Fourth Press April 2015 Volume 39, Issue No. 3 www.4thpres.org Christ, the Mediator New Missions & Outreach Director Rob Norris, Senior Pastor The Lord Jesus has made clear that His people need never fear that He will let them go or that He would ever abandon them. "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand." (John 10:27-28) He is able to keep that promise because, as the God-man, Christ is appointed by the Father to be the mediator and the covenant head and preserver of His Church. The Father knew what His elect and loved adopted family would need. He knew what enemies to our soul we would face, what dangers and temptations would threaten us. Rob Norris, Senior Pastor We are blessed to welcome Melody Istrati to the position of Director of Missions and Outreach. She and her husband Chris have been worshiping with us at Fourth Church since they returned from a State Department assignment in October of 2014. The daughter of medical missionaries, and the sister of a missions pastor, Melody understands the challenges faced by missionaries and their families. She was born in Paraguay and returned to the United States to attend Wheaton College. As the Mediator, He keeps us in perfect safety, so no power can pluck His people from His hands. He has provided a full salvation by dying for our sins, and rising from the dead for our justification. He has also provided His sufficient grace to keep us safe in our journey through this life to His presence. While she was a Spanish teacher at a public school in Philadelphia, she met her husband Chris at Tenth Presbyterian Church. After marrying, they moved to Colorado, where she served as a cross–cultural trainer. Chris and Melody received the call to the mission field and then went to work with ethnic minorities in Kyrgyzstan, where she taught English as a Second Language (ESL) and was a founding member of an English language school in Bishkek. This grace is promised to strengthen us in the face of our own inbred corruption--grace to face the attacks of the enemy; wisdom, strength, consolation, sympathy, kindness, all that a believing sinner can possibly require, is richly stored in Jesus. After her husband joined the diplomatic corps, they lived in Peru, Russia and Afghanistan. The last posting took them to Paraguay, where Melody was the principal at a bilingual high school. We access this grace by faith, taking our nothingness to Christ's all-sufficiency; our unworthiness to Christ's infinite merit; our weakness to Christ's strength. Through simple faith, we can go to Jesus, and, as empty vessels, be filled from His fullness. By distrusting our own power, casting off the spirit of self-dependence, and looking simply and fully at Jesus, we become "strong in the strength that is in Christ." Melody brings her missionary and administrative experience to us, as she oversees our missions program, providing care and comfort to our missions families and administering our program and budget. She brings empathy, vision, administrative skills and an enthusiasm for world missions. She is the mother of three daughters. Inside this Edition Fourth Family Milestones.....................................................3 Spring Festival......................................................................4 In Our Libraries................................................................. 6-7 Our Newest Deacons........................................................ 8-9 Women of Fourth......................................................... 10-11 Youth Ministry....................................................................12 FROM THE PASTOR'S STUDY Prayer by Timothy Keller With his latest book on prayer, Tim Keller has placed all of us in his debt. While there is no shortage of books on prayer, many are of an uneven quality and lack the insightful spirituality that marks this publication. This book, while not large, is easily accessible and offers a solid theological and spiritual guide through many questions on prayer. In common with all of his books there is an interaction with the current culture and the issues of this culture as well as a clear biblical underpinning to all that he says. Not only is this book theologically profound, it is practically useful, as the author deals with practical issues of how to pray in specific situations, such as dealing with grief, loss, love, and forgiveness. As you read this book, the one central fact emerges: that Keller not only believes in the power of prayer but also is passionate in his desire to see all Christians pray. This encouragement is one each of us needs to take seriously. Tim Keller’s latest book, Prayer: Experiencing Awe and Intimacy with God, may be checked out from Fourth’s Media Center. Eleven other books by the same author are also available for checkout. About Fourth Press FOURTH PRESS is published eight to nine times a year through the Communications and Media Services Ministry, Fourth Presbyterian Church, Bethesda, MD. Current and archived copies may be read on our