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Mission ................................4-5

Youth ...................................... 6

Birthdays/Milestones .............. 7

A Publication of The Presbyterian Church, Fredericksburg, Virginia Lamp Led by the Holy Spirit, we glorify, nurture, witness.

May 2016

CE Volunteer Thank-You Reception All Christian Education volunteers for 2015-16 includ-

ing church school teachers; youth advisors; Wednesday

Fellowship leaders, cooks, committee members, dishwash-

ers; Worship Workshop leaders; Covenant Partners;

Nursery Committee members; Congregational Retreat

planners; Confirmation leaders; Christian Education

Committee members; and library volunteers; are invited to

a thank you reception on Sunday, June 12, from

2:00-4:00 p.m. at the Rowes’ home, 1605 Franklin Street.

We appreciate your time, dedication and commitment to

nurturing our congregation.

Spring Window Cleaning In the small farmhouse where I was raised, one of the annual chores was

cleaning the storm windows each springtime. While it was a large and messy

task, I was always glad to see the world through clean windows each time we

finished.

A favorite author of mine wrote : “If somebody claims that you have to take

the Bible literally, word for word, or not at all, ask him if you have to take John

the Baptist literally when he calls Jesus the Lamb of God. If somebody claims

that no rational person can take a book seriously which assumes that the world

was created in six days and man in an afternoon, ask him if he can take Shake-

speare seriously whose scientific knowledge would have sent a third-grader into

peals of laughter...Finally this. If you look at a window, you see fly-specks,

dust, the crack where Junior’s Frisbee hit it. If you look through a window, you

see the world beyond. Something like this is the difference between those who

see the Bible as a Holy Bore and those who see it as the Word of God which

speaks out of the depths of an almost unimaginable past into the depths of our-

selves.” *

What is it about your looking through scripture that helps you see beyond

yourself, your walls and yard and home? How is God encouraging you to a

new view of life and the world this Spring?

See you in worship,

*Frederick Buechner, Wishful Thinking: A Theological ABC

The Lamp The Presbyter ian Church

Presbyterian Women Circles You are invited to join a PW circle which

meets monthly for Bible study and fellow-

ship.

Never Ending Circle, - May 1, 4pm, Gail

McGhee’s home, leader Trudy McNatt,

373-2852; Circle of Joy - May 2, 10am,

Church Parlor, leaders Kathryn Hower,

361-7435 and Gale Kehoe, 371-4570;

Faith Circle - May 9, 1pm, Church Parlor,

leader Kathy Stephen, 891-0313;

Friendship Circle - May 10, 10:30am,

Chancellor’s Village, leader Carol Johnson,

639-4700; Circle of Prayer - May 16,

12:15pm, Church Parlor, leader Jeanne

Ramsburg, 710-5891; Circle of Grace

(new)- May 15, 2pm, Ashley Raska’s

home; leader Heather Eland, 737-4449.

Lunch and a Museum Tour The Prime Timers are going to

Occoquan for lunch at Madigan’s

Waterfront Restaurant (201 Mill St,

22125) on Wednesday, May 11, at

11:30 a.m. After lunch we will have an

open tour of the Workhouse Prison

Museum, in Lorton, from 1:00 - 3:00

p.m. The exhibit highlights one of the

darkest periods of women’s history of

the Prison. The Art Center now shows

how the Workhouse is being used by art

designers. RSVP by May 4, to John and

Patricia Parkinson, 540-903-3526,

([email protected] or Parkin-

[email protected]). We will gather

in the church parking lot at 10:30 a.m.

and leave at 10:40 a.m.

Confirmation Journey 2016 The 2016 Confirmation Journey will finish their work in May and be confirmed

at the 11:00 a.m. worship on Sunday, June 5. During May the 12 Explorers, along

with their parents, will meet on Sunday, May 15, for a discussion of the Gospel of

Luke that all read. They will walk the labyrinth and explore prayer on Sunday,

May 1; focus on worship on May 8; and join with their covenant partners on May

22 to share what they believe. The Explorers will meet with members of the session

on Wednesday, May 25, at 7:00 p.m. in the Middle House. A reception for the

Explorers, parents, Covenant Partners and Session will follow at 8:00 p.m.

Please continue to be in prayer for our Explorers - Chris Hall, Ben Fidler, Langley

Polk, Emily Wright, Maddy Foreman, Nick Medina, Aaron Shirk, Will Doherty,

Gray Dameron, Thomas Hancock, Sam Rembisz and John Fartro.

