This Week At Providence-Fort Washington - June 27, 2013

This Week at Providence-Fort Washington

Thursday, June 27, 2013

I will call to mind the deeds of the Lord;

I will remember your wonders of old.

I will meditate on all your work,

and muse on your mighty deeds.

Your way, O God, is holy.

What god is so great as our God?

Psalm 77:11-13

 

This Week In Worship – June 30, 2013

Sixth Sunday after Pentecost

Wedding Bell Sunday

Special Music: Jesus Loves Me – Stephen & Alice on handbells

Pastor Stephen preaching: Set Free

 

Looking Ahead in Worship

Donna preaching on July 7

Mi Ja preaching on July 14

Communion will be celebrated on July 14

 

Office Closed

Helen will be off and Pastor Stephen will be preparing

for his VIM trip to Hopi so the office is closed next week.

Please call Pastor Stephen’s cell if you have an emergency

 

Summer Worship Music

Beginning June 30^th the chancel choir will be on hiatus.

This is your opportunity to showcase

your musical talents during worship.

See Judy or Pastor Stephen to sign-up to provide

music during the summer months.

 

Wednesday Bible Study

A Close Reading of Genesis

Bible Study will NOT meet

July 3 or July 10

 

Food Pantry Sunday

Reminder: June 30^th is

Food Pantry Sunday

Please bring an extra donation for the

Oxon Hill Food Pantry on Sunday.

 

S.A.I.L. Group Update

The S.A.I.L. group has a couple of events in the planning stages

Baysox Baseball game in mid-August – See Judy M. for details

Sight and Sound in Lancaster PA in September

Stay tuned for more details.

 

HOPI VIM Update

Pastor Stephen and Sandy are part of a

Volunteers In Mission (VIM) trip to the

Hopi Reservation In Arizona

from July 5-13, 2013.

You can follow their mission trip at Pastor Stephen’s blog

http://pastorstephen.blogspot.com/

 

Vacation Bible School – 2013

This year’s theme for Vacation Bible School is

The Everywhere Fun Fair Where God’s World Comes Together

July 22-26 @ 6:00 P.M.

Registration is now open at

http://2013.cokesburyvbs.com/pfwumc

 

Pastor Stephen’s Blog

Pastor Stephen is again posting to his blog

http://pastorstephen.blogspot.com/

It includes recent sermons, Wednesday Bible Study notes

and HOPI-VIM updates.

 

2013 Worship Attendance Goal

Our Worship Attendance Goal for 2013 is 92.

Our average worship attendance through June 23^rd is 81.76.

 

Altar Flowers

Please sign-up to supply altar flowers.

Flowers can be used to mark any significant occasion

including birthdays, anniversaries, and memorials.

Altar flowers are $22.00 per vase and

payment is due when you request flowers.

 

Urban Ministry Update

The Urban Ministry Group is now leading Worship Services

on the Third Sunday of every month at

House of Peace

meeting at 3^rd Street Church of God in Washington, D.C.

As part of our ministry, we provide lunch and

offer hats, gloves, and coats for those in need.

We are accepting cash donations to offset the cost of this ministry.

Contact Pastor Stephen or Mi Ja for more details.

The Group will meet on Saturday, July 20^th at 9:30 am

to plan and prepare for our next trip into D.C. on July 21^st.

 

Giant Food Cash For Causes

Providence-Fort Washington has enrolled in the

Giant Food Cash For Causes Program

 

This program allows us to purchase

Giant Gift Cards at a 5% discount and then resell them for face value.

The 5% difference is then put in our General Operating Fund.

The difference between our cost and your purchase price

is also credited on your annual giving statement.

 

Pastor Stephen has some cards available for purchase

and you can order cards to be delivered next week.

The cards have no expiration date and can be used for anything Giant sells.

Please see Pastor Stephen to purchase cards or if you have any questions.

 

SANCTUARY RENOVATION

The Sanctuary Renovation is complete!

The cost came in at $19,000

which is significantly less that the estimated cost of $25,000.00.

We continue to ask for donations to cover the cost of renovation.

 

Charting Our Course

The Vision Committee has completed a “first sort” of all the suggestions received

and is distributing them to various groups within the church for their comments.

They expect to make recommendations for implementation of ideas soon.

We are still interested in your ideas on how to move our church forward.

