Midweek Devotional & Update: The Love of Jesus


Dear Fourth Church Family,

As a postscript to last Sunday’s sermon, I want to look again at the love of Jesus. 1 John 4:10 tells us “in this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” Love him as best you are able and know that he will strengthen that love as you connect and abide in him.

Today, know that we want to serve and love you. Please look below for various opportunities to connect. Here are a few highlights:

  • Today, September 30, 5:30 p.m., Congregational Prayer
  • Thursday, October 1, 12:00 p.m., New Congregational Prayer Time
  • Sunday, October 4, 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, October 6, 7:00 p.m., “Teaching on Tuesdays”

Grace and Peace,

Todd


Worship Services, Sunday, October 4

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.

Morning Sermon
“The Joy of Jesus” | Luke 15:1-10
Evening Sermon
“Things Too Wonderful for Me” | Job 40-42

Communion at Evening Service
The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper will be celebrated at the morning services this Sunday, October 4, 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.  |  Thursdays, 12:00-12:30 p.m.

Join one or both of our churchwide online prayer times 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.


Deacons’ Annual Thanksgiving Bag Nominations

Contact: Charlotte FitzGerald, cfitzgerald@4thpres.org

The deacons need your assistance to share the love of Christ this Thanksgiving by suggesting those who may need help this holiday. Nominate recipients online, September 30-November 1. Drive-through pickup is scheduled for Sunday, November 15.


Teaching on Tuesdays

“Cinderella with Amnesia”
Taught by Fourth Pastors
Tuesdays | 7:00-7:45 p.m. | Online
Contact: Sallie Holdrich, sholdrich@4thpres.org
Join us via Zoom as we examine the most significant New Testament metaphors for the church. This series of studies is designed to help us understand both the privileges and challenges of what it means to be the Church today. For more information, visit the webpage.
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.

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

Two classes, Galatians and Joshua, are ongoing through December 6. Newcomers are welcome at any time. More information may be found on the Adult Sunday School webpage.

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.

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

Fourth Circles | Our monthly neighborhood gatherings for women of all ages are resuming and will continue via Zoom. To find a circle in your neighborhood, contact Jean or visit our website.

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.

Middle School “Wild West” Friday Night Club | Friday, October 2, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Lower Parking Lot. Invite your friends.

High School “Taco” Friday Night Live | Friday, October 9, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Lower Parking Lot. Bring your friends.