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Impact2013L e n t I s s u e
this issueshar ing the gospel P.2
lenten prayer projects P.3
f i rst impact wi th hunger P.4
f i rst k ids and fami l ies P.6
new thru 30 and beyond P.7
242 - an outsiders v iew P.7
FIRST IMPACT Lent 2013
Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage
PAIDPermit No. 218
Norfolk, VAFIRST
Sermon Resources
Mark Your Calendars
Traditional 8:30 & 11:00 am
Contemporary9:30 am
Seeking Christ.Sharing His Love.
Worship Services
820 Colonial AveNorfolk, VA 23507(757) 625-1697www.fpcnorfolk.org
• Kids and Youth Inside-Out, Wednesdays, 5:45-7:15 pm Fun in the Son, HS Camp and Conference, June 30-July 4 Vacation Bible School, July 22-26 The Great Escape, MS Camp and Conference, July 29- August 3
• 2013 Mission Trips Massanetta Springs, Family Trip June 16-18 Kenya, June 22-July 6; October 26 - November 9 Nicaragua, July 20-27
• Men’s Ministries Shoulder2Shoulder Breakfasts, 2nd and 4th Tuesdays
• Women’s Ministries Hand in Hand Women’s Study, 2nd Tuesdays, 10:30 am - 1:00 pm Wednesday Bible Study, 9:30-11:30 am Thursday Bible Study, 7:00-9:00 pm Retreat, “Bloom and Grow in Christ’s Love” March 15-17
First Presbyterian Church of Norfolk
con’ t on pg 2
Meet Him At the Well, March 21, 7:00-8:30 pm, Northminster House
• Seniors First Birthday Lunches 1st Wednesday Each Month, 12:00 noon, First Hall
Lent: Building the Gospel
Christ was humbled twice: first, in becoming human, second in being crucified. Even as Christ chose the way of humility, so should we. Lent is a time to reflect upon and seek to imitate the One “who, though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form He humbled Himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross” (Phil. 2:6-8). This great passage about an act on our behalf reminds us of God’s plan for the cross - and the redemption of His people.
Lent at FPCLent, an important season in the life of the church, is the 40-day liturgical season that begins on Ash Wednesday and concludes on Easter Sunday. Ash Wednesday commemorates the beginning of Jesus’ 40-day fasting and temptation in the desert. Easter Sunday commemorates Jesus’ resurrection from the grave after his crucifixion.At our Ash Wednesday service, we mark our
foreheads with ash as a symbol of sorrow and mourning over our sin. During this season, we focus on our need for repentance. Many of you will choose to give up a habit or behavior as an exercise in prayerful self-denial. Others will commit to participate in our Lenten devotional. The choice to observe Lent is a personal one, but the purpose is to focus your heart and your mind on Jesus during the journey to Easter. I assure you that you will be blessed beyond measure when you devote a part of each day reflecting on Jesus Christ and God’s Word.
Let us journey to Easter together through these resources:Servants JournalOur Lenten text, Philippians 2:1-11, encourages us to imitate Christ’s humility. Each Sunday during Lent, the journal will lead you in a guided meditation of the entire sermon text. During the week, it will help you think more deeply on different portions of Sunday’s text and write about how the written truth intersects with your own life.
by j im wood
At it’s core, Lent is about what Jesus Christ gave up to pay the penalty for the sins of the world -- His holy and innocent life.
• Couples Event Valentine’s Dinner Dance,Friday, February 15, 6:00-10:00 pm, First Hall
Missing a Sunday worship
service doesn’t mean you have
to miss out on the message.
Video webcasts and audio
versions of our traditional
and contemporary services
can be found on our website
at fpcnorfolk.org/sermons-
teaching/sermons.
First Presbyterian Church of Norfolk
Connecting...How do you make a large
church like ours feel like a small
church? Join a small group!
Small groups are essential
vehicles for building close
relationships that will nurture
you, support you and help build
the kingdom within you.
If you are interested in joining
a small group and start 2013
by connecting with others at
FPC, contact Dorothy Hood at
p.7
NEWTHRU30 and Beyond
“The world may not be listening, but it certainly watching.
