Laurel Gazette

JULY/AUGUST 2018

SAINT TO SAINT… THE VITAL SMALL CHURCH

Bleak?... I had intended my pastor’s piece last month to be a warm affirmation of our relationship over the last five years and my hopes for future progress as together we seek to

be faithful to God’s call to minister to our community and to one another. I was a little surprised then when someone who had read it, in so many words, suggested it was a little “bleak.” Long silence on my part… “Bleak, well …” But then as I reread what I had written it did seem like I had perhaps emphasized the real challenges to our future ministry at the expense of what’s right and life-giving at Laurel.

A Common Mistake I saw that I had fallen into the common mistake of believing that a congregation’s numbers of membership, attendance, giving and growth are the only measure of its success or failure. And this is ironic, because I often counsel small church leaders very differently.

Anxious Small Churches As the moderator of the Small Church Purpose Group of our Presbytery, I’ve had occasion to talk to many small church pastors, ruling elders and members who are distraught over their congregations’ disappointing statistics, especially in light of earlier times when the pews were fuller and children seemed to flock to the Sunday School rooms week after week.

A New Way to Measure Small Churches And while I advise these small church people that the markers of membership and giving cannot be ignored, I believe there is a place for considering other crucial measures such as local missional impact, degree of congregational involvement, membership morale, spiritual tenor and growth, caring for one another, meaningful worship and teaching, and a congregation’s ability to maintain an outward stance to the local community seeking new opportunities for outreach and lifting up the hope that the Lord still has a mission for them to carry out.

The Vital Small Church As some of these new ways of understanding small church ministry become readily apparent, I believe they constitute the underpinnings for what I call, “the vital small church.” Such communities of faith understand that past glories are now behind them and that they will never grow their membership like the most hopeful will wish for. Yet they seek to be faithful to their call and to take very seriously the church’s role as the Body of Christ in the world, modeling the love of Jesus within that community. Such congregations continue to remain “small” in terms of numbers but exhibit a ministry that is still life-giving and life-affirming… and vital.

A Changed World Small churches today find themselves in many contexts – urban, suburban, and rural. Numerical growth is often limited by static or declining local populations, by a migration of churchgoers to larger congregations, and by the sea change within our society, especially among young adults, where church-going is no longer seen as a priority. At a recent meeting of the Presbytery, it was reported that the Presbytery has lost half its membership from 2005 to 2018! [Note: Part of this loss is due to entire congregations leaving the PCUSA over theological differences.] And yet, even given such limitations, there are many small churches, many with part-time pastors, who manage to sustain their vitality and significance within their community.

Not a Naïve Optimism I believe being a vital small church is within our grasp at Laurel. All this is not to say, however, that we can whistle “Jesus Loves Me” as we bumble along with naïve optimism that for those in the Lord, somehow things will always be okay. We, of course, do trust the Lord’s providence even as we must understand that thousands of Christian churches close across the country every year. Our role as

church members and leaders is not just to be hopeful but to be faithful to a God who commands continued sacrifice and giving our best and being proactive as we assess our community and opportunities for outreach.

A Nice Day for a Picnic I conclude with a hopeful observation about Laurel perhaps symbolized by the church picnic last Saturday as I write (June 16). It turned out to be a nice day, and yet in the minds of many, I think there was a question about who would come: would it be a smaller turnout than last year? Are we too old, too tired to turn out even for fun and fellowship?

To Be Part of Something Greater And then one by one they came – the old and the not-so-old, those who wanted to fish and those who desired to sit in the shade, those who had canes and walkers and those who might need them someday, those who’d do most of the talking and those who’d do most of the listening, and everyone brought wonderful dishes of food that could have fed another group of picnic-goers. The great majority of our Sunday morning worshipping congregation was there (several others having previously announced why they couldn’t make it.) And the vibe that I picked up, and can heartily endorse, is that we had a good time… and appreciated belonging to something greater than ourselves called the church… the vital church.