website, www.4thpres.org. Hard copies of current issues are available in the Media Center and throughout the church. Materials to be included in the next (May/June) issue should be sent to jweaver@4thpres.org by 5pm on April 22. Renewal Line Need to renew your books, movies, CDs, or DVDs? Email renewmedia@4thpres.org or call 301-320-3434, x465 and leave a message. We’ll take care of it for you. 2 Fourth Press Fourth Press MANAGING EDITOR PRINT LAYOUT & DESIGN PROOFREADER Jeri Weaver Natasha Gilliam Esther Steele Fourth Family Milestones Information reported to these sources will automatically be included in this monthly listing unless you request otherwise. Births and Adoptions: Amanda Westly, x219, awestly@4thpres.org; Marriages: Jean Erskine, x205; jerskine@4thpres.org; Anniversaries: Jeri Weaver, x206; jweaver@4thpres.org; Deaths: Alison Muscato, x216; amuscato@4thpres.org We welcome your pictures! Email photos to accompany your announcements to jweaver@4thpres.org. Or bring them to the Media Center. Please do not send photos through the mail. Birth Heidi Marie Chase Born January 29, 2015 Parents: John and Kelly Chase Big sister: Ruthie Marriage Death Laurene (Laurie) P. Alfandre March 3, 2015 Wife of Jack Alfandre Mother of Dianne Alfandre Bruce; Jay, Jane and Joe Alfandre Grandmother of 13 Great grandmother of 20 Laura Hardiman to Jeremy Hashiguchi January 3, 2015 April 2015 3 Fourth Night Special Series Saturday, May 16 3-6pm Getting Real: Heaven & Hell, Angels & Demons We are often tempted to think and live as if all that exists—all that is real—is what we can see with our eyes and touch with our hands. But Scripture presents reality as much bigger than our material world. There are beings—angels and demons— and places—heaven and hell—that escape our senses, yet impinge upon this world and the next. For some this might be cause for fear, because the spiritual world is something we cannot control and we are uncertain of our eternal destiny. It doesn't have to be this way, though. Join us for a special series where we ask and seek to answer the big questions about God's big world, and draw encouragement from the hope we always find in our good God who has the whole world—material and spiritual—in His hand. April 15: More than Meets the Eye: Living and Praying as if the Spiritual World Exists Dr. Douglas F. Kelly, Richard Jordan Professor of Theology, Reformed Theological Seminary April 22: Angels and Demons Dr. Robert M. Norris April 29: Caring for Those under the Influence: Medicine, Possession, and the Spirit World Rev. Michael Densmoor May 6: Journey or Destination: Heaven, Hell, and You Rev. D. Blair Smith, Former Pastor of Adult Education Spring Festival Alison Muscato, Congregational Care On May 16, Fourth will host its 5th Annual Spring Festival. Envisioned as an outreach to the community and neighborhood, this has become a joyful and successful day as in the past four years around 1,000 people have attended each year. Many invited their non-church attending friends to Fourth, and others, seeing the festivities, joined us as well. The Festival will take place rain or shine on church grounds from 3pm to 6pm. Once again, there will be activities for people of all ages—a car show, live music, train rides, a moon bounce, farm animals, free food, and much more. Will you join us and pray that God would generate vision and excitement for reaching out to neighbors and friends with the love of Christ—and that He would use this event for that purpose? And then, after praying, act by inviting those God has placed in your life. As always, we need many volunteers to make the festival a success. If you have as little as an hour to give to this event, please contact Alison Muscato in the Congregational Care office at amuscato@4thpres.org. We guarantee you will have a wonderful time serving the Lord. The Essentials of Inductive Bible Study May 20, 6:15-9:15pm Please join us for this three-hour workshop that introduces you to the most essential skills for Inductive Bible Study so you can personally interact with God’s Word, understand its meaning and apply it to your life. As a part of our Adult Education equipping, we will have a Precept Ministries trainer teach tools for observation, principles for interpretation, and how these essential skills lead to deeper understanding faith and life. Cost is $40. Register in Halverson Hall April 19, 26 or May 3, or online at training.precept.org. Registration deadline is May 6. For more information, contact Steve Liston at sliston@preceptnetwork.org. 4 Fourth Press Young at Heart St. Patrick's Day Luncheon Spring has finally arrived, and it is time for a brand new session of Body & Soul Fitness to begin! Classes at Fourth start the week of April 6. All ladies are invited to join us for Cardio/Strength workouts on Monday and Friday mornings at 9:30, Dance Blast on Wednesday mornings at 9:30 and/or Strength & Flexibility on Thursdays over the lunch hour (12:30-1:30). Save the Date Agape & Eucharist April 19, 6pm For more information, please contact Heather