Patuxent Presbyterian Church Sept/Oct 2023 eMagazine

WhatCanIDo?Pray!

Whenyouseeorhearaboutsomeonewhoneedshelp,ora taskthatneedsdoing,howdoyouinstinctivelyrespond?Avery basicexample:whenIseesomeonecarryingaheavyload towardacloseddoor,Iinstinctivelytrytogettothedoorfirst, tohelpbyholdingitopen.Oftenwithbiggerneedsthisistrue too-someone’sinthehospital;aneventneedsvolunteers;and soon:“HowcanItangiblypitchin…?”isourfirstthought.

ThereisGodlyvaluebehindthatinstinctivedrivetohelpwhen helpisneeded.

ButIamalwayschallengedbytheOldTestamentexampleof Nehemiah.HelivesinPersia,hundredsofmilesfromhomein Jerusalem.Oneofhissiblingscomestotellhimthat,onceIsrael returnedtoJerusalemaftertheBabylonianexile,thecityisstill inruins.Ifthatweremeandmyhometown,Iwouldbeonthe nextpossiblephonecallorflighttoseewhatIcan“do”tohelp!

SowhatistheveryfirstthingNehemiahdoes?Heprays:

“Andtheysaidtome,‘Theremnantthereintheprovincewho hadsurvivedtheexileisingreattroubleandshame.Thewallof Jerusalemisbrokendown,anditsgatesaredestroyedbyfire.’ AssoonasIheardthesewordsIsatdownandweptand mournedfordays,andIcontinuedfastingandprayingbefore theGodofheaven.”(Neh.1:3-4)

Heprays.Notjustforfiveminutes,followedbyheroicaction. Days.Daysofprayerbeforeevenraisingafingerto“getto work.”

Asanewschoolyearbringsaschedulefullofrelationships, events,andprogramsinandaroundPaxPres,mostofusare wiredto“gettowork.”Tohelp.Todoourpart.Buthere’sthe mostimportantwork—not“inplaceof”ourphysicalwork;just before,during,andafter.Atalltimes:themostimportantwork -prayer.

Thelistofpossiblethingstoprayforamongthepeopleand ministriesofPaxPresisendless.Hereisjustasampleof thingsIwouldencourageyoutojoinmeinconsistently prayingforthisfall.Printandpostthiswhereyou’llseeit daily.Writeonitandaddtoitasyouhearotherthingsthis fall.Let’spraycontinuallyandcollectively.

AccessthechurchdirectorythroughChurchTeamsand prayforafewmembersperday,eventhoseyoudon’t knowpersonally.

OurAssociatePastorNominatingCommittee’songoing work

Buildingofbondsbetweenleadersandvolunteers

Peoplewiththerightgiftstostepintoopenvolunteer andleadershiproles

Staffsearches,suchasourSmallGroupsand ConnectionsDirector,andNurseryCoordinator

Ourlocalandoverseasmissionaries(grabpersonalinfo fromthetableoutsideFellowshipHalltoguideyour prayer!)

OurDeacons’fellowshipandpastoralcarework

OurElders’discernmentofhowGodisleadingusto grow

…WhatelsedoyouseeatPaxPresthatneeds consistentprayer?

DianeWandall(above) isdeeplythankfultoour PrayerShawlMinistryNormaOsterhouseand BeckyStevens-for creatingthisbeautiful shawl,andforRachel Portilloforprayingover it.Dianeisalsograteful fortheprayersofher churchfamily.

GardenClub

HelloFALL(already!)!

Yes,evenasyoureadthis,FallbeginsSeptember23rd!I’mwritingthisin90degree weatherandI’msurelylookingforwardtocoolertemperatures!

YourGardenClubcontinuesitsbesteffortstokeeptheweedsfromspreadingandthe bushesfromgettingcompletelyoutofcontrol,shape-wise.Pleasefeelfreetojoinus Tuesdaymorningsbeginningaround8:30a.m.!

News:

TheTrusteesdidinstallanewsprinklersystem(threezones)onthebacksideof churchtohelpuskeepthewaterretentionareagreenandpreventitfromeroding (therebyearningasternreprimandfromthecounty!).We’renotlookingtomakeit pretty,justkeepstuffgrowingthere.