Together with you in ministry,

Pastor Mark

JULY 2018

SUNDAY, JULY 1 – Celebrating the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper

8:45 am Adult Class 10:00 am Worship – Holy Communion 11:10 am Session Team Meetings

SUNDAY, JULY 8 – Second Sunday Conversation

8:45 am Adult Class 10:00 am Worship – Recognition of Outgoing Ruling Elders 11:10 am Sign Committee Meeting

SUNDAY, JULY 15

8:45 am Adult Class 10:00 am Worship – Installation of New Ruling Elders 11:10 am Session meets

SUNDAY, JULY 22

8:45 am Adult Class 10:00 am Worship 11:10 am New Beginnings Team meets

SUNDAY, JULY 29 – Sunday Xtra: Evangelism

8:45 am Adult Class 10:00 am Worship (with a difference!) 11:10 am Evangelism Discussion

AUGUST 2018

SATURDAY, AUGUST 4

7:30 am Men’s Breakfast (IHOP on Broad)

SUNDAY, AUGUST 5 – Celebrating the Lord’s Supper

8:45 am Adult Class 10:00 am Worship – Holy Communion 11:10 am Session Team Meetings 11:00 am Blood Drive (through 3:00 pm)

SUNDAY, AUGUST 12 – Second Sunday Conversation

8:45 am Adult Class 10:00 am Worship 11:10 am Session Meetings

SUNDAY, AUGUST 19

8:45 am Adult Class 10:00 am Worship 11:00 am Lingering

SUNDAY, AUGUST 26

8:45 am Adult Class 10:00 am Worship 11:10 am The Nurse is In

SEPTEMBER, 2018

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 1

7:30 am Men’s Breakfast (IHOP on Broad)

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 2 – Celebrating the Lord’s Supper

8:45 am Adult Class 10:00 am Worship 11:10 am Session Teams Meet

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 3

LABOR DAY – Church Office Closed

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5

7:30 pm Choir Rehearsal *Choir meets each Wednesday evening at 7:00pm *LAMB’s Basket 1st Monday and 4th Tuesday of each month **Igreja Evangelica Avivamento Da Fe’ will meet each Sunday 6:00 pm. Tuesday, 7:30 pm, Wednesday 8:00pm, and Saturday 7:00pm. ***Toastmasters meet the 1st, 3rd and 5th Mondays of each month 6-8:30

The Shepherd on Call for the month of July is Barbara Rose her number is 749-3209. The Shepherd on Call for the month of August is Carolyn Stinger she can be reached at 755-7150. Please contact these members if you know of someone who is in need of some extra care and kindness.

…IN JULY

AND

AUGUST

SUNDAY, JULY 1 – Faith of Our Parents - On this day of worship preceding our national holiday of Independence Day, we consider the Christian faith of the generations that came before us, looking to their aspirations for the new nation and how they may be seen today across our land. Read Mt 5:13-15 and Hebrews 11:8-16 to prepare. We will also celebrate the Lord’s Supper. SUNDAY, JULY 8 – Second Sunday: Noah and His Ark… God’s Hard Plan for the World’s Renewal – Elements of the story of Noah’s Ark delight children and adults alike, yet the telling often neglects God’s harsh judgment against a sinful humanity. Join us and take part in the discussion as we consider themes of judgment and grace in the ancient story told in Genesis 6-9. We will also recognize and thank our outgoing ruling elders.