Johnson at jhwhdjohnson@verizon.net or (301) 871-3420. It’s faith, fitness, and fun! April 2015 5 SIXTH IN A SERIES “I donated this book to the Media Center because...” Peggy Gnehm, Special Features Writer Editor’s Note: This is the sixth article in a new series that gives you a chance to write about a book or movie that you have donated to us. If you’d like to donate something (and write about it), contact Jeri, at jweaver@4thpres.org. We continue to welcome your recommendations and donations. When Jeri Weaver asked me why I wanted to give a copy of Mimi Wilson’s Trusting in His Goodness to the library, I could think of nothing except "Because." Her previous book, Holy Habits (also written with Shelly Volkhardt), is one that was studied and loved by the Women of Fourth circles in 200102. Mimi has also spoken to Fourth women at luncheons and retreats several times in the past 15 years, so she is wellknown among us. In fact, my personal reasons go much deeper. Mimi was one of the first women I met after my husband and I arrived to serve at the US Embassy in Amman, Jordan, on September 10, 2001. Many here at Fourth know the immediate and deep friendship she and I formed in that time. I know that she truly is the woman reflected in these pages, because I was a witness of her life during the years she and Shelly developed this book. The final chapter speaks also of the woman she has continued to become—a woman whose ministry has only intensified as she deals daily with the limitations and opportunities of living with Parkinson’s. Like Paul’s, her weakness is being used as a showcase for God's glory in beautiful and unexpected ways. The lessons of her book and her life are ones to enrich believing women of all ages...and men, too! Trusting in His Goodness: a woman's guide to knowing God's purpose, by Mimi Wilson and Shelly Cook Volkhardt, is available for checkout from Fourth’s Media Center. Other books in our library by Mimi Wilson are Holy Habits (1999) and Once-a-Month Cooking (2008). 6 Fourth Press Children’s LIBRARY New Titles in the Children’s Library BOOKS: Daniel Boone: frontiersman by Janet and Geoff Benge Sir Quinlan and the Swords of Valor by Chuck Black Sir Rowan and the Camerian Conquest by Chuck Black Bible Animals by Alison Brown Grumpy Day by Stephanie Carmichael and Jessica Green Abner’s Dilemma by Louise M. Coffman Bash and the Pirate Pig by Burton W. Cole God’s Little Devotional Book for Boys by David C. Cook Rise Above: A 90 day devotional by Bethany Hamilton and Doris Rikkers Attack at the Arena by Marianne Hering and Paul McCusker Voyage with the Vikings by Marianne Hering and Paul McCusker Loving the Little Years: motherhood in the trenches by Rachel Jankovic Before Five in a Row by Jane Claire Lambert Five in a Row by Jane Claire Lambert Samson: man of strength by Dan Larsen George Muller: does money grow on trees? by Catherine Mackenzie Helen Roseveare: what’s in the parcel? by Catherine Mackenzie Hudson Taylor: could someone pass the salt? by Catherine Mackenzie Elijah: fiery prophet by Susan Martins Miller The Machine by Bill Myers Kid’s Bible Questions and Answers by Ed Strauss Shepherding a Child’s Heart by Tedd Tripp DVDS: Columbus, The Pilgrims, and Early Boston (Drive Thru History) East Meets West (Drive Thru History) Greece and the Word (Drive Thru History) Patriots, Penn and the Freedom Trail (Drive Thru History) Rome If You Want To (Drive Thru History) The Treasure Map Turkish Delight (Drive Thru History) Veggies in Space: The Fennel Frontier: A lesson in the power of sharing (Veggie Tales) The Children’s Library Summer Reading Club Is Coming! June 21 - July 26 Designed for Children Ages 3-12 Read Christian Books Memorize Bible Verses Collect Prizes Attend Thursday Morning Story Hours Special prizes will be awarded to top readers and Scripture memory participants. Questions? Please contact Children’s Librarian, Holly Gochnour, hgochnour@4thpres.org Save the Date for the Reading Club Kickoff Thursday, June 18 April 2015 7 Deacon Ministry Our Newest Deacons Barbara Hocker, Deacon "We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose" - Romans 8:28 We are here to serve you. The current Deacon Officers are: Chairman, Roland Hirsch, Vice Chairman Stephen Howe; Secretary, Joe Ann Stenstrom; Co-Treasurers, Anthony Leegwater and Scott McClelland. Please approach any Deacon to share in prayer or other needs. Photos courtesy of Charles Brady DEACON BOARD MEMBERS elected in 2014 Rebecca Fisher—A Silver Spring native, Rebecca moved to Colorado for seven years before returning to the DC area. At Fourth she has served as a Sunday school teacher, a youth leader, and a helper with Special Blessings. She has also worked on Sunday mornings in the Welcome Center and the Church Office. Outside of church, she is an infant and toddler teacher for a local company. Carol Jackson—After college, Carol worked in New York City for a few years before feeling the Lord leading her to the Washington DC area, where she met and married her husband Kevin more than 25 years ago. Her