Valena Hoy
Executive Associate Pastor
(757) 625-1697
Contact
Adult Discipleship
Youth community is going strong! And no wonder as it is backed by a committed team of parents many of whom turned out for our first parent partnership dinner on January 27th. This fellowship of like-minded parents is a hub of encouragement and prayer, resource sharing, and connection with 242 and its leaders. Next meeting is February 24th at 5 pm. All youth parents are invited to join us.
An outsiders view
“ “Interested in membership, or
simply learning more about
FPC? Join us on Sunday,
April 7th from 3-7pm for FPC
101. This class provides an
opportunity to meet our staff as
well as other new people in the
church, and covers topics such
as being Presbyterian, our vision
and mission, basic beliefs, and
our membership process. Dinner
and childcare are provided and
dress is casual.
Upcoming Opportunities » April 7
» June 2
» August 4
You can register your attendance
on the Connection Card or online
at fpcnorfolk.org/calendar.
Evangelism
FPC 101
Jim Gates
Associate Pastor of Evangelism
(757) 625-1697
Contact
p.2
Youth and Young Adult Ministries
I just wanted to send in writing how amazing your group was at the overnighter you had with Laser Quest. I personally work most of the overnighters both public and private and I get to encounter some very interesting groups. I have to say that your group of kids was definitely
the best-behaved group of young adults I have had the privilege of working with. They were respectful of each other, our facility and our equipment in such a way that we look forward to working with you guys in the future.” - Jesse Deems, Laser Quest
Holy Week Lenten DevotionalAn eight page devotional focused on Holy Week as recorded in the gospel of Mark will take you through Palm Sunday to Easter Morning. Eight days for you to contemplate the passion of Christ. Each day you will be invited to pause,enter, encounter, ponder and pray. Eight days to transform your relationship with Christ, the risen King.
The Servants Journal will be available on Sunday February 17th and the Lenten Devotional on Palm Sunday. Don’t miss out on these tremendous resources!
Lent: Bui ld ing the Gospel , con’ t
Philippians 2:1-11, in addition to having enormous spiritual value in our own lives, offers a gift for those we know outside the church. It is a perfect summary of the gospel message.
So often, people share with me that they feel inadequate to explain or defend their faith. The process of sharing the core of the Christian message, the gospel (aka good news) about Jesus Christ, often seems overwhelming. It’s a big Bible! These verses, however, provide a perfect summary of the whole story of Jesus. Our hope this Lent is that you will emerge from worship equipped to effectively share the gospel to those who don’t know Jesus, using only these 11 verses of Scripture.
Naturally, as our focus in this season will be on evangelism and sharing our faith, there are several ways you can get engaged in that process here at FPC. Let me highlight two.
Logistically, one of the greatest challenges for growth at our church is parking (in fact, you hear us say this every Sunday). We are now putting
together a team of volunteers to help in the parking lot on Sunday mornings. This would be a simple commitment, likely 20-25 minutes on a Sunday morning, but it could make the difference between someone hearing the gospel here, or driving through the parking lot and not coming back.
Relationally, the great difficulty in sharing our faith is about creating opportunities for spiritual conversation. We offered a class last year called “Neo” that was designed for just that purpose. Neo is just four weeks long and each meeting includes dinner, lecture and discussion in small table groups. The next class should start in April, just after Lent, but I need volunteer leaders!
If you might be interested in helping with our new parking ministry, or with Neo, please contact me at [email protected]. We need your help! As you prayerfully consider this process of sharing the gospel, may Paul’s prayer become real for you; “Let the same mind be in you that is in Christ Jesus ...”
Please welcome our newest staff member, Dorothy Hood, who is serving as Director of Small Groups. Dorothy graduated with a Master of Divinity and served as Associate Pastor for Discipleship and Youth Ministries at First Presbyterian Church in Goldsboro, NC, where she met her husband Brandon, a Navy chaplain. Dorothy and Brandon recently completed a tour of duty in Japan before receiving orders to Norfolk. They have one child, Caroline.
