Midweek Update: Ordination
Dear Fourth Church Family,
Good morning! Today, David Frerichs and I talk about ordination—the public recognition and setting apart of men and women for the office of deacon, ruling elder, or teaching elder. It is particularly fitting to discuss this with Dave as he will be ordained as a teaching elder, or pastor, on Sunday, October 18 at 6:00 p.m. This service of ordination and installation will be livestreamed because of limited seating in the Sanctuary due to physical distancing. We rejoice and give thanks to God for bringing Dave to Fourth.
Here are a few highlights for the coming week:
- Today, October 7, 5:30 p.m., Congregational Prayer
- Thursday, October 8, 12:00 p.m., Congregational Prayer
- Sunday, October 11, 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 13, 7:00 p.m., “Teaching on Tuesdays”
Grace and Peace,
Todd
Worship Services, Sunday, October 11
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 at the evening service this Sunday, October 11, using prepackaged communion wafers and grape juice. Prepackaged gluten-free wafers will also be available.
Service of Ordination and Installation
of Mr. David Frerichs, Sunday, October 18
6:00 p.m. | Sanctuary and Livestream
Sermon
“He Must Increase” | John 3:22-26
Dr. Chad Van Dixhorn
limited reservations for this service open Wednesday, October 14, at 6:00 a.m.
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 Mmmbers 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
Call: 301-320-3600, x205, or email Sallie Holdrich, sholdrich@4thpres.org.
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.
Drive-Through Collection and Food Drive
Contact: Pamela Roylance, proylance@4thpres.org
Wednesday, October 14 | 3:00-5:00 p.m.
Saturday, October 17 | 1:00-4:00 p.m.
The neighborhood and church are invited to contribute to a food, clothing, and household items collection by Fourth Presbyterian Church Youth, in partnership with our Missions Local Outreach, which is distributing items to our ministry partners and neighbors in the DMV.
Instructions:
- Mark your contributions “collections” or “food” and place them in the trunk of
your vehicle. - Please wear a mask.
- Drive to the covered entrance on the Ridgefield Road side of the church. Note that the church building is closed and the collection/food drive is set up outside.
- Use the outer lane and remain in your car for safe social distancing.
- You will see tables set up for sorting donations.
- Release the trunk, and youth staff or volunteers wearing masks and gloves will unload your contribution.
Please bring any of the following:
- clothing – gently used baby and children’s clothes greatly appreciated
- household items
- canned soups, especially meat stews
- boxed milk (nonrefrigerated)
- baby formula
- men’s full sized toiletries
- pasta and rice
- canned spaghetti sauce (NO GLASS)
- canned tuna
- canned meats
- peanut butter
- jelly (NO GLASS)
- canned or dried beans
- toilet paper
- facial tissues
- paper towels
- cooking oil
- diapers (any size) and wipes
- baby food (NO GLASS)
- grocery store gift cards in any amount-please attach gift receipt to gift
card
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.
Outreach/Missions Newsletter
Contact: Charlotte FitzGerald, cfitzgerald@4thpres.org
To receive our biweekly email with information about opportunities to serve our community through our ministry partners, email Charlotte.
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.
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.
High School “Taco” Friday Night Live | Friday, October 9, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Lower Parking Lot. Bring your friends.
Middle School Friday Night Club | Friday, October 16, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Lower Parking Lot. Invite your friends.