 

Collection of Stamps and Labels

Don’t forget to continue collecting stamps to be used by veterans

In the Stamps for the Wounded program.  We also need box and

can labels (bar codes) for the Board of Child Care Auxiliary who

serves families in the Baltimore-Washington Conference.

 

Thank you!

Donna D., Secretary, P-FW United Methodist Women

 

Aluminum Can Recycling

We are collecting and recycling aluminum cans.

Please bring your aluminum cans in

and we will sell them to the recycling center.

 

Do you have something to add?

Do you have an announcement that need to get out to everyone in the church?

If so, please e-mail it to me (srricketts@verizon.net) and I will include it in the next

This Week at Providence-Fort Washington.

 

Blessings,

Pastor Stephen

 

Sunday Sermon - June 23, 2013

Searching For Peace

Sermon by Stephen Ricketts

Providence-Fort Washington United Methodist Church

1 Kings 19:1-15a; Luke 8:26-39

Fifth Sunday after Pentecost – June 23, 2013

 

Today’s reading from First Kings is one of my favorite passages from the entire Old Testament. I am really drawn to the image of Elijah standing on the mountain of God and being overwhelmed by the wind and by the earthquake but not hearing God’s voice in either of those spectacular events. Instead, God spoke to Elijah in the silence that followed. I think I like this passage because it speaks to our need for silence in our lives; it speaks to our need to shut out the world’s noise so we can hear God’s “still small voice.” In fact, the service was designed around this idea – the notion that God speaks to us when everything else in our lives is quiet. My plan was to build the sermon around the story of Elijah and I only included the gospel reading because I feel we should hear the story of Jesus every Sunday even if the sermon goes in another direction. But, as is often true, the Holy Spirit had other ideas. The Holy Spirit kept urging me to look more closely at the story of the man possessed by a legion of demons. One thing I have learned over the years is that there are, in general, two ways to do things: my way and God’s way. When I choose my way the path ahead can be rocky and difficult. But, when I choose God’s way then the way ahead seems smoother. So, I reluctantly abandoned my plans to preach on Elijah and instead decided to explore the story from Luke. Perhaps the Holy Spirit will lead me to preach on Elijah sometime in the future.

I think one reason I was reluctant to take on the passage from Luke is I do not really know what to make of demons. In Jesus’ day, many ailments (especially mental illnesses), were thought the be the result of demon possession; people believed that malevolent spirits roamed the earth and actually tortured and took control of people. These demons are frequently pictured as little devils with horns and pitchforks. Today, our theories about mental illness focus on things like chemical imbalances or trauma to the brain; and, we have largely rejected the idea of demon possession. But, when we take the time to listen to people who are suffering as the man in today’s gospel reading was suffering, we soon come to understand they are truly dealing with “demons.” Now, their demons may not have horns, but they are beyond their ability to control. Today, we use terms like post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, schizophrenia, substance abuse or bipolar disorder; but, these are just other words for the demons that threaten to overwhelm and destroy us.

Another reason I think I was reluctant to take on this passage is that I cannot easily find myself in this passage. One technique I frequently use when studying a passage is to put myself inside the story and listen for new insights. However, that is a challenge with this passage because it seems to offer few good places to go. It would be nice to be Jesus, but I know better than to cast myself in that role. I am also reluctant to cast myself as the man possessed by the demons; not because I do not struggle with my own demons, but because he does not have an active role in the story. When I am honest, I find that I am a citizen of the nearby town – I am one of the people who drove the man out into the wilderness and refused to minister to his needs. Now, I can sympathize with the town’s people because it is difficult to know how to deal with someone who is being tormented by demons. Frequently these people act “weird” – they are unable to conform to what we consider social norms. They espouse strange ideas; they disrupt our quiet and orderly world; they are sometimes dirty; they are just not “normal” (whatever that is). So we fear them or we see them as a nuisance. We are also frustrated because we do not know how to deal with them; we may want to help but we do not know what to do. So, when confronted with someone who is possessed by demons we tend to turn away and force them into the shadows. I am not proud to admit it, but when I look closely at this passage, I am one of the town’s people who has forced this man to live among the tombs.

