"We Are Surrounded" Sermon

We Are Surrounded

Patuxent Presbyterian Church, California, Maryland

Sunday 3 November 2019

 Rev. Robert Bayley, Interim Pastor

ALL SAINTS’ SUNDAY

What is a saint? Someone who belongs to Jesus:

“To all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi…”  

Philippians 1:1

Hebrews 12:1-3

“…we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses (marturon)…”

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, 

the communion of saints,

the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, 

and the life everlasting.

The Apostles’ Creed: The Book of Confessions of the Presbyterian Church U.S.A.

“We are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses”

We are surrounded by those who have gone on before us

Yet she on earth hath union, with God the Three in One

And mystic, sweet communion with those whose rest is won:

Q: For whom are you thankful who has influenced your faith 
but is now with the Lord? 
________________

We are surrounded by those who are still with us around the world 
in Christ’s body.

Elect from every nation, yet one o’er all the earth,
her charter of salvation, one Lord, one faith, one birth;
One holy name she blesses, partakes one holy food,
And to one hope she presses, with every hope endued.

Q: For whom are you thankful who has influenced your faith 
and is still living?
________________

We are surrounded by Jesus, “the author and finisher of our faith.”
“’I am the Alpha and the Omega,’ says the Lord God, 
‘who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.’”  
Revelation 1:8

Q: How the should we live in this context of being surrounded?

1.       “… let us throw off (lay down) everything that hinders (weight, encumbrance)…”
2.      “… let us throw off (lay down) the sin that so easily entangles (encircles) …”

The sin which so easily entangles us is the sin 
we don’t want to give up.

3.      “… let us run with perseverance (patience) the race marked out for us.”
4.      “Let us fix our eyes (to look away from all else) on Jesus, …”

God creates out of nothing. Wonderful, you say. 
Yes, to be sure, but he does what is still more wonderful: 
he makes saints out of sinners.
Soren Kierkegaard, Danish existential theologian 1813-1855

Monday Morning
As you reflect on the lives of those who have influenced your faith, what characteristics or qualities in them that influenced your faith can you identify that you would like to emulate?

Make this a part of your prayer time with the Lord this week.

"Alone!" Sermon

Alone!

Patuxent Presbyterian Church, California, Maryland

Sunday 27 October 2019

Robert Bayley, Interim Pastor

Reformation Sunday

John 14:1-6

“The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) understands itself to be part of the tradition emerging from the sixteenth century Reformation in Europe. Thus, any confession within the Book of Confessions should be compatible with the ‘Protestant watchwords’ – Christ alone, grace alone, faith alone, Scripture alone - that remain guides to Christian faith and life.” (emphasis added)

    The Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Part 1: Book of Confessions

CHRIST ALONE (SOLUS CHRISTUS)

John 14:6
"Thomas said to him, 
'Lord, we don't know where you're going, so how can we know the way?'"

GRACE ALONE (SOLA GRATIA)

Ephesians 2:8-9

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not 

from yourselves, it is the gift of god – not of works, so that no one can boast.”

FAITH ALONE (SOLA FIDE)

Romans 1:16-17

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of  everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: ‘The

righteous will live by faith.’” – to which Luther added in the margin of his Bible, “ALONE!”

SCRIPTURE ALONE (SOLA SCRIPTURA)

2 Timothy 3:16-17

“All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the people of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

The Bible is the only rule for faith and practice, 
for what we believe and how we behave.
(Based on the Westminster Shorter and Larger Catechisms) 

MONDAY MORNING

As you reflect on these four “alones” during your quiet time this week, what does each one say to you where you are on your faith journey? Which one speaks to you the most?

"First They Gave Themselves to the Lord" Sermon

First They Gave Themselves to the Lord

Patuxent Presbyterian Church, California, Maryland

Sunday 20 October 2019

Rev. Robert Bayley, Interim Pastor

New Testament Lesson: 2 Corinthians 8:1-7

PRINCIPLES OF GIVING

We give in the context of relationships – 2 Corinthians 8:5

Principle: “And they did not do as we expected, but first they gave
themselves to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God’s will.”