SUNDAY, JULY 15 – Leading like Jesus – On the occasion of installing new ruling elder members to the Laurel Session, we’ll focus on Christian leadership – God’s part and ours! Read 1 Samuel 16:1-13 and Matthew 20:20-28 to prepare. SUNDAY, JULY 22 – We Are the Church – We often think of Laurel Church as some buildings at 9675 Staples Mill Road, but the Bible sees the church in terms of flesh and blood and abundant gifts doled out to support and heal the community around us. Rediscover God’s vision of how each of us can be “the church.” Please read 1 Corinthians 12 and Ephesians 4:4-6, 11-175. SUNDAY, JULY 29 – Sunday Xtra: Evangelism – The Worship & Education Team wants to do something special on the fifth Sundays of the month during the year. We’re seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit to tinker with our Presbyterian worship structures and rituals so that we might begin to think and worship in different ways. The theme of the day will be evangelism and deciding how we can comfortably talk about our faith. Among Scriptures we’ll be reading are Matthew 28:19-20, Luke 12:11-12, John 3:16-17, 13:35, Acts 13:47, Acts 2:42-47. SUNDAY, AUGUST 5 – How to Be Rich (in Helping Others)! – Paul the Apostle gives some advice to his protégé Timothy which turns out to be a good word to us too! Read 1 Timothy 6:6-12; 17-19. We also celebrate the Lord’s Supper. SUNDAY, AUGUST 12 – Second Sunday: Foreign Grace – The Book of Ruth is considered to be one of the most exquisite examples of storytelling in the Bible. A tale of loss and more loss and then uncertainty ends on an unexpected note that will impact life of Jesus generations later. Be part of the discussion about how a foreigner saved the gospel. SUNDAY, AUGUST 19 – The Rev. Sandy Collins will be the guest preacher. Sandy is now retired and last served as Pastor of Greenwood Presbyterian Church. SUNDAY, AUGUST 26 – A guest preacher to be

announced

JULY SANCTUARY FLOWERS

JULY 1 - Rick and Carol Short, In honor of the men and women serving in the military to preserve our freedom.

JULY 8 - Carolyn Stinger, To the glory of God and in memory of Dixie Mertens.

JULY 15 -Clint and Glenda Miller, to the Glory of God.

JULY 22 - Mary Scearce - To God's glory and to celebrate Steve's birthday.

JULY 29 - Michelle McBane - In memory of her Sister, Carol Dunbar Miller.

AUGUST SANCTUARY FLOWERS

AUGUST 5 -Clint and Glenda Miller -In honor of their daughter, Laurel Miller Roeder, on her birthday.

AUGUST 12 Phyllis Perross In memory of her Father, J. Sewell Perross.

AUGUST 19 -Mary Jane Bowlin - In memory of her Father, Wallace Kelley, on his birthday.

AUGUST 26 -Judy and Jim Smith -To the glory of God and in honor of our family and Church family.

HAPPY JULY BIRTHDAY TO THE FOLLOWING LAUREL MEMBERS AND FRIENDS

Phyllis Perross (3) Mary Scearce (6) Ray Cooper (6)

Katherine Cooper (12) Reggie Fitch (13) Bonnie Poff (13)

Steve Scearce (22) Marcia Deisher (25) Trish Stratton (25)

Jake Anderson (29) Carl Carpenter (31)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THOSE CELEBRATING BIRTHDAYS IN AUGUST!

Peter Coulson (1) Kathy Horigan (4) Laurel Roeder (9) Matt Cross (11)

Holly Sprowl (13) Cheryl Dorman (14) Emily Berger (15)

Mary Jane Bowlin (16) Ruth Doering (20) Lorraine Duff (25)

Corinne Augustine (26) Melanie Scearce (27) Meghan McBane (28)

Maureen Anderson (30)

A NOTE OF THANKS: Dear friends, On behalf of my family I would like to express our sincere appreciation for the many cards, prayers and beautiful flowers you sent honoring my Father. I am so blessed to work at a church that has so many wonderful and caring individuals. Thank you again for your heartfelt support. Sincerely Yours, David Clatterbuck

New additions to the list are in bold type

Let us keep the following people in our prayers,

sharing in both their joys and needs: Our First Responders – Police, Fire, Rescue

