A publication of Neelsville Presbyterian Church

www.neelsville.orgNewson August 25th, ourgifted and gracefulchoir director, JoleneBaxter, led worshipfor the last time as astaff member ofNeelsville. Althoughi am sad she has

resigned, i wholeheartedly supporther decision to spend more timewith her family. i will be forevergrateful for her support of mepersonally, as well as her invalu-able creative investment these pastthree years during our transition toa blended style of worship balanc-ing contemporary and traditionalmusic.

Join me in praying for the Baxterfamily and pray also for our choir,under the temporary leadership ofMichele Kelly, as they lead us inworship and continue Neelsville’stradition of choral music. let usalso pray for the unity of our churchas we continue to celebrate ourdiverse expressions of congrega-tional worship. We do not all sharethe same music preference, yet,lord, please tune our hearts to sing Thy grace. May our Sundayservices always and forever beblended—a blend of hope, love,joy, wonder, awe and blessing toGod the father, God the Son andGod the holy Spirit!

ediToR’S NoTe: for a personal notefrom Jolene, please see page 3.

PASTORS’CORNER

Pastor Pete

September 2013

GroWinG in GracE:

practical christian faith for adultsSunday Mornings, 9:40am, Fellowship HallThis fall, pastor Andy will begin a new offering in Adult Spiritualformation called “Growing in Grace.” Thematically connected to thesermon series, “Growing in Grace” is intentionally aimed towarddeveloping our practical, daily christian life beyond Sunday morning.This class will be complete with teaching, interactive discussion,food, coffee, and just time to chat.

EspEcially for parEnts:

Weaving faith into familiesSunday Mornings, 9:40am, Parlorever wonder what your kids are learning in Sunday School? ever wonder how you can continue the conversation at home?

Join this special class where parents gather todiscuss the same lesson their children are

learning—but at a level for parents andwith an eye toward helping each otherfind ways to reinforce what the familyhas been learning throughout the week.This class is designed for parents andtaught by parents.

For more information on either of theseofferings, please contact Pastor Andy via

andy@neelsville.org or 301-972-3916.

Schedule of TopicS:9/8: Why Sunday Morning May be dangerous

for You and Your children9/15: The Meaning of life9/22: leaving the Junk Behind9/29: living the life You’ve longed for10/6: finding the Strength10/13: living for God, Monday Through friday10/20: living Joyfully in a Broken World10/27: Talking to God11/3: everything i Needed to Know about God

i learned in a Russian orphanage11/10: Trusting God in the dark11/17: The Battleground of the christian life11/24: living Victoriously

2 N E E L S V I L L E N E W S • September 2013

PASTORS’ CORNERContinued from page one

Recently, Bethany and i learned somenews about our adoption that was verysurprising but is ultimately good news,we think: the biological family hasstepped forward and has taken “our”little boy back to live with them.

it took us some time to wrap our mindsaround this very unexpected develop-

ment—we learned of its possibility at the end of Juneand two months later it was finalized. Not all of ourquestions are answered but at this point we feel that,though it is a loss for us, it is definitely a gain for him.To live with his own parents and his younger brothercould very well be the best possible outcome.

in the midst of the sadness of this news, we’ve beencomforted by the fact that his parents very likely havestepped forward in part as a result of the media atten-tion our situation has been getting—particularly in theRussian press as a result of being matched with us ashis prospective parents. We’ve often thought of andwondered about his parents: what did they think whenthousands marched in January in St. petersburgprotesting the ban? did they see any of the news inter-views with his orphanage director, when she discussedhis particular situation? it appears that they did see andfelt the need to respond. And for that we are thankful,even though it still feels like there is a hole in our heartsand in our home.

So the story we’ve been living in wasn’t the story wethought. Bethany put it this way: our story is no longer(never was) a story of adoption gone wrong, butinstead our job was to stand in the gap for this little boy, a world away, and love him until his family could.Never before have we felt more called to remain withsomething that seemed more and more impossible. All throughout this crazy rollercoaster process we’vebeen saying to each other “God is up to somethinghere” and now it seems that we can see what thatsomething was.

it has been a lesson in God’s sovereignty. oneSunday after worship, after the ban came into effect, iwas chatting with folks and a dear woman came up tome and said, “i just want to tell you something. i’vebeen praying for your adoption every day since youannounced it, and a very strange thing happened tome that i need to tell you about. You might think this iscrazy, but the other day i was praying for you and i

Pastor Andy

our russian adoptionand our sovereign God

heard a voice—i swear i heard a voice—that said:‘Timothy will be united with his family.’ i just wanted totell you that.”

i was so thankful and encouraged by this, and ofcourse we interpreted it in a certain way at the time. itindeed has come true though, in a way more literalthan we had thought. his ways are higher than ourways, and his thoughts higher than our thoughts.

