1 Geneva Presbyterian Church 11931 Seven Locks Road, Potomac, MD 20854 3014244346 office www.genevapotomac.org Rev. Mary Pullen, Interim Pastor Dear Friends at Geneva, We are well into Lent, the time of repentance and reflection that precedes Holy Week and our celebration of Easter Sunday. On Wednesday March 22, 2017, Dr. C led the first Horizon’s Bible Study from 11:30am to 1pm in her office. Five of us began the study of the Gospel of Mark focusing on the 8 th chapter where Jesus asks the disciples “who do you say that I am?” The disciples give various answers, such as Moses or Elijah or John the Baptist. Peter answers “You are the Messiah, at which point Jesus “sternly ordered them not to tell anyone about him.“ (Mark 8:30) Jesus then goes on to teach them about what is to come…his passion, suffering, death on the cross and Resurrection, and they did not want to hear it. Jesus rebuked them saying “Get Thee behind Me, Satan.” Jesus did not intend to be distracted from the way of the cross that was in his future. We should ponder this same question…that is, Who do we say that Jesus is? Who is our Lord and Savior? In first century Palestine, the disciples were looking for the promised Savior, but even though Peter quite frankly says, “You are the Messiah,” it was very hard for them to accept the person of Jesus as he was. They wanted a different Savior, one who would drive the Roman occupiers from the land of Israel. Maybe one who would make life comfortable for them. Jesus as Savior calls us to get out of our comfort zones. The Jesus who ate with tax collectors, prostitutes, sinners and the other marginalized people of his day calls us to an awareness of the needs of our time – the poor, the sick, the hungry, the immigrant, the crime victims, the homeless, the list goes on and on. As we travel through Lent, let us continually ask ourselves who Jesus is to us. Do we have the strength and the courage to meet him at the foot of the cross? If we do, we can rest assured that we will share in his glorious resurrection on Easter Sunday. Blessings and peace, Pastor Mary Geneva Presbyterian Church 2017 Lenten and Easter Services Passion/Palm Sunday, April 9, 10:30 am Maundy Thursday, April 13, 7:00 pm Easter Vigil Cantata “Sanctuary: A Cantata of Hope and Peace”, April 15, 7:00 pm Easter Sunday, April 16, 10:30 am The Radiant April, 2017 ISSUE 10 Rhonda Ricci Editor
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Geneva Presbyterian Church 11931 Seven Locks Road, Potomac, MD 20854
301-‐424-‐4346 office www.genevapotomac.org
Rev. Mary Pullen, Interim Pastor
Dear Friends at Geneva,
We are well into Lent, the time of repentance and reflection that precedes Holy Week and our celebration of Easter Sunday.
On Wednesday March 22, 2017, Dr. C led the first Horizon’s Bible Study from 11:30am to 1pm in her office. Five of us began the study of the Gospel of Mark focusing on the 8th chapter where Jesus asks the disciples “who do you say that I
am?” The disciples give various answers, such as Moses or Elijah or John the Baptist. Peter answers “You are the Messiah, at which point Jesus “sternly ordered them not to tell anyone about him.“ (Mark 8:30) Jesus then goes on to teach them about what is to come…his passion, suffering, death on the cross and Resurrection, and they did not want to hear it. Jesus rebuked them saying “Get Thee behind Me, Satan.” Jesus did not intend to be distracted from the way of the cross that was in his future.
We should ponder this same question…that is, Who do we say that Jesus is? Who is our Lord and Savior? In first century Palestine, the disciples were looking for the promised Savior, but even though Peter quite frankly says, “You are the Messiah,” it was very hard for them to accept the person of Jesus as he was. They wanted a different Savior, one who would drive the Roman occupiers from the land of Israel. Maybe one who would make life comfortable for them.
Jesus as Savior calls us to get out of our comfort zones. The Jesus who ate with tax collectors, prostitutes, sinners and the other marginalized people of his day calls us to an awareness of the needs of our time – the poor, the sick, the hungry, the immigrant, the crime victims, the homeless, the list goes on and on.
As we travel through Lent, let us continually ask ourselves who Jesus is to us. Do we have the strength and the courage to meet him at the foot of the cross?
If we do, we can rest assured that we will share in his glorious resurrection on Easter Sunday.
Blessings and peace, Pastor Mary
Geneva Presbyterian Church
2017 Lenten and Easter Services Passion/Palm Sunday, April 9, 10:30 am Maundy Thursday, April 13, 7:00 pm Easter Vigil Cantata “Sanctuary:
A Cantata of Hope and Peace”, April 15, 7:00 pm Easter Sunday, April 16, 10:30 am
The Radiant April, 2017 ISSUE 10
Rhonda Ricci Editor
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Following our Easter Sunday service, we will have our annual Easter Egg Hunt, welcoming the children of the community to share in our joy. It is Eggs-‐traordinary, Eggs-‐citing, and Eggs-‐tremely fun!
