PASTORS’CORNER

April 2015

YOU’RE INVITED!Sunday ... Adult Sunday School ........ p5

April 5 ..... Easter Services ................. p8

April 5 ..... Easter Brunch ................... p5

April 11 .... Rebuilding Together ......... p7

April 12 ... Sermon Series Begins ...... p3

April 19 ... Compassion Sunday ........ p1

April 25 ... Rebuilding Together ......... p7

April ........ Tea In Athens Canceled .... p3

May 9 ...... Knitters & Crocheters ....... p5

May 19 .... Young at Hearts ................. p5CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

Three days after we cel-ebrate Easter Sunday, I will fly with my friend and fellow pastor, Jace Broadhurst, of Pooles-ville Baptist Church, to New York. There we will meet up with six Chris-

tian leaders, all of different denomina-tions, and our two American-Muslim guides and fly to Tel Aviv, Israel. We are going on a nine-day adventure in Israel and the West Bank of Palestine, April 8-17. Suffice it to say, this is a trip of a lifetime. I am doubly blessed; first that you, my dear congregation, have af-forded me time away and second that all expenses are covered by our hosts. We are guests of the American Federation of Ramallah Palestine, whose purpose in hosting this trip is for American-Christian leaders to ex-perience a cultural and educational exchange, interfaith-dialogue, and to gain insight into the Israeli Palestinian conflict from the Palestinian perspec-tive. We will journey to the city of Ramal-lah, meeting political, religious, and social leaders, and visit cultural sites including the Jalazoun refugee camp. We will also experience Christian holy sites, including Nazareth, Bethlehem, the Garden of Gethsemane at the Mount of Olives on Good Friday and Jerusalem for Easter Sunday (Or-thodox Christian calendar), and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre (also called the Church of the Resurrection) to mention a few.

Pastor Pete

Please pray for safe travel for my group and for blessings for Cheryl and Jonathan here at home (Grand-ma Anne is coming out from Ida-ho). Our Lord Yeshua was a pilgrim in this Holy Land (made holy by his presence). Pray that his Spirit leads and guides me on my pilgrimage. As your pastor follows in the steps of our Great Shepherd, the Prince of Peace, ask God to grant me grace as his am-bassador in every meeting I have with another person, be they Jew, Mus-lim, Christian or none-believer. Pray the Holy Spirit opens my heart that I may have God’s heart for the people in conflict I meet. And may the Gos-pel come alive to me in all that I see, touch, hear, smell, taste and experi-ence. Shalom Neelsville.

COMPASSION SUNDAY April 19th

HOSTED BY YOUR GLOBAL MISSIONS TEAMWHAT IS COMPASSION INTERNATIONAL?Compassion International exists as a Christian child advocacy ministry that releases children from spiritual, eco-nomic, social and physical poverty and enables them to become responsible, fulfilled Christian adults. Founded by the Rev. Everett Swanson in 1952, Compassion began providing Korean War orphans with food, shelter, ed-ucation, and health care, as well as Christian training. Today, Compassion International helps more than 1.5 million children in 26 countries, but more than 400 mil-lion children still face the pain of liv-

8:15am •Chapel9:30 and 11am •Sanctuary

9:30am •Fellowship Hall

Worship

Brunch

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20701 Frederick Road • Germantown, MD 20876

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

Senior Pastor Parish Associate Rev. Dr. Peter Della Santina Rev. Derek Longbrake pete@neelsville.org dereklongbrake@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.

Submit Word files and photos by the 15th of each month to neelsvillenewsletter@gmail.comSherrie Cardea, Melissa Blount, Jenn Park

Compassion InternationalCONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

ing in extreme poverty every single day. They need you to take action on their be-half. When you sponsor a child in need, you are breaking the cycle of poverty.Check out the Compassion website at www.compassion.com and consider sponsoring a child on the 19th. We will have information to share and children to pick from or you can sponsor online. Think about, pray about, sponsor!

–Gail Haag

FINANCIAL SNAPSHOT

FINANCIAL UPDATEFebruary Operating Budget: Despite the bad weather in February we are still seeing faithful giving with year to date income running about $14,000 above last year at $106,101 and expenses coming in at $75,892. On the Building Fund side, we are not doing as well with expenses of $6,000 and income of only $3,035. Thanks as always for your generous giving.

Operating Income Received $106,101

Total Operating Expenses $75,892

Building Funds Received $3,035

Total Building Fund Expenses $6,000

Year

To

Dat

e

EASTER’S BANNER HEADLINE:VICTORY IN JESUSDeath is swallowed up in victory. O death where is your victory? O death where is your sting? Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15: 35, 37Easter hymns are filled with the word “VICTORY.”

