Whatisamomentinyourtypicaldailyroutinethatyoudo unconsciously?Automatically?Onauto-pilot?
Forexample,maybeit’syourmorningoreveningroutine:hit snoozetwice;brewcoffee;shower;scarfdownbreakfast;out thedoor.Oratnight,checkthatalldoorsarelockedand lightsareoff;brushteeth;readinbed;lookatphone/tablet againfor15minutes(thoughyoukeeptellingyourselfyou wouldn’tanymore!);sleep.
AdiscipleofJesusisapersonincommunitywhoallowsthe graceofJesus,thewisdomofScripture,andthepowerofthe HolySpirittoshapetheirdailydecisionstohonorandobey GodtheFather.AsadiscipleofJesus,ifyouarenotallowing 1)Jesus’grace;2)Scripture;and3)theHolySpirittoshape yourdailyhabits,thenbydefinition,somethingelsewill. Andsometimesit’snotanygrand,malignantpowerthat shapesus:it’sjustthefactofhabit-“I’vealwaysdoneitthat way.WhywouldIchange?”JustinWhitmelEarleysaysthat “Wecannotthinkourwayoutofhabitswepracticedourway into.”Wearecreaturesofhabit,andwegetinto“ruts”— certainwaysofdoingsomething,reactingtosomething,or handlingsomething.
We’regoingtotalkabouttheseverythingsthroughthe remainderof2024inourworshipservices.Butthereisno amountof“talking”and“thinking”aboutwaystogrowin ChristthatwillactuallygrowusinChristunlesswealsoallow theHolySpirittogetustoformnewhabits.Newruts.New patterns.
Somanyofourdailyhabitswillrunonauto-pilotunlesswe, bytheleadingoftheHolySpirit,makeadecisiontochange: howwerespondtodifficultpeople.Howwethinkabout politicsinanelectionyear.Howwedoordon’tcareforthe needyinourcommunity.Howwejudgecertaintypesof people.Howwedoordon’tengagewithScriptureorprayer.
LettheHolySpiritusethethingsyouseeandreadinthis eMagazinetonudgeyoutomakeanintentionalcommitment tosomethingnewthisfall.Joiningasmallgroup.Volunteering inaministry.Attendingchurchmoreregularlythanyou currentlydo.Prayingmoreconsistentlyfornon-Christiansin yourpersonalrelationships.Whatnew“habits”doesGodwant toforminyouthisfall?Inthatsense,“mybeloved…workout yourownsalvationwithfearandtrembling,foritisGodwho worksinyou,bothtowillandtoworkforhisgoodpleasure.” (Phil.2:12)
Whatdoesitmeantobea“member”ofPaxPres? WhatistheheartoftheGospelofJesus? Whatmakesus"Presbyterian?" WhatisPaxPreslikeandhowdoIgetinvolved?
FourSundaysessionswillbegin onSeptember22ndat10:45a.m.
Forquestionsandtoregister,pleasecontact PastorMattat:mpooley@paxpres.org.
Thereisnoobligationtojoin-thisisachanceto “inquire”beforecommittingtomembership.
