June29thfrom 9:00a.m.tonoon,andisopento childrenages4(asofSeptember1,2023) through5thgrade.EverypartofVBS helpskidsdiscoverhowtoseeevidence ofGodineverydaylife.Eachchildwillbe blessedwithaglow-in-the-darkbracelet everyday!Theywilllearnoneimportant Biblepointeachdaythathelpsthem knowmoreaboutfollowingJesus.The Biblepointiswovenintoeveryareaand explorationstationatVBS.

TheBiblepointsforSTELLARVBSare:

Whenlifefeelsdark...

…shineJesus’light!

Whenpeopledon’tgetalong...

…shineJesus’light!

Whengoodthingshappen...

…shineJesus’light!

Whenpeoplearesad...

…shineJesus’light!

Volunteerregistrationopenson

Sunday,March5th.

Participantregistrationopenson

Monday,April10th.

Stay-tunedformore details:www.paxpres.com/vbs.

SS4K (SundaySchoolforKids)!

OnApril2nd,theYoungDisciple SingerswillbeledbyMrs.Tina WattsandMissCindyJohnson withahymnofPRAISEandwaving ofthepalmsforJesusonPalm Sundayduringworship!PreK-5th gradersareencouragedtoattend theYoungDiscipleSingerson Sundaysat10:50a.m.downstairs inRoom102.Thisisatimeto learnsongs,andtopraiseand worshipthroughmusicbefore jumpingintoSundaySchool.

OnApril9th,SS4KandYouthwill havetheirannualEasterEggHunt from10:10-10:45a.m.Kidsare invitedtojoininthefunoffinding EasterEggs,whichwillbefilled withScripture,candy,andtoys. TherewillalsobeaVERYSPECIAL GOLDENEGG-atake-homegiftfor eachparticipant!Todoublethe fun,therewillbetwogroups; PreK-5thgraderswillmeetinthe FellowshipHallat10:10a.m.; 6th-12thgraderswillmeetatthe JoshuaHouseat10:10a.m.

OnApril30th,SS4KandYouthwill gettogetherforthe5thSunday Celebration:KiteMakingDay!ALL kidsandYouthwillmeetinthe FellowshipHallfrom11:00a.m.noontocreatetheirveryown uniquekites!Friendswelcome!!!

Ifyouhaveanyquestions,pleaseemail SundaySchoolforKidsCoordinator, JaniceDixonat:

sundayschool@paxpres.org

Manythankstothe BELONG

(BridgingEveryone LinkingOlder&Newer Generations)

Committeeforthe fantasticTrivia Nightevent!

AnnualMeeting-Dessert&Coffee

Saturday,March4th,3:00-5:00p.m.

FellowshipHall

Allareinvitedforanexcitingpresentationof waysGodhasbeenatworkin2022,thingswe arelookingforwardtoin2023,andsomefunand interactivewayswewanttoexpressappreciation tothemanyvolunteerswhomakethemission andministryofPaxPrespossible!Oh,anddidwe mentiondelicious,home-bakeddesserts?

Asofthiswriting,thatGroundhogdoesn’t knowwhathe’stalkingabout!Thedaffodils areupandwillsoonbeblooming!Ithink winterforgottocome!Somuchforour “respite”forthewinterthatwementioned lastnewsletter.

Well,springiswonderful,butthatmeansthe weedsareback…early!YourtrustyGarden ClubisalreadyoutsideeveryTuesdaymorning,weedingandtrimming.Pleasejoinus anytimeafter8:30a.m.

Marchwillbeaverybusymonth!:

Saturday,March18th–CrepeMyrtleTrimming:Beginningat9:30a.m.,wewillhaul thebranchesofftothebackfield,whichsavesabunchofmoneyforthechurch;the arboristcanjustconcentrateonthecutting.Wewillwelcomeandreallyappreciate anyonewhocanhelpwiththiseffort!Thereareninetrees,sothat’salotofbranches. Pleasecome!