Vertical dimension of giving: 

We give in the context of our relationship with the Lord.

                   “…first they gave themselves to the Lord…

Horizontal dimension of giving: 

We give in the context of our relationships with other believers.

                   “…first they gave themselves to the Lord and then to us…”

We give because we want to, not because we have to – 2 Corinthians 9:6-8

“Each person should give what they have decided in their hearts to give,

not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

We give because we want God’s purposes to be realized – Malachi 3:10

"'Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test

me in this,’ says the Lord Almighty, 'and see if I will not throw open the floodgates

of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.'"

How much should I give? 

Pastoral guidance – whatever you decide: 

Never put yourself in a position 
where you are trying to figure out how to give God less.

MONDAY MORNING

Q: Have you given yourself to the Lord?

Q: What is your total household income?

Q: What percentage of this do you give to God’s work in/through PPC?

Q: What is God impressing you to give in 2020?

CLICK HERE for ONLINE GIVING

The disciplines of stewardship and self-offering are a grateful response to God’s love for the world  and self-giving in Jesus Christ. As Christians, we are called to live lives of simplicity, generosity, hospitality, compassion, and care for creation. Tithing is a primary practice of Christian stewardship and self-offering. We are accountable to God for how we use our material goods, spiritual gifts, and time in God’s service. 

Book of Order: Part II of the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church USA -  Directory for Worship W-5.0103

"Every Place Where You Set Your Foot" Sermon

Every Place Where You Set Your Foot

Patuxent Presbyterian Church, California, Maryland

Sunday 13 October 2019

Robert Bayley, Interim Pastor

Old Testament Lesson: Joshua 1:1-9

New Testament Lesson: Philippians 1:9-11

THE FIVE DEVELOPMENTAL TASKS 
OF INTENTIONAL INTERIM MINISTRY

COMING TO TERMS WITH HISTORY - HERITAGE

“’What do these stones mean?’” Joshua 4:21

DISCOVERING A NEW IDENTITY - MISSION

“’Come over to Macedonia and help us.’” Acts 16:9

STRENGTHENING PATTERNS OF LAY LEADERSHIP - LEADERSHIP

“…appoint elders in every town,…” Titus 1:5

STRENGTHENING DENOMINATIONAL TIES - CONNECTIONS

“Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” 
1 Corinthians 12:27

PREPARING FOR NEW LEADERSHIP – FUTURE

“It was he who gave some to be…pastors and teachers,….” Ephesians 5:11

A blending of two sources - Temporary Shepherds: A Congregational Handbook for Interim Ministry, and the website of National Capital Presbytery

During the interim journey, as the congregation and its intentional interim pastor work together with integrity, the ultimate goal is to bring a congregation to a point of knowing and accepting where it has been, of being able to define where it is and where it wants to go, and of having the ability to commit itself to a new vision and new leadership as it moves not the future. Temporary Shepherds: A Congregational Handbook for Interim Ministry. Roger S. Nicholson, editor, © 1998 The Alban Institute 

A PASTORAL PRAYER FOR THE INTERIM JOURNEY

“And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ – to the glory and praise of God.”  Philippians 1:9-11

MONDAY MORNING

Which of these five areas stimulates faith in you?

Why do you think this is so?

Which of these five areas stimulates fear in you?

Why do you think this is so?
Suggestion: incorporate what you have written above into your prayer time.

Congregational Advent Devotional

Give a gift from your heart 
to their hearts.

Let us inspire one another! As a gift to your brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ here at Patuxent Presbyterian Church, share your Advent devotion.

Congregational Advent Devotional

The Worship Ministry is seeking members of the congregation to help create an Advent Devotional, to be distributed on December 1st, the First Sunday of Advent. Writing a devotion can be a spiritually uplifting experience, and a daily reading can certainly offer that, as well. Below is the list of scriptures for each day in Advent. Please choose any one of the scripture passages for a given day, and before writing anything check with Mark Strayer to ensure that someone hasn’t already chosen that date. The deadline for submissions is November 20th, to allow adequate time to review the entries, gather them into a single document and print them. Please try to keep your writing between 1,000 and 2,000 characters.  