HospitableMission
PaxPresFamily,
Ihaverecentlybeenreflectingonthepracticeofhospitable mission.Specifically,mymindhascontinuedtoreturntothe storyoftwopeoplewhoinvitedJesustodinnerwithout realizingwhoHewasinLuke24.Hereissomebriefcontextto thisstory–AfterJesus’execution,twoofHisdiscipleswere travelingtoEmmaus,processingtheirgriefanddisappointment astheyhadjustlosttheirSavior.Ontheway,theymeta strangerwithsurprisinginsight…Luke24:28-33:
28Astheyapproachedthevillagetowhichthey weregoing,Jesuscontinuedonasifheweregoing farther.29Buttheyurgedhimstrongly,“Stay withus,foritisnearlyevening;thedayisalmost over.”Sohewentintostaywiththem.30When hewasatthetablewiththem,hetookbread,gave thanks,brokeitandbegantogiveittothem. 31Thentheireyeswereopenedandthey recognizedhim,andhedisappearedfromtheir sight.32Theyaskedeachother,“Werenotour heartsburningwithinuswhilehetalkedwithus ontheroadandopenedtheScripturestous?” 33TheygotupandreturnedatoncetoJerusalem. TheretheyfoundtheElevenandthosewiththem, assembledtogether…
OnthenightbeforeHisexecution,JesusgatheredHisclosest friendsforaspecialmeal.Duringtheevening,Hebrokebread andpassedittoHisfollowerssaying,‘Thisismybody,givenfor you.Eatitinmymemory’(Luke22:19MSG).Dayslater,two grievingdiscipleswereshakenastheirunexpectedguestdid somethingeerilysimilar.Whilethisstoryhasmanyincredible takeaways,whathasrecentlystruckmeistheebbandflowof hospitalityandmissioninthispassage.Thedisciplesfirst welcomedJesus,thenlefttosharethenewsofHisresurrection
withothersinJerusalem.AsJesusdisappeared,andthe smellofbreadfilledthehouse,theyrealizedthattheir hospitalityhadlaidthetableforanencounterwiththeLord thatwouldpropelthemoutintoHisgreatmission.Itwas theactofbringingothersin,hostingthem,thatpropelsus outintomission,intoproclaimingtheGoodNewsthrough ourwordsanddeeds.Thequestionsthatcometothe surfaceforme,throughthispassage,arethese:Whoare wecalledtohost?Towelcomein?Tobehospitableto? Maybeit’safriendoraneighbororacoworkerorsimplya stranger.Taketimetoreflectonthewaysinwhichyoucan, likethetwodisciplesontheroadtoEmmaus,practice hospitablemission.
Furthermore,asimplewaytopracticehospitablemission thisFallisthroughservingdinnertoourYouthonSunday nightsduringYouthGroup.Thisisagreatopportunityfor smallgroups,couples,orjustafewfriendstoserveandto helpmakeadifferenceinthelivesofourYouth.
PleasesignupHERE.
(MoreinfoonwhattoexpectcanbefoundinourWeeklyEnews.)
Letthisprayerigniteyourhearttothepracticeof HospitableMissionthisFall:
SpiritofJesus,burninme.Teachmeto welcomeYou,breathinginYourpresence everysingleday.SendmetoshareYou, breathingoutYourgoodnewswitheveryone Imeet.Amen.
KimHagan, SundaySchoolforKids (SS4K)Coordinator
SundaySchool4Kids(SS4K)
What:ChildrenfromPre-K(mustbefouronorbeforeSept. 1st)through8thgradewillbuildpositivefriendshipsby discoveringGod’sWordtogether!Let’sGOandmake disciplestogetherwhilebuildingbridgesforTheGospel.
When:beginsSept.8th!
9am:ContemporaryWorshipService
10:45am:SundaySchool4Kids(PreK–8thGrade) TraditionalWorshipService
Where:AllSS4KClassroomsareonthelowerlevel PreK/Kindergarten:Room101
1st&2ndGrade:Room102
3rd-5thGrade:Roomtbd
6th-8thGrade:Roomtbd
9th-12thGrade:(Visit:www.paxpres.com/youthformore detailsongroupsforHighSchoolers)
How:WeuseTheGospelProject,curriculumwhichis designedtowalkourstudentsthroughtheentireBibleona 3-4yearrotationinage-appropriatestudiesandactivities.
ParticipantRegistrationFormforthe 2024-2025SchoolYear.
ContactSS4KCoordinator:KimHaganat: Sundayschool@paxpres.com.