Welcome New Director of Small Group Ministries
Sharing the Gospel
by nigel anderson
What people are saying about NEWTHRU30 at FPC
“I just wanted to let you know how much I have learned through your booklet and these emails. I really like the way you have organized it all and helped me understand a lot of things more clearly.” – Betty O’Garr
“This is great! I didn’t realize all the references to the Old Testament” - Joanne Jenkins
“Thank you so much for this! It really helps me to know back-ground information!” – Vicky Dray
New Reading Plans
We have designed three
additional reading plans for
you to continue systematically
studying God’s Word. At your
own pace, read about the life of
David, read through Proverbs
or study the life and teachings
of Jesus. These reading
schedules can be found on our
web site at www.fpcnorfolk.
org. Whatever you do, don’t
miss the opportunity to build on
the foundation that you worked
so hard to create by reading
through the New Testament in
30 days!
Looking to Dive Deeper?Below are book suggestions for reading and deeper study from beginner to New Testament scholar.
101 – NIV Study Bible A good study Bible that includes helpful notes to bring more context and helpful information to your reading.
501 – Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes: Cultural Studies in the Gospels by Ken BaileyBeginning with Jesus’ birth, Ken Bailey leads you on a kaleidoscopic study of Jesus throughout the four Gospels. Bailey examines the life and ministry of Jesus with attention to the Lord’s Prayer, the Beati-tudes, Jesus’ relationship to women, and especially Jesus’ parables.
401 – An Introduction to the New Testament by Raymond E. BrownThis book covers the entire scope of the New Testament by walking book by book through the basic content and issues of the New Testament. Impressive features include basic summaries of each book, a historical overview of the ancient Greco-Roman world, discussions of key theological issues, and the rich supplementary materials, such as illustrative tables, maps, bibliographies and appendixes.
301 – NIV Application Commentary or The New Interpreters Bible Commentary These reference books, written by biblical scholars, give you even more in-depth knowledge about indi-vidual books and specific scripture passages in the Bible. (Both sets available in the Loft)
201 – Zondervan Bible Commentary, Harper’s Bible Dictionary, Then and Now Bible Maps by Rose Publishing These important tools are essential companions that share information you need to understand scripture more fully.
Nigel Anderson
Director of Youth and Young
Adult Ministries
(757) 625-1697
Contact
by j im gates
“
Launched in December
2012, feedNORFOLK is a
program designed to supply
$5 meal cards to Norfolk
Police to distribute to folks
they encounter on their beat
who are homeless, hungry or
otherwise in need. It is both a
tool to alleviate hunger and to
help our city police establish
and build positive community
relationships.
We are happy to report
that since the launch of
feedNORFOLK, our family
has given almost $4000 to this
effort!
Thank you!!
Should you like to have a card
or two ready to give, please
contact [email protected].
feedNORFOLK
First Impact with Hunger
p.4 p.5
At FPC, we consider each and every mission we host to be just that. A pilgrimage. Our journeys may be long or short, but they are always challenging. Our purpose is exalted; exalted to the heavens for it is His work we are doing, bringing significance to those who are poor, lost or abandoned.
Massanetta Springs and Volunteer Farm of Shenandoah
One of the highlights of our 2012 trip to Massanetta Springs was participation of our church family in Stop Hunger Now – an international hunger relief organization that coor-dinates the distribution of food and other life-saving aid around the world – through our work at the Volunteer Farm of Shenandoah.
Join us this year, June 16-18, as we continue to work towards hunger relief, locally and abroad. Registration is open and available online at fpcnorfolk.org or by contacting [email protected]
Each FPC pilgrimage to Massanetta Springs includes a workday at the farm. Rain or shine our work teams can be found clearing rocks, moving debris or whatever else the farm needs to get the fields ready for planting and eventual harvest. And that is no small feat... Last year alone, the farm grew 165,000 pounds of vegetables!
Our family just returned from a wonderful experience at Massanetta Retreat Center where we witnessed traditions in the making. We were excited for an opportunity to participate in a mission trip as a family. The added bonus was experiencing the trip in the setting of a wooded retreat center and I was thrilled. Scottie at age 3 and Connor at age 2, they were delighted in the simplest aspects of the trip. As I watched them run with their friends I caught glimpses of them 5 and 10 years from now still enjoying this trip. During the trip we had the honor of bagging over 14,000 nutritious, life saving meals for children in Nicaragua and Honduras. I worked along side five year old Ashley Pankop and she ran circles around the rest of us in her enthusiasm. I was touched to think the full comprehension of her work eluded her, but how years from now when she more deeply appreciates the tragedy of world hunger, she’ll already know the hope of responding to that need as part of our church community.” - Lisa Allen
A recent report informed us of the impact we had in both organization’s success. 285,120 meals from our meal-packaging event were shipped in a container from the Lynchburg warehouse and received by our in-country partner OrphaNetwork in Nicaragua.
