Evergreen E-Letter – September 22, 2010

Evergreen Church is about Experiencing God, Exalting God, and Extending God to others. The E-letter's format is designed to hold this vision clearly before us. New items are in blue.

Use the contact info provided to reply concerning any of the items below, or reply to this message to contact Chip Giessler (pastor@EvergreenChurch.net ). And if you'd rather not receive the E-Letter, please reply and let us know. 703-737-7700 -- 19615 Evergreen Mill Rd, Leesburg VA 20175 -- www.EvergreenChurch.net

EXPERIENCING GOD      

    1.  ...as our faith develops – Tomorrow officially starts the 5 Talent Academy “Faith Development” semester.  This is Evergreen’s third semester of having a specific focus for strengthening our church life and ministry – in conjunction with 120 other 5 Talent Academy member churches of the 1000+ United Methodist congregations in Virginia.  A team of four from Evergreen will invest the day in Williamsburg preparing to lead our church in this focus (and they’ll need the whole church’s participation as the days and weeks go on).  We thank Ralph Carver for leading our 5 Talent Academy efforts, and Mark Machina and Chip & Laura Giessler for representing Evergreen.  A question for all of us as we begin:  Is your faith developing?  How?  Are you stronger in your relationship with God than you were 12 months ago?  God desires that our experience of Him be one that is always growing.

                                                                                                                                                    

    2.  Home Group Line-Up -- Home groups are a vital part of following Christ and of Evergreen Church. Here's the normal meeting times of current groups: 

 

Sunday morning (starting September 26)

Adult Class (youth are welcome), Wesleyan Faith & Practice 

Ed G., ejgcanoe@aol.com

Sundays

Youth Group - various activities 

Marty E., 703-771-0944

Sundays (women), 7-8:30 pm

Sharing, prayer & topical discussion

Laura G. & Cindy S., 703-737-2274

Wednesday noon (men)

Wisdom:  The Jesus Classics  (E-House) 

Chip G., 703-737-7700

Wednesday 7:30-9 pm (youth & adults)

Soul Food, (Wegmans café, upstairs)

Chip G., 703-737-7700

Friday 8-9 am  (men)

Contemplative Bible Reading 

Pete B., 703-771-1559, @ E-House  

Saturday 8-10 am (men)

Basketball (8) & Bible Study (9) – LCDS

Chip G., 703-737-7700

3.  Soul Food Bible Study – Will next meet October 6, following the conclusion of Evergreen 101.  Wednesdays, 7:30-9:00 pm, Soul Food meets at the Wegmans café, upstairs.  Bring your Bible, your mind & your questions.  All are welcome.

4.  Men's Bible Study -- Every Friday, men gather not so much to learn about the Bible, as to learn from it.  Using a centuries-old practice of taking a short passage and prayerfully pondering, we consider 1) what it means, 2) what God is saying through it to us individually, and 3) what God is inviting us to do about it.  Visitors are welcome. Meeting throughout the Summer at the Evergreen House.

5.   New Home Group -- A new women's Home Group (twice/month) meets for the second time this Sunday, September 26.  It will from 6:45 to 8:30 pm.  The first meeting will be at Cindy S.’s (720 Valley View Ave, SW.)  Interested women should contact Laura Giessler or Cindy Sokol.

6.  Wednesday Noon Men's Group -- A men's home group meets at the Evergreen House at noon on Wednesdays.  Interested men are invited to contact pastor Chip about it. We’re currently discussing the practical wisdom of Jesus’ parables. 

7.  Sunday Morning Home Group –This Sunday begins a new Home Group before worship.  All adults (& youth) are welcome.  Do you want to learn more about John Wesley and the foundations of our Methodist faith?  Here's a great opportunity.  For eight weeks from 8:45-9:45 AM we will be exploring the key Wesleyan tenets of faith. We will use as a study guide: This We Believe: The Core of Wesleyan Faith and Practice by William H. Willimon.    For John Wesley, the Bible is the joyfully consistent testimony of God’s never-ending grace and ever-seeking love. Likewise, studying the Bible is more than merely knowing what Scripture says; it is also about living every day as a child of God.  For more info about the class, please contact Ed Gorski.