Our Military Personnel Corinne Augustine – mother of Carol Short

Mary Jane Bowlin and family David Clatterbuck and family

Jean Cole Wayne Deisher

Randy Duff – brother of Lorraine Duff Susan Dyson Sherrie Kolb

Howard Lawrence Mary Lawrence Ann Leveridge

Eddie Ann Mathewson Ann McDermott Shirley Milliken

Richard Rader, nephew of Bonnie Poff Cathy Roeder

John Schutrumpf Tripp Shepherd Bobby Sprouse

Jackie and Jan Stevens Billie Summers

Prayers for Ruling Elders Prayers for friends and families

Prayers for the Middle East countries Prayers for the homeless

Prayers for Laurel’s mission Prayers for New Beginnings

If you know of someone in need of prayer or are in

need of prayer, please call Barbara Rose at 749-3209

Member Care and Mission

June 10, 2018

We had prayer and member concerns. The lingering will be June 17 and this is Father’s Day also. Gladys will purchase a sheet cake for Dads and Grads. We should probably bring non-sweets. The grads will receive a gift certificate for their hard work.

The picnic is June 16. We have a sign- up sheet. The church is furnishing hot dogs, barbecue and drinks. Margaret Fitch +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ADULT CLASS TO FOCUS ON “JOB” IN AUGUST Through the centuries, believers have often asked, “Why do bad things happen to good people? Why does God allow suffering?”

Although there are a number of Bible texts that can give us guidance, the Old Testament Book of Job has been the first place people have turned. And yet, there is much more to this holy volume than merely giving a simple answer to this profound question.

Beginning Sunday, August 5, the Adult Class begin a six-week exploration of the man Job, his wife and family, his trying-to-be-helpful friends and the powerful intervention of the sovereign God. Our sessions will be discussion-oriented, and each participant will have a free booklet.

Join us Sundays at 8:45 am in the Fellowship Hall. In July, we will continue our discussions around the video-based “Animate” series where noted contemporary Christian leaders share their thoughts about faith, the Bible, mission and more.

OUR NEWEST MEMBERS – THE PAXTONS!

Meet our newest members, David and Dayna Paxton. David originally hales from St. Louis and Dayna from Norman, Oklahoma. Both spent much of their lives working as attorneys in Colorado before coming to Richmond

and attended a Presbyterian church there. Eighteen years ago they hung up their law shingle and retired to Richmond where Dayna taught at Deep Run High School (after acquiring a teaching degree) and David has tutored at the University of Richmond.

They have three grown children who give them quite an itinerary for visiting with homes in Florida, Cincinnati and Anchorage! Dayna enjoys floral design (you can see her lovely efforts at the door of the Fellowship Hall) and David is into boating and cooking. Although the Session approved them as members at its June meeting, we will welcome them into our fellowship during worship on Sunday, July 22. Make sure to greet them!

David & Dayna Paxton 11616 Chickahominy Branch Drive Glen Allen, VA 23059 David mobile: 804-221-0701 Dayna mobile: 804-221-0795 David email: daydavpaxton@comcast.net Dayna email: dp8372@gmail.com +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

ROLL UP YOUR SLEEVES, LAUREL!

On Sunday August 5 after worship, Laurel Presbyterian Church will host its second blood drive! The need for blood in the summer months is great. One donation of blood can help support up to three patients’ lives. It’s a gift that is more precious than time or money.

We’ve committed to the Virginia Blood Services that we can encourage donors to participate in this drive. We need the help of everyone at Laurel to make this happen. Talk this up with your neighbors, family, friends and workplace and invite them to donate. Every day we hear of people who have need of transfusions, or need blood due to an operation, accident or injury. This is something we can do about that!

The drive will begin at 11:15 and continue on until 3:30. If you’ve never given blood before, I ask you to consider it. It’s safe, it takes little time to do so much for others and your body will make up for it within hours.

17 percent of non-donors say they “never thought about it” as the main reason for not giving, while 15 percent say they’re too busy. The #1 reason blood donors say they give is because they “want to help others.”