Youmayhavenoticedthere’salotmorelightontheparkingspacesclosetoKingston CreekRoad,closesttothefrontentrance.That’sbecausetheTrusteesneededto removethelargecedartreethatwasgrowingthere,whichwasrotteninside(youcan checkthestump).Wearelookingtoplantsomenewtreesinthatarea,andalsoon thesamesideclosertoRt4wherewetrimmedtwoofthreelargelimbsfromanother treenottoolongago.

Treesbeingconsidered:RedMaple,RedBud,Magnolia,andCrepeMyrtle.We willbecheckingwithWentworth’sastoavailability,butwe’reopento suggestions!Feelfreetoletusknowwhatyou’dliketosee!Thecostofthe treeswillbepaidforbytheGardenClub.Thereweresomanygenerous donationsfrompeopletoKenReamy’sbench(haveyousatonityet?)thatwe willusetheextratowardplantingsometreesinhismemory.

Comingup: MarkyourcalendarsforSaturdayOctober7thforMULCHDAY/WORKDAY!We willprobablystartearly,socomeanytimeafter8:00a.m.andhelpusspreadmulch aroundthebedstokeepthemlookingnice,andrelativelyweed-free(haha),aswell asprotecttherootsoftheplantsandhelpthemretainwater. Asalways,thanksforyourprayers,andcomesay“Hi!”onTuesdays!Questions abouttheGardenClubcanbedirectedtoPatsySchumacherat: helopatsy@yahoo.com.

“Donotfretbecauseofthosewhoareevilorbeenviousofthosewhodowrong;for likethegrasstheywillsoonwither,likegreenplantstheywillsoondieaway.Trustin theLordanddogood;dwellinthelandandenjoysafepasture.Takedelightinthe Lord,andhewillgiveyouthedesiresofyourheart.”-Psalm37:1-4

TheDeaconscordiallyinviteyoutoattendourannualChristmasStrollonSaturday, December2ndfrom5:00-7:00p.m.Thisyear'sthemeis“ABridgetoBethlehem.” ComestrollourgroundstoseetheLiveNativity(withliveanimals!),enjoyacupof cocoaandahomemadecookie,listentoseasonalmusicintheSanctuary,enjoy deliciousfoodprovidedbyB.E.L.O.N.G.(BridgingEveryoneLinkingOlderandNewer Generations)intheFellowshipHall,participateinacookiedecoratingcontest,and somuchmore!ALLarewelcome!FREEtothepublic.Pleasebringadonationofa toiletryitemorcoldweathergearforW.A.R.M.(WrappingArms‘RoundMany). JoinusaswecelebratethebirthofJesus!

Moreinfo&updates:www.paxpres.com/christmasstroll.

Wanttovolunteer?PleaseemailEileenat:ecmill919@gamil.com.

The“Lumina”2023women’sconferenceiscominguponFriday,October27thatthe MuseumoftheBibleinWashington,DC!Paymentof$100isduebyWednesday, September27th;alimitednumberofpartialscholarshipsareavailable.Forcomplete informationandtoregister,pleasevisit:www.paxpres.com/lumina.

LADIES, MARKYOUR CALENDARS

forthisfirst-time eventatPaxPres!

Ouraddress: PatuxentPresbyterianChurch 23421KingstonCreekRoad California,MD20619

IF:PATUXENTisanewPatuxentPresbyterianChurchministryforwomen.

Ourpurposeistoprovidealife-giving,soul-nurturingopportunityforwomentomeet Jesus–forthefirsttimeorinanew,impactfulway!Ladies,welookforwardto gatheringwithyouatourchurchtoexperiencetheamazingIF:Gatheringlivestream event(outofFortWorth,TX),ledbyfounderandvisionaryJennieAllen.

Eventdates&times:

Friday,February23:7:00p.m.-9:00p.m.(doorsopenat6:15p.m.)

Saturday,February24:10:00a.m.-5:00p.m.(doorsopenat9:15a.m.)

TicketswillbeavailableforpurchaseduringtheFALLof2023!

Formoreinformation,visit:www.paxpres.com/ifpatuxent oremail:ifpatuxent@paxpres.org.Wanttovolunteer?Pleaseemailus!

CLICKHEREtofollowourFacebookeventandinviteyourfamily&friends!

PaxPresisnotjusta placeofworship, butacommunity ofChrist-lovingpeople withservants’hearts.

Weembrace opportunitiestobe outintheenvironment, thecommunity, andregion totestify totheawesomeness ofGod inavarietyofways.