Sunday, Dec.1 - Psalm 122, Isaiah 2:1-5, Romans 13:11-14, Matthew 24:36-44 
Monday, Dec. 2 - Psalm 124, Genesis 8:1-19, Romans 6: 1-11 
Tuesday, Dec. 3 - Genesis 9:1-17, Hebrews 11:32-40 
Wednesday, Dec. 4 - Isaiah 54:1-10, Matthew 24:23-35 
Thursday, Dec. 5 - Psalm 71:1-7, 18-19, Isaiah 4:2-6, Acts 1:12-17, 21-26 
Friday, Dec. 6 - Isaiah 30:19-26, Acts 13:16-25 
Saturday, Dec. 7 - Isaiah 40:1-11, John 1:19-28 
Sunday, Dec. 8 - Isaiah 11:1-10, Romans 15:4-13, Matthew 3:1-12 
Monday, Dec 9 - Psalm 21, Isaiah 24:1-16a, 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12 
Tuesday, Dec. 10 - Isaiah 41:14-20, Romans 15:14-21 
Wednesday, Dec. 11 - Genesis 15:1-18, Matthew 12:33-37 
Thursday, Dec. 12 - Psalm 146:5-10, Ruth 1:6-18, 2 Peter 3:1-10 
Friday, Dec. 13 - Ruth 4:13-17, 2 Peter 3:11-18 
Saturday, Dec. 14 - 1 Samuel 2:1-8, Luke 3:1-18 
Sunday, Dec. 15 - Isaiah 35:1-10, Luke 1:46b-55, James 5:7-10, Matthew 11:2-11 
Monday, Dec. 16 - Psalm 42, Isaiah 29:17-24, Acts 5:12-16 
Tuesday, Dec. 17 - Ezekiel 47:1-12, Jude 17-25 
Wednesday, Dec. 18 - Zechariah 8:1-17, Matthew 8:14-17, 28-34 
Thursday, Dec. 19 - Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19, 2 Samuel 7:1-17, Galatians 3:23-29 
Friday, Dec. 20 - 2 Samuel 7:18-22, Galatians 4:1-7 
Saturday, Dec. 21 - 2 Samuel 7:23-29, John 3:31-36 
Sunday, Dec. 22 - Isaiah 7:10-16, Romans 1:1-7, Matthew 1:18-25 
Monday, Dec. 23 - 1 Samuel 2:1-10, Genesis 17:15-22, Galatians 4:8-20 
Tuesday, Dec. 24 - Isaiah 9:2-7, Isaiah 60:1-6, Luke 1:67-80, Luke 2:1-14, Titus 2:11-14
Wednesday, Dec. 25 - Isaiah 52:7-10, Isaiah 62:6-12, Luke 2:8-20, John 1:1-14, Titus 3:4-7 

Click Here to Sign Up!

((( Dates in RED no longer available. )))

God Bless!

Mark Strayer and Carolyn Graessle,

Worship Ministry Elders

2020 Stewardship Campaign Kick-Off

As we approach the Fall season, your Finance Ministry asks you to prayerfully consider your financial commitment to our church. Your financial support, prayerfully conceived, is essential to support our congregation, community, nation, and the spiritually starved people around the world. It also facilitates the day-to-day operations of Patuxent Presbyterian Church.

Our beautiful facility gives us a great place to worship, conduct Christian Education, support missions both near and far, and enjoy fellowship. It has helped us minister to increasing numbers of people in our area, and we pray it will continue to do so. With these increasing numbers, our programs will need to expand their activities. Over the next few weeks, we plan for representatives of our ministries to address the congregation to briefly explain existing and growing efforts. We need your prayers and financial support.