Meeting for Overnight Trip Participants The West Virginia overnight trip

participants will meet on Tuesday, May

10, at 7:00 p.m. in the Middle House to

go over details for the trip and receive

nametags, baggage tags and other items.

The trip dates are May 31-June 2. Each

participant will be asked to make a

minimum donation of $5 toward the tip

for the bus driver. We will also discuss

where we want to leave our cars. One

stop will be BJ’s Wholesale and

possibly a few cars at church. All

payments for the actual trip should be

completed. Church School

The Christian Education

Committee invites you to a pic-

nic on the grounds on Sunday,

June 5, following the 11:00

a.m. worship service. Chicken

tenders will be provided along

with beverages and dessert.

Members are asked to bring a

vegetable or salad to share. We

will have the picnic indoors if it

rains. Please feel free to wear

casual clothes for a picnic to

worship.


New to the Library The Presbyterian Church Library is located on the top floor of the Education Building

and is open to readers of all ages. The left side of the library contains reference books,

different translations and versions of the Bible, Bible commentaries, as well as other

adult-interest non-fiction books on Christian living, prayer, and devotions, in addition to

Christian fiction. The right side of the library contains both non-fiction and fiction

books for both teens and juveniles. The books in the church library are shelved by sub-

ject using the Dewey decimal classification. A check-out book, a basket for returns and

another basket for donations are located on the counter. The church library is always

happy to receive and review donations of new and gently used books as well as sugges-

tions for new books. Please stop by and browse the shelves.

The Presbyterian Women Coordinating Team has recently donated the following

books to The Church Library in memory of beloved women of the church:

Elizabeth Thompson, Presbyterian

Questions, Presbyterian Answers:

Exploring Christian Faith by Donald

McKim.

Joan Eck, Becoming a Blessed Church:

Forming a Church of Spiritual Purpose,

and Power, by Graham Standish.

Kathryn Massey, In God's Presence:

Encountering, Experiencing, and Embrac-

ing the Holy in Worship, by Graham

Standish.

Ruth Moffitt, Presbyterian Beliefs: A

Brief Introduction, by Donald McKim.

Jeanne Waite, Comforting Hearts,

Teaching Minds: Family Devotions Based

on Heidelberg Catechism, by Starr Meade.

Roselyn Morris, Training Hearts,

Teaching Minds: Family Devotions Based

on the Shorter Catechism, by Starr Meade.

Elizabeth Ellis, If I Could Ask God

Anything: Awesome Bible Answers for

Curious Kids, by Kathryn Slattery.

Megan Ramsburg, Awesome Bible

Verses Every Kid Should Know, by

Rebecca Lutzer; My ABC Bible Verses:

Hiding God’s Word in Little Hearts,

by Susan Hunt; and Grace for the Moment:

365 Devotions for Kids, by Max Lucado.

Betty Beemiller, Ten Girls Who Made a

Difference, Ten Girls Who Didn't Give In,

Ten Girls Who Changed the World, Ten

Girls Who Used their Talents, and Ten

Girls Who Made History from the Light

Keepers Series by Irene Howat.

Mary Brown (mother of Trudy McNatt),

Ten Boys Who Made a Difference, Ten

Boys Who Didn't Give In, Ten Boys Who

Changed the World, Ten Boys Who Used

their Talents, and Ten Boys Who Made

History from the Light Keepers Series by

Irene Howat.

Louise Garrison, Gladys Aylward: The

Adventure of a Lifetime, Corrie Ten Boom:

Keeper of the Angels’ Den, Hudson Taylor:

Deep in the Heart of China, Amy Carmi-

chael: Rescuer of Precious Gems, Nate

Saint: On a Wing and a Prayer from the

Christian Heroes: Then & Now series by

Janet and Geoff Benge.

Church School

Schedule

will go through

Sunday, May 29.

Thank-You John and Debe Garrison have served as our church librarians for the last several years.

We thank them for their service and commitment to the library especially during this

transition time through the construction. They are stepping down. If you would be

interested in serving as a co-librarian, please contact Jen Rowe ([email protected]) or

Bruce Harvey ([email protected].

mailto:[email protected]



Each year on Pentecost Sun-

day, we celebrate the arrival of

the Holy Spirit as a bringer of

new life. With the Spirit’s

coming, we no longer need to

settle for business as usual, but

can know the transforming,

redeeming love of God that

makes the impossible possible.

