Jews forJesus

“The Gospel in the Feasts of Israel”

SpeakerMr. Larry Durbin

from Jews for JesusDate

Sunday, November 16Time

6:00pmDon’t miss this

EXCELLENT presentation!

PASTORS’CORNER

November 2014

YOU’RE INVITED!Nov 2-9 . Operation Christmas Child p2Nov 8 .... Knitters & Crocheters ......... p3Nov 9 .... Veteran’s Day Reception .... p5Nov 16 .. Jews for Jesus .................... p1Nov 23 .. Stewardship Letter Due ...... p5Nov 30 .. Christmas Decorating ........ p8December Advent Dates .................. p8Dec 4 .... Young at Hearts Luncheon p3Dec 5 .... Family Christmas Caroling p5Dec 14 .. Choir Special Music ............ p8Dec 21 .. Cookie Swap ....................... p5 Jan 4-11 Shelter Meals Week ............ p8 CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

Our November sermon series is “The God of Second Chances: A Study through the Book of Jonah”

The Lord is a God of boundless compassion

and second chances not just for “us,” but also available for “them.” The book of Jonah tells the story of a man whom God instructed to love his enemies in Nineveh. Jonah did just the opposite of what God commanded. He refused to go to the people he hated. Instead, he tried to run away from the Lord. Jo-nah needed to de-velop an attitude like God’s toward his enemies. The book of Jonah is a story of a mirac-ulous change in Nineveh, but even more a story of mi-raculous change in Jonah. The ques-tion for us will be -- do we have hearts that are like the heart of God?

Nov. 2 The Unwilling Missionary Chapter 1 (Orphan Sunday)Nov. 9 The Squeamish Castway Chapter 2 (Congregational Meeting)Nov. 16 The Reluctant Evangelist Chapter 3 (New Member Sunday)Nov. 23 The Prodigal Prophet Chapter 4 (Stewardship Sunday)

Pastor Pete

THREE SUGGESTIONS FOR BIBLE STUDY (That Have Worked for Over 300 Years) Note: as a part of his Sunday School class on

the Westminster Shorter Catechism, Pastor Andy is writing a blog that touches on the themes of the catechism and class. Here is an ex-ample. Follow the blog at www.neels-villechurch.blogspot.com After describing the chief end of man as glorifying and enjoying God forever, the catechism then goes on to say: “For more, refer to the Bible.” Or in the language of the 17th century, the Bible is the “only rule to direct how we may glorify and enjoy him.” Not too surprising for people famil-iar with Christianity, the Bible is uni-versally understood to be important for Christians to know. However, I like how the catechism connects this an-swer to the previous question, remind-ing us that the Bible is not textbook of everything, but rather it is the pathway to the life that is really life: the main point of human life–discovering our deep joy in the glory of God. (There is something that the Bible can be said to “principally teach,” thus implying that there are matters that are not the Bible’s principal message.) This is how we are to gauge our spir-itual health–not by how we feel inside, nor by how we match up with society’s expectations, but rather whether we are believing what the Bible teaches to us and living what the Bible calls us to. But the Bible is so complicated, how

Pastor Andy

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20701 Frederick Road • Germantown, MD 20876

TEL: (301) 972-3916 • FAX: (301) 972-5563www.neelsville.org

Senior Pastor Associate Pastor Rev. Dr. Peter Della Santina Rev. Andy Nagel pete@neelsville.org awnagel@gmail.com Organist Choir Director Michele Kelly Greg Graf mmkelly440@hotmail.com gggraf@gmail.com Office Administrator Treasurer Tricia Bradford Wendy Coulliard office@neelsville.org treasurermpc@gmail.com

Neelsville News is published by Neelsville Presbyterian Church.

SubmitWordfilesandphotosbythe15th of each month to neelsvillenewsletter@gmail.comSherrie Cardea, Melissa Blount, Jenn Park

FINANCIAL SNAPSHOT

GLOBAL MISSIONSTHREE SUGGESTIONS FOR BIBLE STUDY CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

FINANCIAL UPDATEOur annual income through the end of September is $494,655. Our expens-essofarare$517,067,leavingusatotaldeficitof$22,412.One expense we were particularly happy to be able to do was sending $12,550 off to support our missionaries around the world. We are still hopeful that we can make up the difference in the next months, so let’s all try to catch up on our pledges and give generously to the work God is doing in and through us. (Remem-ber, gifts given between now and December 31st can be deducted from your 2014 taxes! Bonus!)