This year our Stewardship effort is to develop a “Ministry Impact Budget” that will support our Ministries, and enable them to meet the future needs of our church as well as our Outreach programs. Over the past few years, members and friends of our congregation have been very generous supporting our church in an effort to meet our financial commitments. Because of the present level of giving, Session has a well-considered plan to sustain and expand church programs and facilities. However, the increased costs of doing the Lord’s work makes it necessary to also increase pledging. This will ensure that the facilities and programs are there to meet the needs of the congregation and those to whom we minister.

As you consider your financial support of this congregation for 2020, we urge you to open your heart to God’s will through prayer. Once God has led you to your decision, the Finance Ministry asks that you fill out the pledge cards that will be sent in early November. You’ll have an opportunity to return it on Commitment Sunday in November. Our Finance Ministry will use the resulting estimate of giving to prepare the 2020 budget.

Giving is an act of faith. We trust the Lord to provide the means to give what He is leading us to contribute.

According to 2 Corinthians 9:7-9:

Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.”

Thank you for your giving to God through Patuxent Presbyterian Church.

Sincerely,

Dave Smouse & Tony Guido
Elders, Finance Ministry

Introducing our Head Youth Group Leader

Stephen Thomson has been attending Patuxent Presbyterian Church for nineteen years and counting. He graduated from college in May of 2019, and is back working locally for the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs baseball team. While in high school, Stephen was an active member of Youth Group at the church. He has been drawn back to Youth Ministry due to the profound experience he had as a student. Both regular Youth Group meetings and retreats had a deep and positive impact on his spiritual development. Now as an adult, Stephen feels called to be the Youth Group Leader for the next generation of youth at Pax Pres, helping the current youth cultivate their spiritual lives the way JD Garris and Lauren Cross did for him.

Life Verse: 

Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.  

~ 1 Timothy 4:12, NIV

Introducing our Interim Director of Youth Ministry

Tom Schumacher came to the Southern Maryland area for school in the late 90s and returned with his family in 2003, joining Pax Pres in early 2004. Leaving the service in 2010 he has remained in the area working for the Navy at NAS Pax River. A native Minnesotan, he has adapted well to being in a “kind of southern” area with his wife Patsy (a native New Yorker) and their son, Peter, who was born in California.

He has to laugh a little at finding himself involved in Youth Ministry. God touched him during some challenging times as a freshman in college and he came to have a personal relationship with Jesus at that time. Involved in various campus ministries such as Navigators and The Great Commission Church he saw how God transformed lives when people met with Him regularly. Those experiences led to varied involvement with churches and small groups ever since. After marrying Patsy in ’95 they have regularly hosted small groups & Bible Studies and have been active in music and teaching ministries. A recent conversation with Patsy should have been a harbinger, as they were talking about future plans and Tom quipped, “I’d like to teach, but definitely not Middle School”. God must have laughed because Pastor Mike soon after asked Tom to help with 6th and 7th grade Sunday School; 6 years and a couple of Great Escape Retreats later, Tom is having a great time doing stuff with the youth, especially the last two years helping with Youth Group. He is excited for the foundation that is being formed with the Youth Ministry team. 

Current hobbies are spending time with Patsy and Peter, and this year their exchange student Aliya; learning guitar and general sound production, and seeing God touch our adults-in-training through the Youth Ministry. 

His life verse has been Prov 3:5-6 since coming to the Lord, and still is his foundation today:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart 

And do not lean on your own understanding.  

In all your ways acknowledge Him, 

And He will make your paths straight.”

As a life mission he would quote the Navigator’s moto as he learned it: “To know Christ and to make Him known.” With the current Youth Leader, Kate, moving on to her family’s next military assignment, Tom is excited to see what God in mind for our youth ministry. 

Pastor, Missionary, Teacher, Author, Consultant, Mentor

James Osterhouse is a pastor and missionary in the Christian Reformed Church. He holds a bachelor’s degree in English and American Literature; a Masters of Divinity from Calvin Theological Seminary; and Clinical Pastoral Education certification I and II from Andover-Newton Theological Seminary.