EASTER EGGstravaganza Please join us for our annual Easter celebration. Bring neighbors and friends for Easter worship followed by egg hunts and games. After worship there will be two basket-‐filling egg hunts – First, preschoolers in the playground, then school-‐age in the woods. We will provide the Easter baskets, candy and prizes. Games will include hopscotch, four-‐square, guess the jellybeans, beading, and a cupcake walk. (no rain-‐date, sorry) We will be putting up signs and would love help getting out the word. On the first two Sundays in April, we will have invitations available that you can take with you and give to children and families who you think might wish to join us. Please contact the church office at 301.424.4346 or Carolyn Fink (Dr. C) at [email protected] for information or questions or visit our website at www.genevapotomac.org.
2017 Lenten Study If you have not yet attended any of the dinners/devotions prepared by the community churches for this year’s Lenten bible study, we invite you to do so before the Lenten season is over. Geneva Presbyterian Church is the host this coming Wednesday, April 5th. This is the last of the studies. Dinner is at 6:30pm with devotion following at 7:15pm. Please contact Pastor Mary for details at 336.302.5361.
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Music Notes by Ben Shaver, Music Director Dear Geneva,
I hope you’ve been having a reflective Lent season! As most know by now, I will be heading in for surgery this coming month, April 4th to be exact. Your continued prayers and support have not gone unheard and unnoticed. Thank you all very much for all you continue to do for me and for Geneva! After my surgery, I will be taken to my family's home in Virginia and be taken care of by my wonderful grandmother, aunt, and mother. Plenty of around the clock love and care. I will have my mother call Pastor Mary so that she can update her on my condition post surgery.
The doctor has ordered seven days of rest and recovery with absolutely no speaking. This means I will be forced to miss Palm Sunday, but the wonderful Jacob Coppage-‐Gross will step in for services and Robyn Alexander has graciously agreed to lead the handbells for Palm Sunday!
As we enter Holy Week, I will slowly be coming back to church. Though I will not be able to lead Palm Sunday, our Bell choir will start and end our service playing the Prelude and Postlude -‐ “Hosanna” and “All Glory, Laud, and Honor.” After our Introit, we will maintain our tradition of processing in waving palm branches, led by our Youth and Sanctuary Choir! The Sanctuary Choir will also be singing a selection from our upcoming cantata -‐ “Hosanna! A Procession of Promise!” Thursday, April 13, we will have our Maundy Thursday service, which will begin at 7 p.m. Our Choir will be leading the service and providing some beautiful music, including John Stainer’s “God So Loved The World,” as well as Bob Hurd’s setting of “Ubi Caritas.” We may also add a selection from our cantata.
On Saturday, April 15, Geneva will be presenting Joseph M. Martin’s cantata, “Sanctuary: A Cantata of Hope and Peace” at 7 p.m. As Mr. Martin states in his performance notes:
”Sanctuary is a service in song that conveys the many ways in which the seeker finds shelter and safety in the grace of Christ. As the cantata shares moments in the Savior’s life, we discover, by His example, the faithfulness of God’s promises to His people. These important moments are supported in the work by narration, scripture, and song. Some directors may want to use simple images on banners or projections to further enhance the power of these concepts.”
I hope that you are able to attend and are able to bring friends, family members, and neighbors to this incredible experience. The choir will be accompanied by a chamber orchestra composed of a flute, clarinet, french horn, and string quintet.
On Sunday morning, April 16, we will celebrate the resurrection of our Lord with song and praises ringing from the bells and organ as well as our Choir. This year, we will be doing something a little different -‐ the choir will sing an introit that will lead directly into our opening hymn -‐ “Christ the Lord is Risen Today.” I look forward to an extremely powerful week of ministry through music with Geneva and I hope you do too.
The Sunday after Easter, I will not be at Geneva, but I am leaving you in good hands with Jacob. I am eternally grateful for his musicianship and leadership at Geneva, as I know you all are too. I will return to Geneva on April 30.
In Christ, Ben Shaver
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Easter Cantata ~ Saturday, April 15th, 7:00 pm
This year Ben Shaver and the Geneva Sanctuary Choir will be performing an Easter Cantata on Saturday, April 15, at 7:00
pm. The cantata titled “Sanctuary: A Cantata of Hope and Peace” by Joseph M. Martin, will be accompanied by a
chamber orchestra. The piece itself centers on finding solace, refuge, peace, and hope in the Sanctuary. Save the date
and join us for this new adventure!