This will take about an hour of your time. The technicians will get your medical history and give you a brief physical. The donation takes about 10 minutes followed by a few minutes of rest and refreshments.

If you have any questions about your eligibility to donate, please visit the Virginia Blood Services website at vablood.org.

You may sign up for a time slot in the narthex!

We’re all busy in the summer months. Please consider taking an hour to give this precious gift. Together, let’s make this happen! On behalf of those who will receive this gift from you, a heartfelt thanks! New Beginnings Team

A TIME OF GOOD FOOD AND FELLOWSHIP!

The day was lovely with relatively mild temperatures, lots of shade and oodles of delicious food! Laurel cooks did themselves proud with a savory

assortment of salads, veggies, casseroles and desserts. The yummy hot dogs and great barbecue were provided.

Some sat and talked. Some fished and hiked. A couple folks swam. And all of us once again appreciated the lovely setting and hospitality of Pete and Barbara Rose. Thanks also to members of our Member Care and Mission team for their great organization.

CELEBRATING DADS & GRADS!

On Father’s Day, Sunday, June 17, Laurel honored both our dads and recent graduates from high school and college at our monthly lingering. Pictured here are Meghan McBane, graduating from J.R. Tucker High School, Melanie Scearce, graduating from VCU and Jacob Scearce, graduating from Hermitage High School. Absent were Chris Berger, graduating from J. Sargent Reynolds who had to be on the job and Eileen Anderson, graduating from St. Gertrude’s High School, who was traveling in France.

Each received a gift card presented by Margaret Fitch representing the Member Care and Missions and also the best wishes and prayers of the congregation as these young people continue on to their next adventure in life!

DAVID AND ADULT CHOIR RECOGNIZED FOR REGULARLY LIFTING OUR SPIRITS!

On Sunday, June 10, the role of worshipful music within our Sunday service was front and center. Not only did the choir sing two lovely anthems and a choral postlude, David spoke eloquently about the role of sacred music to convey the Spirit to our minds and hearts in words in deep ways beyond liturgy and preaching.

He gave flower arrangements to each choir member as a sign of his appreciation for their work.

Pastor Mark led the congregation in a hymn of thanksgiving for the music ministry of the choir and David to the tune of “The Saints Go Marching In” which concluded, Today we thank our

“heavenly chorus,” Today we thank our Laurel choir, For the notes you sing each Sunday Just bring our spirits ever higher! To which we can only add, “Amen!”

LAUREL HOSTS EVENT FOR PRESBYTERY

Thirty-five pastors and members of congregations and leadership from the Presbytery of the James met at Laurel on Saturday, June 2 for the first of four “Foundation Forum” meetings. The Foundation of the Presbyterian Church (USA) which oversees investments and encourages stewardship and financial planning within the national church and the Presbytery have teamed up to host a series of four seminars for small churches about stewardship and best financial practices.

Pastor Mark, as moderator of the Small Church Purpose Group of the Presbytery, helped to oversee arrangements at Laurel which included a lunch from Panera Bread. Also representing Laurel were incoming ruling elders Billie Summers and Gladys Chamberlayne. Virtually all who attended found it valuable and look forward to the next installment in October (which will not be at Laurel).

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN WELCOME AREA GROUPS FOR BIBLE STUDY

On May 14, the Presbyterian Women’s group at Laurel played host to other groups from Lakeside, Overbrook and Trinity Churches. The ladies served a delicious lunch. Pastor Mark led a Bible study on the New Testament book of Hebrews which concluded the 2017-18 Horizon study which spanned the entire book.

All women are invited to participate in the Presbyterian Women’s group which meets monthly for study and fellowship on the second Monday of the month, September through May. Margaret Fitch is the current PW leader and Carol Short teaches the Bible study.

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Laurel Presbyterian Church 9675 Staples Mill Road Glen Allen, VA 23060

JULY/AUGUST