We are in touch with the orphanage director andgetting details along the way from her. We have writtena letter to the parents to introduce ourselves, encour-age them, and just let them know we'd love to stay incommunication with them if they are open to that.

And after we lick our wounds for a little while andrecover from the stress of these last months, we planto pursue another adoption sometime in the future. Asyou may have noticed if you’ve looked at Bethany’sbelly or the expectant Mother prayer list in the bulletin,God has graciously chosen to expand our familynonetheless. We are grateful to receive his gifts as hegives them!

So for us, and hundreds of other families, the “Russ-ian adoption” chapter has closed, but in another senseit continues because it has marked us and changed usin irreversible ways. Thanks to all of you for caring,reading and for praying for us and for the situation.Those prayers have not been wasted! please join usnow in praying that the hearts of this little boy and hisfamily would continue to be opened to each other.

pastor pete and Ryan entertained the kids as “King david” and “Sir Wallace William

Westchester MacWilliwing” (or Wally for short!)

Praise God for another wonderfulweek of Vacation Bible School!

N E E L S V I L L E N E W S • September 2013 3

NPC C 2013 FINANCIAL SNAPSHOT

OP ERATING FUND

APSHOT Jul 31, 2013YTD

ActualYTD

BudgetAnnual Budget

YTD Variance

TITHES & OFFERINGS

EXPENSES

INC / EXPNOTE:

BU ILDING FUND

TITHES & OFFERINGS

OTHER FUNDS

EXPENSES

INC / EXP

NOTE:

$369,334 $420,825 $737,300 -$51,491

$429,296 $431,623 $737,300 -$2,328

-$59,962 -$10,798 $0 -$49,163The operating fu und is behind b budget.

$42,101 $42,583 $73,000 -$483

$791,243 $741,243 $741,243 -$50,000

$797,437 $810,000 $810,000 -$12,563

$35,906 -$26,174 $4,243 -$37,920

Building fund is includes $341,243 remaining in the Capital Campaign + $450,000 mortg

slightly behind budget. Other funds i 243 remaining in the Capital Campaign + $ gage proceeds.

d budget. Other funds i in the Capital Campaign + $ s.

her funds i Campaign +

FINANCIAL SNAPSHOT

Contemporary Worship Director &

Director of Student Ministries

Ryan Mowenrcmowen@gmail.com

Organist &Interim Choir Director

Michele Kellymmkelly440@hotmail.com

Senior PastorRev. dr. peter della Santina

pete@neelsville.org

Associate PastorRev. Andy Nagel

awnagel@gmail.com

Office AdministratorTricia Bradford

office@neelsville.org

TreasurerWendy couillard

treasurernpc@gmail.com

Neelsville News is published by Neelsville presbyterian church.Submit Word files and photos to cheryl della Santina:

neelsvillenewsletter@gmail.com

20701 Frederick Road • Germantown, MD 20876

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

A Note from Jolene Baxteron August 25th, as i served my last Sunday asNeelsville’s chancel and children’s choir director, i praised God for you, my brothers and sisters in christ.The past three years have brought me joy and blessingsfrom the wonderful relationships that were forgedthrough singing and serving God. My decision to resignto spend more time with my family was for the best, but comes with great sadness. You are my belovedchurch family and i will continue to pray for you andkeep you close to my heart. praise God from whom allblessings flow!

A Note from Michele KellyWe have been greatly blessed with the music leadershipof Jolene Baxter, who made a “reprise” appearance inmusic leadership at Neelsville. for those who may notremember, she was on staff as our Music director from1992 to 2000. She returned to us in the fall of 2010 justto “help us out for a short time” and ended up doing a wonderful job of leading the chancel choir and thechildren’s “Joyful Noise” choir for three years.

She has graciously shared her impressive musicalexpertise as a servant-leader, working with pastors and other music staff to help implement our transition to blended music styles in worship. She voluntarilyworked with the contemporary music singers beforeRyan was hired, and voluntarily worked with an inter-generational hand bell choir for a season, producing

beautiful music for worship in every situation. The chancel choir has been greatly enriched by her

excellent choral conducting and vocal coaching skills.The children’s choir has been given a first-class musiceducation in sacred music, learning not only aboutmusic, but also about worship. They sang upliftinganthems, and presented amazing christmas andspringtime musicals. We remember most recently theawesome “Miracle Sunday” music drama, written anddirected by Jolene based on the miracles of Jesus.