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Christian Education A word from Dr. C..... SEEK to be MEEK
Beatitudes Devotion #3 – Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth (Matthew Chapter 5:5-‐ NIV)
Meek is a word not often used in our culture. We much prefer the strong and mighty. Meek sounds like weak. This verse from the Beatitudes suggests that Jesus valued the meek and mild, not surprising since Jesus was criticized for not being the mighty military leader or messiah that most expected. He reached out to the meek around him who turned to him for healing and encouragement. He embodied humility over pride and power.
I used to joke that I am really good at humility! In fact, humility doesn’t come naturally. It is hard to bow my head and give up control to God. It is hard to trust and to submit to greater authority. But developing our humble sides can bring a graceful perspective and an appreciation of meek.
Besides, being meek is not so bad considering that the definition “having a quiet or gentle nature, not wanting to fight or argue” is more positive than its wimpy connotation.
Have you heard the phrase “you catch more flies with honey than vinegar”? Jesus would say that fighters are more like vinegar and meek like the “honey” that catch more flies, therefore as the Psalmist said ”[The meek] will inherit the land and enjoy peace and prosperity” (Psalm 37:11).
Since we seek to be like Jesus, we will inherit the earth, the land. It is thus imperative to take care of the environment on Earth Day (April 22) and every day. Then peace and prosperity will come to the next generation of meek.
Prayer – Dear God, we bow our heads and seek to be meek, then to take care of our earth. Amen.
Activity – Take care of the earth by devoting time to picking up trash in a public area.
Wonder questions – I wonder how Jesus could be both meek with people and strong in the face of his persecutors?
taking care of the Earth activity for children and youth right after Palm Sunday potluck until 12:30
Sunday, April 16 Annual EGGstravaganza
egg hunts and games after worship; invite friends and neighbors!
Sunday, April 23 9:30am Adult Bible Study -‐ Who is Jesus? (Horizons lesson 1)
Fourth Sunday Fun Day games (board games indoor or blacktop outdoor, depending on weather) and healthy snacks; starts during Sunday
School, ends @ Noon.
Wednesday, April 26 11:30am Adult Bible Study -‐ Who is Jesus? (Horizons lesson 1)
Sunday, May 14 Second Sunday Service
Little Loving Hands activity for families during Mother's Day breakfast
Wednesday, May 24 11:30am Adult Bible Study -‐ Who is Jesus? (Horizons lesson 3)
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Sunday, May 28 9:30am Adult Bible Study -‐ Who is Jesus? (Horizons lesson 2)
Fourth Sunday Fun Day games (board games indoor or blacktop outdoor, depending on weather) and healthy snacks; starts during Sunday
School, ends @ Noon.
Geneva Day School by Suzanne Funk, Director
Marvelous March was very busy, and now Awesome April is here! We said farewell to winter and the one and only snow, as we welcomed spring on March 20! The children seem very excited about having more warm weather on a regular basis.
Students and staff are also looking forward to family trips and Spring Break, which this year is the week of April 10. Geneva is offering a Spring Break Camp to support families that need coverage during this period. Stellar GDS staff are coordinating various recreational activities with spring themes during the week.
The BIG news of the school was the Geneva Parents’ Association (GPA) Auction! Thank you to everyone who supported it! We thank Renee Moloznik, especially, for her four donated fleece blankets and the School Board of Directors for their donation of a girl’s and boy’s bike with helmets. Proceeds will support the Scholarship fund and some community events for next year. Your support of your school is very important – Thank you!
Geneva will be celebrating Earth Days on April 20 and 21 with a day of outside activities for all classes. Teachers are planning stations to include scavenger hunts, garden ephemeral art projects, making bird feeders, and reading nature stories in the garden, among other great ideas.
The GPA is gearing up for its annual Spring Carnival to be held on Saturday, April 29, from 11:00 – 3:00. Plan to bring children or grandchildren to a great time of rides, lunch, and other exciting activities.
Perhaps you are a baseball fan! The Geneva Kindergartners will be attending a Bowie Baysox game on Wednesday, May 3, for an 11:05 singing of the National Anthem and the exciting game afterwards. Many children bring them baseball mitts to “catch” a ball, with some actually given away. Come to the game, too, if you are interested. Tickets are just $7.50 at the third base dugout. Just R.S.V.P. to the Office at 301-‐340-‐7704.
Geneva enjoys its many friends from the church. You are always welcomed to visit to observe or volunteer in the many fun activities of the school. You will be amazed what children are learning in school these days! It is not what school was for me so many years ago. Just let us know what is a convenient time for you!
Have an Awesome April and Happy Easter!