Join us as pilgrims - not as tourists, as learners - not as teachers, as givers - not receivers, and as listeners, not as talkers, remembering that God does not use us to get missions done - He uses missions to get us done!
2013 FPC Short Term Pilgrimages
Every experience, interaction or roadblock we encounter provides a grace-filled opportunity to respond with loving obedience to the gospel - to be salt and light to the world.
>> Massanetta Springs June 16-18>> Call of Kenya June 22-July 6; October 26-November 9>> Nicaragua July 20-27
Do you like s’mores by the fireside, catching fish, paddling in a lake, zipping through trees and running in fields? If so, our family pilgrimage to Massenetta is for you! As in years past, our time together promises to make clearing rocks and debris from the farm fields into great fun. And the best part is all that “fun” helps the Volunteer Farm at Shenandoah grow crops that provide food to soup kitchens, pantries and other hunger ministries. For information contact [email protected].
Massanetta Springs Call of Kenya Nicaragua
If you have been considering a pilgrimage to Kenya, if you have heard incredible miracles and seen fabulous pictures, maybe 2013 is the year you decide to venture to Africa and become a part of our Tree Of Lives ministry. To learn more about the work of this Tree of Lives ministry, visit www.treeoflives.org. You may also contact Becky Lyle Pinkard at [email protected] with any questions and to make your reservations. Space is limited so please don’t hesitate – Kenya is calling
Our pilgrimage to Jinotega will be a time of Bible study and refec-tion, a time of sharing and prom-ises to be a time of good ole fash-ion work. We may dig ditches, we may paint, we may go to schools and do crafts or play sports. But one thing is certain, we will leave Nicaragua enriched with friend-ships and a spiritual awakening. To learn more, visit jinotegastories.blogspot.com and contact Charlie Stine, [email protected] or 757-536-0264.
What is a Pilgrimage?
A pilgrimage, as defined by Webster, is a long journey or search, especially one of exalted purpose or moral significance.
We know that we are called
to be the church wherever
God has placed us. We also
know that Jesus did not call
the world to go to church,
he said for the church to go
to the world. Therefore, we
at FPC are committed to go
to the world, near and far,
remembering that God does
not use us to get missions
done - he uses missions to get
us done.
FPC & MissionsLocal and Global
Sheryl Wood
Missions Outreach Coordinator
(757) 625-1697
Contact
Ghent Area Ministries (GAM)
Services Include:• Medical/Prescriptions• Rental Assistance• Utilities• Bus Tickets• Food/Clothing
Local Resources
For More Information, contact:
Martha Gorman, Director
(757) 622-0438
To help those in need in our community.
Valena Hoy
Executive Associate Pastor
(757) 625-1697
First Kids’ EGG-Straveganza
by hunter johnston
MOPS, mothers of
preschoolers, is a place to find
friendship, community, resources
and support for you as a woman.
Moms have found community
through MOPS for almost 40
years. At FPC our mission is to
encourage, support and inspire
moms during this early season
of motherhood with Christian
camaraderie, fellowship and
fun. We welcome all moms, not
just those from our body of faith.
Activities include speakers, crafts,
fitness, and spa nights! Meetings
are held at FPC and childcare
is provided free of charge. For
a calendar of dates and events,
contact Paige Rose at 625-1930.
Kristine Rand
Director of Prayer and
Spiritual Growth
(757) 625-1697
Contact
Inside-Out March Session The Journey, March 6-27 At FPC July 22-22
I am so excited looking forward to FPC’s second an-nual family mission trip at Massanetta Springs, June 16-18! Last year was such an awesome opportunity for three generations in my family to work together serving Christ’s kingdom. The entire camp experience, from eating s’mores around the campfire to working all together on a farm, was a blast from beginning to end. Don’t let your family be left out of the fun this year as we head back to Massanetta Springs this June.”- Hunter
Massanetta Springs Family Camp
“
Lenten Devotional
adult d iscipleship con’ t pg. 7Hunter Johnston
Director of Children’s Ministry
(757) 625-1697
Contact
Children & Families
Contact
Kids Devotional Resources
Children K-5th grade are invited to journey with us, as we prepare for Holy Week and the celebration of Easter morning, Wednesday evenings, March 6-27, from 5:45-7:15 pm. Session cost is $20 per child.