Lives again our glorious King; Where, O death, is now your sting? Jesus died, our souls to save; Where your victory, O grave?

Thine is the glory, Risen, conquering Son; Endless is the victory Thou o’er death hast won.

It was a strange and dreadful strife When life and death contended; The victory remained with life; The reign of death was ended.

O victory in Jesus, my Savior, forever! He sought me and bought me with His redeeming blood. He loved me ere I knew Him, and all my love is due Him - He plunged me to victory beneath the cleansing flood.

There in the ground his body lay, Light of the world by darkness slain; Then bursting forth in glorious Day, up from the grave He rose again! And as He stands in victory, sin’s curse has lost its grip on me; For I am His and He is mine, bought with the precious blood of Christ.

VICTORY is a glorious word with its promise of eternal life. The empty cross of Christ is the ironic, mysterious victory banner of the New Covenant. Let us also appreciate the message for here and now when Christ rules in our hearts and lives. In his Resurrection … LIFE conquered death GOOD triumphed over evil LOVE conquered hate FAITH overran doubt TRUTH won over lies TRUST defeated fear

GRACE covered sinThe last word of the Bible’ s story is “GOD WINS!” Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

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WORSHIPSERMON SERIES AFTER EASTERApril 12th to May 10th

GROWING GOD’S WAY: A GUIDE TO SPIRITUAL GROWTHHow do Christians grow? This sermon series will offer bib-lical insight and practical wisdom on five crucial aspects of spiritual growth: service, prayer, Bible study, worship, and stewardship.

TEA IN ATHENSLADIES: “Tea in Athens” has been postponed. I hope to be able to do this in October. Events like these take a team of volunteers and hopefully many will volunteer and make this event a success. Our events have been fun fellowship events for ladies to enjoy tasting foods from different coun-tries, enjoy entertainment, have the benefit of free child-care, and be a part of community outreach. I hope to see you in Greece in the fall! –Gerry Davis

PLEASE NOTE:The date for our next Inquirer’s dessert is still to be determined.

SUMMER WORSHIP SCHEDULEDuring the summer months, the worship schedule will remain the same.

Worship at 9:30am and 11:00amSunday School at 9:30am

WHO DO YOU KNOW THAT MIGHT SERVE AS AN ELDER, DEACON OR TRUSTEE?Your Nominating Committee has begun meeting to seek God’s will in selecting individuals to serve on one of the boards of NPC, and we are seeking your help. If you know someone with an abiding faith in our Lord and who is a good steward of their time and tal-ents, we would like for you to give us their name. This individual would be elected to serve as a member on one of the three boards of the congrega-tion as an, elder, deacon, or trust-ee. If you know of someone, please contact one of the committee mem-bers: Felix Ewange, Sue Farrell, Sue Green, or Marge Jarrett.

LIBRARY NEWSEASTER IS COMING!Check the special display in the library for books and vid-eos about Easter and Lent. Also, the Library committee recently added a few books to our holdings. Check the new book shelf for:Matthew Henry’s Commentary – A six volume setReal Life Begins After High School – for young adults by Bruce Bickel and Stan JantzThe Magic Man in the Sky – Apologetics by Carl GallupsJust Give Me Jesus – by Anne Graham LotzThere Will Always Be a Tree – A devotional by Jerry S. Beall

We would like to thank our friends at NPC for all the cards, emails, calls, visits, flowers, balloons and the lovely Val-entine basket delivered by Deacon Bill Burkhardt. Your support and prayers have been a great comfort during this difficult period. While Mom is still not up to visitors, we did appreciate Pastor Pete’s and Bill Burkhard’s offers to visit and were glad to settle on a day when each of them came to see us. There is a long road ahead and we ask for your continued prayers as we trust the Lord to lead us through. Hazel and Cindy Smith, Barbara Smith Lewis