Rehearsals regularly included times of prayer, shar-ing, and opportunities to care for one another in christian fellowship. She is truly a christian first, then a musician whose great skills are offered as spiritualgifts. Jolene has made it a top priority to remind allsingers and instrumentalists that music for worship is done with the sole purpose of glorifying God, not showing off the technical skills of the musicians. Soli deo gloria.

We regret that she is leaving our music staff and wewill miss her greatly. We wish her well as she deals withgreater demands from her teaching job and the need torecover from this past year’s illnesses and deaths ofclose friends and family members.

We are not saying “good-bye,” rather “until we meetagain.” We anticipate that she will return occasionally to share her beautiful singing voice in worship.

ThANK You, JoleNe, for all that you have given ofyour time, talents, and love in music worship leadershipat Neelsville!

WORSHIP & ARTS

N E E L S V I L L E N E W S • September 20134

LOCAL MISSIONS

n Local Missions to MeetThe local Mission committee of our church will meeton Tuesday, September 17, 7:00pm in the parlor(room near fellowship hall). This small group willrecap the Summer projects, review fall events,discuss ideas and set the 2014 budget. if you areinterested in the local outreach of our church and orhave ideas for consideration, please join us. We meetfour times a year while different individuals carry outtheir projects during the year.

n The Betty Ann Krahnke Center Thanks You!Neelsville collected 2 twin sheet sets, 8 bath towels,9 wash clothes, 20+ body lotions, 14+ shampoos, 2body washes, 8 toothpastes & brushes, 8 hand sani-tizers and many sunscreens! The Betty Ann Krahnkecenter is the only domestic violence shelter servingMontgomery county. Their 54-bed capacity providessafety for women & their children, support with traumarecovery and empowerment to increase their personalsafety.

n Rockville Pregnancy Clinic Thanks You!Neelsville collected almost $700 for Rockville preg-nancy clinic during the 2013 Baby Bottle campaign.Thank you to all who participated by turning in babybottles filled with donations!

n Baby Sitters Needed one of our single moms needs baby sitters. She isworking closely with caridad, the nonprofit that helpssingle moms become self-sufficient. if you or some-one you know can help with babysitting, please callcarmen Schloner founder of caridad at 301-312-3435or email (cschloner@computerpackages.com). Thelocation is Germantown.

GLOBAL MISSIONS

n Sons of Thunder Thanks you!A special thank you to Neelsville for the much neededbaby packs and hygiene packs along with little “hugs”from the talented ladies at Neelsville who handmadecrocheted baby blankets...they are AWeSoMe! The new moms areso excited to receivethem! A BiG “ThANKYou” from all of usto all the volunteersat Neelsville whowere involved in thebuying, packing andsending of the babypacks and hygienepacks as well as thebeautiful blankets!We, as well as thenew moms, are verygrateful! May Godbless you all! —Sal &Renee Marini

n SAVE THE DATE for the 2013 CROP WalkThe 43rd continuous cRop Walk will take place onOctober 13 at the damascus Regional park at 23723Kings Valley Rd., damascus. Sign-in begins at1:45pm and the walk begins at 2:00pm. church WorldService (cWS) sponsors walks all over the unitedStates to help end hunger. The idea behind the walkis “we walk because they walk.” Many people in devel-oping countries have to walk several miles each dayfor clean water and food resources. Twenty-five (25%)of the money raised will go to damascus help.

The 2.5-mile, safe walking course is great for adults,children, committees, choirs, small groups and friendswho want to walk together. october is a beautifulmonth in Maryland for a walk that benefits many. Allinterested individuals and groups should contact yourrecruiter, Karen clark. her phone number is (301)972-4395; e-mail is kclark@writ.com. She will provideyou with sponsor sheets; then you ask friends, family& neighbors to sponsor you when you walk. You canalso raise money through “on-line” fundraising! it’s notthat hard, be bold on behalf of the hungry!

Join us as we help eradicate hunger with a Fall “walk in the park”!

