This Week at Providence-Fort Washington

Monday - November 29, 2010

Good Morning! This is a new web ministry from Pastor Stephen. Each week I will be sending out short highlights and reminders for the week. They will also be available on the church’s website, on the church’s Facebook page (search for “Providence Fort Washington United Methodist”) and on my blog (http://pastorstephen.blogspot.com).

Please let me know of anyone who should be added to this list and also if you want to have your name removed.

This Week in Worship: Sunday, December 5, 2010

Second Sunday in Advent

Communion Sunday

Preacher: Pastor Stephen

Choir Anthem: Creation Will Be At Peace

Stewardship of Our Gifts

This year we are focusing on our membership vows of Prayer, Presence, Gifts, Service, and Witness for our Stewardship Program. This upcoming Sunday we will focus on our vow to serve God with our Service. Sunday, December 12^th will be our Commitment Sunday.

Upcoming Events

Mark your calendars:

Saturday, December 4, Hanging of the Greens and decorating the church.

Sunday, December 12, Sunday School presents the “Christmas Story”

Sunday, December 19, Christmas Cantata: Call Him Jesus

Annual Church Family Christmas Banquet

Join us on Sunday, December 19^th for our Annual Church Family Christmas Banquet.

The banquet is sponsored by the United Methodist Women and catered by Milloff’s Catering. Ticket will be available after church on December 5^th and 12^th. Cost is $22 for adults, $10 for children 6-12, and free for children 5 and under.

Wednesday Bible Study

The Wednesday Evening Bible Study gathers at 6:00 pm for a potluck dinner and for Bible Study at 6:30. The lessons for the Second Sunday in Advent are:

Isaiah 11:1-10; Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19; Romans 15:4-13; Matthew 3:1-12

Come and be fed by the Word of God!

New Sermon Book Available

Pastor Stephen has just published the 2009-2010 Sermon Book. It contains all the sermons since the First Sunday in Advent 2009. Pastor Stephen will have copies for sale soon and it can be ordered at www.lulu.com/banquo

Advent Meditation

Come, thou long expected Jesus,

born to set thy people free;

from our fears and sins release us,

let us find our rest in thee.

Israel’s strength and consolation

hope of all the earth thou art;

dear desire of every nation,

joy of every longing heart.

(Charles Wesley, 1744)

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, who alone does wondrous things. (Psalm 72:18)

Blessings,

Pastor Stephen

This Week at Providence-Fort Washington

Monday - November 22, 2010

Good Morning! This is a new web ministry from Pastor Stephen. Each week I will be sending out short highlights and reminders for the week. They will also be available on the church’s website, on the church’s Facebook page (search for “Providence Fort Washington United Methodist”) and on my blog (http://pastorstephen.blogspot.com).

Please let me know of anyone who should be added to this list and also if you want to have your name removed.

This Week in Worship: Sunday, November 28, 2010

First Sunday in Advent

Preacher: Pastor Stephen

Choir Anthem: Give Thanks

Stewardship of Our Gifts

This year we are focusing on our membership vows of Prayer, Presence, Gifts, Service, and Witness for our Stewardship Program. This upcoming Sunday we will focus on our vow to serve God with our Gifts. Sunday, December 12^th will be our Commitment Sunday.

Upcoming Events

Mark your calendars:

Sunday, November 28, First Sunday in Advent

Saturday, December 4, Hanging of the Greens and decorating the church.

Wednesday Bible Study

The Wednesday Bible Study WILL NOT meet this Wednesday so everyone can prepare for Thanksgiving. The Lectionary Readings for the First Sunday in Advent are:

Isaiah 2:1-5; Psalm 122; Romans 13:11-14; Matthew 24:36-44

Church Office Closed Thursday and Friday

The church office will be closed Thursday and Friday for the Thanksgiving Day Holiday.

Pastor Stephen is available during the holiday

During the Thanksgiving holiday, Pastor Stephen can be reached at home or by cell phone in the event of an emergency.

New Sermon Book Available

Pastor Stephen has just published the 2009-2010 Sermon Book. It contains all the sermons since the First Sunday in Advent 2009. Pastor Stephen will have copies for sale soon and it can be ordered at http://www.lulu.com/banquo

I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord!” (Psalm 122:1)

Blessings,

Pastor Stephen

Ann's "Thoughts About Giving Thanks"

In the Children's Message today, I mentioned the "Thoughts About Giving Thanks" that Ann shared with the C.A.R.E. Committee last Thursday. Here is her list in its entirety:

Thoughts About Giving Thanks

If the only prayer you say in your life is “thank you,” that would suffice. – Meister Eckhart

God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say “thank you?” – William A. Ward

Thank you. Thank you very much. – Elvis Presley

Silent gratitude isn’t very much to anyone. – Gertrude Stein.