Tiredofallthebadnewsintheworld?Feelinglikeyouwanttomakeanimpactfor futuregenerations?ThenSS4K(SundaySchool4Kids)hasaplaceforyou!Weare lookingforafewmorewillingadultsandhighschoolerstojoinourteachingteams! Ifyou'reinterestedingrowingyourfaithwhilehelpingtheyouthofPaxPres discovertheirownfaithandidentityinChrist,contactSS4KCoordinator,Kim Hagan,formoredetailsonhowYOUcanbeusedtobuildbridgesfortheGospel hereatPaxPres!Newthisfall!HighSchoolerswillhaveanopportunitytoservein ourSS4Kprogrambyassistingouradultleadteacherswhilegrowingtheirownfaith throughsmallgroupsinsteadoftraditionalSundaySchool.Moreinfotocome! Emailsundayschool@paxpres.orgformoreinfoaboutopenpositionsandtolearn moreaboutourcurriculum!
YoungAdultsPracticingTheWay (YAPTW)forhighschoolgradstoage31 meetseveryotherWednesdayintheJoshua Houseat7:00p.m.Joinusonthe2ndand 4thWednesdaysofthemonththroughout thesummer!ContactRev.RobbieD'Orazio at:rdorazio@paxpres.org.
TableTalk:AGroupforWomen!
Ladies,you’reinvitedtojoinusforour versionofIf:Tablescalled:TableTalk. Comeandbringafriendortwo–aswe buildcommunity.
Upcomingschedule: September26th–Soupnight! October24th–Appetizernight! November21st–Saladnight! Walk-inswelcome,butRSVPspreferredto LauraRhodes,SmallGroupsDirectorat: paxpressg@paxpres.org.
FallFamilyLunch!
Sunday,September29thatnoon.
ThisNEWeventhasthreepurposes:toconnect, hearfrom,andcommunicateourvisionforPax Presfamiliesofchildrenagesbirthtograde12. Let'sconnectaswebreakbreadtogether.Bring yourbestideas-wewanttohearfromyouabout howwecanbetterserveyou.Ourhopeisto communicatewayswecanaidyouinequipping yourfamilytogrowasfollowersofJesus.Food andchildcareprovided!Moreinfotocome!
BELONGTrunkorTreat!
PleasejoinBELONG(BridgingEveryoneLinking OlderandNewerGenerations)foraspookygood timeatourintergenerationalTrunkorTreat! DropbyourchurchfrontparkinglotonSaturday, October26thfrom3:00-5:00p.m.dressedin yourbestcostume.Wewillbecelebratingfall’s bountywithgames,lightrefreshments,and prizes.Allagesarewelcometoparticipate; pleaseinviteyourfriendsandneighbors. Rainorshine,dropbyasyouareable.
CONGREGATIONALLIFEMINISTRY
SAVETHEDATES:
Sept.7th:adedicatedteamwillaerate andoverseedthechurchlawnareas(a bigmoneysaver,althoughalotofwork!
Sept.14th:MULCHDAY! Comeandjoinusforthisfun,outdoors event!Noexperiencenecessary,We’ll evenprovideglovesifyouneedthem! Rainorshine,startingat8:30a.m.,until we’refinished!
DateTBD:ChristmasLights&Lunch! Pleasestaytunedforthisfunfamily event–weputuptheChristmaslights, thencelebratewithaluncheonofsoup andsandwiches!
Dec.7th:ChristmasStroll!TheGarden Clubwillbemanningour“Bloomsof Hope”Paperwhitebulbgiveawaybooth again!Ifanyoneisinterestedtohelpat ourbooth,pleaseletPatsySchumacher know!
byPatsySchumacher
Well,weedsmaythinkaboutslowingdowntheir growthasthetemperaturesdrop,buttheGarden Clubisstayingfullyrampedup!
AsfarasextraworkyourGardenClubis performing,wewillberemovingsomeofthe barberries(pricklybushesintheareanearthe playground),thinningsomeoftheliriopesaround thefrontentrance-wayredmapletree,and generallytakingagoodlookatourmaturing plantings!KevinSmithhasofferedtodonate someofhisrosebushes,sowe’llbelooking forwardtofindinghomesforthem.