The Pentecost Offering is

one of the four Special Offer-

ings of the Presbyterian Church

(U.S.A.), and is about helping young people be-

gin life with a strong start--a solid foundation of

faith formed in the first third of life, from child-

hood through young adulthood. Gifts to the

Pentecost Offering unite young people in Christ

and inspire them to share their faith, ideas, and

unique gifts with the church and the world.

Presbyterian congregations are finding new ways

to minister to children at risk in their own com-

munities. General Assembly programs are advo-

cating for children and developing youth and

young adult leaders.

Since 1988, Presbyterians of all ages have

raised more than $11 million for ministries that

benefit younger members of God’s family. We

believe we are called to do even more to support

and care for young people to build a strong foun-

dation of faith. They are the present and future

of our church and world.

Our church will keep 40% of the offering to

support School Dressing Days in August. This

money will help buy clothes and school supplies.

The remaining 60% of the offering goes to the

Presbyterian Mission Agency to support Young

Adult Volunteers program, Ministries with

Youth program, and education and advocacy for

children at risk. One of the youth programs is

Triennium at Purdue University where we have

6 or more of our youth planning to attend this

summer. Pentecost Sunday is May 15. Please

be in prayer for this offering.

Mission Trip Recap The 2016 Adult Mission trip to the West Virginia communities of Gilbert and

Hampden in Mingo County was a great success. We also worked here in 2015.

This part of West Virginia has been hit very hard by the economic downturn al-

though it came later than in the rest of the nation. Coal mining is essentially shut

down with the future very uncertain. This leaves many of the families and indi-

viduals with no real income except from unemployment and other government

assistance. The drug situation is rampant with prescription drugs being a main

culprit. Some families, especially the young, try to leave while others choose to

remain because it is the only place they have ever lived and have family ties

there.

Through WVMAW (West Virginia Ministry of Advocacy & Workcamps, Inc)

outside groups who want to help are scheduled in 6 locations in West Virginia.

The WVMAW site in Mingo County has close ties to Presbyterian Disaster As-

sistance and also works closely with Catholic Charities. Up until about seven

years ago the work was done through the Presbyterian Church in Gilbert but now

is coordinated by Pastor Cab and his wife, Bonita. In a dinner conversation with

Pastor Cab on Thursday evening at a local restaurant, we learned families contact

the Freedom Full Gospel Assembly House of Prayer with their needs, assess-

ments are conducted and plans are made on what can be done each year. Funds

are limited, which makes for difficult decisions each year on whom to help.

Many of the groups who come are youth groups, so the types of work vary de-

pending on skill levels.

Our group of 12 divided into three work groups. One group remained at the

church to finish drywall, mud and sand the drywall, and stomp the ceiling. There

One Great Hour of Sharing Many thanks to everyone who

contributed to the One Great Hour

of Sharing offering. We received

$4,284 that goes to support Presby-

terian Disaster Assistance, Self-

Development of People and the

Presbyterian Hunger Program.

PC(USA)


was a little roof work. This new addi-

tion to the church will have some

classroom space and possible space for

future work groups to stay. Beth

Huber, Wayne Hibbeler and Leif

Johnston enjoyed this work and build-

ing a relationship with some of the

daily workers.

The next group was in Gilbert in one

of the “hollers.” This team consisted of

Marsha Luckett, Milton McNatt, Steve

Eckel and Gary Vaughn.

The Blankenship trailer was in need

of several things.

1. New kitchen cabinets & countertop.

2. Reinforcement of the kitchen and

dining room flooring.

3. New valves for hot and cold water

supply lines.

4. New stainless steel sink.

5. New dishwasher and electrical

hookup.

6. New electric stove.

7. Backdoor: we manufactured cus-

tomized flashing and drip-edge, and

installed doorstop and weather strip-

ping to seal out drafts and rain.

We were able to get to know the

family really well. James, the home-

owner, took the week off from work

(trash truck driver) to help out. His

wife works as the morning manager at

the local Hardees. They have two chil-

dren. All in all, it was a very success-

ful week and this family was very,

very appreciative of the work we did

for them.

The third group became known as

the deck and porch crew - Jim Christie,

Ellie Crane, Barry & Peg Jones and

Bruce Harvey. At the first trailer the

existing deck was barely usable. It

was decided the trailer needed two ex-

its. A new deck with ramp was in-

stalled on the backside of the house

before the new deck with roof was

added to the front. The trailer was lo-

cated on an old railroad bed. The hus-

band had lived there since the 1970s.

