Midweek Update: Introducing Pastoral Intern Sam Eligwe
Dear Fourth Church Family,
Today, I’m happy to introduce our new Pastoral Intern, Sam Eligwe, a student at Reformed Theological Seminary (RTS), who will be serving in a variety of ministries here at Fourth. Sam, his wife Maria, and their children have been worshiping with us for the last year and a half.
I’m thankful that with Sam’s input and that of others, we have compiled a list of resources on racial reconciliation—a step to better educate ourselves on the topic of race. I invite you to explore these books and articles intended to help us be more informed and grow as the beautifully diverse church God calls us to be. We offer the list as a quality sampling of the many thoughtful resources available.
Continue reading below for details on the following and more:
- Today, September 23, 5:30 p.m., Congregational Prayer
- Sunday, September 27, Join us for worship at 8:00, 9:30, & 11:00 a.m., or 6:00 p.m. Reservations open each Wednesday morning for the Sunday to come.
- Tuesday, September 29, 7:00 p.m., “Teaching on Tuesdays”
Grace and Peace,
Todd
Worship Services, Sunday, September 27
We extend a warm invitation to everyone in the community to join us for on-campus worship services! Please note that because of physical distancing, advance reservations are required for all four services.
Outdoor Services | 8:00 & 9:30 a.m.
Lower (east) Parking Lot
Indoor Services | 11:00 a.m. & 6:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary
Face coverings required
11:00 a.m. also available via livestream
Children’s Church
All ages are welcome in Sunday worship services. For now there is no childcare during our worship services; children age 4 through 3rd grade are invited to Children’s Church during the 9:30 a.m. outdoor service. See details below.
Classes and activities are available for children, youth, and adults throughout the week.
Reservations open each Wednesday morning for the Sunday to come. If you need to cancel your reservation, please email Rebecca Sparks-Korossy, rkorossy@4thpres.org.
Communion at Evening Service
The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper will be celebrated at the 6:00 p.m. service this Sunday, September 27, using prepackaged communion wafers and grape juice. Prepackaged gluten-free wafers will also be available.
Church Leadership Nominations
Contact: Steve Liston, nominations@4thpres.org
The Nominating Committee is seeking recommendations of Fourth members for consideration as Ruling Elders, Deacons, and Congregation-at-Large Members for next year’s Nominating Committee. Additional information regarding qualifications and how to submit a recommendation is available.
Congregational Prayer Online, Wednesdays, 5:30-6:00 p.m.
Join our churchwide online prayer time by video or phone. See the information sent to the Fourth community this morning via email. If it’s your first time joining us, you can get familiar with Zoom videoconferencing ahead of time here.
Call: 301-320-3600, x205, or email Sallie Holdrich, sholdrich@4thpres.org.
Congregational Prayer Online, Thursdays, 12:00-12:30 p.m.
Beginning Thursday, October 1, we will have an additional congregational prayer time (via Zoom) for those unable to attend Wednesday. Look for more information next week.
Teaching on Tuesdays
Call: 301-320-3600, x205, or email Sallie Holdrich, sholdrich@4thpres.org.
40 Days for Life
Pray with others from Fourth at a late-term abortion facility in Bethesda on Tuesday, October 6 (7:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.), and/or Wednesday, October 7 (1:00-6:00 p.m.). More information to follow; email 40days@4thpres.org with questions.
Alpha Course
Invite your friends and neighbors to discover Jesus through this online course about faith, life, and God. The basics of the Christian faith are explored in a friendly, honest, and informal online environment, Mondays, 7:00-8:15 p.m. The course started last week. Email alpha@4thpres.org to register.
Ministry Announcements
Adult Sunday School
Contact: Kathy Lofberg, klofberg@4thpres.org
Classes have resumed and will continue through December 6. Weekly group meetings take place online. Leaders will be in touch with meeting instructions. Registration is still available and there is also an option to register for independent study. Visit the Adult Sunday School webpage for more information.
Children’s Ministry
Contact: Marie LeDuc, mleduc@4thpres.org
Children’s Sunday School | Online lessons are available and sent via email weekly.