SaturdayMarch25th–MulchDay!WorkDay!DuringspringwehaveanotherMulch DaysothatourchurchlandscapinglooksitsbestforthecelebrationofEaster.Joining theTrusteesWorkDay,wewillbeginmulchingat8:00a.m.andcontinueuntilwe’re finished.Wewelcomeanyone,foranyamountoftime,beginningat8:00a.m., sojustshowupwhenyoucan!Nopreviousexperiencenecessary,andglovesare availableforyouruse!Thisis,asalways,afamily-friendlyevent!Afterall,who doesn’tliketoplayinthedirt?ForquestionsabouttheCrepeMyrtleTrimmingDay andtheMulchDay!WorkDay!,pleasecontactPatsySchumacherat: helopatsy@yahoo.com.

WehopeeveryoneenjoyedtheGardenClub

Valentine’sDayCoffeeBreak!Whataplethora ofgoodies!Manythankstothefollowingfor theirhelpinserving,cleaningup,anddelicious contributions:JohnDixon,RitaReeves,Glenda Lytle,GloriaBrady,BetsyKebaugh,Kristin Lawrence,DianeKleinschmidt,HazelStotler, Ed&SarahLorek,StephanieHampton,Patsy Schumacher.Ittakesmanywillinghandsto makesuchawonderfulevent!

Youmaynoticeachangeinthelandscaping neartheentrancetotheFellowshipHall,thisis tohopefullyalleviatesomeofthewater seepagethathasbeenaffectingtheLadies’ bathroomsdownstairs,aswellastheTrustee closet.ThankstotheTrusteesforhandlingthis, andlet’sprayitworks!

Ittakesatremendousamountoftimeand efforttocontinuallymaintainthechurchand grounds,sothateverythinglooksitsbest.

Someofourlandscapingisquitemature,sowe willneedtoaddressthatthisyear.Pleasekeep yourGardenClubworkersinyourprayers,and pleasejoinuswheneveryoucan!

Andfinally,ifanyoneisinterested,theGarden ClubgladlyacceptsdonationsofEasterazaleas followingourEasterservice.

MayyouenjoytheblessingofHis‘re-birth’as youobservethenewgrowthallaroundus!

SHOUTOUTtoourDeaconsandhelpers forthefantasticanddelicious

ShroveTuesdayPancakeSupper!

Lent:ASeasontoGrow

byCarolynGraessle

DuringtheseweeksleadinguptoEaster,haveyouhearda familymemberorfrienddeclare,"ForLentthisyear,I'vegivenup chocolate!"[Orsugar,alcohol,coffee,television,movies,social media,ormeatonFridays].Forsome,thisisafamiliarroutineor ritualakintoafamily'sChristmastraditions.Forothers,Lentiswhen purplebecomesthecolorforthebannersandparaments(pulpit drapes).Forothers,thisstatementmaysoundoddandspark thoughtsofmakingadealwithGod.Afterall,theBibleteachesone to"Rendyourheartandnotyourgarments"(Joel2:13)toshowtrue repentance.Itispossiblethatafewevenaskwhywe,atPatuxent PresbyterianChurch,evenbotherwiththeliturgicalseasonofLent. WhatisthepointofLentanyway?ReflectinguponLent'sorigins, history,andcurrentpracticecanhelpanswerthatquestion.

Lententraditionsoriginatedwithintheearlychurch.Church historiansagreethattheseasonofLentbecamearegularchurch practiceaftertheCouncilofNicaea(325AD).Afewcenturieslater, PopeGregory(590-604AD)establishedthe40-dayseasonofstrict fasting,beginning46daysbeforeEasteronAshWednesday.The40 daysreflectsignificantBiblicalevents,especiallythe40daysJesus fastedbeforebeginningHispublicministry.DuringtheMiddleAges (800sto1400s),theCatholicChurchstrictlymandatedarigorous fastingrule.Someeasingofrulesoccurredoverthecenturiesto

accommodatetheneedsoflaborersandfamilies.Ifyouwonderwhy wethinkof"40days"andnot"46days,"ithastodowiththeSundays fromAshWednesdaytoEaster.Sundayhasalwaysbeenconsidered byChristianstobea"littleEaster."Eveninthemidstofthehumility andrepentanceofLent,thosesixSundayspointustothefinalhope ofresurrectionandforgiveness!The40days,then,areableto convenientlyparallelBiblicalexampleslike40yearsinthewilderness (Exodus)orJesus'40daysinthedesert(Matthew4,Mark1,Luke4).