8.  5 Talent Academy Faith Development – It’s time for people interested in serving on the Faith Development semester team to come together.  This is for people who have an interest in Home Groups and discipleship (helping others grow in their faith).  The Big Event for this semester is this Thursday, September 23, in Williamsburg.  There is a team from Evergreen going.  Please contact Ralph C. to sign up or to get more info.  703-443-9855

"Growing Through Love"

 

Present & Future Growth -- A chief motivation for building a church building is to be able to most effectively extend God's love to others.  We want to do this as soon as we are financially ready.  And we are dependent on God for financial readiness.  So that will be a great tool for future Growth of Evergreen Church and God's kingdom.  But we don't need to wait to grow Evergreen and God's kingdom.  We can be increasingly faithful today in inviting others to Evergreen and sharing our faith. 

EXALTING GOD 

  1. This Sunday – Our message is entitled “Extending God to others in a New Season.”  It’s the 4th of 5 messages in this series.  And it’s a great week to invite a guest to come with you.  Then on October 3 we will have a week of lay leadership of our worship service, with Sue Mink sharing the message.
  2. got a nametag? --  Thanks to all who have begun wearing your nametags.  You look great!  And thanks to Maddie H. for being our nametag-maker!
  3. Our Nursery – Our precious children up through 24 months are cared for by Kristin & Sam. Ashlee Zeronik serves as Nursery Coordinator. 
  4. Special Thanks – To Mark Machina & Eric Zeronik for the hours they are putting in to building a new storage shed behind the Evergreen House.
  5. Daytime Prayer meeting –Wednesdays, 1:30 pm at Myra H’s – 301 Nansemond St., SE Leesburg.  All welcome.  No experience necessary. 
  6. Next Steps -- Have you taken any next steps from last week’s message?         

      1)  How many of the last ten Sundays did I gather to worship God?  ____  How many of the next ten will I commit to?  _____

      2)  Prepare for worship with 5 minutes of prayer on Saturday night and 5 minutes first thing Sunday morning, focusing on how God loves me.

      3)  Give thought and prayer with how I will honor God with my possessions, including completing an Estimate of Giving form before the end of this year.

7.  Just Curious… Last Sundays’ Info Card question:  “HONOR (What’s the first thing that comes to your mind?” Responses included respect, life, marriage, my parents, a father, high standard…  Last week’s question:  “What high school did you attend?”  Freeman High (in Richmond, VA), Chritelijk Lyceum Veenendaal (Holland), Brentwood High (NY), Washington-Lee (Arlington, VA), Lake Braddock (Fairfax), Osbourne (Manassas), Woodrow Wilson (DC), Southern Wells (IN), Western Albemarle (VA), Rustburg (VA), Martinsville (VA), Arlington High (PA), Mount Vernon (VA), West High (IA)…

9.  Choir (for children & youth) – The choir will practice on Sunday at 12:15 pm at the Evergreen House.  It is open to those in 2nd grade & older.  See Sissy E.

                                                                                                                                                                                           

BUILDING & HARVEST TASK FORCE           

  1. Building Team update – The Building Team is meeting this week with the architects, a well driller, the County Health Department, the County office of transportation, our civil engineer, etc...  We appreciate their hard work and the support of the whole church.
  2.  Ideas & Actions -- The HTF exists to focus on innovative ways to fulfill God's vision of growing His church.  "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest field." - Jesus, Matthew 9:38
  3. Worship Location Transition – Now’s a great time to invite friends & neighbors to come with you on September 12 to Evergreen’s grand reopening at Loudoun Country Day School.   We’ll begin worshipping there this Sunday, and guests are welcome; but we’re wanting to give ourselves time to get situated in our “new home” before an advertised grand reopening. 