After finishing these two decks by

Thursday noon, the crew moved on to

the house in Gilbert to add a deck to

the back of the trailer.

The work is hard but very rewarding.

However, the highlight is the relation-

ships you build with the families of the

homes and sites where you work. It is

also with Pastor Cab and Bonita along

with the volunteer site coordinators,

who are there to help make decisions,

transport supplies and be of assistance.

These volunteers work many hours

with enthusiasm and many stories. The

area is depressed, but the people who

live there are resilient and still hopeful.

The week also provides great opportu-

nity to strengthen relationships with

the members of our own church

through the work, meals and sharing at

night.

The group did miss the services of

Bev Newlin and Clarke Newlin, who

had coordinated the meals and done

the majority of the cooking for many

of these trips. The group had good

meals provided by individuals on the

trip - Steve Eckel, spaghetti with a

homemade sauce made by Debbie

Eckel; Marsha Luckett, barbeque; Jim

Christie, white bean chili; and Peg

Jones, lasagna. Leif Johnston made

bread and shared homemade bacon.

Everyone brought snacks, and home-

made desserts were shared - Beth

Huber, Ellie Crane, Peg Jones. Peg did

most of the shopping.

Please stop any of the participants to

find out their insights about the trip.

We plan to go back to this West Vir-

ginia community next year. We are

changing the time of year to summer,

June 25-July 1. Mark your calendars

and plan to go.

YOUTH @ TPC Have a question? Contact Rachel Erb | Director of Youth Ministries |

[email protected]

Graduating?

Know Someone Who Is? Is someone you know graduating from

high school, college, or with a postgradu-

ate degree this year? Are you? CJ Forsing

is gathering information in the next few weeks so that we

can acknowledge those achievements and celebrate with the

graduates and with you, their friends and family!

For high school students, please share the name of the

high school from which they are graduating and the

student’s plans after graduation, and a photo.

For college and postgraduate students, please share the

school and their degree.

Please have this information to CJ Forsing

([email protected]) by May 9. Thank you!

Middle School May Schedule

May 1: We’ll prepare to honor our parents with a craft.

(Mother’s Day is May 8, and Father’s Day is June 19).

May 8: Youth Group will not meet in honor of

Mother’s Day. Enjoy spending time with your mom -

and don’t forget to give her your craft from last week.

May 15: The 8th Grade Slideshow has been on your

mind all year, right? Well, this is the night it happens

for 2016! Join us to send the 8th graders off from mid-

dle school to senior high in style!

May 22: Join us for the last Youth Group night of the

semester. The year has flown by, and we’re celebrating

with a night of food, fun, and fellowship!

Senior High May Schedule

May 1: The Senior Highs won’t meet due to their Fun in

Fredericksburg outing on Saturday, April 30. Enjoy a Sab-

bath afternoon!

May 8: Spend some quality time with Mom! In honor of

Mother’s Day, Youth Group will not meet.

May 15: This is our Senior Send-Off night. We are cele-

brating the contributions the seniors have made to Youth

Group throughout their time at The Presbyterian Church,

and sending them on for their next chapter in style!

May 22: Join us for the last Youth Group night of the se-

mester. The year has flown by, and we’re celebrating with

a night of food, fun, and fellowship!


Cave Quest VBS Gear up for an underground

Vacation Bible School adven-

ture, and come help us ground

our children in the rock-solid

foundation of God’s love!

Volunteers are needed the

week of June 26-30. If you

are interested, please contact

coordinators

Robin Joel: 229-1421 ([email protected])

Rachel Hole: 903-0677 ([email protected]).