WewillcontinuetomeetonTuesdaysaround 8:30a.m.tokeepeverythingtrimmedandas weed-freeaspossible.Feelfreetojoinusany time!
Asalways,questionsabouttheGardenClubcan bedirectedtoPatsySchumacherat: helopatsy@yahoo.com.
“Cananyoneofyoubyworrying addasinglehourtoyourlife? Andwhydoyouworryaboutclothes? Seehowtheflowersofthefieldgrow. Theydonotlabororspin.
YetItellyou, notevenSolomoninallhissplendor wasdressedlikeoneofthese.” -Matt6:27-29
CONGREGATIONALLIFEMINISTRY
Women’sWeekendRetreat!
Ladies,wewouldloveforyoutojoinus ontheupcomingretreatfrom October4th-6th atFoxHavenFarminJefferson,MD. Staytunedformoredetails!
Christianmen,doyoufacechallenges andobstaclesonyourjourneythrough life?Dodemandsoftheworldinterfere withyourspiritualwalkthroughlife, maybeevenpreventyoufromlivingout yourfaithintheday-to-day?
Ifyoustrugglewithwork-lifebalance, financialand/ortimemanagement,and relationshipswithfamilyandfriends; guesswhat?You’renotalone,oratleast youdon’tneedtobe.Thesolutionstosuchissuesarenevereasybut,asauthorPatrick Morleyputsit,“amanwhoisspirituallygroundedisbetterequippedtofacelife’s challenges,makeethicaldecisions,andserveothersselflessly.”
ThisNovemberwe’regoingtoteamtogethertounlockaChristianman’sfullpotentialfor livingalifeofsignificance.JoinothermenfromPaxPrestostrengthenourspirituallife andourChristianfaithsothatwemay“havelifeandhaveittothefull.”(John10-10b)
Friday,Nov.1st(6:00p.m.)thruSunday,Nov.3rd(noon)
RegistrationbeginsonSeptember4th,sosignupsoonandbringafriend!
WORSHIP Times2!
TheWorshipMinistryislookingforvolunteersforournewSundayworshipschedulestarting September8th!Thesound,slidesandlivestreamproducedforeachSunday’sserviceenhance andenableourcongregation’sworshipbothinourSanctuaryandonline.Weareinsearchof interestedindividualsfromhighschoolageandupto:
1.RuntheweeklylivestreamofthePaxPreschurchservicewatchedonYouTubebyover100 churchmembersandvisitorseachweek.Thisincludessettingupeachweek’sstreamaswellas directingcamerasandselectingthevideotohighlightthevariousaspectsoftheworship serviceinvisuallycompellingways.
2.OperatethesoundboardfortheSanctuary.Thisincludesmanagingthemicrophonesand otherinputs,adjustingsoundlevels,andblendingthemalltocreateaharmoniouswholefor thecongregationbothinpersonandvirtual.
Additionally,weareinsearchofinterestedindividualsfrommiddleschoolageandupto: Operatetheslidesforeachweek’sservice.Thisinvolvesworkingeachservice’sslide presentationtoensurethatsong,liturgy,andsermonallrunsmoothlyandenhancethe congregation’sworshipandpraise.
Nopriorexperienceisnecessary!Youarewelcometoattendatrainingsessiontogaugeyour interestwithnocommitment.Ifyouthenwishtojoin,youcanshadowoneofourcurrent talentedvolunteersbeforeperformingthedutyonyourownasapartofaselectedSunday’s audio-visual/informationtechnologyteam.PleasecontactChrisHarrittorSarahLorek, WorshipMinistryelders,ifinterested.
CallingAdultSingers!
AdultChoirrehearsalswillsoon beginagain.Ifyoulovesinging andarelookingforawayto connectinchurch,servetheLord, andenjoygreatfellowship,then choiristheplaceforyou!The choirpresentsmusicalofferings atthe10:45a.m.serviceweekly throughouttheschoolyear, withrehearsalsonWednesday eveningsbeginningAugust28th, 7:15-8:30p.m.inthechoirroom.