Operating Income Received $494,655

Total Operating Expenses $517,067

OperatingDeficit ($22,412)Year

To

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can we even begin to wrap our heads around it? I’m glad you asked, be-cause the Westminster theologians had some good advice that they gave in their Confession of Faith (which as you may recall, is the theology that the catechism is teaching). What do I mean? First: don’t think you can understand the Bible without God’s help. The “inward illumination of the Holy Spirit [is] necessary.” (WCF 1.6) That means that if you’re reading without praying you’ll almost certainly miss the point. If you’re not asking for the Spirit to help you understand, the book will remainasconfusingasitfirstseems.(Remember,too,thattheSpiritlovesto use people, so this is why it’s good to be in conversation with people around you–or in history–about the Bible’s meaning.) Second: don’t think that understanding the Bible is impossible. (1.7) Even though the Westminster Standards were written by theologians, they didn’t think you had to be a genius to glorify and enjoy God forever. “Those things which are necessary to be known, believed, and observed for salva-tion” are put forth in Scripture in such a way that everyone can get the point of the Bible if we read it in prayer, in community, and in practice. The Bible is a complex book, but the message is understandable. God’s voice is there to be heard, if we are listening. Third: let Scripture interpret Scripture. (1.9) When you do come to a part that makes no sense to you, try to understand it in the light of the parts you do understand. This reminds us that the Bible is one book with one message, or a symphony with one primary score though it has lots of minor chords and sub-melodies. But when you feel lost in the words, let the clear parts of the Bible interpret the murky parts. As we seek to learn how to glorify and enjoy God through the incredible gift of his Word, the theology of Westminster offers us some helpful catego-ries and advice as to how to do so faithfully. So now, go and open up your Bible, because God wants to speak to you!

EQUAL EXCHANGE COFFEE SALESThe Equal Exchange Coffee program has set up four times since we got started again in early summer. Each time there has been a different selection of items that sold the most. It has been interesting to see. We have a small assortment of coffee and tea products that are from the inventory before we re-started and they have recently passed their ex-piration date on the packaging. Therefore, we will be selling those items for half-price for the next couple of sales. We have completely sold out of all of the chocolate bars (dark and milk choco-late) and have limited supplies of the tea varieties remaining. We are currently not

planning on purchasing more chocolate bars or tea (once they sell out). If you are interested in having either the tea or candy bars continue to be offered, please let Melissa Blount know at fraxmom@gmail.com.

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FELLOWSHIP

LOCAL MISSIONS

KNITTING/CROCHETING GROUPThe knitters and crocheters will meet Saturday, November 8th from 10am-12pm in the church library. Come and learn to knit or crochet, or bring a project to work on, or pick up some yarn to start a project. This year we are go-ing to emphasize warm scarves to go along with the hats we have made for adults and children, but we are open to new needs and ideas as well.

YOUNG AT HEARTSThe Young at Hearts will gather for their annual Christmas luncheon on Thursday, December 4th. Punch and conver-sation will begin at 11:30am and lunch will be served at noon. Sue Seabold will play the piano for ‘Lessons and Carols’ followedbyaprogramof fluteduetsbyourownLaura Benning and a friend. All seniors are welcome! Feel free to bring a friend if you would like. Please let Marilyn Splete know if you will attend so that food will be plentiful. You may contact Marilyn at amsplete@yahoo.com or by calling her at 301-253-1274.

WE WALK BECAUSE THEY WALK!It was a light turn out for the 44th annual Damascus CROP Walk for the Hungry. This annual event took place on Sunday, October 12th at Damascus Regional Park. It was a beautiful fall day where around 45 walkers from local churches turned out with sponsor sheets and walked 3.6 miles which represents the long distances some walk daily for their water. Neelsville provided 14 of those cheerful walkers! Big thanks to our walkers and those who sponsored or donated money to Church World Service. Romans 12:8 says ....”if it is showing mercy, do it cheerfully.”