In keeping with our Wednesday Night LIVE tradition, children and families will have an opportunity to eat together in First Hall at 5:00 pm prior to our mid-week programing. Dinner cost is $7/adult, $5/child, and $20 per nuclear family.
You can register your child at fpcnorfolk.org. or sign up on the Connection Card.
FPC’s children’s ministry is going EGGS-treme this Easter season! Join us for our annual FPC Easter Egg Hunt at the Fred Huette Center on Saturday morning, March 10. The festivities will begin promptly at 9:30, so bring your basket and invite your friends to join the fun!
In addition to our own Easter egg hunt, our children will be gifting a full Easter egg hunt to a local church In need. Last year our children donated almost 2000 stuffed eggs to a local urban church. This year our goal is to donate even more, so we need your help! The children’s ministry is collecting plastic eggs and pre-wrapped candy now through March. If your family would like to participate, you can leave your donations in the basket by the children’s check-in area. Contact Hunter Johnston for more information at [email protected].
Through the Bible Devotions by
Mark Littleton ($15)
Below are two terrific resources
for you to enjoy family devotional
times together. Both are available
in the Loft.
The One Year Book of Devotions
for Preschoolers by Tyndale Kids
Publishing ($11)
Dunamis Prayer ProjectThe Bible uses the Greek word Dunamis (power, force, ability) to refer to God’s spirit falling upon someone so they are filled with his power and are enabled to do miraculous works or preach mightily.
Last October, seventeen people from our congregation attended a retreat on the powerful work of the Holy Spirit. During this training, we felt that God was calling us to intercede for our congregation and worship leaders during worship services.
Since that time, that Spirit has worked mightily and thus far over thirty people have received training for our Lenten intercessory prayer initiative.
During this season we will have prayer teams of four individuals at each worship service for the purpose of interceding for our worship leaders and congregation. Dunamis prayer ministers will be available after each service to pray for anyone who comes forward for prayer. Additionally, we will have extended prayer times for any individuals who seek healing. Our prayer team includes some individuals who the Holy Spirit uses to help mitigate pain through prayer.
We are excited about this new prayer ministry. Our hope is that through our prayers, the Holy Spirit will descend upon our worship services so the congregation will encounter Christ in new and powerful ways. Our prayer is that lives will be changed as Christ brings hope and healing to all who respond to his invitation.
Lenten Prayer Projects Prayer Shawl MinistryAt our first Sunday worship during Lent, our congregation will be invited to anoint our shawls with prayer so they can be given to those who are going through difficult times and need to be reminded of God’s presence.
These colorful shawls are used by the Kenyans to carry small children and other important items. Many times, I have noticed that a child is instantly calmed when he is placed in this cloth and wrapped tightly to his mother. We hope that when these shawls are placed around some-one’s shoulders, they will serve as a tangible re-minder that God “tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arm and carries them close to his heart.” (Isaiah 40:11)
Holy Week is a time to contemplate the passion of Christ. It is an occasion to remember that God gave us a new way of approach to enter into relationship with Him. Our resource to help you do just that is our new, eight day devotional, as recorded by Mark, designed to allow you the opportunity to imagine yourself placed in the actual gospel narrative. Our hope is that you will encounter the living Christ as you allow yourself to fully enter each story of Mark’s Passion Week account. We pray that this will be a season when you will be nourished by the word and presence of the Christ. See sidebar for an excerpt from Palm Sunday.
p.6 p.3
Adult Discipleshipby kr ist ine rand
You have a choice today!
On this beautiful spring day,
you have a choice between
attending two very different
royal processions.
From the west, Pontius Pilate,
the Roman governor of this
region is entering the city on a
mighty horse. He is coming
to proclaim Roman rule and
power….Whether you are a child or just young at heart, mark your calendars for “Fun Fair” this summer at Vaca-tion Bible School, July 22- July 26! We are looking for kids ages four through fifth grade and volunteers
of all ages to join the “big top” as we explore God’s world! More info to come....
Lenten Devotional Excerpt
Vacation Bible School
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