ToviewthePosition

Descriptions,pleasevisit: www.paxpres.com/employment

OUTREACH

S.M.I.L.E.(ServiceMakesIndividual LivesExciting)isanallvolunteer, ecumenical,non-profitcommunity outreachorganizationcommittedto serviceinthenameofourLordJesus Christ.Since1991,theirmissionhasbeen toprovidefood,clothing,andfinancial aidtothoseinneed.

TheSMILEThriftStoreacceptsclean, gentlyusedornewitemsofclothing, houseware,andfurniture.Thesaleof theseitemshelpssupplythefunds neededtobuythefoodfortheFood Pantry,andtosupportthefinancial assistanceprograms.

TheSMILEFoodPantryalsoprovides bagsofnon-perishablegroceries,along withcereal,bread,milk,eggs,produce, andmeattoapproximately150families eachweek.Backpacksfilledwithschool suppliesweregivento130childrenof theclientsinearlyAugust.

SMILEalsoreliesonmonetarydonations fromthecommunity.Volunteersforthe ThriftStoreandFoodPantryarealways welcome,withawidevarietyof opportunitiestosuitallschedules! Pleasevisit:www.smileinc.org

PatuxentHabitatforHumanityvolunteersneeded!HabitatforHumanity isanorganizationthatbuildshomesfor homeless,low-incomefamilies,andthe elderly.LocalrepresentativeTimBarnesis pursuingdonations,astheyarehopingto beginbuildinganotherhomein2024;he willbeavailableatthePaxPresMinistry ExpoonSunday,August27that11:00a.m. Theyneedmanyvolunteerstoassistwith theconstruction.Ifyouarehandywith hammer,saw,ortapemeasure,yourhelp wouldbeablessing!Formoreinfo,please contactTimBarnesat:

tsbarnes1975@gmail.com or301-863-6227. Formoreinfo,clickhere!

ThankfultoallwhocontributedKCupsfor thosevisitingpatientsoftheSt.Mary’s CountyHospiceHouse!

OUTREACH

ManythankstothePaxPresPaddlersforparticipatinginthe2023SolomonsDragon BoatFestivalracestobenefitSouthernMarylandCommunityResources,Inc.(SMCR)!

ThankyouallforshiningthelightofChristandbuildingbridgesinthecommunity!Pax Preswonaspecialprizeforbeingtheonlyteamtoparticipatesincethevery beginning!Andwecamein7thplaceoutof20crews!Resultshere!

Captain:MattBrennan

Co-Captain:AmyCollins

Advisor:GrantGraessle

TeamLogoDesigner:AnelisaGraessle

CoordinatorofTeamHeadquarters:EmeseRashka

Drummer:Veronica(Ronnie)Cooley

Crew:

MattBrennan

DianneBergmann

JohnBergmann

PatrickCole

AmyCollins

RonDufrensne

RachelFisher

KathyFrankle

KevinFrankle

JillGaskin

ShaneGuilford

HeatherHamtak

CindyMcCreary

AllisonMoss

VernPoole

DavidPorter

PhillipRamon

WulfeRetzlaff

BrianaRoorda

MonicaSimpson

Volunteers:

JamieCooley

StaceyFisher

OUTREACH

CallforVolunteerstospreadJOYat the"HulaHangout"JoyProm!

WearepartneringwithSouthernMaryland CommunityResources,Inc.(SMCR)forthe annualJoyProm,cominguponFriday, September8thfrom5:00-8:00p.m.inthe FellowshipHall.Pleasevolunteertohelp withset-up,kitchenprep,clean-up,and monetarydonations(clickbelowandselect "JoyProm"fromthepull-downmenu).

Sign-upbyThursday,August31stinthe NarthexorattheMinistryExpo!

MinistryExpo:Sunday,August27that 11:00a.m.intheFellowshipHall!

Women’sWeekendRetreat!

Ladies,joinusforourupcomingretreatfrom September29th-October1statFoxHaven FarminJefferson,MD.Yourpaymentof$75 (perperson)confirmsyourreservation. ContactRachelPortilloat: rachel.portillo@paxpres.org.

MARKYOURCALENDARforthePaxPres

NeighborhoodPicnics:Saturday,October14th! Interestedinhostingoneofthepicnicsatyour home?PleaseseeCherieCresciniformore informationoremail:crescini@verizon.net.

WORSHIP

Thisstained-glasswindowistitled“TheRaisingof Jairus’Daughter”anddepictsasignificanteventin Jesus’sministry,whenHeraisedthedaughterof Jairus,thesynagogueleader,fromthedead.The windowfallsinthesecondrowofstained-glass windowsintheSanctuaryofPatuxentPresbyterian Church,whicharetitled“TheMinistryofChrist.”