THANK YOU NEELSVILLE

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OPENING DOORS MENTORING MINISTRYFROM A MENTEES PERSPECTIVEby Sheila MoyeFirst, I would like to say that it was very humbling at my age to accept help from any group, mentoring or otherwise. I’ve always been the type of individual who has worked and taken care of myself, my children, and my grandchildren. However I learned that at any age you will need help, and that no man is an island. God and his mighty, merciful grace is there at all times, and if you need it, it’s there for you. Drop what you think you know and just humble your-self. Accept the help and love the Lord sends your way through His people. I came to Neelsville Presbyterian Church in late May of 2014, seeking a church where I could literally hear the word of God. After being led by the Holy Spirit - or shall I say becoming obedient to the leading of the Holy Spirit - I came to listen to the full word of God that is truly given every Sun-day during Sunday School or any-time the doors of the church are open. I found that there is love, a sincere attitude to help, assist, motivate, and give the service of a Christian by guiding someone in their walk in Christ. I spoke with Pastor Pete one Sunday after service and explained to him that I had been unemployed for 2-1/2 years. For two of those years I kept my promise to the Lord and cared for a very precious child that needed my love and care, nurturing his spirit. Next I told him that I was seeking employment. I was introduced to Karen Styer, Bob Velthuis, Jim Hensley, and Betty Hemby. These precious devout individuals are definitely all about seeing that oth-ers help themselves by giving of their time and service. Opening Doors Mentoring Ministry is the type of min-istry that can and does reach others. I was mentored by Mr. Velthuis once a week. We met at the church, and the mentoring was based on the word of God and good ole’ common sense…how to conduct yourself on an interview and resume skills. In addition Ms. Hemby is very profes-sional when it comes to resume writing. Karen Styer and Jim Hensley helped me to stay connected with these indi-viduals by seeing that the phone numbers were provided for communication purposes. The Opening Doors Mentoring Ministry is the place if you have a need or just the desire to refresh yourself in education or rebuild your skills. Since I began working with the Opening Doors Mentoring Ministry, I am now employed and still receiving invitations for interviews by other com-panies. I have also started taking classes at Montgomery

SESSION NOTESNOTES FROM SESSION MEETINGThe Neelsville Session met on March 19th with nine of ten Elders present. Pastor Pete led the meeting, opening with devotion and prayer derived from Psalm 1. As always, Pete reported on his activities and actions, and there were a number of routine administrative actions, such as review-ing the budget, approving the transfer of members who have moved away, and removing inactive individuals from the church rolls. It was noted that during March, our national church body, the Presbyterian Church in the USA, had enough of the re-gional presbyteries to approve an amendment to the Book of Order so that gay marriage is now allowable under the PCUSA constitution. In response, we discussed and reit-erated our commitment at Neelsville to traditional biblical Christianity, and to marriage as the union of one man and one woman. We also had a very productive discussion on Neelsville’s mission (Worship, Be Disciples, and Make New Disciples) and how God desires that we all grow as disci-ples in our worship, our knowledge, and our actions. Drawing from the two books, Simple Church and Rich Church, Poor Church, we considered ways to remove any barriers to growth, and encourage growth and increase de-votion. We tentatively scheduled a Session retreat in June to further develop these ideas. We stopped to pray and lift up the members and activities of our church several times, with great thankfulness for those serving the Lord here, for our opportunities to reach out to others, and for changed lives.

LOCAL MISSIONSCollege. So, never let the enemy rob you by telling you that you are too old or that you don’t need help from others. Pride is a killer of God’s blessings, of His provision, and of His people. Choose life and instructions from Him and assistance from His folks whom He sends into your life. It does a person good. Love and much success in your Opening Doors Mentor-ing Ministry experience! –Sheila Moye

PASS IT ALONG...Let’s all resolve to greet every person we don’t know every Sunday; not necessarily followed by a conversa-tion, but just a simple “Good morning, nice to see you today.” Or just say ‘hi’! If we ALL did that, every visitor would be greeted every Sunday many times over. Let’s give it a try! Pass your joy along to others!

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FELLOWSHIPBIBLE EDUCATIONSPRINGTIME ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL OPPORTUNITIESGospel of Mark and The PsalmsFor the spring session of adult Sunday School, two classes are being offered. Bill Kroah will be leading a class study-ing the Gospel of Mark. Bill is an experienced and thor-ough teacher, and you are sure to receive new insights into this gospel. The second class takes a look at Psalms. Psalms are one of the most beloved books of the Bible. The Psalms are poetry and the Psalms are prayer. According to Eu-gene Peterson, “We use the Psalms to present ourselves before God as honestly and thoroughly as we are able.” This class will be based on Peterson’s book, Answering God, and a LifeGuide Bible study, Psalms: Prayers of the Heart. As Peterson says, “Prayer is language used in rela-tion to God. Prayer is answering speech. God’s Word has not done its complete work until it evokes an answer from us. All our answers are prayers. We don’t learn the Psalms until we are praying them. Come and learn how to pray the Psalms.