So, today I want to offer some guidance to all who are frustrated and afraid when they encounter someone possessed by demons. Perhaps I can offer a few things that will help rather than hurt; a few suggestions for how to minister to anyone possessed by a legion of demons. First, we need to be clear about the role we play when we interact with someone who is fighting demons. We need to be clear; we are not Jesus. It would be nice if we could speak to the demons and banish them to the pit. It would be nice if we could cure someone simply by laying our hands on them. But, Jesus’ role is unique and we simply do not speak with the same authority as Jesus. I have trained as a Stephen Minister (a program designed to train people to offer compassionate Christian care to those in need) and one of our mantras is that Jesus is the cure-giver; we are the care-giver. Also, few if any of us are trained professionals when it comes to dealing with people in these situations. Some people have the training and skills to intervene in these situations; but, unless we are a professional, we cannot provide the care they can. So, where does that leave us? What role do we play when it comes to caring for those fighting demons? Sometimes we are simply passers-by; we are walking down the street and we are approached by someone in need. In these cases our interaction is limited but that is not an excuse for inaction – we can still do something to help and certainly we must avoid doing harm. In truth, most of us will find ourselves as a concerned friend or family member. We will become involved because someone we love is fighting demons beyond their control and we want to help. But, even here we must remember that we are not Jesus; we cannot offer the cures he can. But, we must offer all the love and care we can in a way that, with God’s help, they can find a path to health and wholeness.

So, assuming that you are not Jesus and that you are not a professional care giver, what are some of the techniques the rest of us can use? What can we do to help those who are battling the demons in their lives? Well, the first thing is one of the hardest: we must love people right where they are; love them with all of the problems that they have. Our love cannot be conditional on them changing. Our love cannot be conditional on them getting professional help. Our love cannot be conditional on them conforming to our idea of normal behavior. So, we begin by loving them.

Next, we need to engage them by listening to them. And by listening, I do not mean listening for data so we can formulating a treatment plan, or tuning out their words as we prepare our response. I mean listening to understand their situation and their pain; listening to understand who they are beyond the problems we observe. As we listen we need to keep the conversation focused on them and not try to move it to our issues. As we listen we must give positive responses; we can say things like, “I have never thought about that in that way before; tell me more.” or “I am not sure I understand; can you give some more examples?” or “Here is what I think you are saying. Am I on the right track?” All of these simple responses will let them know you are listening and engaged and that you want to hear their story – demons and all.

We also need to be compassionate as we interact with others. We need to lower our emotional barriers so we can feel their pain and frustration. Now, we must be careful not to become so involved that we lose ourselves in their problem; we must not let their demons threaten us. But, saying something like, “Your pain sounds overwhelming.” or “I never realized how much you hurt.” can let them know that you understand, at least in some small way, the suffering they are enduring.

Love, listening and compassion are absolutely necessary as we seek to offer care to those in need, but we also need to help them move to new and healthier places. Now, we must be very careful here; we are not qualified to create treatment plans, nor can we force them to “do it our way.” We may think we know what is best for them but the moment we offer our solution we are moving from caring to attempting to cure. So, what can we do? Well, we can ask about their plans; we can say something like, “What do you think are the issues you are dealing with?” and “Have you thought about ways to address the challenges you are facing?” And then listen to their responses. We can be supportive of their plans; we can ask probing questions like, “What do you expect to gain from that approach?” But, we must remember that people will rarely follow our plans for their lives; they need to find their own way forward.

One pitfall we need to avoid is trying to do it all ourselves; we must avoid taking over. It is possible to offer so much help that they give up and become dependent on us for everything. Now, I realize that there may be times when a person is incapable of taking care of themselves and someone must step in; but, as much as possible they need to be given as much control as possible. We must also be careful not to offer something we cannot deliver or promise outcomes beyond our control. It is better to say “I will pray for your recovery.” rather than “God will fix everything.” We need to remember that ultimately they must make their own decisions; and, ultimately God is the only one who can completely banish their demons.

I feel I do need to offer one very specific word of advice. Never be afraid to admit that you are in over your head and seek help from others. If you suspect someone is going to hurt themselves or others, get help. It is far better to report a false alarm than to live with the regret of not getting the help that might have prevented a disaster. Also, be honest with the person you are caring for. It is okay to say “You are dealing with things that are beyond me; perhaps there is someone else who can help.” Sometimes the most loving and caring thing we can do for someone in need is to admit that we are not capable of giving the care they need and supporting them when they seek help elsewhere.