VOLUNTEERSNEEDEDforTimeforYoung Disciples!Allarewelcome,noexperience required!Let'sbuildbridgesbetweenthe generationstohelpguideouryoungest churchmemberstogrowintheirfaith, service,andlove.SignupforOctober, NovemberandDecember.
OUTREACH
CelebratingCommunity&Courageatthe
2024Solomon’sDragonBoatFestival
byEmeseRaschka
Thevibrantatmosphereofthe2024Solomon’sDragonBoatFestivalwasatestamenttothe powerofcommunity,competition,andcharity.HeldinpicturesqueSolomonsIsland, Maryland,thisannualeventdrewadiversecrowdreadytoengageinthrillingdragonboat raceswhilesupportinganoblecause.
TheSolomon’sDragonBoatFestivalismorethanasportingevent; itoffersaplatformforraisingfundsandawarenessforSouthern MarylandCommunityResources,Inc.(SMRC),whichplaysacrucial roleinconnectingthoseinneedwithessentialservices,creating pathwaysforindividualsandfamiliestoachievetheirfullpotential. Thegenerositydisplayedbyfestivalparticipantsensuresthat supportremainsaccessibletothosewhoneeditmost.
Amongthemanyteamsthatparticipated,thePaxPresPaddlers, representingPatuxentPresbyterianChurch,trulyshone.Notonly didtheyshowcasetheirathleticprowessonthewater,buttheyalso embodiedacommitmenttoserviceandfaith.Theteamhadan impressiveperformance,achievinga3rd,a2nd,andanother2ndin theirraces.Theirfasttimessecuredacovetedspotinthefinals, wheretheyfinishedwitharemarkablesecondplaceoverall,earning themasilvermedal.
OUTREACH
Theexcitementdidnotendwiththeirvictories;ithighlightedtheessenceofthefestival: buildingbridgeswithinthecommunitythroughteamworkandsharedvalues.AsthePaxPres Paddlersnavigatedthewaters,eachstrokeoftheirpaddlessymbolizedtheirdedicationto “shiningthelightofChrist.”
Asthedayconcludedandthesunsetonthefestival,itwasclearthattheeventcelebrated morethanjustvictoryonthewater.Thegatheringwasatruetestamenttotheresilienceand spiritofcommunitymemberscomingtogetherforagreatercause.Theatmosphererangwith laughter,cheers,andasharedsenseofpurpose,remindingeveryonethattheimpactoftheir effortswouldresonatewellbeyondtheraces.Throughtheircollectiveactions,participantsand volunteersalikehaveshownhowsportcanbeavehicleforcommunityserviceandmutual support,settinganinspiringexampleforall.
Inconclusion,the2024Solomon’sDragonBoatFestivalwasnotjustadayofracing;itwasa heartfeltcelebrationoffaith,community,andcompassion.ThePaxPresPaddlers,alongwith alltheparticipantsandsupporters,contributedtoapowerfuldemonstrationofwhatitmeans toupliftoneanother.Theirsuccess,crownedwithaSilverMedal,ensuresthatthespiritof connectionandservicecontinuestothrivewithinthecommunity.
OUTREACH
FOODDRIVE!
Duringthemonthof September,wearecollectingnonperishablefooditemsforThe Mission.Allitemsmaybeplacedin thebinintheNarthex.Forquestions, pleasecontactLeonAndersonat: leonanderson@hotmail.com.
SpreadJOY&LOVEtotheJoyPromGuests! We'rehavingafancyattireclothingdriveto supporttheSMCRJoyPrombycollectinggently useddresses,suits,ties,andmore-tohelpmake thisspecialeventevenmoremagical.Pleasedrop offdonationsbySept.14th,between9:00a.m.to 1:00p.m.inthedesignatedbinonthestageinthe FellowshipHall.Yourgenerosityisappreciatedand willsurelybringsmilestomanyfaces!