EASTER BRUNCHThe Fellowship Committee is happy to announce that ev-eryone in the church family is invited to bring finger foods to share at the Annual Brunch on Easter Sunday, April 5th from 9:30am to 10:45am in the Fellowship Hall. Please bring your food to the kitchen when you arrive, or prefer-ably, between 9am and 9:30am. It will be a great help if your food is already plated, if your name is on the bottom of the plate, and if you can pick up your plate by noon, im-mediately following the service. Since we would like to make sure that EVERYONE gets to church on Easter Sunday, we have been looking for helpers to give an hour of their time for one of the following: Preparation/Set-up ......8:30-9:30am Serving ......9:30-10:30am Clean-up ......10:30-11:30am If you have not signed up already and would like to help, please contact Barbara Miller at barbaraann17@outlook.com.

KNITTERS and CROCHETERSThe Knitters and Crocheters will NOT meet in April. Our final meeting for this spring will be Saturday, May 9th from 10am-12pm in the library. Come, bring a friend, and get some yarn for projects to work on over the summer. The warm hats and scarves for all ages were especially well received this year. Hats for preemies and newborns are al-ways popular at Shady Grove Hospital as well. In addition, lap robes and baby blankets are always needed. Thanks to all who are part of our ongoing outreach to those in need!

–Marilyn Splete

YOUNG AT HEARTSThe Christmas luncheon in the large Sunday school room of the White Church was so well received that we are work-ing on having a Spring Luncheon there! Mark your calen-dars for Tuesday, May 19th. Watch the bulletins and the May newsletter for more information. –Marilyn Splete

Vacation Bible School

save the date! august 3-7

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REBUILDING TOGETHER PROJECTApril 11th and 25th

We are ramping up for our 12th Annual Rebuilding Togeth-er project, and we need many hands in April to help our Poolsville resident, Alice Scott! Ms. Scott is 65 years old and does not have the means to maintain a safe, warm, and dry house. As is the case with many houses that we see, water damage has created several issues over the years, and our primary focus will be on the exterior of the house to repair and prevent future water problems. Her leaky roof was the source of several issues, and this has been recently fixed, so we can now focus on such things as her siding, gutters and downspouts, insulation, rear steps, windows, painting, and other items to help seal up her house from the elements. A couple of days work by our team will make a huge difference in her life! Based on what I have assessed to this point, I am esti-mating that we can complete the needed work in two full days. We will begin on Saturday, April 11th, and the final work day will be Saturday, April 25th. The 18th will be a con-tingency day in case we discover something on the 11th that requires more attention. As many of you know, this sometimes happens. I have sent this first email to volunteers from the past few years to invite anyone willing to spend a couple of hours or full days on this project. There is plenty of work to do, and the success of the project and positive outcome for Ms. Scott is completely dependent on the commitment of great volunteers to serve. Please contact me at craigarold@verizon.net if you are able to serve this year with which days and times. I would love to see some new youth get involved as well (ages 14 and older)! I know that everyone's time is precious, and I greatly appreciate your consideration to serve on this project! I am looking forward to the great fellowship as well!

–Craig Arold

LOCAL MISSIONS YOUTH NEWS

NEELSVILLE NIGHT OUT“Oh what a night … Late December back in ‘63. What a very special time for me. What a lady, what a night!” Not quite perfect … it was the middle of March in 2015 but it was still a spectacular night for our spaghetti dinner, talent show and auction! We want to thank all that par-ticipated. There were more than 20 acts, over 80 folks were served dinner, over 100 folks at the show, wonder-ful personal donations and over $3,300 was raised to support the Neelsville youth mission program. It’s hard to summarize and put into words how great a night it was. When you have youth not even in pre-school play-ing and dancing, a dramatic reading from a member at the other end of the age spectrum, and many other acts from all ages in between; when you have TEENAGERS sharing and caring and laughing and serving willingly, how can you explain the beauty of that in mere words? You had to be there to see it, feel it, and be a part of it to be alive with the church in action as God intended. So again, to all that were there and supported the night, a heartfelt THANK YOU! To those that missed it, mark your calendars for next year as it is a true highlight of the year. –Adam Condrick

20701 Frederick RoadGermantown, MD 20876

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Holy Week Calendar

Palm Sunday .......................................................................March 29 Children should meet at 10:45am in the parlor to receive instructions and their palm branch for the special processional during the11am service

Maundy Thursday Service with Communion ......April 2 at 7:30pm Good Friday Service .......................................................April 3 at 7:30pm Easter Sunday Services ................................................April 5 8:15, 9:30 and 11:00am 8:15 service will be held in the Historic Chapel; 9:30 and 11am services will be in the Main Sancuary Children’s Sunday school from 9:30-10:00

Easter Brunch ....................................................................April 5, 9:30 to 10:45am Bring a finger food dish to share to the Fellowship Hall and bring your family and friends