Finally, do not forget our most powerful tool; do not forget to pray. And, as you pray begin by praying for yourself and ask God for the wisdom and guidance you need to care for another person. Next, pray for the person and ask for God’s power and strength to banish the demons they are fighting. Offer to pray with them, but realize that sometimes the demons will take control and refuse your offer. Do not be offended, but keep praying within your heart that God will give the cure that is needed. Remember that God does not expect or intend for us to fight the demons of this world alone; God is present; God is battling the forces that seek to overwhelm us. Knowing this, we can offer God’s power and God’s strength to those fighting the demons in their life.

The story from Luke’s gospel is the story of a man who was seeking peace in his life; the story of a man who longed to have the demons silenced so he could hear God’s voice speaking to him. Jesus banished the legion of demons and gave him the peace he needed. Today, many around us are battling demons and seeking peace in their lives. We cannot usurp Jesus’ role, but we must not shirk our responsibilities as disciples of Jesus to love our neighbors. We must be strong Christian caregivers; we must be witnesses to God’s power in our lives and we must support others as they allow Jesus to enter their lives and give them the cures they so clearly need.

Amen.

 

 

This Week at Providence-Fort Washington - June 20, 2013

This Week at Providence-Fort Washington

Thursday, June 20, 2013

As a deer longs for flowing streams,

so my soul longs for you, O God.

My soul thirsts for God,

for the living God.

Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,

my help and my God.

Psalm 42:1-2a; 43:5b

 

This Week In Worship – June 23, 2013

Fifth Sunday after Pentecost

Choir Anthem: God Made Our Hands

Pastor Stephen preaching: Searching For Peace

 

Summer Worship Music

Beginning June 30^th the chancel choir will be on hiatus.

This is your opportunity to showcase

your musical talents during worship.

See Judy or Pastor Stephen to sign-up to provide

music during the summer months.

 

Wednesday Bible Study

A Close Reading of Genesis

The Group meets at 6:00 pm for a potluck dinner.

The Bible Study begins at 6:30 pm and ends at 8:30 pm.

 

Food Pantry Sunday

Reminder: June 30^th is

Food Pantry Sunday

Please bring an extra donation for the

Oxon Hill Food Pantry on Sunday.

 

S.A.I.L. Group Update

The S.A.I.L. group has a couple of events in the planning stages

Baysox Baseball game in mid-August – See Judy M. for details

Sight and Sound in Lancaster PA in September

Stay tuned for more details.

 

HOPI VIM Update

Pastor Stephen and Sandy are part of a

Volunteers In Mission (VIM) trip to the

Hopi Reservation In Arizona

from July 5-13, 2013.

You can follow their mission trip at Pastor Stephen’s blog

http://pastorstephen.blogspot.com/

 

Vacation Bible School – 2013

This year’s theme for Vacation Bible School is

The Everywhere Fun Fair Where God’s World Comes Together

July 22-26 @ 6:00 P.M.

Registration is now open at

http://2013.cokesburyvbs.com/pfwumc

 

Pastor Stephen’s Blog

Pastor Stephen is again posting to his blog

http://pastorstephen.blogspot.com/

It includes recent sermons, Wednesday Bible Study notes

and HOPI-VIM updates.

 

2013 Worship Attendance Goal

Our Worship Attendance Goal for 2013 is 92.

Our average worship attendance through June 16^th is 82.83.

 

Altar Flowers

Please sign-up to supply altar flowers.

Flowers can be used to mark any significant occasion

including birthdays, anniversaries, and memorials.

Altar flowers are $22.00 per vase and

payment is due when you request flowers.

 

Urban Ministry Update

The Urban Ministry Group is now leading Worship Services

on the Third Sunday of every month at

House of Peace

meeting at 3^rd Street Church of God in Washington, D.C.

As part of our ministry, we provide lunch and

offer hats, gloves, and coats for those in need.

We are accepting cash donations to offset the cost of this ministry.

Contact Pastor Stephen or Mi Ja for more details.

The Group will meet on Saturday, July 20^th at 9:30 am

to plan and prepare for our next trip into D.C. on July 21^st.