5N E E L S V I L L E N E W S • September 2013

You’ve probably heard this saying before. Should webe doing the feeding without the teaching? if we do,doesn’t that foster dependency? Your Global Missionscommittee recommends child sponsorship programsthat can be supported by individual church members ata modest cost with excellent long term results.compassion international sponsors support for childrenin Africa, Asia and South America. By focusing on children, it changes the lives of the next generation inthese countries in a dramatic way.

Studies confirm the positive impact of compassion’schild-sponsorship program (see the June issue ofChristianity Today). data was collected on over 10,000individuals in Africa, Asia, South America and thephilippines. in all the countries surveyed, sponsorshipresulted in better educational outcomes for children.overall, sponsorship makes children 27 to 40 percentmore likely to complete secondary school, and 50 to 80percent more likely to complete a university education.child sponsorship also appears to be the great equal-izer in education. in countries where existing outcomesare higher among boys, the impact on girls is larger. incountries where the existing educational outcomes arehigher for girls, the impact on boys is larger. They evenfound some evidence for spillover effects on theunsponsored younger siblings of sponsored children.

compassion’s results extend beyond school atten-dance. They found that child sponsorship means thatwhen the child grows up, he is 14 to 18 percent morelikely to obtain a salaried job and 35 percent more likelyto obtain a white-collar job. Many of the compassion-sponsored children become teachers as adults insteadof remaining jobless or working in menial agriculturallabor. They found some evidence that they are morelikely to grow up to be both community leaders andchurch leaders.

compassion sponsors 1.3 million children in 26 coun-tries. As many of you know, the program allows you tosponsor a child for a modest cost of $30-$50 permonth. You choose a specific child with whom you willhave direct contact. Visit www.compassion.com fordetails.

We ask that you prayerfully consider how you canbest support Npc global missions opportunities. —Bob Velthuis

GLOBAL MISSIONS

Give a man a fish…and feed him for a day.

teach him to fish... and feed him for a lifetime.

Veggietales DVD Bonanza!inviting kids (of all ages) to check out the nine new Veggietales on dVd. Thanks be to God for the donation that made these purchases possible!

CHURCH LIBRARY NEWS

n Ryan’s old office has been transformed! Thanks toa donation of artwork from Tom and Mary Barbera, thechurch conference room (next to the library) has anew look. Tom and Mary acquired much of this artduring their friendship with the Rev. dr. William Addaiand Tom’s participation on a mission trip to Ghana.Bob and Betty Velthuis and Sue farrell rearranged theroom and added the beautiful artwork. Stop in and seethe giraffes!

n covenant life church is hosting a parenting semi-nar titled “instructing a child’s heart” with author andspeaker dr. Tedd Tripp and Npc parents have beeninvited to attend. This seminar will instruct parents onhow to help their children connect with the love ofchrist in the gospel rather than just managing theirbehavior. it is for parents with children of any age, andwill provide perspectives and procedures for shep-herding your child’s heart into the paths of life, offeringfresh biblical approaches to child rearing.

The seminar will run friday evening, September 20,through Saturday morning, September 21. The cost is$7.50 per person. childcare will not be provided.covenant life church is located at 7501 MuncasterMill Road, Gaithersburg. for more information and toregister please visit: www.covlife.org/teddtripp

NEWS YOU CAN USE

Gideon: Tuba Warrior (Trusting God)It’s a Meaningful Life (Being content)Moe and the Big Exit (followin’ directions)Pistachio: The Little Boy That Woodn’t

(listening to Your parents)Sherluck Holmes and the Golden Ruler (friendship)Sweetpea Beauty: A Girl after God’s Own Heart

(True Beauty)The Pirates Who Don’t Do Anything – the movie!The Wonderful Wizard of Ha’s (The prodigal Son)Tomato Sawyer and Huckleberry Larry’s Big River Rescue

(helping others)

For up-to-the-minute details on upcoming events visit www.neelsville.org

6 N E E L S V I L L E N E W S • September 2013

UPCOMING EVENTS

Young-at-HeartsThe next meeting will be a potluckluncheon on Tuesday, September 17th.

Gather at 11:30am, enjoy lunch at Noon,and the program at 1:00pm. The program thismonth will feature speaker police officer danaStrohman who will be discussing staying safeand avoiding scams. for further informationcall carla Warfield at 301-926-2515.