Inthe16thcentury,MartinLutherandotherleadersofthe Reformationquestionedchurchpracticeswithoutanyscriptural basis.ReadingpassagessuchasEphesians2:8-9affirmed,"Foritisby graceyouhavebeensaved,throughfaith—andthisisnotfrom yourselves,itisthegiftofGod—notbyworks,sothatnoonecan boast."Asearlyas1536,JohnCalvinstatedthatChristdidnot mandateanyspecifictimestofast.ManyProtestantdenominations strippedawaythe"liturgicaltrappings"andfeastdays,retainingonly Baptism,theLord'sSupper,andmarriageaschurchsacraments. However,someProtestants,suchastheAnglicansandLutherans, retainedLentasasober,voluntaryperiodoffastingandself-denial tofocusonprayerandrepentance.Duringthe20thand21st centuries,manyProtestantdenominationsreconnectedwiththe liturgicalcalendar,includingLentandAdvent.Why?Considera typicalfamilycelebration,say,anupcomingwedding.Ifyouarea memberoftheimmediatefamily,theplanning,events,andactivities createajourneytowardthewedding.Bythebigday,emotionsrun highasallcelebratethemuch-anticipatedmarriage.

Lent:ASeasontoGrow

LentcallseachofustoconsiderChrist'ssacrificetoremoveall stains,makingthechurch,theBrideofChrist,readytocelebratewith God(Revelation19:7).Hence,atPatuxentPresbyterian,wemarkthe seasonofLentasatimetoanticipateandprepareforEaster.During theweeksleadingtowardHolyWeek,Lentprovidesanintentional timetograpplewithone'sownsinandponderthenatureofJesus's incarnationastheanointedofGod.

DuringworshipthroughoutLent,PastorMattispreachinga sermonseriestitled"Lost&Found,"withreadingsandmusicfocusing onthereflectivemoodofLent.Eachpersoncandeterminehowmuch theydelveintoLent.Onemightrenewaspiritualdiscipline,suchas dailyScripturereadingoranoontimeprayer.Somemayreflectupon thehymnsandsongssunginworshipeachweek.Forothers,aLenten disciplinecouldaimtochangeahabit,suchascountingto10before speakingormindfullyofferingcomplimentsbeforecritique.Some mayincorporateadailydevotional;thePaxPresmusiciansandsome ofourcongregantshavecompiled"ALentenPlaylist"completewith videolinks,reflectionsonthechosenmusicalselections,andfavorite Scripturereadings(accessviathewebsiteat: www.paxpres.com/lentenplaylist.

Lentisanopportunitytodeepenone'swalkwithChrist,nota requiredworktoearnredemption.Christalreadydidthehardwork forus.AllweneedtodoistakeHishandaswemovetowardthe celebrationofHissacrificetofreeusfromsin,andofHisresurrection thatoffersthehopeofeternallifewithHim.

TheWorshipMinistryislookingforvolunteers!

Thesound,slides,andlivestreamproducedforourSundayworshipservicesenhanceand enableourcongregantstoworshipbothinourSanctuaryandonline.Weareinsearchof interestedindividualsfromhighschoolageandupto:

1.RuntheweeklylivestreamofthePaxPresworshipservicewatchedonYouTubeby over100churchmembersandvisitorseachweek.Thisincludessettingupeachweek’s livestream,aswellasdirectingcamerasandselectingthevideotohighlightthevarious aspectsoftheworshipserviceinvisuallycompellingways.

2.OperatethesoundboardfortheSanctuary.Thisincludesmanagingthemicrophones andotherinputs,adjustingsoundlevels,andblendingthemalltocreateaharmonious flowforthecongregation,bothinpersonandonline.

3.Createtheslidepackageforeachweek’sworshipservice.Thisconsistsofpulling togethersermonslides,hymns,announcements,andothervisuallydisplayedelements oftheservice-andverifyingaccuracy,consistency,readability,andformat.