 

Giant Food Cash For Causes

Providence-Fort Washington has enrolled in the

Giant Food Cash For Causes Program

 

This program allows us to purchase

Giant Gift Cards at a 5% discount and then resell them for face value.

The 5% difference is then put in our General Operating Fund.

The difference between our cost and your purchase price

is also credited on your annual giving statement.

 

Pastor Stephen has some cards available for purchase

and you can order cards to be delivered next week.

The cards have no expiration date and can be used for anything Giant sells.

Please see Pastor Stephen to purchase cards or if you have any questions.

 

SANCTUARY RENOVATION

The Sanctuary Renovation is complete!

The cost came in at $19,000

which is significantly less that the estimated cost of $25,000.00.

We continue to ask for donations to cover the cost of renovation.

 

Charting Our Course

The Vision Committee has completed a “first sort” of all the suggestions received

and is distributing them to various groups within the church for their comments.

They expect to make recommendations for implementation of ideas soon.

We are still interested in your ideas on how to move our church forward.

 

Collection of Stamps and Labels

Don’t forget to continue collecting stamps to be used by veterans

In the Stamps for the Wounded program.  We also need box and

can labels (bar codes) for the Board of Child Care Auxiliary who

serves families in the Baltimore-Washington Conference.

 

Thank you!

Donna D., Secretary, P-FW United Methodist Women

 

Aluminum Can Recycling

We are collecting and recycling aluminum cans.

Please bring your aluminum cans in

and we will sell them to the recycling center.

 

Do you have something to add?

Do you have an announcement that need to get out to everyone in the church?

If so, please e-mail it to me (srricketts@verizon.net) and I will include it in the next

This Week at Providence-Fort Washington.

 

Blessings,

Pastor Stephen

 

Wednesday Bible Study Notes

Genesis Bible Study

Lesson 20: The Death and Burial of Sarah (Genesis 23)

The Marriage of Isaac (Genesis 24)

 

The chapters following the near-sacrifice of Isaac are the conclusion of the Story of Abraham and Sarah. Sarah dies and is buried in chapter 23, a bride is found for Isaac in chapter 24, and Abraham dies at the beginning of chapter 25.

(The Death of Sarah – Genesis 23:1-2) Following the story of the near-sacrifice of Isaac we immediately move to the story of Sarah’s death. Notice that we are not told that Sarah ever saw Isaac again after his experiences on Mount Moriah. Some commentators have speculated that Sarah died of grief when she saw Abraham take Isaac to the sacrifice site. Another thing that makes Sarah unique is that among all the women of the Bible she is the only one where we are told how old she was when she died.

Notice that Abraham mourned and wept for Sarah – he obviously loved his wife. How would you characterize their relationship? Can you identify places where they worked as partners? places where Abraham took the lead? places where Sarah took the lead?

Now is a good time to look back and review Sarah’s life. What are some of the memorable moments of her life? What would you say was her role in God’s plan? Where did she assert herself? What is your overall assessment of Sarah?

(Abraham Buys a Burial Plot – Genesis 23:3-16) What follows in these verses is a real estate deal. Abraham needed a place to bury Sarah so he approached people of the area in order to purchase land suitable for burial. Abraham was obviously a powerful and wealthy person because the men of the area were willing to meet with him. The exchange between Abraham and Ephron is typical haggling. Ephron probably did not want to sell the land and his offer to give Abraham the land was probably a negotiating tactic. The price he named was likely far in excess of the land’s true value. However, once he named a price and Abraham agreed to pay, Ephron was “stuck” he could not refuse to sell the land because he would lose face with the other men of the community. By accepting the price named (even though it was too high) Abraham was assured of receiving the land.

(The Burial of Sarah – Genesis 23:17-20) After acquiring land, Abraham buried Sarah in the cave. All three of the patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob will be buried in this same cave. Today, the site is revered by Jews, Christians and Muslims and has been a place of tension in modern times.

The most interesting thing about this passage is probably the fact that Abraham now “owns” a part of the Promised Land. Even though God had given it all to him and his descendants, Abraham was forced to buy this small plot of land as a burial ground. Why is it significant that Abraham has a “foothold” in the Promised Land?

(Finding a Wife For Isaac – Genesis 24:1-9) Following the death of Sarah, Abraham turned his attention to the next problem – find a suitable wife for Isaac. This is that last time that Abraham speaks in the narrative. The next time we encounter Abraham is Genesis 25 where we learn of his death.