 

EXTENDING GOD TO OTHERS        

  1. Food for the Hungry – One of Evergreen’s five emphasized ministries with “ministry with the poor” is gleaning food from local farmers that would otherwise go to waste, and delivering it to people in need through our local food pantry.  Talk to Sue Mink to learn more about this ministry and how you might be involved.
  2. Loudoun Emergency Homeless Shelter – We offer this ministry the third Thursday of each month.  Contact Andrea E. or Tina H. to learn how you can get involved.  Our next night to prepare and serve dinner to the residents at the LEH Shelter facility off Sycolin Rd. is Thursday October 21. 
  3. Encouraging a brother –  Sending Raul notes or cards is a way we can extend God’s care to him.  The address is Raul A. de-la-Cruz, LADC, 42035 Loudoun Center Place, Leesburg VA, 20175. 

MISCELLANEOUS         

1. What Influences you? – According to a recent name report, in 2009, Isabella surpassed Emma as the most popular name for girls in America.  Jacob continued its 11 year run as most popular name for boys.  Edward moved up 11 spots (to 137) and Cullen was the biggest riser, moving up 297 spots (to 485).  Any Twilight fans notice anything?

2.  Volunteer Tutoring/Mentoring Opportunity in two LCPS High Schools -- Does the beginning of a new school year make you wish that you were back in school? If so, here's a great opportunity to go back to class!  AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) is a national program whose mission is "to close the achievement gap by preparing all students for college readiness and success in a global society."  Students enrolled in the AVID elective are also enrolled in upper level academic courses and receive "tutoring and mentoring" from college students and volunteers to aid in their academic success.  Students at Park View High School in Sterling and Loudoun County High School in Leesburg are in need of support.  If you are interested in volunteering time (approximately 1 hour) in either the morning or afternoon, please contact Kirk Dolson for more specific information at kirk.dolson@lcps.org or 571-201-2133 or 571-252-1493.  This is a wonderful opportunity to make a difference in a high school student's life.

3. Our offerings to God – On Sunday 112 people gathered to worship the Lord at Evergreen.  We offered to God $2,408 for use in on-going ministries, and $297 for Growing Through Love (capital campaign for Building Fund).  Growing Through Love (building) offerings YTD: $38,693.  We thank God for the faithful stewardship and generous hearts of His children.

4. Financial snapshot – Evergreen’s weekly budget need is $4,094. YTD offered for ministry:  $126,457; YTD budget needs: $155,482. Actual expenses year to date are less than “budget needs” due to frugality by ministry leads.  It would be great if we can fully fund all our ministries.  May God bless Evergreen Church with ministry opportunities as we bless God with our trust and gifts.

5.  Prayer (to have your Evergreen family pray for you, send your concern to welcome@evergreenchurch.net by Wednesday morning with "E-letter prayer" in the subject).

  Please pray for...

         

            Families separated by military and other governmental deployments.

            Individuals and families dealing with early Fall sickness.

            Teresa Lewis and all involved in her execution planned for tomorrow night.

            Thanks be to God for provision of new and better jobs.

            Raul, incarcerated in Loudoun, awaiting court date (December 13).

                                                            

                                                                                                                                                                   

People who want to get rich fall into temptation and into a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction.  The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.  Some people, eager fro money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.  But you, man or woman of God, flee from all this and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.

                                                                                                                                                                                          

                                                                                             - 1 Timothy 6:9-11                               

 

Faithfulness and Fruitfulness – The 5 Talent Academy

Upcoming Events      

  • September 23 – 5 Talent Academy Big Event for the Faith Development semester, 10 am- 3 pm, Williamsburg, contact Ralph C.
  • October 9-11 – Fall Youth Retreat
  • November 14 – Evergreen’s annual Charge Conference, 3 pm