SAVE THE DATES...

october 6 pancake Breakfast

october 12 Knitters & crocheters, 10-Noon

october 26 Trunk or Treat, 3:00–5:00pm

November 10 patriotic potluck lunch, Noon featuring music by harmony express

december 14 christmas party and Yankee Swap

december 22 cookie Swap

Joy fellowship events are held the first Saturdayof the month. Mark your calendar for theseupcoming events that include refreshments, achristian devotion and free child care! RSVP forchildcare (kimberlynugent@hotmail.com):

Our 3rd Season Kickoff Event!

Saturday, October 59:30am–Noon

Featuring Charm City Limits, a country-bluegrass duo

Kick your heels up Square Dancingand enter the Apple Recipe Contest

(please bring your best apple food item and be ready for fun-filled competition)!

Be motivated by our Devotion and decoratepencil holders* as an outreach project

(optional) for our local hard-working teachers

*please consider bringing pencils, pens or highlighters to donate to our teachers

Saturday, November 29:30–11:30amSoup and Bread theme with live Jazz music bythe darryl Brenzel Band

Saturday, December 79:30–11:30amcelebrate “happy Birthday Jesus” with liveGospel Music by Treasures of heart Ministries

WoMeN’S FellowshipJoy

“Downon the Farm”

Neelsville Family Picnic...in the country!September 15

See back page for details!

7N E E L S V I L L E N E W S • September 2013

SHARING THE JOURNEY

When you ask this year’sattendees how they feel aboutthe Women of faith event theyattended in August, you will

hear many excited voices! The look on their faces andthe “smile” in their voices will tell you how much attend-ing this event meant. it started with the messages andstories they heard from the pastors, authors, and inter-national speakers. it continued with the music andsongs which inspired them to want to get up and sing.it was seeing the writing in the sand and meeting face-to-face with those who spoke or sang on stage. lastly,it was sharing and conversing with not only theirNeelsville group but others everywhere.

patience and her daughter, Kamani, were excited tonot only hear the words of Judah Smith but to meet him.i know because we saw each other in line. We wereinspired by his youthful, humorous, and contemporaryway of delivering his message. he wore green shoes!Guess what! We met again in priscilla Shirer’s line. Wewere awed by her comparing fixing what’s going on inthe inside of you versus the outside to popping a kernelof popcorn. You are going to have to ask us! Also, herquote “doubt is a feeling—Believing is a choice”.

Gail haag laughed at the humor of liz curtis higgsand Mark lowry, then was strongly reminded by JudahSmith that “i, Gail, am the one Jesus loves!” ceceWinans rocked the house and Third day sang their wayinto our hearts with wonderful lyrics of faith. i was alonewhen i met the band members of “Third day” (but i havepictures to prove it)! Their music moved you up and outof your seat. Some thought the acoustics were too loud,but no one could complain about the lyrics or songs.

everyone liked Angie Smith’s message aboutdoubting Thomas...how Thomas struggled andwanted to believe, but he needed to see threethings...and how Jesus had not heard Thomas saythis, but he knew the three things. Ask, we will tell youmore!

i will say now that all the attendees are an inspira-tion to me—Karen, lauren, connie, Gail, laurie, Sue,Mary ester, patu, debbie, Joyce, lynn, patience, andKamani. it has been my honor to lead them to thisyear’s event. They are all unique—moving onwarddespite health issues, giving of their time and voice,caring and generous. These are all traits that i admire;but i say to you all, especially Gail, “i, Gerry davis, amthe one Jesus loves!” You had to be there!

40 days for life prayer VigilSeptember 25 to November 3on Wisteria drive (near late-term abortion clinic)

Opening Rally at NeelsvilleSunday, September 22, 7:00 p.m.Speakers: deirdre folley, former president catholic u. Students for life

Wendy Wright, former ceo concerned Women for AmericaMusic: erik christensen, contemporary christian music artist

contact Michele Kelly for more information or visit:www.40daysforlife.com/Germantown

NoN-pRofiToRGANizATioN

uS poSTAGe

PAID

GeRMANToWN, Md20876

peRMiT No. #1012

20701 frederick RoadGermantown, Md 20876

ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED

Neelsville Family Picnic...in the country!

Sunday,September 15

The Home of Al & Melissa Blount

21718 Slidell Road • Boyds, MD 20841If you need a ride to the Blount’s,

please call Kimberly Nugent-King at 301-538-0818 by Friday, September 13th.

4:00 – 7:00pm(Dinner to be served at 5:00pm)

Pulled pork and drinks will be provided!Last names starting with A – G: Bring DessertLast names starting with H – Z: Bring Side Dish

Don’t forget your lawn chairs or picnic blanket!