ThewindowwasoriginallydonatedtoTheFirst PresbyterianChurchofSt.Mary’sCountyinTown Creek,inmemoryofFredandAndreaHoerner,and SueandDanWatters.

FredHoernerservedasanElderatthechurchin TownCreekandhetaughtSundaySchool.Andrea HoernerservedasaDeaconandsanginthechoir.

DanandSueWattersbothservedasEldersand taughtSundaySchool.

ThestoryofthismiracleappearsinthreeoftheGospels:Matthew9:18-26,Mark5:21-43, andLuke8:40-56.Matthew’saccountisasfollows:

18Whilehewassayingthis,asynagogueleadercameandkneltbeforehimandsaid,“My daughterhasjustdied.Butcomeandputyourhandonher,andshewilllive.”

19Jesusgot upandwentwithhim,andsodidhisdisciples.20Justthenawomanwhohadbeensubject tobleedingfortwelveyearscameupbehindhimandtouchedtheedgeofhiscloak.21She saidtoherself,“IfIonlytouchhiscloak,Iwillbehealed.”

22Jesusturnedandsawher.

“Takeheart,daughter,”hesaid,“yourfaithhashealedyou.”Andthewomanwashealedat thatmoment.23WhenJesusenteredthesynagogueleader’shouseandsawthenoisy crowdandpeopleplayingpipes,24hesaid,“Goaway.Thegirlisnotdeadbutasleep.”But theylaughedathim.25Afterthecrowdhadbeenputoutside,hewentinandtookthegirl bythehand,andshegotup.26Newsofthisspreadthroughallthatregion.

ThismiracleprovidedearlyfollowersofJesus,andprovidesus,importantinformation aboutwhoJesusis.ThiswasanunambiguousdemonstrationofJesus’sdivinenatureand Hispowerovernotonlydisease,butalsodeath.ThefactthatJesusshowedthesame concernforthe“unclean”womanasHedidforthereligiousleadershowsusthatHeisnot interestedinwhowemaybeaccordingtoworldlymarkersofstatus,butthatHisloveand graceextendequallytoallwhohavefaithinHim.

ThisstoryalsoremindsusthatdeathforuswithfaithinChrist–likeJairus’sdaughter–is onlytemporary,andwetoowillberaised.Inthiswecanalltakeheart!

Lookingforawaytolendyourtime andtalenttoourPaxPresChurch family?Lovespendingtimewithour littlestdisciples?Wearelookingfor teens/tweenstoserveasvolunteers duringChildren’sChurcheachSunday. Wearealsolookingforteen/tween volunteerstoassistourNursery Supervisoreachweek.Pleasecontact: TinaWatts301-862-4775or linker@md.metrocast.net.

Foreverylessonyou'veprepared, theloveofGodhasbeenshared.

Beforeweknowit,SundaySchoolwill beuponusandweneedyourhelp. Thisupcomingyear,weareaskingfora setofteachersforeachseasonduring SundaySchoolforKids(SS4K)-fall, winter,andspring.Thiswillallowour past,present,andNEWteachersthe opportunitytoattendaSundaySchool forAdults(SS4A)classduringaseason

whentheyarenotteachingourdelightfulPaxPreschildren.Beblessedbybeinga blessingtoourbeautifulchildren!

Ifyouhaveanyquestionsaboutour SS4K,pleaseemailJaniceDixonat: sundayschool@paxpres.org

STELLARwasout-of-this-world!

Weespeciallywouldliketothankthisdynamic duo-STELLARVBS2023Co-Leaders,Janice DixonandAmyCollins!Overmanymonths,for hoursuponhours,theseladiespouredtheir heartsintothisyear’sVBS-brainstorming, organizing,exploring,engaging,creating, emailing,calling,meeting,andprayingALOT! Theymadenewconnections(hereand throughoutthecommunity),nurturedandappreciatedtheirmightyteamofvolunteers, creatednewwaystomakethePaxPresVBSexperienceunique,stayedpositiveand graciousthroughitall,andengagedwitheverysinglechildwhowalkedthroughthe door…allwhilecontinuallygivingALLtheglorytoGod!Ladies,somanypeoplehave beenblessedbyyourefforts,andwearethankfulforhowyoulovinglyandtirelessly sharedJesus’light!WaytobuildbridgesfortheGospel!