The first thing to notice is that Abraham is too old to personally find a wife for Isaac; so he delegated the task to his oldest and most trusted servant. (In Genesis 15 Abraham says that his servant, Eliezer, will be his heir if he has no children. It is possible that Eliezer in the servant who was given the task of finding a wife for Isaac.) Why do you think Abraham sent his servant instead of Isaac?

The second thing to notice is that Abraham insisted that Isaac should not take a wife from the local population. Why do you think Abraham was so emphatic on this point?

Also, notice that Abraham did not want Isaac to leave the Promised Land. Why do you think Abraham placed this condition on Isaac? (Of the three patriarchs only Isaac remained in Canaan for his entire life.)

Finally, notice that Abraham (and his servant) trusted God to lead the servant to the woman who was to be Isaac’s wife. While God is mentioned many times in the verses that follow, God is never explicitly active. Where do you see God at work in these verses?

(Abraham’s Servant Find Rebekah – Genesis 24:10-21) As the servant approached “Aram-naharaimm, the city of Nahor,” he spoke to the Lord and proposed a “test” that would allow him to find the right wife for Isaac. What do you think of his test? What does this say about his faith and about God’s ability to work in human situations?

Rebekah appeared immediately after the servant had proposed the test. And, she fulfilled his conditions perfectly. What does this say about God and his response to our prayers?

(The Servant “Proposes” to Rebekah – Genesis 24:22-27) It is clear that we do not have the whole story because Abraham’s servant immediately gave Rebekah bridal gifts even before he had spoken to her family. He likely had to explain his mission before he offered her the gifts. These gifts would have served as a marriage proposal.

Notice that in verse 26 the man worshiped and thanked the Lord before continuing his mission. Why do you think he was so careful to thank the Lord? What does this say about his relationship with the Lord and his loyalty to Abraham?

(Rebekah’s Family’s Response – Genesis 24:28-54a) In this culture marriage was more than an affair of the heart – it was an important business transaction that cemented relationships between families. Also, women had little say in marriage; it was the men who negotiated the terms and conditions for marriage. In this case Rebekah’s brother, Laban, took the lead in the negotiations.

Laban’s first obligation was hospitality. He invited Abraham’s servant to come to his house and provided a place for him to stay and a place for his camels. Why was it important to provide for Abraham’s servant?

In verse 33, Abraham’s servant insisted on explaining his mission before eating with Rebekah’s family. Why was it so important for him to explain his mission? Beginning in verse 34 Abraham’s servant explained who he was, his mission, and how Rebekah had been selected by the Lord to be Isaac’s wife.

Notice how both Laban and Bethuel responded to his proposal. The were clearly familiar with the Lord  and accepted the fact that God was working in this situation. They did not offer their own opinion but quickly offered Rebekah as Isaac’s wife. Why do you think they did not negotiate in this situation? Is it possible that they were they “afraid” of God?

Notice that Abraham’s servant again thanked God once Rebekah’s relatives had agreed to her becoming Isaac’s wife. He also gave gifts to Rebekah and her family; these gifts finalized their agreement and Rebekah “legally” became Isaac’s wife at this point even though they had not yet met.

(Rebekah’s Response – Genesis 24:53-61) After celebrating the marriage, Abraham’s servant wanted to return immediately but her family wanted to wait a few days. What reason did the servant give for wanting to leave immediately? Do you think he had any other reasons? One possibility is that Rebekah’s family hoped to receive more gifts if the man stayed longer? Why do you think they let Rebekah make the final decision?

Before sending Rebekah on her way, her family blessed her. Notice that part of their blessing echoes God’s final blessing to Abraham in Genesis 22:17-18.

(Isaac Takes Rebekah For His Wife – Genesis 24:62-67) In the concluding verses, Isaac meets Rebekah for the first time. The servant’s final act was to explain everything to Isaac and deliver Rebekah to him. How would you describe the meeting between Isaac and Rebekah? What do you think they were thinking as they approached each other for the first time? This is the first time where we are told that a man loved a woman.

What qualities did Rebekah posses that made her the right wife for Isaac?

