“theme of the year: baptism!” - knox presbyterian church · 2017. 4. 11. · in 2016 we...
TRANSCRIPT
Our prayers of sympathy go
out to the family of Eric
Smith, who passed away in
early February. Eric, son of
the late Pat Smith, joined
Knox in 1994. He is sur-
vived by his brother Mark.
Our former accompanist,
Ellie Kim, is recovering
from surgery for thyroid can-
cer in early February.
Please continue to pray for
Pastor Kevin Harris and
his family in the Philippines.
Kevin will be visiting us
soon.
Please continue to pray for:
Catherine Alexander, Lot-
ta Chi, Carlisle Cummins,
Ed Langford, Jim Lecky
for ALS, Kathy O’Dowd,
Steven Roemmel, Donna
Toppings, Dale Turner and
Aidyn Wong, who have on-
going health concerns.
Please pray for the unem-
ployed in our community
and for those deployed over-
seas.
Please keep our nursing
home and homebound mem-
bers in prayer: Helena
Howard and Kiz Stevenson
Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had
been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, and the Holy
Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice
came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am
well pleased.” Luke 3:21-22
“Theme of the Year: Baptism!”
The title of a church magazine article caught my attention; it read, “40 Ways to Increase Bap-
tisms in 2017”. I was hooked so I read the article which included some wild ideas, including,
#30 —‘Provide outdoor heaters if you baptize outdoors in the winter’, or #4 — ‘Make it a party
atmosphere. It’s a celebration, not a funeral. Applaud baptisms!’ (I like that one). The article
got me to thinking how wonderful it would be to increase baptisms here at Knox.
Then some other things occurred, including several people approaching me to inquire about
having their children and even themselves baptized. I took this as a sign! Then, Linda Rice-
Johnston showed me a short book, entitled “Being Christian”, which describes four, simple
things that help us recognize we are part of a Christian community. The four things are bap-
tism, the Bible, Eucharist and prayer. Aha! There it was again: baptism! Then, the Session
held a planning retreat in February and it was decided that we should focus, as a church, on a
‘theme’ for the year, and you guessed it, we decided on baptism!
Baptism is one of two sacraments we celebrate (the other being communion) as a Presbyterian
Church. Baptism essentially is the visible sign and way in which people of all ages become a
part of the church. So, what does it mean for Knox to declare that 2017 will be the ‘Year of
Baptism’? It means that we will promote and invite people, of all ages, who have not been
baptized, to consider receiving this gracious gift, beginning with several of our church kids
who have not been baptized. It also means we will keep the meaning and significance of bap-
tism before us, throughout the year and beyond. We will also hold one or more worship ser-
vices which will focus on the reaffirmation of our own baptisms.
In 2016 we celebrated two wonderful baptisms; an infant baptism and a teenager being bap-
tized on Confirmation Day. In 2017 we hope and pray to increase that number. Please join
with me in that hope and prayer!
——Bill Hale
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March 2017
Book Group meets
Next meeting will be on March 26 at
12:30 p.m., to discuss The Good Lord Bird by
James McBride.
The next Men’s Prayer Break-
fast will be on Saturday, March
11 at 8:00 a.m., followed by a
work day for all Knox members
and friends.
Encouraging generosity in the month of March:
1. Cold drink cups for fellowship
2. Paper plates
If you wish to donate electronically to Knox, look
for the “Donate Now” link on our website. Or you
can use the QR code provided here:
New Study for Adult Sunday School
Starting Sunday, March 12, after worship
and fellowship a Lenten study of Rowan
Williams’ book Being Christian, exploring
the essential elements of Christian life.
Staying Home: Making Smart Choic-
es for Easy Living and Aging in Place
A free community workshop includes pre-
senters who will share practical tips to
minimize the financial costs of home mod-
ifications and to keep your home safe and
healthy. County exhibitors will be on hand
to share information about local resources
available. RSVPs are requested as seating
is limited. You may register online at
states.aarp.org/march25 or by calling 1-
877-926-8300.
Saturday, March 25, 2017,
9:00 am-12 noon
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church
Member Care—How You Can Help!
Elder Mary Highsmith is suggesting that we send
emails and/or e-cards to a few of our members
and friends who are either home-bound or have
health concerns. Please consider sending greet-
ings by email to the following:
Lotta Chi: [email protected]
Ellie Kim: [email protected]
Dennis O’Connor (Dennis attends the Wed.
morning Bible study):
Dale Turner:
Ordination and Installation of Church Elders, February 19
Scout Sunday, February 5
Teens and ice cream
Every year during Lent, we
collect funds for the One
Great Hour of Sharing.
OGHS enables the church
to share God’s love with our
neighbors-in-need around
the world by providing re-
lief to those affected by nat-
ural disasters, provide food
to the hungry, and helping to empower the poor and
oppressed. This offering will be collected on Palm
Sunday, April 9. Paper fish banks are available for
those who wish to use them during Lent.
It’s time to make our per capita donation.
Per capita is the designated dollar amount that is asked of each member of the PC(USA) as a yearly
voluntary contribution. Per capita is collected by the presbyteries. It is based on your church’s
membership. It is used to pay for the essential administrative operation of the Presbytery, Synod
and General Assembly. Knox Church must pay $38.75 per member to National Capital Presbytery
for this purpose. The per capita reminds us of our connection with the rest of the Presbyterian
church. Envelopes will be available for payment of per capita on 5th Sundays throughout the year.