Jim’s ministry has provided him with experience in a wide variety of mission-oriented work. While a seminary intern in Washington, he began a campus ministry at Western Washington State College. As a missionary (church planter) in Florida he engaged in church renewal of a newer but declining congregation. He started a church “from scratch” in Wisconsin. He led a large church in Minneapolis-St. Paul into staff ministry. In each church he was engaged in building facilities as well as building leaders.

Jim was able to draw on all his ministry experiences when he next served as the Home Missions regional director for the Midwest – training, encouraging and supervising campus ministers, church planters, established church pastors, and church renewal specialists for 13 years. He initiated a strong church planting movement of Anglo, ethnic specific and cross-cultural churches. He found great joy working with African-Americans, Native Americans, Hispanics, SE Asians, Chinese and Japanese. He then was called upon to be the Missional Leader Development team leader to develop Leadership Development Networks throughout the United States and Canada.

Jim has been adjunct faculty at Calvin Theological Seminary as Associate Professor of Missions for more than a decade, and more recently at Kuyper College as well. He has written numerous discipling and training materials and manuals. His published works include: F.A.I.T.H. Unfolded, Masterful Mentoring, and a two volume devotional commentary on the Gospel of Mark titled The MARK of Mentoring.

Jim has earned certification as a Conflict Management Consultant, as a Natural Church Development consultant, as a Certified Selection Interviewer, and as a Certified Human Behavior Consultant. He has led workshops and seminars in evangelism, discipleship training, personnel interviewing, new church networks, parenting church networks, pastoral renewal and mentor training throughout North America as well as in Japan. He has preached in a multitude of churches, on cruise ships and in barrooms. He has served as an officer in Ministerial Associations in Florida, Wisconsin and Minnesota. Jim’s kingdom passion is to help raise the next generation of church leaders through training, teaching and mentoring.

Jim’s other interests include swimming, hiking, biking, reading and extensive travel (to more than 30 countries). He has sung in Barbershop Choruses and classical chorales. Jim and his wife Norma have a married daughter and a married son both of whom have two children. They live in Solomons, Maryland. Jim is now retired but continues to serve Jesus.  He is an Elder at Patuxent Presbyterian Church and continues to preach and teach, and mentor young pastors.

Pax Pres and Me CLASS

“Pax Pres and Me”

New Members/Inquirers Class 

begins November 3rd

Pastor Ben Garris will lead the next New Members/Inquirers class beginning Sunday, November 3rd during the Sunday school hour (9:45-10:40 a.m.). The class will meet for 4 weeks and conclude with a luncheon on November 24th. Nursery care is available for those under the age of three.  A description of the weekly meetings is as follows:

Week One (November 3rd): Examine in basic terms what it means to be a Christian – to profess Christ as Lord and Savior. Discussion centers around Romans 6:23:  “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Pastor Ben will also share how he came to faith in Christ and how he sensed his call to ministry.

Week Two (November 10th): The formation of the early church and the divide called the Protestant Reformation which still defines us today. As history has a way of repeating itself, we spend some time looking at the issues that brought about the Protestant Reformation and way the reformers sought to redefine beliefs and practices of the church. Included in this is also a discussion on the meaning of the sacraments of the Lord’s Supper and Baptism.

Week Three (November 17th): The history and make-up of our denomination as well as this congregation - from its founding to its move to this current location to various aspects of ministry here. We talk about the central role that small groups play in the ministry here and for our faith individually. We talk about what it means to be a member of Patuxent Presbyterian Church.

Week Four (November 24th): We gather for a luncheon where interested new members meet with the church officers, hear about their areas of involvement and how each member may fit in. Those desiring to become a member will have the chance to stand and affirm or re-affirm their faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

If you are interested in attending, please sign up in the Narthex 
or CLICK HERE and select: "Join a Group."

For specific questions about membership, please contact Pastor Ben at: pastorben@paxpres.org.