COFFEE IN ITALYA fun time was had by all who attended the October 4th

“Coffee in Italy” event! It was a beautiful morning to visit Italy and sample all those scrumptious pastries, pastas, cheeses, and coffees. After opening remarks and prayer, and plenty of eating, Gerry Davis led the devotion appearing as “Mona Lisa”. Her message was “You are God’s Masterpiece.” Here is an excerpt from her devotion: “…and just like Leonardo di Vinci, God gave each of you gifts. Each of you is talented in your own way. Some of you may have the gift of healing, some of you are good listeners, and others of you are good teachers, leaders, nurturers, and so on. We all have our gifts; we have our strengths and our weaknesses. He gave us a spirit and a heart. They all are combined to make us who we are - an individual created by God. The Bible says, “Each of you has been blessed with one of God’s wonderful gifts to be used in serving others. So use your gift well.” (1 Peter 4:10). The morning’s entertainment was Michele Kelly accom-panying Jiyoung Park as she sang Italian Opera. She sang so beautifully. If you closed your eyes, you could imagine being at the opera! Special thanks to those who helped make the morning so memorable! Greeters Mollie Kaufman and Sharon Mc-Nott; kitchen ladies Linda Johnston, Suanne Repine-Es-chholz, Karen Styer, and Chris Fletcher; set-up crew Sue Sivek, Mary Esther Michels and Greg Davis; childcare coordinator Kimberly Nugent-King; and Betty Hemby who handled advertising, programs, and door prizes. Thanks also to Sue Farrell for her opening prayer and yummy homemade biscotti; Fellowship Committee for their sup-port; Ryan Mowen for his technical talents; and lastly, Pas-torPete,whohelpedmakeafirsttimedevotionalspeakerfeel like she could spread her wings and grow!

Karen Styer fills cannoli for the dessert table

Savory Italian pasta, meats, and cheeses

Jiyoung Park mesmerizes with Italian operaCROP WALK 2014

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LOCAL MISSIONSOPENING DOORS MENTORING MINISTRYOpening Doors Mentoring Ministry (ODMM) is now an active ministry under the local mission committee. After nearlyoneyearindevelopment,wehaveidentifiedneedsin the community and found important ways that you, as a member of Neelsville Presbyterian, can be a mentor. One way is to be an individual mentor who is avail-ableasneedsareidentified.Thesecondway is to join a team mentoring under ex-isting community organizations such as InterfaithWorks,andspecificallyFriendsin Action (FIA) as well as others like the Smart Club at Neelsville Middle School. Individual mentoring volunteers will help others with life skills, which, because of experience or education, they are comfortable sharing. This mentoring is availabletoourcongregationaswellastoidentifiedpeo-ple in the community. There are several community service organizations interested in using this service. People being mentored will be screened through these organizations. FIA is a Montgomery County funded organization whose sole purpose is to visit the homes of families with children whohavebeenidentifiedas“inneed”andthendetermineif this family would benefit from a mentoring team. Ourchurch would like to develop a team of mentors to be those “Friends In Action.” The Interfaith Works program would also assist us. The goal is to gently help them visualize what steps they have to take (with the team’s guidance) to achieve their goals, and if unemployed, to give them the confidenceandhelptolandajobthattheyaresuitedfor. Both programs will help people to develop important life skills. The individual mentoring may include, but is not lim-ited to, the following areas of need. • Career Counseling • Back to Work Skills—applying, interview preparation, resume writing • Computer Literacy • Financial Competency—budgeting, saving, loan • Housing—help in locating affordable housing • Tutoring—elementary, middle and high school levels, GED, citizenship • Forms—disability, Medicare, Medicaid • Medical Counseling—teaching nursing care • Parenting Skills If you are interested in learning more about becoming a mentor, in either capacity, we could use your help. Please prayerfully consider sharing your God-given talents with thosethatcouldreallybenefit.PleasecallKarenStyerat301-916-3777orJimHensleyat703-217-7900tofindoutmore.