Nopriorexperienceisnecessary!Youarewelcometoattendatrainingsessiontogauge yourinterestwithnocommitment.Ifyouthenwishtojoin,youcanshadowoneofour currenttalentedvolunteersbeforeperformingthedutyonyourown,asapartofaselected Sunday’saudio-visual/informationtechnologyteam.Ifinterested,pleasecontactPaul WolterorChrisHarritt,WorshipMinistryEldersat:worship@paxpres.org.

Vision:YouthGroupisaplaceforteensto growthefoundationoftheirrelationship withChristandtodevelopacommunityof ChristianFellowship.

MiddleSchoolRetreattotheGreatEscape!

TheGreatEscape(TGE)willbeheldatNorthBay AdventureCampinNorthEast,MD!TGEisforrising 7thgradersthroughrising9thgraders.

Dates:August1st-5th

Whatcanyouexpect?

Engagingworshipandrelevantspeakers

AdventureActivities

RecreationGames

SportsTournaments

Andmore!

WiththeYouthMinistrycoveringsomeofthecosts, theperstudentpriceis$300thisyear. $75priortoSundayMarch19th(fordeposit); $225balancebySundayJune25th; orPayinfullatanytime.

Forinfo&toregister: www.paxpres.com/greatescape.

(Ifyouselectpaybycheck,pleaseputthecheckin anenvelopethatsaysforGreatEscapeRetreatand givetoAmandafortracking.DoNOTputitinthe offeringplate.) YouthGroupmeetsSaturdaysfrom6:30-8:30p.m. WestartoffbyplayingagamefollowedbyaBible messageanddiscussion.Onceamonth,wehave aspecialhappeningsuchasabonfire,ashoebox packingparty(forOperationChristmasChild),ora dinner.Youthareaskedtodressforphysicalactivity andbringaBible(orApp).

SignUpintheNarthex orviaSignUpGenius (above)

ChristmasinApril2023

ThisprogramwasstartedinTexasinthe1970’stohelpthehandicappedandelderlywith homerepairs,suchas:roofing,siding,windows,ramps,painting,plumbing,electrical,yard work,andmore.Thisworkisdoneforthoseinneed,andtothegloryofGod.

Breakfastandlunchareprovided.AllvolunteersarewelcomefordinnerattheSt.Mary’s CountyFairgrounds.YourChristmasinAprilt-shirtwillbeyourmealticket.Volunteersmust by14yearsorolder;parentorguardianauthorizationisrequiredforanyoneunderthe ageof18.

Forquestions,contactChrisLawrenceat:240-577-9357orRitaReevesat:410-610-4798.

TimeforYoungDisciples

WeinviteyoutosignuptoshareyourloveofGodwithouryoungestchurchcommunity. Noexperienceisnecessary!

SignupviaSIGNUPGENIUS(above)!

OUTREACH

AWARM“ThankYou”toourWARMVOLUNTEERS!

Hospitality:RobertHardin,Bill&RosieQuinn,Heather Wolfe,andAlHastings.

NightMonitors:LauraandTonyGuido,ScottMcLellan, Katherine&AdamMierzwa,JaniceDixon,BrianHegrat (RealLifeChurch),Dan&LisaBlottenberger,BrionGallo, DianeKleinschmidt,Rev.MattPooley,JillGaskin,Patrick Cole,GeoffreyEngle,C.J.Soques(OurFather’sHouse),Ted Turner,Scott&MarieHankinson,DonWright,KevinSmith, PatsySchumacher,Chris&KristinLawrence,RickKrasnesky, Kathy&FrankMazur,RobertMiller,CindyJohnson,Jim Dixon,StaceyFisher,PhilSmith,TinaWatts,andSteveTuttle.

Musician:TinaWatts.

YouthGuestRelations:EthanWolfe,SophieWolfe, SamanthaGraessle,RobbieRomano,ChrisJunek,and JonathanSchumacher.

EmergencyLaundry:TheEschenbrennerFamily,LoriGallo, CindyRobinson,andBarbAbell.

Setup/TearDown:Mike&DebbiePaul,Dave Eschenbrenner,ChrisLawrence,KevinSmith,ChrisHarritt, LukeHarritt,andGeoffreyEngle.