Itisaspecialcelebration,filledwithlove,laughter,dancing,andgreatfood–opento everyone!Sign-upatthechurchexpo.Volunteerswelcomedandencouraged! Amazonwishlistofitemsneededfordecorations. Ifpurchasingitems,pleaseselectthechurchaddressforshipping.
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-givingIfyouhaveanyquestionspleasecontactthe ChurchTreasurer,MarieHankinsonat:301-863-2033orTreasurer@paxpres.org.
LetuswalkandworktogetherasweseektospreadtheGospelofJesusChrist athome,abroad,andtotheendsoftheearth!
YOUTHMINISTRY
VisionforYouthGroup: YouthGroupisaplaceforteenstogrow thefoundationoftheirrelationshipwith Christandtodevelopacommunity ofChristianFellowship.
Ifyouaren’treceivingtheYouthGroup emailsorhavequestions/concerns, pleasefeelfreetocontactus. WelookforwardtoseeingyouatYouth eventsandgettingtoknowyouryouth! youthdirector@paxpres.org
OnJuly3rd–7th,threeofourmiddleschoolyouthwent toTheGreatEscapefortheirsummerretreat,along withtwoofouryouthleaders.Experiencingworship andhearingtestimonies,roastingmarshmallowsand ridingziplines,flyingthroughtheropescourse,andtie dyingt-shirtswerejustafewofthehighlightsfromthis incredibletrip!
Sevenofourhighschoolersandthreeyouthleaders enjoyedtheirsummerretreatwithReformedYouth MinistriesfromJuly26th–30th.Someofthememorable highlightsincludedincredibleworship,teachingonthe meaningofJustification,seminarclassesonworshipand popculture,Mao,abeachbonfire,avolleyball tournament,azipline,andice-cream!
WeheldtwoYouthGroupgatheringsonJuly14thand 21st,wherewediscussed“change”and“MentalHealth throughaBiblicalLense”.WealsohadafantasticBackto-SchoolPoolPartyonAugust17thattheMazur’s house.WewelcomedtwoamazingleaderstoourTeam: NicholasStudeandBrianaRoorda.
Weareincrediblyexcitedforwhat’snextforourYouth andtoseehowGodmovesinandthroughthemintheir schools,amongtheirpeers,andwiththeirfamilies. Finally,thisFallweareintroducingHighSchoolSmall Groupstofosterdeepercommunityanddiscipleship–onefortheguys,theotherforthegirls. Pleasebeinprayerforthestudentsandleadersaswe launchthesenewgroups.
YouthGroupKick-offonFriday,September6thfrom 5:00to9:00p.m.!Allmiddleschoolandhighschool studentsareinvitedtojoinusaswestartanother awesomeyear!(NEW!YouthGroupwillmeetonSunday eveningsfrom5:00-7:00p.m.beginningonSeptember 15th.Markyourcalendars!)
YOUTHMINISTRY
ServeourYouthGroup!Cook,pickup,orassemble simplemealsandcomeserve(andfeelfreetobring desserts,too).OnmostSundayevenings,thekitchen willbeopenat5:30p.m.forprepandset-up;dinner willbeservedat6:30p.m.Kitchentrainingwillbe scheduledsoon–staytuned!Ifneeded,food reimbursementforthecostoffoodisavailable.Thisis agreatopportunityforasmallgroup,acouple,orjust afewfriendstoserveandtohelpmakeadifferencein thelivesofourYouthGroup!Signuphere!
Questions?ContactRev.RobbieD'Orazioat: rdorazio@paxpres.org.
SAVETHEDATES:
9/6:YouthGroupKickOff 5:00p.m.–9:00p.m.
9/15:YouthGroupSundayNights (beginSeptember15th) 5:00p.m.–7:00p.m.
10/19:KingsDominionTrip
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