POSTSCRIPT TO OUR ‘I AM’ SERIES …THE ‘I AM’ SAYINGS

OF THE GOSPEL OF JOHN Application to daily life I AM the Bread of Life (John 6:35) If we try to feed onthethingsthattheworldsayswillfulfillus,wewillalways be hungry, restless, searching for something more. Only Jesus provides everything we need to satisfy our spiritual hunger. Without him we are spiritually starved, even emaciated. I AM the Light of the World (John 8:12, 9:5) Unless we live in the light of our Lord Jesus’ word, we will beblindlystrugglingtofindourway.Clearvisioncomes only when we turn from the darkness of self-dependence and surrender to His guidance. We need the Lord to keep us from being people who love darkness rather than the purity of His light. I AM the Gate (John 10:7) How incredibly blessed we are to know that Jesus is the doorway, the only doorway, into God’s kingdom. There is nothing unclear or confusing about coming to God through him. By following His simple, winsome invitation, “Come to me,” we satisfy the deepest desire of our hearts. I AM the Good Shepherd (John 10:11,14) Jesus knows us by name, protects and cares for us with tender compassion, searches for us when we are lost, rescues and comforts us, and carries us home tohischosenflock.Nootherreligionhasagodwhoseeks out and desires to save those who are willfully rebelling, disobeying, or running away. I AM the Resurrection and the Life (John 11:25) Because Jesus’ atoning death and resurrection have given those who believe the gift of eternal life, everythingwedonowhaseternalsignificance…every choice, thought and action. O death where is your victory? We can face death without fear. I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6) By studying the scriptures and remaining constant in prayer, we may come to know the way God desires us to go. We may know what is truth and be enabled to obey it. And, when living according to God’s commands,wewillfind,inChrist,alifeabundantandblessed. I AM the True Vine (John 15:1) If we are connected heart, soul, and mind to Jesus, then his strength becomes our abundant source. If we become disconnected, we live a life without the direction and purpose God intended for us. Jesus calls us “the branches,” and warns, “apart from me you can do nothing.” Just as a branch broken from a tree withers and dies, our lives without Jesus become dry and useless. –Michele Kelly

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LAVISH GIVINGThis past spring Neelsville conducted an Appreciative Inquiry exercise, surveying the congregation to learn about their best experiences at NPC and what makes our church special. The Deacons and Elders held a two-day retreat to study the results. Four themes clearly rose to the top: Neelsville is a Bible-believing, Christ-centered church; Neelsville has a strong history of supporting both local and global missions; Neelsville has a strong youth program of education, fellowship, and missions; and Neelsville is a family where we support each other. The church leadership has embraced these four themes, and will be working with the congregation to implement programs that emphasize and build upon these four themes. Of course, to continue and expand all the good works we do requires yourfinancialsupport! Your home budget includes routine expenses for necessities like food, clothing, utilities, gasoline…and it also includes a provision for rent or a mortgage payment. In just this way, Neelsville also has daily necessities that must be paid, such as utilities, supplies, and salaries (the operating budget). We also have to make a provision for our physical church home, through paying our building fund and reducing the mortgage. Please be thinking about how you can participate in these two important and inter-related efforts! The Bible tells us that a stingy planter gets a stingy crop; a lavish planter gets a lavish crop. Paul tells us to take plenty of time to think it over, and make up your own mind what you will give. He tells us that God loves it when the giver delights in the giving (2 Corinthians 9:6-7). Please be in thought and prayer about how you can give lavishly to the good works of Neelsville, to further our goals of being a Bible-believing, mission-supporting, youth-focused, supportive family. We urge you to prayerfully consider the Biblical standard of giving 10% of your income to God through NPC. If you can’t get to a tithe this year, perhaps you can raise your giving by 1% of your income (for example, from 4% to 5%). You will receive a Stewardship letter and giving card in the mail in mid-November, and we ask that you return the card on November 23rd. Please join in lavishly supporting the operations and the building fund for our church family! –Your Stewardship Team

STEWARDSHIPTAKING A BREAKThe Alternative Gift Market is taking a break this year. If you would still like to purchase ‘alternative gifts,’ you can visit www.alternativegifts.org. If you are interested in help-ing to plan this program in the future, please contact Sue Farrell of the Global Missions Committee.

FELLOWSHIP SAVE THE DATES

Friday, December 5th at

7:00pm we will be

celebrating the season

with Family Christmas Caroling.

There is no better way to begin your Advent

season than with song!

Have your family

work together and

make some yummy

Christmas cookies to share! Bring them

to church Sunday, December 21st for our

Christmas Cookie Swap ! More

details in next month’s newsletter!