DailyCleaningoftheRestrooms:TheTrustees.

LeadershipTeam:StephanieThomson,CherieCrescini, LuAnnSmouse,BethMiller,andRachelPortillo.

KitchenVolunteers:BobPortillo,DebBarton,Katherine Junek,TrennaCoghan,MelanieLedig,RyanLedig,Kristen Lawrence,CarolynGraessle,StephenGodfrey,BarbAbell, GlendaLytle,PatsyDavidson,KarlaLight,DeborahRounds, CindyRomano,RitaReeves,SarahLorek,Kim,Bob&Jack Hagan,JulieTracy,DianaPooley,NaylaPooley,JulieCorrell, CourtneyCuthbertson,KellySeeley,ChrisHarritt,Luke Harritt,KevinMiller,PaulWolter,SarahSutherland,Gloria Brady,PattySmith,KellyTygrett,JohnDixon,RichTygrett, JimLight,andCindyJohnson.

Shout-Out!Chris&KristinLawrencehavevolunteeredtobe thenewWARMVolunteerCoordinatorsfor2024;Stephanie Thomsonwillmentorthem.

TriptoLesothobyPattySmith

Lesothoisamountainouscountrylocated inSouthernAfrica.Itislandlockedandis surroundedbySouthAfrica.Lesothohas aconstitutionalmonarchwithNational Assemblywhichisruledbyaprime ministerandacabinet.

ItraveledtotheKingdomofLesothofrom January26thandreturnedonFebruary 12th,2023.Iwentwithpeoplefrom differentPresbyterianchurcheslocated intheUnitedStates.Wearrivedin Johannesburg,SouthAfricaandspentthe firstnightataBaptistguesthouseandthe nextmorningtraveledontoMaseru, Lesothowhichwasoverafive-hourdrive.

Wedidn’tknowwhatwewoulddoonce wearrivedattheHopeMinistryHome,but weallwentwiththewillingnesstoserve.

OUTREACH

OncewearrivedonSunday,Iwas askedtoleadashortSundaySchool lesson.Itaughtthestoryof ZacchaeusandtheZacchaeussong andotherChristiansongs.I,also, taughtpre-schoolonMonday morning.

Thefirstweekwerepairedand paintedtheplaygroundequipment. Plus,tookaparttheoldtrampoline andboughtanewonewhichwe assembled.

Iwasaskedtocut,hemandiron curtainswhichtookalargepartof mytime.Onthesecondweek,I finishedthecurtains,andtheteam scrapedtheoutsideofthehouse andcompletelypainteditwithtwocoats.Itwashardwork,butitmadeadifferencetothe home,andweweregladtobepartoftheteam.DuringthattimeSallyHardwoodwashard atworkgettingtheaccountinguptodateandhadsomeonetohelpherthesecondweek.

WORSHIPSCHEDULE

PerCapitaisanamountofmoneythateachchurchpaystothePresbytery,SynodandGeneral Assemblyforeachactivememberofitschurch.The2023PerCapitadonationforPresbyterian (USA)is$47.13permemberapportionedasfollows:GeneralAssembly$9.85+Synod$1.15+ NationalCapitalPresbytery$36.13.GivingEnvelopesincludeaspecialenvelopeforPerCapita donation.ForthosegivingbyACHorCreditCard,youcansendacheckmarked“PerCapita”to theChurchOfficeorplaceitintheofferingplate.YoucanalsomakeyourPerCapitadonation onlinethroughourwebsiteat:www.paxpres.com/online-givingoryoucanemailGraceDebbink at:Treasurer@paxpres.orgtoincreaseyourACHallotmenttoincludePerCapita.

Reminder:Ifyouincreasedyourpledgefor2023andaresignedupforACH,pleasefilloutandturn inanewACHformreflectingyournewpledgeamount.Thankyouforyourcontinuedsupportto PaxPresaswecontinuetomeettheneedsfortheChurchandcommunity.

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

LetuswalkandworktogetherasweseektospreadtheGospelofJesusChrist athome,abroad,andtotheendsoftheearth!