Warm regards, Suzanne Funk
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Worship & Music Committee by Ken Sprinkle, Chair
The CAT Scan is Coming Monday, April 17, 2017 - Friday, May 5, 2017
We will conduct the CAT Church Assessment Tool from Monday, April 17, 2017 -‐ Friday, May 5, 2017. More information will be presented to you, the congregation, as the time gets closer.
As part of the Interim time, Presbytery strongly encourages churches in transition to do the CAT scan -‐ otherwise known as the Church Assessment Tool, offered by Holy Cow Consulting.
In essence, the CAT scan is a quantitative tool that helps a congregation and its leadership gather internal information about itself. For our purposes at Geneva, this information will help the leadership to make good decisions. Key for us is that it will help the Session/Congregation gather information for the Pastoral Nominating Committee as they search for a Pastor. The CAT scan measures churches VITALITY, that is, “the intersection between a church’s ENERGY and its SATISFACTION. Vitality measures the pulse of a congregation.”
The CAT scan is a survey that is done on the computer. It takes about 20 minutes or so to answer the questions. If you don’t use a computer, you can fill it out in hard copy, instead of on the computer. A designated person will then enter the data into the computer.
The survey is anonymous. You don’t have to put your name on it.
Once all the data is in, Holy Cow will send a report to the Presbytery. Presbytery will in turn provide trained interpreters who will come first to the Session and Key leaders, and then to the congregation, to share the results.
The link to the website is www.holycowconsulting.com. Please go to the website for more information and feel free to talk with me if you have any questions.
Blessings, Pastor Mary Ken Sprinkle, Chair of Worship
2nd Sunday Potluck ~ April 9th, after worship Please join us for this month’s 2nd Sunday Potluck on April 9th. Bring a dish to share. All welcome!
Easter Lily Sign-up in the Narthex ~ Deadline April 9th If you would like to donate a lily to decorate the sanctuary for Easter, please sign up in the Narthex. The cost is $15.00. Checks may be made payable to GPC and turned in to the church office or placed into the collection plate. Deadline: April 9, 2017
The Lord’s Table Soup Kitchen ~ Sat., April 8th, 1:00pm – 3:00pm If you can spare 2 hours Saturday afternoon, April 8th, 1:00 – 3:00 pm, please sign up to help at The Lord’s Table. The Lord’s Table soup kitchen is located at St. Martin of Tours Church, 201 S. Frederick Ave., Gaithersburg, MD 20877. Just go to the link below and follow the instructions to sign up. www.SignUpGenius.com/go/10CF4CABAB2EA7FE3-‐thelords1
The Lord’s Table Soup Kitchen ~ Food Drive Beginning Sunday, March 19, through Easter Sunday, Geneva will be collecting food and items to replenish The Lord’s Table Soup Kitchen pantry. Please bring your donations to the church and place them in the box in the Narthex. Please refer to the flyer in this bulletin for a listing of requested items.
Adult Bible Study ~ This Sunday, April 2, 9:30am, Fireside Room Adult Bible Study with Carl Perthel will be on the 1st Sunday in April, as Carl will be away the following Sunday. The focus is “The Parables of Jesus.” “A parable is an earthly story with a Heavenly meaning.” The remaining Sundays are: May 14 and June 11. Break for summer. All are welcome.
Adult Bible Study with Dr. C ~ 4th Wednesdays, 11:30am – 1:00pm Horizons Bible Study 2016-‐17: Who is Jesus: What a Difference a Lens Makes (books provided), 4th Wednesdays 11:30-‐1PM. Beginning March 22, at GPC-‐ CE Office, from PCUSA: "Each of the study’s nine lessons explores the question “Who is Jesus?” through a particular theological lens. Bring a sandwich; drinks & snacks provided.
Lesson 1 -‐ Mark -‐ March 22, Lesson 2 -‐ Matthew -‐ April 26, Lesson 3 -‐ May 24 We will also offer this class on 4th Sundays at 9am, beginning April 23rd. April 23
(Lesson 1), May 28 (Lesson 2). For additional details, please contact Dr. C by phone at 240-‐603-‐8322.
Refreshments ~ Volunteers Needed Geneva could use your help in serving refreshments after worship on Sunday mornings. It is a short time commitment. You can serve coffee or you can serve only lemonade. You can bake cookies or you can serve the store bought cookies we keep in stock. It's up to you! All supplies are provided. It provides a valuable service to Geneva and it is a great way for you to chat with Geneva members and guests after worship. Please sign up using the Sign Up Genius or see Rhonda Ricci if you have any questions. Refreshments -‐ www.SignUpGenius.com/go/9040F45ACA82EA20-‐geneva1
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MARK YOUR CALENDAR for Saturday, April 29, at 5:00pm. Renee Moloznik will graciously open her home to us again for a potluck dinner. More information will be coming and a sign up sheet will be posted in the Narthex. Stay tuned…