You may pay your per capita at any time. Just be sure to designate the donation as per capita.
Knox Church
received a thank
you letter from
Church World
Service for the
“kind donation of School Kits”.
“Your compassion has given individ-
uals and families… the tangible evi-
dence that they matter.” To learn
more about this go to cwskits.org.
Session News: The Session met on February 20 and we welcomed our three new elders: Melissa Graves,
Linda Rice-Johnston and Russell Whitmoyer, who were all officially installed during worship on February
19. ♦ Session approved a request for an infant baptism from Heath and Laura (Bays) Shelters, for their infant
son, Kenneth, to be celebrated on March 12. ♦ Steve Pida discussed several bids for roof replacement. A
final decision will be made in March. ♦ Linda Rice-Johnston reported on several upcoming worship events,
including for Lent and Easter, beginning with Ash Wednesday on March 1. The special “One Great Hour of
Sharing” offering will be received on Palm Sunday, April 9. ♦ Member Care elder, Mary Highsmith, updat-
ed us on several Knox members. Mary also will ask congregation members to stay in touch with several
home-bound members. ♦ A “Women of the Church” worship service will be held on Sunday March 26.
Melissa Graves is helping to plan that service. ♦ We continue to need helpers with our middle-school age
kids during worship. Please talk to Kathy O’Dowd or just sign up to help on the bulletin board. ♦ A Lenten
adult class will begin on Sunday, March 12, and run for 4 weeks. ♦ Russell Whitmoyer presented the Janu-
ary financial report and it was approved. He will offer a “Minute for Mission” on February 26 to promote
the “per capita apportionment” offering. ♦ Session briefly reviewed the planning retreat held on February 11
and attended by 6 elders and Session affirmed making baptism our theme for this year. ♦ Session went
through the annual roll review of church membership. Next meeting: March 20
Attention Women of Knox! Sunday, March 26, has been designated as Women of the
Church Sunday. We will be planning the worship service. Please come to a meeting after
worship on Sunday, March 5, to plan for this special service.
2017 Easter Flower Order
Make checks payable to “Knox Church” and return this order form to
the church office by March 22.
1. Indicate what you want printed in the bulletin:
Given by:_________________________
In memory of: ___________________________ and/or
In honor of: ____________________________
Your phone #_____________________________(not printed in bulletin)
2. Choose the color and number of plants and what to do with them after the Easter service.
Please note: THERE MAY BE SOME COLOR SUBSTITUTIONS DEPENDING ON
WHAT IS AVAILABLE FROM THE SUPPLIER
3. Indicate manner of payment: Check: ❏ _____Cash: ❏ ____
Flower Cost Take Home:
Number & color
Donate to
Shut-in: number
& color
Cost
White Lily $9.00
Tulips-yellow,
red, orange,
purple, pink
$7.50
Hyacinths—
white, purple or
pink
$7.50
Asiatic Lily -
Yellow/orange
$7.50
Floral mums -
White or purple
$9.50
Hydrangea—
blue or pink
$10.75
Total Cost:
Every Sunday:
9 a.m.—Sunday school and light breakfast
for children. Adult choir rehearsal.
10:15 a.m.— Worship service in the Sanctu-
ary. Children go downstairs for enrichment
following the children’s message.
11:15 a.m. — Fellowship time with refresh-
ments. Food on first and third Sundays.
11:20 a.m.—Individual prayer time-
Sanctuary.
11:45 a.m.—Adult Sunday school.
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 Bible study 10;
Ash Wed. dinner/
program 6:30 pm
2 3 4
5 Communion 6 7 8 Bible study 10
a.m.; Knox Kids’
Club 6 p.m.
9 10 11 Men’s break-
fast
12 Adult Lenten
study begins
13 Ruth Circle
meeting 7:30 p.m.
14 15 Bible study
10 a.m.; Knox
Kids’ Club 6 p.m.
16 17 18
19 20 Session
meeting 7 p.m.
21 22 Bible study
10 a.m.; Knox
Kids’ Club 6 p.m.
23 24 25
26 Women of
the Church Sun-
day; Book group
27 Newsletter
Deadline
28 29 Bible study
10 a.m.; Knox
Kids’ Club 6 p.m.
30 31
MARCH 2017
Hypothermia Shelter
Knox will again be providing Fellowship Hall as an Over-
flow Hypothermia Shelter for the homeless the nights of
March 5 through March 11.
Daylight Savings Time begins March 12!
Don’t forget to “spring forward” one hour
before you go to sleep on
Sat. March 11. Don’t be late
for church!
Good News from Knox
Knox Presbyterian Church
7416 Arlington Blvd
Falls Church, VA 22042
703-560-5288
Pastor William V. Hale
Email: [email protected]
Office hours: Mon.—Fri. 9:00-1:00 p.m.
Worship service at 10:15 a.m. each Sunday
Website: www.knoxfc.org
March 2017
March 1—Ash Wednesday, 6:30 p.m. supper and worship program for all ages
March 5—Communion celebrated
March 11—Men’s prayer breakfast
March 26—Women of the Church Sunday
Book Club meets