We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude. – Cynthia Ozick

We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures. – Thornton Wilder

Thanksgiving, after all, is a word of action. W.J. Cameron

I awake this morning with devout thanks for my friends, the old and the new. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Nothing is more honorable than a grateful heart. – Seneca

We give thanks for unknown blessings already on the way. – Anonymous

Joy is the simplest form of gratitude. – Karl Barth

…the thankful heart … will find, in every hour, some heavenly blessings. – Henry Ward Beecher

Who does not thank for little will not thank for much. – Estonian Proverb

This Week at Providence-Fort Washington

Monday - November 15, 2010

Good Morning! This is a new web ministry from Pastor Stephen. Each week I will be sending out short highlights and reminders for the week. They will also be available on the church’s website, on the church’s Facebook page (search for “Providence Fort Washington United Methodist”) and on my blog (http://pastorstephen.blogspot.com).

Please let me know of anyone who should be added to this list and also if you want to have your name removed.

This Week in Worship: Sunday, November 21, 2010

Christ the King Sunday

Preacher: Andrew Greenwood

Choir Anthem: The Great I Am

Handbells: Here I Am Lord

Stewardship of Our Gifts

This year we are focusing on our membership vows of Prayer, Presence, Gifts, Service, and Witness for our Stewardship Program. This upcoming Sunday we will focus on our vow to serve God with our Presence. Sunday, December 12^th will be our Commitment Sunday.

Fellowship Time following Sunday Worship

Following worship on Sunday, November 21^st we will gather for a time of fellowship. Everyone is invited to bring a “finger food” to share.

Food Pantry Sunday - Extended to November 21!

During November we are making a special effort to keep the Oxon Hill Food Pantry well stocked. Please bring non-perishable food or money donations every Sunday this month. On Sunday, November 21^st we will bring our “first fruits” and lay them at the altar.

Upcoming Events

Mark your calendars:

Sunday, November 28, First Sunday in Advent

Saturday, December 4, Hanging of the Greens and decorating the church.

Wednesday Bible Study

The Wednesday Evening Bible Study gathers at 6:00 pm for a potluck dinner and for Bible Study at 6:30. This week we will be looking at:

Jeremiah 23:1-6; Luke 1:68-79; Colossians 1:11-20; Luke 23:33-43

Come and be fed by the Word of God!

Administrative Council Meeting Thursday

The Administrative Council will meet this Thursday at 7:00 pm. In addition to receiving reports about the work of the church, the Council will be debating and approving our 2011 Budget. I encourage all members of the church to attend.

Providence-Fort Washington receives Capital Flag

As part of our Veterans Day recognition on Sunday, November 14^th, we received a U.S. Flag that flew over the U.S. Capital building. Thanks to Fred Wineland who worked with Congressman Steny Hoyer to get this flag for our church.

Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,

for he has looked favorably on his people and redeemed them. (Luke 1:68)

Blessings,

Pastor Stephen

This Week at Providence-Fort Washington

Tuesday - November 9, 2010

Good Afternoon! This is a new web ministry from Pastor Stephen. Each week I will be sending out short highlights and reminders for the week. They will also be available on the church’s website, on the church’s Facebook page (search for “Providence Fort Washington United Methodist”) and on my blog (http://pastorstephen.blogspot.com).

Please let me know of anyone who should be added to this list and also if you want to have your name removed.

Wednesday Bible Study

The Wednesday Evening Bible Study gathers at 6:00 pm for a potluck dinner and for Bible Study at 6:30. This week we will be looking at:

Isaiah 65:17-25; Isaiah 12; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13; Luke 21:5-19

Come and be fed by the Word of God!

Christmas Cantata Rehearsals

The Choir is currently rehearsing for our Christmas Cantata, Call Him Jesus, arranged by Joseph Linn. The Cantata is scheduled for Sunday, December 19^th during the 11:00 worship service. The cantata rehearsals start at 7:00 on Tuesdays, followed by rehearsal for Sunday anthems. They are always looking for new members and also for people who just want to sing for the Cantata. Contact Judy Mangrum for more details.

Early Response Team Training - November 13^th

It is not too late to sign up for Early Response Team Training to be held at Providence-Fort Washington on Saturday, November 13 starting at 8:00 am. Training cost $25 and includes all materials and lunch. Please contact Pastor Stephen to sign up.

Stewardship of Our Gifts

This year we are focusing on our membership vows of Prayer, Presence, Gifts, Service, and Witness for our Stewardship Program. Beginning November 14^th, we will look at these five vows and seek to increase our commitment in each area. Sunday, December 12^th will be our Commitment Sunday.

Veterans’ Day

We will celebrate Veterans’ Day on Sunday, November 14^th. Veterans and active duty military personnel will be recognized during the service.

Food Pantry Sunday - November 14^th

During November we are making a special effort to keep the Oxon Hill Food Pantry well stocked. Please bring non-perishable food or money donations every Sunday this month. On Sunday, November 14^th we will bring our “first fruits” and lay them at the altar.

Surely God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid,

for the Lord God is my strength and my might; he has become my salvation.

Pastor Stephen