 

Next Class

Lesson 21: The Death of Abraham

The Isaac Saga Begins

 

This Week at Providence-Fort Washington - June 14, 2013

This Week at Providence-Fort Washington

Friday, June 14, 2013

O LORD, in the morning you hear my voice;

in the morning I plead my case to you, and watch.

Lead me, O LORD, in your righteousness because of my enemies;

make your way straight before me.

Psalm 5:3,8

 

This Week In Worship – June 9, 2013

Fourth Sunday after Pentecost

Choir Anthem: On My Knees

Richard Weaver preaching: Our Father’s Day

Celebration of our Graduates

Sunday School Promotion Sunday

 

Wednesday Bible Study

A Close Reading of Genesis

The Group meets at 6:00 pm for a potluck dinner.

The Bible Study begins at 6:30 pm and ends at 8:30 pm.

 

S.A.I.L. Group Update

The S.A.I.L. group has a couple of events in the planning stages

Baysox Baseball game in mid-August

Sight and Sound in Lancaster PA in September

Stay tuned for more details.

 

HOPI VIM Update

Pastor Stephen and Sandy are part of a

Volunteers In Mission (VIM) trip to the

Hopi Reservation In Arizona

from July 5-13, 2013.

You can follow their mission trip at Pastor Stephen’s blog

http://pastorstephen.blogspot.com/

 

Vacation Bible School – 2013

This year’s theme for Vacation Bible School is

The Everywhere Fun Fair Where God’s World Comes Together

July 22-26 @ 6:00 P.M.

Registration is now open at

http://2013.cokesburyvbs.com/pfwumc

 

Pastor Stephen’s Blog

Pastor Stephen is again posting to his blog

http://pastorstephen.blogspot.com/

It includes recent sermons, Wednesday Bible Study notes

and HOPI-VIM updates.

 

2013 Worship Attendance Goal

Our Worship Attendance Goal for 2013 is 92.

Our average worship attendance through June 9^th is 82.61.

 

Altar Flowers

Please sign-up to supply altar flowers.

Flowers can be used to mark any significant occasion

including birthdays, anniversaries, and memorials.

Altar flowers are $22.00 per vase and

payment is due when you request flowers.

 

Urban Ministry Update

The Urban Ministry Group is now leading Worship Services

on the Third Sunday of every month at

House of Peace

meeting at 3^rd Street Church of God in Washington, D.C.

As part of our ministry, we provide lunch and

offer hats, gloves, and coats for those in need.

We are accepting cash donations to offset the cost of this ministry.

Contact Pastor Stephen or Mi Ja for more details.

The Group will meet on Saturday, June 15^th at 9:30 am

to plan and prepare for our next trip into D.C. on June 16^th.

 

Giant Food Cash For Causes

Providence-Fort Washington has enrolled in the

Giant Food Cash For Causes Program

 

This program allows us to purchase

Giant Gift Cards at a 5% discount and then resell them for face value.

The 5% difference is then put in our General Operating Fund.

The difference between our cost and your purchase price

is also credited on your annual giving statement.

 

Pastor Stephen has some cards available for purchase

and you can order cards to be delivered next week.

The cards have no expiration date and can be used for anything Giant sells.

Please see Pastor Stephen to purchase cards or if you have any questions.

 

SANCTUARY RENOVATION

The Sanctuary Renovation is complete!

The cost came in at $19,000

which is significantly less that the estimated cost of $25,000.00.

We continue to ask for donations to cover the cost of renovation.

 

Charting Our Course

The Vision Committee has completed a “first sort” of all the suggestions received

and is distributing them to various groups within the church for their comments.

They expect to make recommendations for implementation of ideas soon.

We are still interested in your ideas on how to move our church forward.

 

Stamps for the Wounded

Just a reminder….I will be sending out another batch of

canceled stamps to this service activity of the Lions Club.

The vice president of this program, Mr. John Hotchner, is

always grateful for our support.  He thanks us on behalf

of those who will benefit from our generosity.

 

Donna

Secretary, P-FW United Methodist Women

 

Aluminum Can Recycling

We are collecting and recycling aluminum cans.

Please bring your aluminum cans in

and we will sell them to the recycling center.

 

Do you have something to add?

Do you have an announcement that need to get out to everyone in the church?

If so, please e-mail it to me (srricketts@verizon.net) and I will include it in the next

This Week at Providence-Fort Washington.

 

Blessings,

Pastor Stephen