YOUTHMINISTRY

VisionforYouthGroup: YouthGroupisaplaceforteenstogrow thefoundationoftheirrelationshipwith Christandtodevelopacommunity ofChristianFellowship.

ThissummerallwasnotquietforourYouth Group.Shortlyaftertheschoolyearended,the HighSchoolstudentswentawayforaretreatat Skycroftcampthatalwayshasavarietyofevents thatbringoutteamspirit.Thespeaker challengeduswithinterestingpointsfrom GenesisChapter1-3overtheweek;themajor themewas…becausethereisaCreatorabove, wehavepurposebelow.Weparticipatedinmany groupgamesandconnectedwithalocalchurch therecalledLibertad.Additionally,we participatedinalocalmissionsopportunityat WesternMarylandHospitalCenter,whichisa state-ownedchroniccare(long-termcare) facility.Wehelpedneatenandspreadmulchin partsofthegardenforpatientsandgueststo enjoy.

Ifyouaren’treceivingtheYouthGroup emailsorhavequestions/concerns, pleasefeelfreetocontactme,oranyof theotherYouthLeaders.Welook forwardtoseeingyouatYouthevents andgettingtoknowyouryouth!

TomSchumacher,SeniorYouthLeader youthdirector@paxpres.org

OnFridayJuly14th,theYouthputonafirst-time eventcalled“Embark”-aChristianyouthworship event,whichwasanamazingnightofpraiseand worship!Theeveningincludedmusicalworship, fellowship,andprayer.Thepurposewastoinvite youthto“Embark”uponarelationshipwithJesus –whethertheywerebeingintroducedtoHimfor thefirsttime,ortheywereseekingtodeepen theirrelationshipwithHim.“Libertad,”the churchwemetattheHighSchoolRetreat, broughtmostoftheirYouthGroup!Lauren Smallybroughtthemessageforthenightand KyleGoodrichgavehistestimony.TheYouth Bandplayedquiteafewsongsandtherewas evenaspecialappearanceofPastorMattleading somesongs.Ouryouthlookforwardtoholding thisyoutheventagainnextyear!

InearlyAugust,theMiddleSchoolersheadedoff totheNorthbayAdventureCampinnorthern MarylandtoTheGreatEscape(TGE)Northeast sinceCOVID.Ouryouthhadablastandwereable

YOUTHMINISTRY

tolearnhowtogo“Beyond”theirfaith,finding waystoputGod’sWordintoeveryaspectoftheir livesandlearnwhatitmeanstobuildafirm foundationinChrist.Theyplayedgames, worshippedwiththeband,beltedoutTaylor Swiftsongsatabonfire,and,ofcourse,threw sandandshavingcreamateachotherduringthe infamousTGECrudWars!Itwasanawesome weekfilledwithjoy,laughter,fun,andbestofall, Jesus!Thekidsreturnedwithravereviews,so withTGEbackintheareawehopetoreturnnext year.

OnSeptember8thand9th,ouryouthwilljoin severalotherchurchesforaneventcalled DiscipleshipNow(DNow)atLeonardtownBaptist Church(LBC),wherewewillgettogetherwith otherlocalyouthforBiblestudies(bothlarge groupandsmallgroupsessions),fellowship, worship,andfun!Someoftheweekendevents willtakeplaceatLBCandothersatPaxPres. OvertheDNOWweekend,studentsandleaders willdivideinto"Tribes"fortheweekendand competeagainstothertribesingamesand activitiestopromotebondingwithotheryouth fromotherchurches.Wewillhavesmallgroup timeswithjustthePaxPreskidsatourchurch andhaveaLock-inonFridaynight.AfterSaturday breakfast,wewillheadbacktoLBCforthe morningandthenreturntoPaxfortheafternoon forlunch,activities,andsmallgrouptimepriorto finishingatLBCintheevening.Specialthanksto ourovernightspecialleaders-EileenM.,Becky G.,LauraR.,andGeofferyE.-whowillstayup pasttheirbedtimes.

YouthGroupisstartingupagain Aug.26thwithregularmeetingson Saturdaysfrom6:30-8:30p.m. Westartoffbyplayingagame followedbyaBiblemessageand discussion.Onceamonth,wehave aspecialhappeningsuchasa bonfire,ashoeboxpackingparty (forOperationChristmasChild),or adinner.Youthareaskedtodress forphysicalactivityandtobringa Bible(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-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!