Children’s Church | Sundays, during the 9:30 a.m. outdoor service. Children age 4 through 3rd grade will be dismissed before the sermon and will be accompanied by their teachers to the tent adjacent to the Upper Parking Lot.
Preschool Story Time | Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m., at the tent adjacent to the Upper Parking Lot.
Bible Studies for 4th and 5th Graders | Wednesdays, 6:30-8:00 p.m., outside. Drop-off for boys, Upper Parking Lot; girls, nearby host home. Email for location.
ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages)
Contact: Matilde Palmer, mpalmer@4thpres.org
Online ESOL classes have begun and registration is ongoing. Please invite people to visit 4thpres.org/esol for information and registration.
GriefShare Support Group
Contact: Charlotte Fitzgerald, cfitzgerald@4thpres.org
Continues Thursdays through December 3, 1:00-3:00 p.m., online, registration ongoing. GriefShare is a 13-week video and sharing course on navigating through grief. The course is free of charge except for the cost of the workbook ($15.00). Register at griefshare.org.
New Opportunities to SERVE
Contact: Pamela Roylance, SERVE@4thpres.org
Prepare part of a Sunday “Fellowship Dinner”, October 11, for 24 women and children at Clark Inn (Samaritan Inns’ Women with Children Program). Provide a main course, side dish, dessert, or beverage and deliver to a Bethesda home.
Rockville Women’s Center (RWC) Gala
Contact: Charlotte Fitzgerald, cfitzgerald@4thpres.org
Plan to attend either night of “Embrace Life: Your Legacy”, the RWC 2020 Gala, held virtually October 15 and 16. Be inspired by personal testimonies about how God is moving at RWC. Register online.
Romanian Christian Enterprises (RCE) Event
Contact: Charlotte Fitzgerald, cfitzgerald@4thpres.org
Please join RCE online, October 3, 7:30 p.m., for a livestreaming event instead of an in-person gathering. This is our annual event to raise funds for Darius Houses, Amy’s House, and Sunshine School in Romania. We hope you can join us for our visit to Romania via video.
Special Blessings
Contact: Audrey Muteru, amuteru@4thpres.org
Sunday School | Every Sunday 11:00 am via Zoom. Bethesda Series lesson on Compassion.
Moms’ Support Group | October 9, 7:30-9:00 p.m., via Zoom. We will continue our study of Unbroken Faith: Spiritual Recovery for the Special Needs Parent, chapter 22.
Dads’ Support Group | October 17, 7:00-8:30 p.m., via Zoom. We will continue our study of Common Man, Extraordinary Call: Thriving as the Dad of a Child with Special Needs, chapter 3.
Women’s Ministry
Contact: Jean Bronson, jbronson@4thpres.org
Annual Fall Hike | It is time for our annual fall hike, Saturday, September 26. We will meet at a local trail at 9:30 a.m. Email if you’re able to attend, and we’ll get back to you with details.
Young Adults
Contact: David Frerichs, dfrerichs@4thpres.org
Young Adults (20-30s, single, or recently married) Sunday school class, 10:45 a.m., Upper Room. The class is also available via Zoom for those unable to join in person. The Zoom link will be provided via email to the Young Adult email list at the end of this week. Request to be added to the list to receive the link.
Youth Ministry
Contact: Marie LeDuc, mleduc@4thpres.org
Sign Up: Weekly Youth Newsletter
Youth Sunday School | Join us for online teaching about Joseph from the book of Genesis. Video links are sent Sunday mornings by email and also are posted on the website.
Youth Bible Studies | Wednesdays, 6:30-8:00 p.m. Bible studies meet by grade and gender. For locations, see the newsletter.
Middle School Going Deep with Brad and Rachel, Middle School Directors | Mondays, 3:30-4:30 p.m. Join our Zoom call to go deeper into God’s word. See newsletter for the link.
High School Friday Night Live | Friday, September 25, 6:30-8:30 p.m., outside. Our kickoff event is a Spikeball tournament. Drop off at the Wood Acres Elementary School; pick up at church. Bring your friends.
Middle School “Wild West” Friday Night Club (FNC) | Friday, October 2, 6:30-8:30 p.m., outside at church in the Lower Parking Lot. Invite your friends.