family began attending Fourth in 2000 and has been greatly blessed by the music and the wonderful preaching and teaching here, especially the Fourth Night classes. Their adult children, Kim and Stephen, were positively influenced by their participation in Fourth’s Youth Group. Drew Jones—First coming to the DC area as a young teenager in the early 1970's, Drew came to faith at that time. He and his wife Diane served in their previous church in drama, children's ministry, leading a small group, and marriage mentoring. They were blessed with three children: Erin, Reid and Vicky. A large portion of their world was affected by the significant medical challenges of their son Reid, who finished his life in 2009 at age 22. Drew and Diane arrived at Fourth in the fall of 2011. They host the Gaithersburg Community Group, help with recording Fourth Night classes, serve as marriage mentors and occasionally help out with Special Blessings. Drew works at NASA as an aerospace engineer. Iris Lovelace—Born in the District of Columbia and raised in Virginia, Iris graduated from Phillips Business College and later attended the University of Maryland University College. During her youth she sang in the choir, taught Sunday school and served as an usher. She has one grown daughter, Tameka. Since becoming a member of Fourth, Iris has served as a greeter and worked in the Welcome Center. She is a Circle member and assists with the ESOL program. Her career took her to the Mitre Corporation, Georgetown University and Hewlett Packard. Scott McClelland—A member of Fourth for over 35 years, Scott accepted Christ as his Savior during a junior high retreat, and met his wife Jill at church. They have three teenage children, Haley, Jack, and Jay. At Fourth he has helped out in various children’s ministries, been on the steering committee of the newlywed/young married fellowship, and participated in various Men of Fourth events. He has an MS in Geology and works at an international engineering consulting firm. Dan Ware—After moving to the DC area from Philadelphia, Dan joined Fourth in 2011, where he has served in the Middle School, High School, and Young Career Fellowship (YCF) Ministries. He currently works as a consultant at a business process management software provider. He completed his undergraduate studies at Temple University and completed graduate studies in Finance at the George Washington University. He and his wife Maggie are the parents of twin daughters. 8 Fourth Press DEACON BOARD MEMBERS elected in 2015 Cheryl Butz—Raised in Ohio, Cheryl now lives in Great Falls, VA, where her neighbor Leesa Donner introduced her to Fourth. Cheryl and her family began attending regularly in 2003 and she joined five years later. She has participated in Bible studies led by Leesa for more than ten years—both at Fourth and in their neighborhood. She and her husband John (married 25 years) have one son (J.C.), who has attended Sunday school regularly here since he was five, and joined the church last spring. John Hoobler—John was raised by Christians and taught Christianity by them, by Fourth Presbyterian Church, and by Washington Christian Academy. His family has regularly attended Fourth for decades. He and his five siblings all attended Washington Christian Academy for at least a decade apiece. Most of his siblings have worked at church in the past. John has been involved in the summer staff, support staff, Sunday school teaching, and worship team aspects of Fourth. A regular attender since 1990, he joined the church in 2014. Arpad Korossy—Arpad first came to Fourth with his family while he was in high school (1996), and was already starting to make the faith of his parents his own. Although often away for school or work, he attended regularly whenever able, having been active in Young Career Fellowship since about 2008. He joined Fourth in 2009, and looks forward to returning to the area permanently in the spring, after commuting up on weekends while stationed in Norfolk, VA, for the last several years. His parents (Zoltan and Katalin) and siblings (Zoltan, Katalin, Laszlo) all also attend Fourth regularly, and his parents and sister are members. Mark De Ravin—As a native of the land down under, Australia, Mark attended the University of New South Wales in Sydney. Through a university ministry, he met his wife, Suk See. They live in Bethesda, and have two girls, Emma (freshman at Maryland) and Laura (freshman at Whitman High School). He is host of Table 6 for the 9:30 Pastor’s Class and works some Sundays in the Media Center, assisting with check-outs at the counter or shelving returned materials. Romi Kobayashi—Growing up in Japan in a nominal Buddhist home, Romi became acquainted with the Bible at age 12 at a private school. She then attended a small denominational junior college in Kentucky, where many people believed that the Bible was the word of God. She began attending Fourth when Dr. Glen Knecht was preaching from Revelation in the evening services, and joined in 2012. Romi attends Sunday morning