Sunday, November 9th at 10:30am

we will honor our Veterans with patriotic

music and light refreshments in Fellowship

Hall

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THE 2014 GIVING TREE MINISTRYAs the leaves start to turn and the days grow shorter, we realize the holidays are quickly upon us. To that end please start looking for information about our 2014 Giving Tree Ministry. For those that may not have heard about our Giving Tree in the past, our local mission committee has helped needy families in the area with food and gifts during the Christ-mas season. Last year we were able to help 12 families and 8 foster children with gifts of food, clothing and toys for the kids. You are asked to provide a gift for a child or bake a homemade goodie for the family. If you would like to help with this mission project, we could use your time and talents. Please feel free to contact Jim Hensley directly at 703-217-7900. Watch for more details in the December newsletter and weekly bulletin announce-ments. Please consider helping with the Giving Tree with your thoughts, prayers and action to provide for others. -Gail Hagg

GLOBAL MISSIONSOPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILDIn November, Neelsville will be collecting shoeboxes filled with small gifts to send to children in under-privi-leged countries to brighten their day and provide them with information about Christ’s love. The shoebox program, called Operation Christmas Child (OCC) is a Christian program run through Samaritan’s Purse. A small shoebox can teach a child about God’s love, lead him or her to faith in Jesus and inspire pastors and churches. What goes into the box is fun, what comes out is eternal! Bring your filled shoebox(es) to churchstarting November 2nd-9th. If you are interested in assist-ing with this wonderful global missions project, contact Sue Green at suegreen0302@verizon.net. Look for ad-ditional information, including ideas for items to include in the shoeboxes and labels in the Narthex.

LIBRARY NEWSLOCAL MISSIONS

MOPS PROGRAMVolunteers are needed to help with child care for our MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) program. We cur-rently have 43 mothers participating! Moms meet in Fellowship Hall and enjoy breakfast, a speaker, a craft and fellowship time. If you are willing to bless these moms by volunteering to help with child care on any of the following Tuesdays from 9:15am to 11:30am, we would be grateful: November 4th November 18th

December 2nd December 16th

Contact kimberlynugent@hotmail.com if interested.

We are expanding our children’s DVD collection …The church library wants to turn over its VHS tapes to all DVDs. We currently have a small collection of DVDs. If you would like to donate any religious children’s DVDs we’d love to have them, especially from these three series: Veggi-eTales, Hanna Barbera’s The Greatest Adventure, and The Beginner’s Bible. New books added in the past month can be found on the new bookshelf!For Kids:Who Made God? by Larry LibbyBible Encyclopedia, by Etta Wilson and Sally Lloyd JonesTwo Women’s Devotionals:Devotions for a Revolutionary Year, by Lynn CowellThe One Year Women’s Friendship Devotional, by Che-rie Heath Fuller and Sandra P. AldrichTheology and Creation for Adults:Guide to God and Guide to How it All Began, both by Bruce Bickel and Stan Jantz

LOCAL MISSIONS FAIRRepresentatives from 14 of the 19 groups or agencies we support were present on September 21st for our Local Mis-sions Fair. We had a great turn out and much information was shared between the groups and individuals and be-tween agencies and other outreaches. A big thank you to the reps as well as to church members who support the Local Missions budget so we can make a difference in our community!

SESSION DATES TO NOTE November 2nd ....................... Orphan Sunday November 9th at 12:00pm ..... Congregational Meeting November 16th during 11:00am service .... New Member Sunday November 23rd ..................... Stewardship Sunday

20701 Frederick RoadGermantown, MD 20876

ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED

Grow andServewith our

Family!

Non-ProfitOrganization

US PostagePAID

Suburban, MD20898

Permit No. 1012

CHRISTMAS DECORATING!Please volunteer and join in the fun on Sunday, November 30th. We will be decorating the church for the Christmas season. Please contact Gerry Davis for questions and to volunteer at gerry.davis@outlook.com or call 301-990-4240.

WOMEN'S SHELTER MEALS!NPC has signed up to provide meals for the Interfaith Work's Women's Center in Rock-ville from January 4-11th. We need your help! Each year our church provides bag lunches and a hot dinner for the women at the shelter. This is a great opportunity for families, small groups, scout troops, and anyone, to serve our community. If you are interested in providing a meal, please contact either Sandy Folkendt at folkendt4@gmail.com or 301-916-4651 or Judy Allison at stevkevdad@comcast.net or 301-869-7356.

"Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality." Romans 12:13 (NIV)

Look What’s Coming...

ADVENT DATES!Sunday, November 30 First Sunday of AdventSunday, December 14 Chancel Choir Special Music (Lessons and Carols)Wednesday, December 24 Christmas Eve Services•5pm Family Service •7pm Candlelight Service •9pm Candlelight and Communion ServiceWednesday, December 31 Service for Wholeness and Healing 7-8:30pm