1. Tracy Mallory, Drew Makovsky

2. Dee Kindred, Gina Whitticar,

Peyton King, Rod Hughes,

Lisa Harrison, Chuck Penick

3. Bill Crawley, Samuel Rembisz

4. Sarah Hancock

5. Jack Plank, Jill Howard, Kristina Palangi,

Sean McPherson

6. Shirley Kutz, Amy McCullough, Bera Matako

7. Allison Wimberly

8. Lee Gibbons, Ian Norfleet, Jacob Poudrier,

James Rusbarsky

9. Mary Lou Cramer, Anna Carelock

10. Eva Lewis, Samuel Lewis, Frank Miraglia

11. Gordon Nash, Willy Werner

12 Garrett John

13. David Rice, Morgan Veil, Anne Tarzier, Skip Brandon,

Katherine Philpott, Cole Young

14. Thomas Ellis, Ian Duffy, Rebecca Hamlett,

Jakob Hughes, Barbara Barrett, Jamie Loder,

Alexis Loder, Meredith Beattie, Connie Gibbons

15. James Campbell, Caeden Ribel

16. Peg Langdon

17. Carole Green

18. Ken Leimer

19. Rachel Horne, Mike Blashford, Courtney Nix

20. Ryan Sweet, Phil Miller, Mary MacNemar,

Sarah Goggin, Jay Miller

22. Joyce Nichols, Thomas Hughes, Roberta Karch,

Katie Werner, Pat Parkinson

23. Diane Makovsky, Tim Sullivan

24. Jane Johnson, John Fartro, Becca Mahon

25. Gale Kehoe

26. Allison Brooks, David Johnson, Jerry Zekert,

Lindsey Campbell

27. Alex Fino, Grace Fino, Joe LeFebre, Karoline Rheborg

28. Lynne Rawlings, Lynn Hamb, Charlie McDaniel,

Will Toler, Jackie Reese

29. Sheila Baker, Jacob Veil, Mary Szymanski

30. Abe Rowe, Nancy Nash, William Robertson

31. Jim Gaines, Matt Bohmke

Bells, Brass, & More

A concert including all of our

musical ensembles

Sunday, May 22, 2016, 3:00 p.m.

Elders

Rachel Ball

Gene Bingham

Karen Boyles

John Conway

Doug Horstman

Vanessa Huffman

Donna Hughes

Leif Johnston

Susie Kuliasha

Ralph Lewis

Amy McCullough

Allen Polk

Ashley Raska

Jen Rowe

Becky Talmadge

Jeremy Vaughn

Tom Wimberly

Sarah Wright

Adam Zimmerman

2015-2016 Session

Moderator – Rev. Allen H. Fisher, Jr., Pastor

Clerk of Session – Patty Toler

Associate Pastor – Rev. Brittany Tamminga

Milestones Capsule of Concern: Richard Garnett

Continued Prayers: Rick Brehm, Marjorie Glassco,

Michael Hynden, Bob Snow, Bruce Stephen, Susie

Techlin

Heartfelt Christian love and sympathies are extended to

Trudy McNatt and family on the death of her mother, Mary

Bell Brown, who died on February 24, 2016;

Steve, Linda, and Jaeger Spratt, other family members and

friends of his aunt, Martha Spratt Helmen, who died on

April 11, 2016;

Bruce and Kathy Stephen and friends on the death of his sister,

Lily Read, who died on April 14, 2016.


Just as the rustling of the leaves is evidence

of the wind, our dance is evidence of the

Lord’s love. Through a gesture and sway, we

express visually what the melody and words

are trying to convey.

We invite you to explore this form of

worship and prayer. Vicky Wilder 786-7227

Contribution Statements You should have received your Contribution Statement

recently by snail mail or by email. Please check it carefully.

Many people are giving to both the General Fund and the

Capital Campaign Fund; with so many gifts, it is possible

some payments have been posted to the wrong fund. Please

email Casey Naatjes, [email protected], with

any concerns.

Thank you for your gifts!


NON PROFIT U.S. POSTAGE

PAID Fredericksburg

VA PERMIT NO. 193

THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

810 Princess Anne Street

Princess Anne and George Streets

Fredericksburg, VA 22401

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

The Sacrament of

Communion

will be celebrated in

worship on

May 22

June 26

More Fun for the 20s/30s Fellowship Group The 20s/30s Fellowship Group is a place for young adults who are

studying or working, single, newly married, or have already started a

family to meet new friends and deepen relationships. Join us at The

Diamond on Saturday, May 21, at 6:00 p.m., as the Richmond

Flying Squirrels take on the Erie SeaWolves. Tickets are $10

each, please RSVP no later than May 8, to Pastor Tamminga, 373-7057,

([email protected]).

Join Us at Riverside Theater May 15 The Fellowship Committee invites you to join them in seeing The Music of Andrew

Lloyd Webber at the Riverside Dinner Theatre on May 15, at 1:00 p.m. The ticket

price which is $61 each includes dinner, show, tax and gratuity. Your spot cannot be

reserved until your payment is received. Make checks payable to The Presbyterian

Church. To reserve your spot or to ask questions, contact Tracey Rembisz, 548-1813

([email protected]). Look for the signup table outside the sanctuary between

services.

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