and evening services and the 9:30 Pastor’s Class at Table 8. She is part of the Fourth Women’s Prayer Ministry, Greeters Ministry (with the Special Blessings students), the Northern Virginia Circle, a small prayer meeting for the Muslims on Sunday mornings, and Vienna Oakton Community Group. Lee Thorson—Growing up in a Christian home, Lee attended Fourth Presbyterian Church for over a year before joining last May. She and her husband Scott came to the DC area from MN for a job change. They have been married for 33 years and have three adult children in MN and CA. At Fourth, Lee is in a small group, attends the Pastor’s Sunday school class, and attends some of the Women’s Ministries activities. Phil Warker—Living in Bethesda, Phil and his wife Margaret joined Fourth about ten years ago. He has served on the Evangelism Committee and has led an Alpha group and assisted with Alpha, Beta, and Christianity Explored. He was the Covenant Choir parent for three years and has helped with other, smaller ad hoc tasks. He has taken advantage of the various worship and learning opportunities at Fourth (as well as the CS Lewis Fellows Program). Their daughter, Julia (14), has been active in Fourth’s youth programs and choirs for a number of years. April 2015 9 An Artful Afternoon Saturday, May 9 3-4:30pm $12/person "In the beginning, God created..." Genesis 1:1 Bringing together women of all ages to fellowship and hear and consider how Christian themes have influenced and pervaded art throughout history (with something special for our little ladies!) REGISTRATION BEGINS APRIL 12 Stop by the tables in Halverson Hall. Women’s Ministry Retreat Baltimore’s Inner Harbor—April 24-26 Day Only Registration NOW OPEN If you are unable to come the entire weekend, on April 1, we will accept Day Only Registrations. The cost to attend the retreat on Saturday only will be $80. (There is an additional parking fee to be paid to the hotel). Following is the schedule for Saturday, April 25. 8-9:30 9:45 11:15 12:00 2:00 Breakfast Session #2 with Barbara Murray Small groups Lunch Workshop #1 3:00 4:00 7:00 8:15 9:00 Workshop #2 Free time with dinner on your own Session #3 with Barbara Small groups Entertainment To register, go online to 4thpres.org/registration or stop by the table in Halverson Hall on Sundays between services. DAY ONLY REGISTRATION WILL CLOSE APRIL 15. 10 Fourth Press Taste of Fourth Cookbook! INGREDIENTS NEEDED: Recipes from Fourth Presbyterian Women to create a spectacular community cookbook. INSTRUCTIONS: Each woman is invited to submit up to 5 recipes for consideration in all areas of cuisine including appetizers, main dishes, breads, soups, salads, slow cooker dishes, food for a crowd, vegan dishes and more! BAKE TIME: Submit recipes electronically until April 15 by visiting http://4thpres.org/cookbook or by dropping a hard copy in the WOF Recipes folder in the Main Office. SERVES: Proceeds from the sale of this cookbook will support the Women of Fourth Ministry. QUESTIONS, CONTACT: Stephanie Looney or Sarah Thatch cookbook@4thpres.org April 2015 11 youth Focus on Chelsea Custer, Youth Ministries Pray for the Youth Ministry team (Chelsea, Garrett, Devan, Nate and Rob) as they continue to transition and adjust in this new season with new leadership. Pray for this full-time staff as they develop and pray over intentional future ministry. Pray that our middle school and high school students would feel loved, welcomed, and cared for, in the name of Jesus. Pray for wisdom, strength, and joy for Sunday school teachers and volunteer staff who disciple students and lead Wednesday Bible studies. Pray for the Holy Spirit to work through them to draw students closer to the Lord. Pray for The Rock (MS) and The Root (HS) Wednesday evening Bible studies,for students to feel loved and welcomed in Jesus’ name. Pray for students to hear and respond to the gospel, and for real relationships to develop among students. Continue to pray for our community to be a safe and welcoming place for students to bring their friends and for these friends to be welcomed into fellowship and community, in Jesus' name. Pray for high school seniors away on the Senior Florida Trip April 6-10. Pray for the Lord to give them vision as they discuss what it looks like to pursue Christ, and community as they leave the youth ministry and enter college. Pray for Devan, Nate, and staff as they prepare and facilitate community. Pray for students to develop a heart for service in Jesus' name to their communities and neighbors. Pray that God would stir in their hearts a desire to serve, and further understanding of the gospel. Especially pray for those students who will serve at Camp Bennett's Annual Easter Egg Hunt for inner-city youth on Monday, April 6. Pray for the Lord to prepare our summer staffers who will arrive in May and minister to our students through August. Pray for their fruitful relationships with our students. Pray for staff as they plan for the summer. 12 Fourth Press
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